Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
STRIKE MEETING DISCUSSION WITH POSTAL BOARD - NO PROGRESS
POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS
ALL INDIA POSTAL EXTRA DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES UNION
NATIONAL UNION OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS
NEW DELHI
DISCUSSION WITH POSTAL BOARD - NO PROGRESS
JCA DECIDES TO GO AHEAD WITH THE STRIKE DECISION
HOLD MASS DHARNA ON 10.01.2012 IN FRONT OF
CIRCLE/REGIONAL/DIVISIONAL OFFICES
On 27.12.2011, Discussion on 25 point Charter of Demands has been held with the Postal Board -Member (Personnel), Member (Operations), Member (PLI) and Member (Planning). The discussion lasted for eight hours. Even though the staff side has elaborately explained all the demands raised in the Charter, there was no favourable or result-oriented settlement on any of the demands. Thereafter the Central JCA met and decided to go ahead with the strike decision. It is decided to intensify the campaign. Accordingly the Central JCA calls upon all the Branch/Divisional/Circle Union to organize MASS Dharna in front of all Circle/Regional/Divisional offices on 10.01.2012. It is also decided to organize candle-light protest demonstration/procession/rallies on all important places on 16.01.2012. Further all intensive campaign such as squad work, conventions, general bodies, press conferences etc may be organized at all levels. Make the indefinite strike from 17.01.2012 a historic success.
Monday, December 26, 2011
ALL INDIA LEADERS OF CENTRAL JCA SIT ON HUNGER FAST IN FRONT OF DAK BHAWAN ON 26.12.2011.
On 26.12.2011 JCA leaders observed one day Dharna in the front of Dak Bhawan, all General Secratries . and the Secretary Generals on behalf of our union P.Suresh General Secretary , Com. K.K.Sharma (Treasurer), Com. Tirath Prakash AGS, Com. Hariender Singh Circle Secretary. Delhi, and Divisional ,Branch Secretaries participated and good number of Delhi RMS and postal employees attended and supported the Hunger Fast Programme.
CONFEDERATION CIRCULAR
National Council meeting and decisions.
The National Council meeting as scheduled was held at Gananam Hotel Conference hall, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala on 16th December, 2011. The National Council was inaugurated by Com. P. Rajiv, M.P. and was presided over by Com. T.Narasimhan, Vice President. The meeting commenced with observance of two minutes silence to condole the death of comrades who passed away during the period between December, 2010 and December, 2011. The meeting specially moved and adopted a resolution to condole the death of Com. M.K. Pandhe, Member of the Polit bureau of CPI (M) and former General Secretary and President of CITU.
Com. Secretary General presented a brief report to the Council meeting touching upon the events of importance both at national and international arena. He also submitted a work report for the consideration of the house. Decisions taken at the meeting on various agenda items are briefly as under:
Agenda Item Nos 1 to 4. These agenda issues were discussed together. The following were the conclusions.
(a) Review of 25th March to Parliament Programme and the signature campaign
The meeting evaluated the participation of CGE in the programme as very good. It however felt that had some State Committees and the affiliates taken a little more efforts to comply with the quota fixed, the target could have been achieved. The campaign for eliciting the participation of large number of comrades from nearby stations in Delhi had not been properly undertaken.
Reviewing the efforts undertaken by the affiliates and state Committees in the matter of signature cam0paign, the meeting decided to record its disappointment over the laxity in the matter shown by many affiliates and State Committees. The Council praised the endeavour of the Kerala State Committee in the matter as that State alone accounted for almost 1/3rd of the total 3.5 lakhs signatures collected.
(b) Subscription: The Secretary General informed the house that no improvement has been registered in the matter of remittance of subscription to CHQ by the affiliates. He assured to present the receipt and payment position since the last conference to the next National executive. The non-payment of subscription, he added, had a cascading effect in as much as the decision to start a journal, to effect intensive campaign on demands amongst the mass of the employees, the setting up of District level Committees etc., could not be implemented. The Council asked the Sectt. to get in touch with each affiliate to ensure remittance.
(c) Com. R.P. Singh informed the house that the Maharashtra State Committee will try to host the next Conference at Mumbai. No final decision in the matter could be taken at the Council.
(d) The Council felt that the charter of demands must be pursued with action programmes. However, taking into account the fact that the Central Trade Unions have decided to organise a day’s strike on 28th Feb. 2012, the National Sectt. of the Confederation was authorised to chalk out campaign programme to popularise the demands and organise agitational programmes culminating in a day’s strike action in the monsoon session of the Parliament (i.e. July- August, 2012). The earlier decision to organise a massive march to Parliament on the charter of demands was reiterated. The date will be finalised by the National Sectt. The campaign on the charter of demands will commence after 28th Feb. 2012.
(e) The Steering Committee’s decision to organise two hour walk out and demonstration on the next day of the taking up the PFRDA Bill in the Parliament was reiterated. It was also decided that campaign on the ill effects of the Bill must be brought to the notice of all MPs and they may be requested to oppose the Bill. Taking into account the unanimous decision of the Standing Committee to incorporate a minimum guaranteed pension, the Council decided to emphasise that the Central Government employees must be ensured with the guarantee of Minimum pension of 50% of the last pay drawn, family pension benefit and such other facilities as are presently available.
Agenda Item No. 5.
Participation in the ensuing strike action on 28th Feb. 2012.
The Council unanimously endorsed the decision of the Central Trade Unions to organise a day’s strike action on 28th Feb. 2012 and a resolution was adopted to call upon all CGEs organisations affiliated to Confederation to take strenuous efforts to ensure the participation of all members in the strike action on 28th Feb. 2012.
Agenda Item No. 6, National anomaly committee - Secretary General informed the council that the National Anomaly Committee is slated to meet on 5th Jan. 2012. He however, informed the members that no settlement on serious issues is likely to come out in the said meeting.
Agenda Item No.7
The Council adopted a resolution to be submitted to the Cabinet Secretary demanding the revival of the functioning of the Departmental Councils of Various Ministries.
Another resolution was adopted to extend the solidarity and support of the Confederation to the Postal Employees who have decided under the auspices of the Joint Council of Action of Postal organisations to embark upon indefinite strike in Jan. 2012 for the Postal Board did not honour the commitment made earlier especially in the matter of closure of RMS offices as per the suggestion of the McKenzie Committee report.
The Council decided to deplore through a resolution the terror attacks on T.U. Activists going on in West Bengal after the last general election.
The Council also adopted a resolution demanding grant of regular recognition to NFPE enabling it to be represented in the NC of JCM.
The Kerala State Committee had made excellent arrangements for the conduct of the Council meeting and for the stay of the Council members. On behalf of the National Secretariat Com. KV Sreedharan, Vice President, Confederation profusely thanked the State Committee and the volunteer comrades who made it possible. Com PG Saseendran, Secretary, Ernakulam District Committee of Confederation offered vote of thanks.
With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
K.K.N.Kutty Secretary General
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
MEETING WITH POSTAL BOARD ON STRIKE NOTICE ON 27-12-2011
Government of India
Ministry of Communications & IT
Department of Posts
SR Section
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi -110001.
F.No. 8/15/2011-SR Dated the 22nd December, 2011
Sujbect:- Notice of indefinite strike from 17.01.2012 served by Postal Joint Council of Action comprising NFPE, FNPO, AIl Postal Extral Departmental Employees Union and National Union of Gramin Dak Sevaks – Meeting of Members, Postal Services Board with the Postal Joint Council of Action.
This has refreence to note of even No. Dated 16.12.2011 dealing with notice for indefinite strike from 17.01.2012 served by Postal Joint Council of Action along with their 25-point Charter of Demands. Vide the above note, all Division heads were requested to furnish comments/Action Taken Reports in regard to the issues concerning them.
2. As decided with the approval of Secretary(Posts), the issues raised in the Charter of Demands will be discussed in the meetings to be taken by respective Members, Postal Services Board with the Postal Joint Council of Action on 27.12.2011 in Shri K.R. Murthy Room, Dak Bhawan, New Delhi as per timings indicated below:
(i). Member(P) will take meeting in the Forenoon stating at 10.30 AM.
(ii). Member(O) 2.30 P.M.
(iii). Member(PLI) 3.30 P.M
(iv). Member(Planning) 4.30 P.M
All the concerned heads of divisions will make it convenient to attend the meetingalong with updated comments/ATRs, which may also be sent to SR Section by 23.12.2011. 3. As regareds issue relating to Postal A/Cs Wing/Civil Wing, DDG(PAF)/CE(Civil) will take the meeting in the afternoon of 27.12.2011, timing for which will be fixed keeping in view convenience of both the sides.
Sd/-
(Subhash Chander)
Director (SR & Legal
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
ORGANISE NATIONWIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE MOVE OF GOVERNMENT TO ADOPT PFRDA BILL
UPA GOVERNMENT GOES AHEAD WITH THE RETROGRADE PENSION REFORMS
UNDETERRED BY THE TEMPORARY DEFEAT ON ALLOWING FDI IN RETAIL TRADE, GOVERNMENT ENTERED INTO A PACT WITH MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY TO PUSH THROUGH PENSION PRIVATIZATION BILL
UPA GOVERNMENT LED BY CONGRESS AND MAIN OPPOSITION LED BY BJP JOIN HANDS TO PRIVATIZE PENSION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN THE NAME OF DECISIONS OF STANDING COMMITTEE OF FINANCE ACCEPTED FOR INCORPORATION IN THE PROPOSED PFRDA BILL BY GOVERNMENT
PFRDA BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN UP FOR ADOPTION ON 21st DECEMBER IN PARLIAMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF OPPOSITION PARTIES EXCLUGING LEFT PARTIES
LEFT PARTIES ALONE STAND WITH THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
TO DEFEND OUR RIGHT TO SOCIAL SECURITY
COMRADE BASUDEV ACHARYA M.P MOVES AN AMENDMENT FOR GUARENTEEING MINIMUM STATUTORY PENSION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
STEERING COMMITTEE OF ORGANISATIONS AGAINST PFRDA CALLS UPON ALL CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO STAGE STRONG PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AT WORK SPOTS ON 22/12/2011
STEERING COMMITTEE DECIDEDS TO INTENSIFY THE STRUGGLE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF PFRDA
Dear Comrades,
The Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA has given a clarion call to agitate nationwide by staging strong protest demonstrations at all work spots on 22nd December, 2011 on the face of the decision of the Government to move the PFRDA Bill for adoption today in Parliament. The adoption of the bill is one of the most retrograde moves in the path of neo-liberalization surrender to international finance capital by the Government. The Social Security of all Government Employees is in peril. Let us agitatate strongly as per the call of the Steering Committee communicated through the minutes of the meeting furnished below:
Minutes of the meeting of the Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill
held on 20th December 2011 at AIRF Head Quarters (4, State Entry Road, New Delhi)
The steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill met at AIRF Head Quarters ie 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi on 20th December 2011. Following were present.
1. Com Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary AIRF
2. Com. Sukomal Sen, Sr Vice President, AISGEF
3. Com C. Sreekumar, General Secretary, AIDEF
4. Com. M. S. Raja, Secretary, Confederation of CG Employees & Workers
5. Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU
6. Com. OP Vasisht, AIDEF
7. Com. Shyam Sundar, Secretary General, Bharat Central Pensioners' Confederation (BCPC)
Decisions:
1. The PFRDA bill is expected to come up in the Lok Sabha on 21st Dec.2011. The Steering Committee calls upon to hold 2-hour demonstration in the work place on 22nd December 2011 against passage of the bill and demanding its withdrawal.
2. In case the bill does not come up in this session for some unforeseen circumstances (which has been extended upto 29th December 2011), the Steering Committee shall write to all MPs on the need to withdraw the Bill. The field formations shall contact the MP of their station and submit the letter.
3. Future agitational programmes shall be decided after the one day strike called by central trade unions on 28th February 2012. The demand 'Assured Pension for all' formulated by Central TUs shall be modified by the constituents of Steering Committee to "Scrap PFRDA bill/NPS; ensure pension for all".
UNDETERRED BY THE TEMPORARY DEFEAT ON ALLOWING FDI IN RETAIL TRADE, GOVERNMENT ENTERED INTO A PACT WITH MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY TO PUSH THROUGH PENSION PRIVATIZATION BILL
UPA GOVERNMENT LED BY CONGRESS AND MAIN OPPOSITION LED BY BJP JOIN HANDS TO PRIVATIZE PENSION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES IN THE NAME OF DECISIONS OF STANDING COMMITTEE OF FINANCE ACCEPTED FOR INCORPORATION IN THE PROPOSED PFRDA BILL BY GOVERNMENT
PFRDA BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN UP FOR ADOPTION ON 21st DECEMBER IN PARLIAMENT WITH THE SUPPORT OF OPPOSITION PARTIES EXCLUGING LEFT PARTIES
LEFT PARTIES ALONE STAND WITH THE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
TO DEFEND OUR RIGHT TO SOCIAL SECURITY
COMRADE BASUDEV ACHARYA M.P MOVES AN AMENDMENT FOR GUARENTEEING MINIMUM STATUTORY PENSION UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
STEERING COMMITTEE OF ORGANISATIONS AGAINST PFRDA CALLS UPON ALL CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES TO STAGE STRONG PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS AT WORK SPOTS ON 22/12/2011
STEERING COMMITTEE DECIDEDS TO INTENSIFY THE STRUGGLE FOR WITHDRAWAL OF PFRDA
Dear Comrades,
The Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA has given a clarion call to agitate nationwide by staging strong protest demonstrations at all work spots on 22nd December, 2011 on the face of the decision of the Government to move the PFRDA Bill for adoption today in Parliament. The adoption of the bill is one of the most retrograde moves in the path of neo-liberalization surrender to international finance capital by the Government. The Social Security of all Government Employees is in peril. Let us agitatate strongly as per the call of the Steering Committee communicated through the minutes of the meeting furnished below:
Minutes of the meeting of the Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill
held on 20th December 2011 at AIRF Head Quarters (4, State Entry Road, New Delhi)
The steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill met at AIRF Head Quarters ie 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi on 20th December 2011. Following were present.
1. Com Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary AIRF
2. Com. Sukomal Sen, Sr Vice President, AISGEF
3. Com C. Sreekumar, General Secretary, AIDEF
4. Com. M. S. Raja, Secretary, Confederation of CG Employees & Workers
5. Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU
6. Com. OP Vasisht, AIDEF
7. Com. Shyam Sundar, Secretary General, Bharat Central Pensioners' Confederation (BCPC)
Decisions:
1. The PFRDA bill is expected to come up in the Lok Sabha on 21st Dec.2011. The Steering Committee calls upon to hold 2-hour demonstration in the work place on 22nd December 2011 against passage of the bill and demanding its withdrawal.
2. In case the bill does not come up in this session for some unforeseen circumstances (which has been extended upto 29th December 2011), the Steering Committee shall write to all MPs on the need to withdraw the Bill. The field formations shall contact the MP of their station and submit the letter.
3. Future agitational programmes shall be decided after the one day strike called by central trade unions on 28th February 2012. The demand 'Assured Pension for all' formulated by Central TUs shall be modified by the constituents of Steering Committee to "Scrap PFRDA bill/NPS; ensure pension for all".
(SK Vyas)
Convener
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT
Parliament News :
Eligibility criteria for the posts of Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants…
This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology SHRI SACHIN PILOT in written reply to a question (2145 – Shri M.B.RAJESH) raised in Lok Sabha on 07.12.2011 regarding the eligibility criteria for recruitment in Postal Department.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT
Question :-
(a) whether the Department of Posts has specified any fresh eligibility criteria for the posts of Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Department has specifically excluded vocational streams from the recruitment process;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the Government proposes to amend the eligibility criteria to include vocational streams; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?
Answer :-
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) The educational criteria and other qualifications required for direct recruits are:
(i) 10+2 standard or 12th class pass with at least 60% marks, from recognized University/Board of School Education/Board of Secondary Education with English as a compulsory subject (excluding vocational streams), 55% for other Backward Classes and 45% for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes.
(ii) Should have studied local language of the State or Union Territory of the concerned Postal Circle or Hindi as a subject at least in Matriculation or equivalent. Earlier “Scheme of Examination” for direct recruitment provided for, shortlisting of the candidates to the extent of 10 times of the reported vacancies, based on the marks obtained by them in 10+2 standard or 12th class. As per the amended Recruitment Rules, all candidates having the prescribed educational qualification and are otherwise found eligible would be called for appearing in the examination. Apart from it, the candidates who had studied Hindi up to Matriculation have also been made eligible. The said amendments in the Recruitment Rules have been done to widen the field of selection.
(c) The provisions of the earlier Recruitment Rules in this regard have been retained.
(d) Not applicable in view of reply to (c).
(e) No Madam.
Eligibility criteria for the posts of Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants…
This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology SHRI SACHIN PILOT in written reply to a question (2145 – Shri M.B.RAJESH) raised in Lok Sabha on 07.12.2011 regarding the eligibility criteria for recruitment in Postal Department.
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR RECRUITMENT
Question :-
(a) whether the Department of Posts has specified any fresh eligibility criteria for the posts of Postal Assistants and Sorting Assistants;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Department has specifically excluded vocational streams from the recruitment process;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the Government proposes to amend the eligibility criteria to include vocational streams; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard?
Answer :-
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) The educational criteria and other qualifications required for direct recruits are:
(i) 10+2 standard or 12th class pass with at least 60% marks, from recognized University/Board of School Education/Board of Secondary Education with English as a compulsory subject (excluding vocational streams), 55% for other Backward Classes and 45% for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes.
(ii) Should have studied local language of the State or Union Territory of the concerned Postal Circle or Hindi as a subject at least in Matriculation or equivalent. Earlier “Scheme of Examination” for direct recruitment provided for, shortlisting of the candidates to the extent of 10 times of the reported vacancies, based on the marks obtained by them in 10+2 standard or 12th class. As per the amended Recruitment Rules, all candidates having the prescribed educational qualification and are otherwise found eligible would be called for appearing in the examination. Apart from it, the candidates who had studied Hindi up to Matriculation have also been made eligible. The said amendments in the Recruitment Rules have been done to widen the field of selection.
(c) The provisions of the earlier Recruitment Rules in this regard have been retained.
(d) Not applicable in view of reply to (c).
(e) No Madam.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Non implementation of assurances and revival of postponed Indefinite Strike
POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS
ALL INDIA POSTAL EXTRA DEPARTMENTAL EMPLOYEES UNION
NATIONAL UNION OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS
NEW DELHI
To
Ms. Manjula Prasher,
Secretary Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi-110116
Subject: Non implementation of assurances and revival of postponed Indefinite Strike.
Respected Madam,
The meeting of the Central JCA held on 03.12.2011 at New Delhi, have reviewed the post-5th July deferred strike settlement situation and have come to unanimous conclusion that Postal Board has failed to implement the assurances given by the Secretary [Posts] on agreed demands, even after a lapse of four months. Further it is going ahead with the unilateral implementation of the Mail Network Optimization Project [MNOP] in spite of vehement opposition of the Staff Side.
During the discussion with the Secretary [Posts] on 5th July deferred strike demands, it was assured that there will be no closure/merger of Post Offices, other than simultaneous relocation. But orders in this regard are yet to be communicated to the Heads of the Circle. Orders on Sorting Postman need further modification.
On GDS issues no favourable orders are issued on any of the items till this date. Payment of Pro-rata wages and absorption of Casual labourers and Part Time contingent employees still remains unsettled, even though it was assured that orders on payment of pro-rata wages to pre-1993 appointees will be issued within a month.
JCM Departmental Council meeting is indefinitely delayed. Cadre-restructuring Committee has not yet finalized its final proposals. Issues relating to Postmen, Mail guard and MTS are still in the negotiating stage and no settlement in sight. Demands of the Circle / Regional Offices administrative staff, Postal Accounts, SBCO and Civil Wing employees are not given serious consideration. In short, abnormal delay is taking place in settlement of the genuine demands raised in the Charter of Demands.
On contrary, even when most of the burning issues of the employees are totally neglected or remains unsettled, the Postal Board is going ahead with implementation of the retrograde recommendations of the McKinsey on Mail Network Optimization Project [MNOP]. In the Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Member [Operations] for reviewing the issues arising out of the implementation of speed post Hubs and proposed L1, L2 in first class mails, the Staff Side representatives have vehemently opposed the implementation of L1, L2 in first class mails as it will adversely affect the efficiency of the services resulting in abnormal delay thereby leading to erosion of public faith on the postal services. Further it will also result in large-scale dislocation / transfer of employees and will adversely affect their promotional prospects. In spite of our objection and disagreement, the Postal Board has made it clear that they are going ahead with the implementation of the MNOP Project.
In the above circumstances, the Staff Side is left with no alternative, but to revive the postponed strike decision and resort to the agitational path once again. The Central JCA after in depth analysis of the entire situation, have decided to go on indefinite strike from 17th January, 2012. It was also decided to serve the strike notice on 15.12.2011 and to conduct mass demonstrations / dharnas in front of all Chief PMG / PMG Offices and Divisional Offices on that day. As a second phase of the agitation, the Secretary Generals of NFPE and FNPO and the General Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers of Federations /All India Unions / Associations of the JCA shall sit on hunger fast in front of Dak Bhawan on 26.12.2011.
We hope that the Postal Board shall come forward for a negotiated settlement on all the issues mentioned above.
Detailed charter of demands and strike notice will be served on 15-12.2011.
Yours faithfully,
M. Krishnan D. Theagarajan
Secretary General, NFPE Secretary General, FNPO
S. S. Mahadevaiah P.U. Muralidharan
General Secretary General Secretary
AIPEDEU NUGDS
Friday, December 9, 2011
Amendment in Indian Post Office Act
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Shri Sachin Pilot today informed the Rajya Sabha that Government is not proposing to amend the Indian Post Office Act 1898. It is proposed to replace the existing Act and a Draft Post Office Bill is under consideration of the Government.
Replying to a written question the minister said the highlights of changes proposed to be brought through the new legislation are as follows:
1. Opening of market by reducing the exclusive privilege of Central Government:
Gradual opening of the market by phase wise removal of the monopoly proposed. Exclusive privilege reduced upto 150 gm. in case of letters and upto 50 gm. in case of express mail. Couriers can carry letters even within 150 gm and 50 gm (the reserve area) subject to them charging twice the postal rates for letters and twice the rates for express service.
2. Sunset clause:
A 15 years SUNSET clause for complete removal of exclusive privilege in express service and Parliamentary Review of exclusive privilege in case of letters is proposed.
3. Universal Service Obligation of the Central Government:
As proposed, USO is defined as the obligation of the Central Government to provide, through the Department of Posts, basic postal services at reasonable access, affordable price and with specified service parameters throughout the country. Commitment to provide postal service, delivery and access to post office 6 days of the week except holidays.
4. Definitions:
Definitions of certain ‘terms’ are proposed keeping in view the definition adopted by different countries, as also the requirement of customers i.e.
(a)“Postal services” means services provided by the Central Government or on its behalf and includes services related to
(i) handling of addressed letters,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) handling of these articles as registered or insured mail,
(v) express services for these articles,
(vi) handling of unaddressed articles,
(vii) Value Payable Post,
(viii) money remittance
(ix) Post Office Counter Services
(x) services on behalf of any Ministry or Department of the Central or State Governments, or services on behalf any other organization
(xi) other services not specified elsewhere;
b) “courier services” means services related to the handling of articles of mail i.e. collection, sorting, dispactch, conveyance and delivery including
(i) handling of addressed letters subject to provisions in Section 4,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) express services for these articles subject to provision in Section 4
(v) handling of unaddressed articles,
(c) “express services” means postal / courier services related to handling of articles of mail and expedited delivery within a clearly specified and declared time limit with confirmation of receipt and with or without end-to-end integration to ensure track and trace and a record of delivery;
(d) “Registered Courier” means any person registered as such under Section --- and includes his employee or agent or assignee;
(e) “Licensee” means a Registered Courier who has been given licence under Section --;
5. Registration and Licensing:
The Central Government may grant registration to any person undertaking the provision of any courier service in India, who shall be called a Registered Courier. T he Central Government may also grant license to any Registered Courier, who shall be called a licensee, for providing certain specific services. There is no registration fee or licences fee. Licensing conditions involve adherence to quality, guarantee relief to customers in case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure confidentiality and security of letter. All operators will require registration for providing any type of courier service in India. But license will be required only for reserve area, USO and letter mail.
6. Registering Authority:
It is propose that Central Government shall appoint Registering Authority, in such manner and to perform such functions, as may be prescribed.
7. Appellate Authority:
An Appellate Authority is proposed for redressal of grievances of any person aggrieved by an order of Registration Authority.
8. Setting up Extra Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE) and International mail Processing Centers (IMPC) abroad:
Central Govt. may establish ETOEs/IMPCs in other countries for providing international Mail Services including express and parcel services subject to arrangements with such Postal Administrations regarding terms and conditions.
Source : PIB Release, 9 December, 2011
Replying to a written question the minister said the highlights of changes proposed to be brought through the new legislation are as follows:
1. Opening of market by reducing the exclusive privilege of Central Government:
Gradual opening of the market by phase wise removal of the monopoly proposed. Exclusive privilege reduced upto 150 gm. in case of letters and upto 50 gm. in case of express mail. Couriers can carry letters even within 150 gm and 50 gm (the reserve area) subject to them charging twice the postal rates for letters and twice the rates for express service.
2. Sunset clause:
A 15 years SUNSET clause for complete removal of exclusive privilege in express service and Parliamentary Review of exclusive privilege in case of letters is proposed.
3. Universal Service Obligation of the Central Government:
As proposed, USO is defined as the obligation of the Central Government to provide, through the Department of Posts, basic postal services at reasonable access, affordable price and with specified service parameters throughout the country. Commitment to provide postal service, delivery and access to post office 6 days of the week except holidays.
4. Definitions:
Definitions of certain ‘terms’ are proposed keeping in view the definition adopted by different countries, as also the requirement of customers i.e.
(a)“Postal services” means services provided by the Central Government or on its behalf and includes services related to
(i) handling of addressed letters,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) handling of these articles as registered or insured mail,
(v) express services for these articles,
(vi) handling of unaddressed articles,
(vii) Value Payable Post,
(viii) money remittance
(ix) Post Office Counter Services
(x) services on behalf of any Ministry or Department of the Central or State Governments, or services on behalf any other organization
(xi) other services not specified elsewhere;
b) “courier services” means services related to the handling of articles of mail i.e. collection, sorting, dispactch, conveyance and delivery including
(i) handling of addressed letters subject to provisions in Section 4,
(ii) handling of addressed parcels and packages,
(iii) handling of addressed press products,
(iv) express services for these articles subject to provision in Section 4
(v) handling of unaddressed articles,
(c) “express services” means postal / courier services related to handling of articles of mail and expedited delivery within a clearly specified and declared time limit with confirmation of receipt and with or without end-to-end integration to ensure track and trace and a record of delivery;
(d) “Registered Courier” means any person registered as such under Section --- and includes his employee or agent or assignee;
(e) “Licensee” means a Registered Courier who has been given licence under Section --;
5. Registration and Licensing:
The Central Government may grant registration to any person undertaking the provision of any courier service in India, who shall be called a Registered Courier. T he Central Government may also grant license to any Registered Courier, who shall be called a licensee, for providing certain specific services. There is no registration fee or licences fee. Licensing conditions involve adherence to quality, guarantee relief to customers in case of any deficiency in service and commitment to ensure confidentiality and security of letter. All operators will require registration for providing any type of courier service in India. But license will be required only for reserve area, USO and letter mail.
6. Registering Authority:
It is propose that Central Government shall appoint Registering Authority, in such manner and to perform such functions, as may be prescribed.
7. Appellate Authority:
An Appellate Authority is proposed for redressal of grievances of any person aggrieved by an order of Registration Authority.
8. Setting up Extra Territorial Offices of Exchange (ETOE) and International mail Processing Centers (IMPC) abroad:
Central Govt. may establish ETOEs/IMPCs in other countries for providing international Mail Services including express and parcel services subject to arrangements with such Postal Administrations regarding terms and conditions.
Source : PIB Release, 9 December, 2011
INDEFINITE STRIKE DATE CHANGED FROM 3rd JANUARY TO 17th JANUARY, 2012.
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE DIFFICULTIES EXPRESSED BY SOME OF CIRCLE SECRETARIES AND GENERAL SECRETARIES GDS UNIONS FOR ORGANIZING STRIKE IN AN EFFECTIVE MANNER WITH IN A SHORT PERIOD, THE CENTRAL JCA HAS DECIDED TO POSTPONE THE DATE OF INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 3rd JANUARY TO 17th JANUARY, 2012. THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE STRIKE NOTICE SERVING DATE AND HUNGER FAST BY GENERAL SECRETARIES.
COPY OF THE STRIKE NOTICE AND CHARTER OF DEMANDS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN THE WEB SITE SHORTLY.
COPY OF THE STRIKE NOTICE AND CHARTER OF DEMANDS WILL BE EXHIBITED IN THE WEB SITE SHORTLY.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Fourth Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee.
F.No.11/2/2008-JCA Vol.(II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
(JCA Section)
North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 2nd December, 2011
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Fourth Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee.
The undersigned is directed to say that the Fourth Meeting of the National Anomaly Committee to discuss the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission is scheduled to be held on Thursday, the 5th January, 2012 at 3.00 P.M. in Room No.119, North Block, New Delhi, Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training will chair the Meeting.
2. Agenda papers for the meeting will be sent shortly.
3. It is requested to kindly make it convenient to attend the meeting. A line in confirmation may kindly be sent at the under mentioned email address also.
sd/-
(Ashok Kumar)
Deputy Secretary (JCA)
Tel : 2309 2589
To
All Official and Staff Side members of the National Anomaly Committee as per list attached.
All India Trade Union Study Camp & Seminar by NFPE a great step towards deeper education
In line with the direction of the Federal Executive of NFPE to organise nationwide TU Camps to educate the entire leadership of our movement, the Second All India level TU Camp & Seminar was organised for 3 days from 4th to 6th December, 2011 by the Federation. The venue 'Allahabad' in Uttarpradesh that possesses the traditions of freedom movement including the greatness like the birth place of Pt.Jawaharlal Nehru and the place of martyrdom of Chandrasekhar Azad hosted the TU Camp. Postal leaders of all Unions of Allahabad under the guidance of all Circle Secretaries organized the programmes in an excellent manner. The 'Kriya Yoga Research institute' with a serene atmosphere and good accommodation for all delegates was arranged by the Reception Committee for conducting the TU Camp and Seminar. In between the sessions the Reception Committee had arranged Cultural Programme also.
The TU Camp commenced with the flag hoisting of National Flag and NFPE Flag by Senior leader Comrade T.P.Mishra of Allahabad and NFPE President Comrade D.K.Rahate respectively amidst slogans renting the air. All paid tributes to the Martyr Column in memory of departed comrades who sacrificed for the cause of working class. Comrade T.P.Mishra welcomed all and Comrade D.K.Rahate presided over and the Camp began with the silence observed to condone the demise of Senior Working Class leader Dr.M.K.Pandhe in Delhi and Mrs.Adinarayanawife of our former Secretary General Comrade Adi in Hyderabad as well as all other leaders and comrades who had departed.
The All India Trade Union Study Camp was attended by around 200 Delegates. Comrade A.K.Padmanabhan CITU All India President inaugurated the 3 Days All India Trade Union Camp & Seminar organised by the NFPE in Allahabad City on 4/12/2011 forenoon session. Comrade A.K.Padmanabhan elaborately dealt on 'Capitalist Economic Crisis and the Role of Working Class'. Comrade M.KrishnanSecretary General NFPE took a class on the 'History of Postal TU Movement and our present day task; in the afternoon session. These sessions were presided over by Comrade D.K.Rahate the President of NFPE.
On the second day forenoon, Comrade K.V.Sridharan General Secretary P3 took the class on 'Service Matters and Role of leadership'. This session was presided over by Comrade Sankar Mukherjee Vice President NFPE. Thereafter an interaction session by the General Secretaries of P3, P4, R3, R4, Admn, Postal Accounts as well as CHQ leaders of GDS Union and All India Postal Casual labour federation.
In the afternoon of second day, Professor Dr. Prabhat Patnaik eminent economist took the class on 'Globalisation policies and Servicesector' that was presided over by the Secretary General NFPE.
On the third and final day a combined session of TU Camp and open session was held in the campus of Allahabad GPO, which was inaugurated by Comrade S.K.Vyas President Confederation. He took a class on 'Demands Charter of Confederation and our task' and Comrade K.Ragavendran Ex-Secretary General NFPE and Working President of Confederation took a class on 'JCM Machinery and role of Confederation'. Comrade M.Krishnan Secretary General NFPE spoke on the 'Current situation and the background of indefinite strike from 3rd January, 2012 called by Postal JCA', Comrade B.G.Tamhankar Ex-NFPE President addressed and greeted the TU Camp. Comrade R.N.Parashar Assistant Secretary General NFPE addressed on 'Issues before us and the need to organize effectively the indefinite strike'.
The open session was presided over by Comrade T.P.Mishra senior leader. The TU Camp and the Seminar as well as the open session were grand success. The UP Circle Unions and Allahabad Postal Comrades have organized the programmes with excellent arrangements. The Allahabad leadership of NFPE took all efforts to mobilize large number of Postal Workers in the open session. Leaders and employees from other CG Organisations also participated in the Open Session. All acclaimed that this TU Camp and Seminar at Allahabad is a milestone in the long march towards educating the whole leadership.
The TU Camp commenced with the flag hoisting of National Flag and NFPE Flag by Senior leader Comrade T.P.Mishra of Allahabad and NFPE President Comrade D.K.Rahate respectively amidst slogans renting the air. All paid tributes to the Martyr Column in memory of departed comrades who sacrificed for the cause of working class. Comrade T.P.Mishra welcomed all and Comrade D.K.Rahate presided over and the Camp began with the silence observed to condone the demise of Senior Working Class leader Dr.M.K.Pandhe in Delhi and Mrs.Adinarayanawife of our former Secretary General Comrade Adi in Hyderabad as well as all other leaders and comrades who had departed.
The All India Trade Union Study Camp was attended by around 200 Delegates. Comrade A.K.Padmanabhan CITU All India President inaugurated the 3 Days All India Trade Union Camp & Seminar organised by the NFPE in Allahabad City on 4/12/2011 forenoon session. Comrade A.K.Padmanabhan elaborately dealt on 'Capitalist Economic Crisis and the Role of Working Class'. Comrade M.KrishnanSecretary General NFPE took a class on the 'History of Postal TU Movement and our present day task; in the afternoon session. These sessions were presided over by Comrade D.K.Rahate the President of NFPE.
On the second day forenoon, Comrade K.V.Sridharan General Secretary P3 took the class on 'Service Matters and Role of leadership'. This session was presided over by Comrade Sankar Mukherjee Vice President NFPE. Thereafter an interaction session by the General Secretaries of P3, P4, R3, R4, Admn, Postal Accounts as well as CHQ leaders of GDS Union and All India Postal Casual labour federation.
In the afternoon of second day, Professor Dr. Prabhat Patnaik eminent economist took the class on 'Globalisation policies and Servicesector' that was presided over by the Secretary General NFPE.
On the third and final day a combined session of TU Camp and open session was held in the campus of Allahabad GPO, which was inaugurated by Comrade S.K.Vyas President Confederation. He took a class on 'Demands Charter of Confederation and our task' and Comrade K.Ragavendran Ex-Secretary General NFPE and Working President of Confederation took a class on 'JCM Machinery and role of Confederation'. Comrade M.Krishnan Secretary General NFPE spoke on the 'Current situation and the background of indefinite strike from 3rd January, 2012 called by Postal JCA', Comrade B.G.Tamhankar Ex-NFPE President addressed and greeted the TU Camp. Comrade R.N.Parashar Assistant Secretary General NFPE addressed on 'Issues before us and the need to organize effectively the indefinite strike'.
The open session was presided over by Comrade T.P.Mishra senior leader. The TU Camp and the Seminar as well as the open session were grand success. The UP Circle Unions and Allahabad Postal Comrades have organized the programmes with excellent arrangements. The Allahabad leadership of NFPE took all efforts to mobilize large number of Postal Workers in the open session. Leaders and employees from other CG Organisations also participated in the Open Session. All acclaimed that this TU Camp and Seminar at Allahabad is a milestone in the long march towards educating the whole leadership.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION DECIDES TO ORGANISE INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 3RD JANUARY 2012
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 SEVAKS
NEW DELHI
No: JCA/AGTN/2011 Dated 05.12.2011
CENTRAL JCA DECIDES TO SERVE STRIKE NOTICE
FOR ALL INDIA INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM 03.01.2012
STRIKE NOTICE WILL BE SERVED ON 15.12.2011
*Against Violation of Assurances and Non-implementation of Agreed Demands of 5th July, 2011 Deferred Strike
ORGANISE MASS DEMONSTRATIONS / DHARNAS IN FRONT OF ALL CIRCLE / REGIIONAL / DIVISIONAL OFFICES ON 15.12.2011.
ALL INDIA LEADERS OF CENTRAL JCA WILL SIT ON HUNGER FAST IN FRONT OF DAK BHAWAN ON 26.12.2011.
MAKE THE INDEFINITE STRIKE A GRAND SUCCESS
Dear Comrades,
The meeting of the Central JCA held on 03.12.2011 at New Delhi, have reviewed the post-5th July deferred strike settlement situation and have to come unanimous conclusion that Postal Board has failed to implement the assurances given by the Secretary [Posts] on agreed demands, even after a lapse of four months. Further it is going ahead with the unilateral implementation of the Mail Network Optimization Project [MNOP] in spite of vehement opposition of the Staff Side.
During the discussion with the Secretary [Posts] on 5th July deferred strike demands, it was assured that there will be no closure/merger of Post Offices, other than simultaneous relocation. But orders in this regard are yet to be communicated to the Heads of the Circle. Orders on Sorting Postman need further modification. On GDS issues no favourable orders are issued on any of the items till this date. Payment of Pro-rata wages and absorption of Casual labourers and Part Time contingent employees still remains unsettled, even though it was assured that orders on payment of pro-rata wages to pre-1993 appointees will be issued within a month.
JCM Departmental Council meeting is indefinitely delayed. Cadre-restructuring Committee has not yet finalized its final proposals. Issues relating to Postmen, Mail guard and MTs are still in the negotiating stage and no settlement in sight. Demands of the Circle / Regional Offices administrative staff, Postal Accounts, SBCO and Civil Wing employees are not given serious consideration. In short, abnormal delay is taking place in settlement of the genuine demands raised in the Charter of Demands.
On contrary, even when most of the burning issues of the employees are totally neglected or remains unsettled, the Postal Board is going ahead with implementation of the retrograde recommendations of the McKinsey on Mail Network Optimization Project [MNOP]. In the Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Member [Operations] for reviewing the issues arising out of the implementation of speed post Hubs and proposed L1, L2 in first class mails, the Staff Side representatives have vehemently opposed the implementation of L1, L2 in first class mails as it will adversely the efficiency of the services resulting in abnormal delay thereby leading to erosion of public faith on the postal services. Further it will also result in large-scale dislocation / transfer of employees and will adversely affect their promotional prospects. In spite of our objection and disagreement, the Postal Board has made it clear that they are going ahead with the implementation of the MNOP Project.
In the above circumstances, the Staff Side is left with no alternative,, but to revive the postponed strike decision and resort to the agitational path once again. The Central JCA after in depth analysis of the entire situation, have decided to go on indefinite strike from 3rd January, 2012. It was also decided to serve the strike notice on 15.12.2011 and to conduct mass demonstrations / dharnas in front of all Chief PMG / PMG Offices and Divisional Offices on that day. As a second phase of the agitation, the Secretary Generals of NFPE and FNPO and the General Secretaries and CHQ Office Bearers of Federations /All India Unions / Associations of the JCA shall sit on hunger fast in front of Dak Bhawan on 26.12.2011.
The Central JCA calls upon the entirety of the Postal and RMS employees to make all the above agitational programmes in the true spirit and make the indefinite strike from 3rd January, 2012 a grand success.
If the Postal Board is not ready to come for a result-oriented and time-bound negotiated settlement, the entire Postal and RMS Service should be paralyzed from 03.01.2012.
It is again a struggle for our survival.
It is a struggle of life and death to lakhs of Postal Workers.
Let the Postal,, RMS, Administrative, Postal Accounts, GDS, SBCO and Civil Wing employees come together to stage another glorious indefinite strike.
Fraternally Yours,
Secretary General Secretary General
NFPE FNPO
&
All General Secretaries of NFPE and FNPO
&
General Secretary General Secretary
AIPEDEU NUGDS
D.A TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA – MINISTRY OF FINANCE – LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 859
DA OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
859 . Smt. P. JAYA PRADA NAHATA
NEERAJ SHEKHAR
YASHVIR SINGH
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government has plans to increase dearness allowance effective from January,2011 for Central Government employees with a rate that commensurates with the inflationary trends and plights of working class in the past few months;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;
(c) whether Government has any proposals to declare DA as Dearness Pay when it will cross 50 per cent, as it was done during the 5th Pay Commission;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not the reasons therefore?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARIAN MEENA)
(a)&fb): Increase in Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees with effect from January, 2011 will be worked out on basis of accepted formula which is based on the recommendation of 6th Central Pay Commission.
(ch(d) &(e): No proposal to declare DA as dearness pay, after DA crosses 50% is under consideration of the Government. The Sixth Pay Commission did not recommend merger of dearness allowance with Basic Pay at any stage. Government accepted this recommendation vide Government of India Resolution dated 29.8.2008.
DA OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
859 . Smt. P. JAYA PRADA NAHATA
NEERAJ SHEKHAR
YASHVIR SINGH
Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether Government has plans to increase dearness allowance effective from January,2011 for Central Government employees with a rate that commensurates with the inflationary trends and plights of working class in the past few months;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore;
(c) whether Government has any proposals to declare DA as Dearness Pay when it will cross 50 per cent, as it was done during the 5th Pay Commission;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not the reasons therefore?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI NAMO NARIAN MEENA)
(a)&fb): Increase in Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees with effect from January, 2011 will be worked out on basis of accepted formula which is based on the recommendation of 6th Central Pay Commission.
(ch(d) &(e): No proposal to declare DA as dearness pay, after DA crosses 50% is under consideration of the Government. The Sixth Pay Commission did not recommend merger of dearness allowance with Basic Pay at any stage. Government accepted this recommendation vide Government of India Resolution dated 29.8.2008.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
LTC-Special Package for North-Eastern Region
Special Package for North-Eastern Region
The Ministry of Tourism, as a part of its promotional activities releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country including the North East Region. Besides, North East specific media campaigns are launched to promote the entire North East Region. The Ministry of Tourism provides complimentary space to the North Eastern States in India pavilions set up at major international travel fairs & exhibitions. Further, In relaxation of CCS (LTC) Rules 1988, the Government has decided to permit Government servants to travel by air to North Eastern Region on LTC as follows:-
(i) Group A and Group B Central Government employees will be entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the NER or nearest airport.
(ii) Other categories of employees will be entitled to travel by air to a city in the NER from Guwahati or Kolkata.
(iii) All Central Government employees will be allowed conversion of one block of Home Town LTC into LTC for destinations in NER.
(c): Every year 10% of the total plan allocation of the Ministry of Tourism is mandatorily earmarked for releasing funds to the States of the North East Region. This apart, following special dispensations are given to the North Eastern States:
(i) Under the scheme of product/infrastructure development of destinations/circuit, budget accommodation, restaurants, etc. are allowed to the States of North East Region, selected places of J&K and Eco Tourism projects only.
(ii) For organizing fairs & festivals 100% central financial assistance is allowed to the North Eastern States & the State of Jammu & Kashmir only.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Tourism, Shri Sultan Ahmed in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
source-PIB
The Ministry of Tourism, as a part of its promotional activities releases print, electronic, online and outdoor media campaigns to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country including the North East Region. Besides, North East specific media campaigns are launched to promote the entire North East Region. The Ministry of Tourism provides complimentary space to the North Eastern States in India pavilions set up at major international travel fairs & exhibitions. Further, In relaxation of CCS (LTC) Rules 1988, the Government has decided to permit Government servants to travel by air to North Eastern Region on LTC as follows:-
(i) Group A and Group B Central Government employees will be entitled to travel by Air from their place of posting or nearest airport to a city in the NER or nearest airport.
(ii) Other categories of employees will be entitled to travel by air to a city in the NER from Guwahati or Kolkata.
(iii) All Central Government employees will be allowed conversion of one block of Home Town LTC into LTC for destinations in NER.
(c): Every year 10% of the total plan allocation of the Ministry of Tourism is mandatorily earmarked for releasing funds to the States of the North East Region. This apart, following special dispensations are given to the North Eastern States:
(i) Under the scheme of product/infrastructure development of destinations/circuit, budget accommodation, restaurants, etc. are allowed to the States of North East Region, selected places of J&K and Eco Tourism projects only.
(ii) For organizing fairs & festivals 100% central financial assistance is allowed to the North Eastern States & the State of Jammu & Kashmir only.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Tourism, Shri Sultan Ahmed in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
source-PIB
Saturday, November 26, 2011
STEERING COMMITTEE PRESS STATEMENT AND MEMORANDUM TO PRIME MINISTER DEMANDING WITHDRAWAL OF PFRDA BILL
C/o AIRF, 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110001
9868244035
PRESS STATEMENT
Thousands of State and Central government employees, Railway workers, Defence workers, BSNL, University and School teachers today participated in a massive March to Parliament against the PFRDA Bill and to submit a petition to the Prime Minister to which millions of employees have subscribed their signature. The rally was addressed by the leaders of various organizations of employees and several Members of Parliament.
A seven member delegation consisting of Coms. S K Vyas, (Convenor, Steering Committee) Shiv Gopal Mishra, (General Secretary, AIRF), KKN Kutty, (Secy. General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers) S.N. Pathak, (President, AIDEF) P. Abhimanyu (General Secretary, BSNLEU) Rajendran (General Secretary, STFI) and Sukomal Sen (Sr. Vice President, AISGEF) met the Hon'ble Prime Minister today along with Com Basudeb Acharya, MP and Com. Tapan Sen, MP and General Secretary of CITU. The delegation appealed to the Prime Minister to reconsider the government's policy of privatisation of pension funds and withdraw the PFRDA bill which seeks to replace the existing defined benefit Pension Scheme of government employees. The concern and anxiety of the government employees over the financial security in the evening of their life was also brought to the notice of the Prime Minister.
The petition to the Prime minister elaborated the various reasons as to why the present bill will be neither in the interest of the employees nor will benefit the Government Exchequer (Copy enclosed).
The Hon'ble Prime Minister assured the delegation of the consideration of the petition and the feasibility of providing a guarantee for a minimum pension which the Standing Committee had recommended but unfortunately not found approval of the Cabinet. The Prime Minister informed the delegation that his Government would not do anything to harm the interest of the employees.
The rally was concluded at 2.30 PM. On behalf of the Steering Committee, Com. Vyas announced that the employees will organize two hour walk out on the next day the Parliament takes up the PFRDA Bill for consideration.
S.K.VYAS
Convener
STEERING COMMITTEE
OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ORGANISATIONS
ON PFRDA BILL.
13.C Feroze Shah Road
New Delhi. 110 001
Dated: 25th November, 2011
Phone: S.K.Vyas . Convenor: 91-98682 44035.
011-2338 2286. E mail. Confederation06@yahoo.co.in
To
The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India,
New Delhi
Sub: Request for Scrapping of PFRDA Bill
Sir,
We submit this Petition to bring to your kind notice and through your good office to the attention of the Honorable Parliamentarians of our country certain aspects of the re-introduced PFRDA bill, which will have adverse impact on the exchequer in general and on the prevailing service conditions of the Civil Servants. We pray that our submissions in this regard may please be caused to be considered earnestly and the implication of the provisions of the bill critically analyzed and examined and take decision to kindly withdraw the Bill from the Parliament.
We submit the following for your critical and objective analysis of the Bill :
1. The concept of old age security for civil servant in the form of pension has a very ancient origin dating back as early as third century BC, the quantum being half of the wages on completion of forty years blemishless service to the king.
2. In the last century, one of the measures taken by the colonial rulers to attract talented personnel to the Royal service was the introduction of pension scheme for civil servants in 1920. The Royal commission through its various recommendations improved the scheme and the 1935 Government of India Act provided it statutory strength.
3. The land mark judgment of the Supreme Court in D .S. Nakara and others Vs. Union of India (AIR-1983-SC-130)(applicable to the Central and State Government employees, teachers, and all stake holders of pension system) conceptualized pension stating that pension is neither a bounty nor a grace bestowed by the sweet will of the employer, but a payment for the past services rendered. It was construed as a right step towards socio-economic justice and a concrete assurance to the effect that the employee in his old age is not left in the lurch.
4. The fifth Central Pay Commission which was set up by the GOI in 1993 to go into the wage structure and pension scheme of the Central Government employees referring to the Judgment of the Supreme Court cited, observed (Para 127.6) that"pension is the statutory, inalienable and legally enforceable right earned by the civil servant by the sweat of the brow and being so must be fixed, revised, modified and changed in the way not dissimilar to salary granted to serving employees."
5. The guiding principle adopted in determining of pay package of civil servants is to spread out the wage compensation over a long period of time whereby wages paid out during the work tenure is low in order to effect payment of pension on retirement. As such civil service pension is rightly termed as deferred wage. While in the organized private sector the employer is required to contribute equal share to the Provident Fund of the employees, the Government neither contributes to the Provident Fund of the civil servants nor takes any pension subscription from him.
6. In an unwarranted intervention in the Statutory defined benefit Pension system, the IMF in their work paper (WP/01/125,(2001) propounded the creation of a pension fund by eliciting subscription from the Wage earners at the earliest stage of their employment so as to fetch an annuity decent enough to sustain him at the old age. In fact it was a suggestion for a retrograde change over from the defined benefit pension scheme to a defined contributory system. While suggesting so, they have categorically stated that India does not suffer demographic pressure experienced by major countries, for India's population beyond the age of 60 was about 7% in 2004 which rose to 8.6% in 2010 and is estimated at 13.7% in 2030 and 20% in 2050.
7. The New contributory pension scheme enunciated by the Government of India and adopted by most of the State Governments is covered by the PRFDA bill. The bill inter alia, envisages a social security scheme for all who desire to have an annuity at his old age which is voluntary and not mandatory. However, in the case of Civil Servants, who are recruited to Government service after the prescribed cut -off date ( 1.1.2004 in GOI service) the scheme is mandatory in as much as the employee is bound to subscribe 10% of his emoluments to the Pension Fund and the Govt. being the employer would contributes equal amount. No employee is entitled to opt out of the scheme.
8. Despite the inability to bring in a valid enactment, the Central and all State Governments other than those of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura through illegal executive orders decided to impose the contributory pension system arbitrarily on the Central and State Government employees .While the Govt. of India notification excluded the personnel in the armed forces and para-military establishments, the Governments of the Left ruled States of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura consciously continued with the existing defined benefit pension system.
9. The PRFDA Bill stipulates that there will not be any explicit or implicit assurance of the benefit except market based guarantee. The subscriber is thus exposed to the following risks at the exit.
a) If there is a major market shock, the subscriber to the New Pension scheme may end with no ability to purchase an annuity.
b) Since annuity is and cannot be cost indexed, the real worth of the annuity might fall depending upon the inflationary pressure on the economy.
c) As per the scheme, the subscriber is to make the choice of investment portfolio. The Civil Servant being mostly uninformed in finance and investment related matters, he might end up in making wrong choices which would eventually rob him of the old age pension.
d) The subscriber is perforce to contribute to the charges of the investment managers, whose priority often is as to how much profit they could make through investment of the huge corpus of pension fund in the volatile share market .
10. The pension fund created by the employees' subscription and the employers' contribution which directly flows from the exchequer ( which is nothing but tax revenue of the Govt.) is made available for the stock market operations which is not only unethical but also blatant diversion of public fund for private profit, both Foreign and Indian capitalists.
11. In the case of Civil Servants recruited after the cut-off date, the new scheme replaces the existing much better "defined benefit" pension scheme. In the process, the Government has created two classes of civil servants viz. the one with a defined benefit pension scheme and the other with the contributory pension scheme in which the employee is to part with 10% of his emoluments to become entitled for an old age social security subject to the vagaries of share market permits. Since in both the cases, the pay, allowances, perks, and other benefits, privileges, duties and responsibilities are the same it amounts to wanton discrimination of one against another which is not sustainable in law, rather violative of the existing constitutional provisions.
12. The wage structure presently designed for those who are recruited prior to the cut- off date and after is on the same premise and is depressed to enable the Govt. to meet the pension liability in future. By imposing the new contributory pension scheme on the employees who are recruited after the cut- off date the Govt. not only denies the statutory defined pension benefit to them but also compel them to contribute for earning an undefined annuity, which must be characterized as highly discriminatory.
13. Those who are covered by the contributory pension scheme will become entitled for an annuity, a portion of the accumulated contribution is able to purchase, basing upon the accretion to the fund from the investment. There is, however, no guaranteed minimum amount of pension for those who are covered by the new scheme, whereas the civil servants covered by the existing scheme do get a defined and guaranteed minimum pension and on his death his family members (wife, widowed and unmarred daughters and unemployed sons below the age of 25) become entitled for family pension. The discrimination factor is thus compounded.
14. The PFRDA Bill when enacted, it is rightly feared, will empower the Government to alter or even deny the present employees and pensioners the statutory defined pension benefit as has been done in the case of those who are appointed after the cut-off date.
15. It is stated that the prime objective of the introduction of the contributory pension scheme is to substantially reduce the outflow on account of pension liability. The major pension liability of Government is accounted for by Armed Defence personnel. They are however excluded from the purview of the contributory pension scheme. The personnel in the ParaMilitary forces are also excluded from the ambit of the new Scheme. While doing so, (no doubt to attract the people to serve in the armed forces for security of the Nation) the Govt. is bound to meet the pension liability from the consolidated fund of India. The argument advanced by the Govt. to cover the Civil Servants in the ambit of the new Pension scheme has been found to be unsustainable by the study commissioned by the 6thCPC. Shri S. Chidambaram, Actuary, in his report, (Annexure to "A study of Terminal benefit of Central Government employees by Dt. K. Gayatri, Centre for Economic Studies and policy, Institute for Social and Economic change, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore) has pointed out that the Government liability on account of contributory pension scheme would in effect increase for a period spanning for the next 34 years from the existing Rs. 14,284 Cr. To Rs. 57,088 Cr. ( 2004-2038) and is likely to taper off only from 2038 onwards. The exchequer is bound to have an increased outflow for the next 34 years and will be called upon to bear the actual pension liability of defence personnel and personnel of para military forces, besides making the contribution to the Pension fund of the Civil Servants recruited after the cut off date. The specious plea that the exchequer is bound to gain due to the contributory pension scheme is therefore not borne from facts.
16. Of the present pension liability of the Govt. of India, which in 2004-05 was 0.51% of the GDP, 0.26% is accounted for by the Defence( which is 50% of the total pension liability.) The study report of the Centre for Economic Studies has concluded that the pension liability as a percentage to GDP which is just 0.5% presently is likely to decline given the growth rate of Indian economy.
17. Since most of the State Governments have chosen to switch over to "contributory pension scheme" , in fairness ( from the Study conducted by the Centre for Economic Studies and policy) it can be concluded that the pension liability of all the State Governments are bound to increase to three times of what it is today by 2038.
18. The first version of the PFRDA Bill was placed before the Parliament by the NDA Government in 2003. The 6th CPC set up the Committee to go into the financial implication on account of the increasing number of pensioners and suggest alternative funding methodology in 2006. The said Committee came to the inescapable conclusion (report submitted in 2007) that "the existing systems of pension are increasingly becoming complicated after the introduction of the New Pension scheme" and warned that "caution has to be exercised in initiating any further reforms" In the light of the conclusion of the said study report which revealed the fact of serious escalation in the pension payment outflow, the rationale of the re-introduction of the PFRDA bill in 2011 covering the civil servants is incomprehensible. Undoubtedly, the Bill when enacted into law will through the existing pensioners to a financially insecure future and the existing workers to the vagaries of the stock market. We, therefore, earnestly pray to your good-self to bring back all the civil servants including teachers irrespective of the date of entry into Government service as also those irregularly appointed within the ambit of the existing statutory defined pension benefit scheme.
We submit the following for your critical and objective analysis of the Bill :
1. The concept of old age security for civil servant in the form of pension has a very ancient origin dating back as early as third century BC, the quantum being half of the wages on completion of forty years blemishless service to the king.
2. In the last century, one of the measures taken by the colonial rulers to attract talented personnel to the Royal service was the introduction of pension scheme for civil servants in 1920. The Royal commission through its various recommendations improved the scheme and the 1935 Government of India Act provided it statutory strength.
3. The land mark judgment of the Supreme Court in D .S. Nakara and others Vs. Union of India (AIR-1983-SC-130)(applicable to the Central and State Government employees, teachers, and all stake holders of pension system) conceptualized pension stating that pension is neither a bounty nor a grace bestowed by the sweet will of the employer, but a payment for the past services rendered. It was construed as a right step towards socio-economic justice and a concrete assurance to the effect that the employee in his old age is not left in the lurch.
4. The fifth Central Pay Commission which was set up by the GOI in 1993 to go into the wage structure and pension scheme of the Central Government employees referring to the Judgment of the Supreme Court cited, observed (Para 127.6) that"pension is the statutory, inalienable and legally enforceable right earned by the civil servant by the sweat of the brow and being so must be fixed, revised, modified and changed in the way not dissimilar to salary granted to serving employees."
5. The guiding principle adopted in determining of pay package of civil servants is to spread out the wage compensation over a long period of time whereby wages paid out during the work tenure is low in order to effect payment of pension on retirement. As such civil service pension is rightly termed as deferred wage. While in the organized private sector the employer is required to contribute equal share to the Provident Fund of the employees, the Government neither contributes to the Provident Fund of the civil servants nor takes any pension subscription from him.
6. In an unwarranted intervention in the Statutory defined benefit Pension system, the IMF in their work paper (WP/01/125,(2001) propounded the creation of a pension fund by eliciting subscription from the Wage earners at the earliest stage of their employment so as to fetch an annuity decent enough to sustain him at the old age. In fact it was a suggestion for a retrograde change over from the defined benefit pension scheme to a defined contributory system. While suggesting so, they have categorically stated that India does not suffer demographic pressure experienced by major countries, for India's population beyond the age of 60 was about 7% in 2004 which rose to 8.6% in 2010 and is estimated at 13.7% in 2030 and 20% in 2050.
7. The New contributory pension scheme enunciated by the Government of India and adopted by most of the State Governments is covered by the PRFDA bill. The bill inter alia, envisages a social security scheme for all who desire to have an annuity at his old age which is voluntary and not mandatory. However, in the case of Civil Servants, who are recruited to Government service after the prescribed cut -off date ( 1.1.2004 in GOI service) the scheme is mandatory in as much as the employee is bound to subscribe 10% of his emoluments to the Pension Fund and the Govt. being the employer would contributes equal amount. No employee is entitled to opt out of the scheme.
8. Despite the inability to bring in a valid enactment, the Central and all State Governments other than those of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura through illegal executive orders decided to impose the contributory pension system arbitrarily on the Central and State Government employees .While the Govt. of India notification excluded the personnel in the armed forces and para-military establishments, the Governments of the Left ruled States of West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura consciously continued with the existing defined benefit pension system.
9. The PRFDA Bill stipulates that there will not be any explicit or implicit assurance of the benefit except market based guarantee. The subscriber is thus exposed to the following risks at the exit.
a) If there is a major market shock, the subscriber to the New Pension scheme may end with no ability to purchase an annuity.
b) Since annuity is and cannot be cost indexed, the real worth of the annuity might fall depending upon the inflationary pressure on the economy.
c) As per the scheme, the subscriber is to make the choice of investment portfolio. The Civil Servant being mostly uninformed in finance and investment related matters, he might end up in making wrong choices which would eventually rob him of the old age pension.
d) The subscriber is perforce to contribute to the charges of the investment managers, whose priority often is as to how much profit they could make through investment of the huge corpus of pension fund in the volatile share market .
10. The pension fund created by the employees' subscription and the employers' contribution which directly flows from the exchequer ( which is nothing but tax revenue of the Govt.) is made available for the stock market operations which is not only unethical but also blatant diversion of public fund for private profit, both Foreign and Indian capitalists.
11. In the case of Civil Servants recruited after the cut-off date, the new scheme replaces the existing much better "defined benefit" pension scheme. In the process, the Government has created two classes of civil servants viz. the one with a defined benefit pension scheme and the other with the contributory pension scheme in which the employee is to part with 10% of his emoluments to become entitled for an old age social security subject to the vagaries of share market permits. Since in both the cases, the pay, allowances, perks, and other benefits, privileges, duties and responsibilities are the same it amounts to wanton discrimination of one against another which is not sustainable in law, rather violative of the existing constitutional provisions.
12. The wage structure presently designed for those who are recruited prior to the cut- off date and after is on the same premise and is depressed to enable the Govt. to meet the pension liability in future. By imposing the new contributory pension scheme on the employees who are recruited after the cut- off date the Govt. not only denies the statutory defined pension benefit to them but also compel them to contribute for earning an undefined annuity, which must be characterized as highly discriminatory.
13. Those who are covered by the contributory pension scheme will become entitled for an annuity, a portion of the accumulated contribution is able to purchase, basing upon the accretion to the fund from the investment. There is, however, no guaranteed minimum amount of pension for those who are covered by the new scheme, whereas the civil servants covered by the existing scheme do get a defined and guaranteed minimum pension and on his death his family members (wife, widowed and unmarred daughters and unemployed sons below the age of 25) become entitled for family pension. The discrimination factor is thus compounded.
14. The PFRDA Bill when enacted, it is rightly feared, will empower the Government to alter or even deny the present employees and pensioners the statutory defined pension benefit as has been done in the case of those who are appointed after the cut-off date.
15. It is stated that the prime objective of the introduction of the contributory pension scheme is to substantially reduce the outflow on account of pension liability. The major pension liability of Government is accounted for by Armed Defence personnel. They are however excluded from the purview of the contributory pension scheme. The personnel in the ParaMilitary forces are also excluded from the ambit of the new Scheme. While doing so, (no doubt to attract the people to serve in the armed forces for security of the Nation) the Govt. is bound to meet the pension liability from the consolidated fund of India. The argument advanced by the Govt. to cover the Civil Servants in the ambit of the new Pension scheme has been found to be unsustainable by the study commissioned by the 6thCPC. Shri S. Chidambaram, Actuary, in his report, (Annexure to "A study of Terminal benefit of Central Government employees by Dt. K. Gayatri, Centre for Economic Studies and policy, Institute for Social and Economic change, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore) has pointed out that the Government liability on account of contributory pension scheme would in effect increase for a period spanning for the next 34 years from the existing Rs. 14,284 Cr. To Rs. 57,088 Cr. ( 2004-2038) and is likely to taper off only from 2038 onwards. The exchequer is bound to have an increased outflow for the next 34 years and will be called upon to bear the actual pension liability of defence personnel and personnel of para military forces, besides making the contribution to the Pension fund of the Civil Servants recruited after the cut off date. The specious plea that the exchequer is bound to gain due to the contributory pension scheme is therefore not borne from facts.
16. Of the present pension liability of the Govt. of India, which in 2004-05 was 0.51% of the GDP, 0.26% is accounted for by the Defence( which is 50% of the total pension liability.) The study report of the Centre for Economic Studies has concluded that the pension liability as a percentage to GDP which is just 0.5% presently is likely to decline given the growth rate of Indian economy.
17. Since most of the State Governments have chosen to switch over to "contributory pension scheme" , in fairness ( from the Study conducted by the Centre for Economic Studies and policy) it can be concluded that the pension liability of all the State Governments are bound to increase to three times of what it is today by 2038.
18. The first version of the PFRDA Bill was placed before the Parliament by the NDA Government in 2003. The 6th CPC set up the Committee to go into the financial implication on account of the increasing number of pensioners and suggest alternative funding methodology in 2006. The said Committee came to the inescapable conclusion (report submitted in 2007) that "the existing systems of pension are increasingly becoming complicated after the introduction of the New Pension scheme" and warned that "caution has to be exercised in initiating any further reforms" In the light of the conclusion of the said study report which revealed the fact of serious escalation in the pension payment outflow, the rationale of the re-introduction of the PFRDA bill in 2011 covering the civil servants is incomprehensible. Undoubtedly, the Bill when enacted into law will through the existing pensioners to a financially insecure future and the existing workers to the vagaries of the stock market. We, therefore, earnestly pray to your good-self to bring back all the civil servants including teachers irrespective of the date of entry into Government service as also those irregularly appointed within the ambit of the existing statutory defined pension benefit scheme.
We may, in fine, quoting the concluding paragraph (Page 76 of the report of the Centre for Economic Studies and Policy – Institute for Social and Economic Change) of the Committee set up by the 6th CPC
"Mainly given the fact that the future liability although may be large in terms of absolute size is not likely to last very long and does not constitute an alarmingly big share of the GDP which is also on the decline. It appears that pursuing the existing 'Pay as you go' to meet the liability will be an ideal solution."
"Mainly given the fact that the future liability although may be large in terms of absolute size is not likely to last very long and does not constitute an alarmingly big share of the GDP which is also on the decline. It appears that pursuing the existing 'Pay as you go' to meet the liability will be an ideal solution."
appeal you, for the detailed reasons adduced in the foregoing paragraphs, that the new pension scheme enshrined in the PFRDA Bill may be withdrawn from the Parliament both in the interest of the Civil Servants and the exchequer.
With regards,
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