The fate of Merger of DA, Interim Relief and Retirement Age to 62 after announcement of General Election.!!

With the announcement of poll dates, the Model Code of Conduct for governments and political parties will come into force with immediate effect. The government will no longer be able to take or announce any major decisions which will be considered as sops to woo voters. This brings an end to all hopes of benefit to the government employees. Earlier there were lot of expectations from the central government employees that government will roll out sops. There were talks of DA merger, interim relief and hiking of retirement age to 62. Even various union leaders had expressed views that some of these may be implemented.

The employees especially at lower levels reeling under the impact of rise in prices of essential commodities had considered these demands as genuine and expected the government to do something. The only thing that the government did was announcement of the seventh pay commission. And, it is not only election gift this announcement also was in accordance to 13th Finance Commission’s recommendations [click here to view] and demands from various employee union/federation.

All hopes are now going in the goal of newly constituted 7th CPC and employees have to wait for its Interim Report as Govt approved terms of 7th CPC with condition to give interim reports if any required. However the recommendations of 7th CPC to be implemented after Govt approval all these exercise will take more time and expectation for merger of DA/DR from 7th CPC in view of coming pay revision is also an illogical fact. Then what about Interim Relief? The word “Interim Relief” is not mentioned in 7th CPC terms of reference approved by Govt. Now 7th CPC have to invite Organisation/Employee Union for representation/discussion and merger of da and interim relief may be approved in this way. Implementation of main recommendations of 7th CPC is not expected before 2016. As per media hype the government has given another election rarity as announcement of 10% DA hike. All employees knows that this is only a procedure that will be automatically done once in 6 months and is based on inflation data.

Meanwhile the confederation have issued a circular expressing the dissatisfaction over the Cabinet approval of the Finance Ministry’s proposal on terms of reference of the 7th CPC. Demonstrations are planned on March 7th across the country and indefinite strike after elections.

Source:http://karnmk.blogspot.in/2014/03/merger-of-da-interim-relief-and.html

National Council JCM Member Staff Side raised strong objections against the ToR of 7th Pay Commission

NATIONAL COUNCIL (Staff Side)

Joint Consultative Machinery

for Central Government Employees

13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi-110001

No.NC-JCM/2014/VII CPC

Dated: March 3, 2014

The Secretary,

Department of Personnel & Training,

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions,

North Block, New Delhi.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Terms of Reference of the 7th Central Pay Commission

It is reported that, the Union Cabinet in its meeting, held on 28th February, 2014, has approved the Terms of Reference of the 7th Central Pay Commission. We have gone through the same. We find that the Terms of Reference finalized by the Government is at variance in many respects to the Draft Terms of Reference the Staff Side had submitted to you on 25.10.2014 after holding in-house discussion on 24.10.2013.

At the conclusion of the meeting held on 24.10.2013, it was agreed that the Government would consider our suggestions in the matter and will convene another meeting with the presence of the Secretary (Expenditure) to iron out the differences, if any, and explore the possibilities of an agreement in the matter.

We regret to inform you that no such meeting was convened and no attempt was made by the Official Side to arrive at an agreed Terms of Reference. We find that the Government has rejected our suggestions for either taking a decision in the matter of Interim Relief, Merger of D.A., representation of labour nominee in the Commission itself, inclusion of the Grameen Dak Sewaks within the purview of the 7th CPC, bringing parity in pension between the past and present pensioners, covering the employees appointed on or after 01.01.2004 within the ambit of the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme, date of effect, settlement of the pending items in the National Anomaly Committee etc. or referring those issues to the Commission itself for an Interim Report.

During discussions on 24th October, 2013, the Staff Side had also pointed out that the proposals sent by various ministries, seeking approval for rectification in VI CPC anomalies, are pending with the Ministry of Finance, and requested that approval may be given to all such proposals before finalization of VII CPC Terms of Reference. It seems, no action has been taken on those proposals.

Besides, we are to state that the existing Productivity Linked Bonus(PLB) Scheme, being a bilateral agreement, cannot be subjected to scrutiny and examination by the 7th CPC.

We, therefore, request you to kindly convene a meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council (JCM) to discuss the issue, so as to make amendments to the Terms of Reference finalized by the Government arbitrarily.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Member

Standing Committee National Council – JCM

Source:http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202014/Staff%20Side%20DO%20on%20ToR_03.03.14.pdf

Grant of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees.

GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

(RULES DIVISION)

No. F. 6(1)FD(Rules)/2008

 Jaipur, dated: 01.03.2014

ORDER

Sub:- Grant of Dearness Allowance to State Government employees.

The Governor is pleased to order that the existing rate of Dearness Allowance payable to the State Government employees, drawing pay in Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008, under Finance Department Order No. F.6(1 )FD(Rules)/2008 dated 21-09-2013 shall be revised from 90% to 100% with effect from 01-01-2014.

The term ‘Pay’ for the purpose of calculation of Dearness Allowance shall be the Basic Pay i.e. sum of pay in running pay band and grade pay drawn and shall not include any other type(s) of pay like Special Pay or Personal Pay, etc.

The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving fraction of 50 paisa and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fraction of less than 50 paisa may be ignored.

The amount of increase in Dearness Allowance for the period from 01-01-2014 to 28-02-2014 shall be credited to the General Provident Fund Account of the respective employees and cash payment shall be admissible from 01-03-2014 i.e. salary for the month of March, 2014 payable on 01-04-2014.

The arrear of DA from 01-01-2014 to 28-02-2014 to the employees recruited to the Civil Services on or after 01-01-2004 and who are governed by Contributory Pension Scheme, shall be paid in cash.

By order of the Governor,

Sd/-

(Siddharth Mahajan)

Special Secretary

Finance (Budget)

Source:http://finance.rajasthan.gov.in/RULES/F6(1)FD(Rules)2008-02-2014.pdf

Grant of Dearness Allowance to Work-charged employees.

GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

(RULES DIVISION)

No. F. 14(14)FD(RuleS)/2006

 Jaipur, dated: 01.03.2014

ORDER

Sub:- Grant of Dearness Allowance to Work-charged employees.

The Governor is pleased to order that the existing rate of Dearness Allowance payable, to the work-charged employees governed under the Rajasthan Public Works Department (B&R) including Gardens, Irrigation, Land Development (Programme), PHED, CAD Chambal Department, Kota, Ayurved and Forest Department Work charged Employees Service Rules, 1964 or under corresponding provisions of standing orders, where such employees are governed by specific standing orders and are drawing pay in the running pay bands and grade pays prescribed under the Rajasthan Work-charged Employees (Revised Pay) Rules, 2008 shall be revised from 90% to 100% with effect from 01-01-2014.

The term ‘Pay’ for the purpose of calculation of Dearness Allowance shall be the basic pay i.e. sum of pay in running pay band and grade pay drawn.

The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involvin fraction of 50 paisa and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fraction of less than 50 paisa may be ignored.

The amount of increase in Dearness Allowance for the period from 01-01-2014 to 28-02-2014 shall be credited to the General Provident Fund Account of the respective employees and cash payment shall be admissible from 01-03-2014 i.e. salary for the month of March, 2014 payable on 01-04-2014.

By order of the Governor,

Sd/-

(Siddharth Mahajan)

Special Secretary

Finance (Budget)

Source:http://finance.rajasthan.gov.in/RULES/F14(14)FD(Rules)2006-01-2014.pdf

Grant of Dearness Relief to State Government Pensioners.

GOVERNMENT OF RAJASTHAN

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

(RULES DIVISION)

No.F.12(3)FD(Rules)/20l3

 Jaipur, dated: 01-03-2014

ORDER

Subject: - Grant of Dearness Relief to State Government Pensioners.

The Governor is pleased to order that the existing rate of Dearness Relief sanctioned vide Finance Department Order of even number dated 21-09-2013 to the State Government Pensioners who are in receipt of superannuation, retiring, invalid, compensation, family and extra ordinary pension etc. shall be revised from 90% to 100% with effect from 01-01-2014.

For the purpose of this order :-

(I) Pension/Family Pension in the case of pre-01-01-2006 retirees and where Family Pension was sanctioned prior to 01-01-2006, means the Consolidated Pension or Consolidated Family Pension, as the case may be, effective from 01-01-2006 in terms of Finance Department Memorandum No. F.12(3)FD(Rules)/ 2008 dated 12-09-2008 as amended vide FD Memorandum dated 06-04-2013.

(ii) In the case of pensioners who retire from service on or after 01-01-2006 or where family pension is sanctioned for the first time on or after 01-01-2006, Pension/Family Pension means the Basic Pension/Basic Family Pension, as the case may be, in terms of Finance Department Notification No. F.12(3)FD(Rules)/ 2008 dated 12-09-2008 as amended vide FD Notification dated 06-04-2013.

(iii) Dearness Relief will, also be admissible on the additional quantum of pension / family pension allowed to the pensioners who have attained the age of 80 years and above.

(iv) Payment of Dearness Relief involving a fraction of a rupee shall be rounded off to the next higher rupee.

(v) Other provisions governing grant of dearness relief to pensioners’ such as regulation of dearness relief during employment/re-employment, regulation of dearness relief where more than one pension is drawn etc., will remain unchanged.

(vi) This order shall also be applicable in case of Pensioners/Family Pensioners who are in receipt of provisional pension.

(vii) This order shall not be applicable in case of Old Age Pensions, Political Pensions or any other kind of similar pensions, which are not related to the service rendered under Government.

(viii) Dearness Relief at revised rates as above would also be admissible to pensioners who retired/retire from service of Panchayat Samiti or Zila Parishad and whose Pension Payment Orders have been issued by the Director, Local Fund Audit Department or Director, Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare Department, Rajasthan, Jaipur.

By order of the Governor,

Sd/-

(Siddharth Mahajan)

Special Secretary

Finance (Budget)

Source:http://finance.rajasthan.gov.in/RULES/F12(3)FD(Rules)2013-01-2014.pdf

Clarification regarding grant of grade pay on promotional post.

No. Fin (PR)B(7)23/2010-11

Government of Himachal Pradesh

Finance (Pay Revision) Department

From:.

The Principal Secretary (Finance) to the

Government of Himachal Pradesh.

To

1) All the Addl. Chief Secretaries/ Pr. Secretaries/Secretaries

to the Government of Himachal Pradesh

2) All the Head of the Departments in Himachal Pradesh

Dated Shimla-171002, the 1st March, 2014

Subject: - Clarification regarding grant of grade pay on promotional post.

Sir/ Madam,

I am directed to invite a reference to this Department Notification No Fin(PR)B(7)-64/2010-Loose dated 24/09/2012 vide which Himachal Pradesh Civil Services (Category /Post wise Revised Pay) Rules, 2012 have been notified. Under these rules pay structure of certain categories of employees has been revised w.e.f. 01/10/2012 or thereafter as per schedule appended to these rules.

References have been received from various quarters seeking clarification as to what grade pay is to be allowed in the cases where the grade pay of feeder post is higher to the grade pay at entry level of the higher/ promotional post.

The matter has been considered by the Government and it is clarified that in all such cases where the grade pay at entry level of the promotional post has become lower than the grade pay attached to feeder post, the higher grade pay being drawn in the feeder post shall be protected.

These instructions will be applicable with immediate effect, prospectively.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(O.P. Sharma)

Under Secretary (Finance PR) to the

Government of Himachal Pradesh

Source:http://himachal.nic.in/WriteReadData/l892s/1_l892s/GradePay01Mar2014_A1b-80267427.pdf

Upgraded Group ‘D’ posts in scale Rs 3050-4590 in Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds-reg.

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI -110055

Affiliated to:

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)

International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)

No. I/8/CRC/09/Vol .9 

Dated: 03/03/2014

The Secretary (E),

Railway Board

New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub; Upgraded Group ‘D’ posts in scale Rs 3050-4590 in Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds-reg.

Ref: (i) NFIR’s letter No. 118/CRC/09/Vol. 9 dated 21/11/2013.

(ii) Railway Board’s letter No. PC-III/2004/DC-JCMJ/11 dated 17/02/2014.

With reference to Railway Board’s reply vide letter dated 17/02/2014 NFIR once again desires to convey facts of the case as below for review:-

(i) Vide para (i) of the Board’s letter, it has been stated that the Railway Board vide its letter dated 28/09/1998, had specifically mentioned that there will be no consequent increase in the number of posts in the grades higher than Rs 3050-4590. NFIR is aware of this ‘rider” imposed by the Railway Board in the year 1998. However, on nine Zonal Railways, these posts were taken as part of cadre strength and granted cadre restructuring w.e.f. 1/11/2003 in diesel/electric Loco/EMU Sheds. Thus it become fate-accompli

(ii) When the Railway Board issued instructions to withdraw the benefit, Federations strongly had protested against such step, consequently the Zonal Railways have not reviewed wherever already implemented to avoid staff agitation.

(iii) Consequent to the implementation of 6th CPC pay structure (Grade Pay & Pay Band) w.e.f. 01/01/2006 the minimum educational qualification for entry into GP Rs 1800/- has been revised as matriculation or above. Whereas in the year 1998, the entry qualification in Diesel/Elec. Loco. EMU Sheds was reduced to 8th standard for Group D’ while placing 50% posts in pay scale Rs 3050-4590 to be filled by those staff who possessed Metric/Act Apprenticeship/ITI. From these facts, it could be seen that entry qualification for Group ‘D’ posts prior to September 1998 in Diesel/Electric Loco, EMU Sheds was Metric/ITI/Act Apprenticeship. Having allowed cadre restructuring from 01/11/2003 duly taking upgraded Helper posts into consideration and having granted benefit of restructuring/promotion with effect from November, 2003, it would be improper to quote Board’s letter dated 28/09/1998 for denying benefit. Railway Board instead sticking to illogical stand should realistically analyse the issue for rendering justice to the technical staff working in Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds. It may be noted that these staff belong to sensitive categories.

(iv) Incidentally, NFIR desires to point out that while in all Technical Departments, promotion quota for Technician Grade III has been 50%, surprisingly in of Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds. the promotion quota was only 20% thus career growth of Helpers was blocked since the past over 15 years.

(v) If the Railway Board is not satisfied with the valid points mentioned above, a meeting with the MM & ML may be arranged at the earliest. It may also be noted that there is atmosphere of agitation among staff of Diesel/Electric Loco/EMU Sheds against Board’s restructuring orders dated 08/10/2013, as on many zones, the staff may not get promotion benefit. NFIR is keen to avoid agitation and dislocation and equally expects the Railway Board to respond for resolving the issue.

Federation therefore requests to review the matter without delay.

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(M.Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

Source:http://www.nfirindia.com/Index.aspx