Welcome to the Official website of National Federation of Postal employees । नेशनल फेडरेशन ऑफ़ पोस्टल एम्प्लाइज की आधिकारिक वेबसाइट पर आपका स्वागत है।

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

DEAR COMRADES - VERIFICATION PROCESS STAYED BY HIGH COURT OF MADRAS - IPO SURPLUS QUALIFIED LIST RELEASED BY DIRECTORATE - NFPE DELEGATION MET THE SECRETARY [P] ON 27.05.2008 - AND ADHOC PROMOTION TO HSG I EXTENDED BY ANOTHER 6 MONTHS - DETAILS AS UNDER:
 
VERIFICATION PROCESS - INTERIM STAY BY MADRAS HIGH COURT

 

Honourable High Court of Madras has granted an interim stay order till 18.06.2008 to the process of the ongoing verification of membership ordered by the Department of Posts vide letter No.13/4/2007-SR dated 28.02.2008 [which called upon the unions and associations to submit application for undergoing verification] on a Writ Petition filed by the All India RMS/MMS Assistant Superintendent & Inspectors Association on 30th April 2008.

 

The Department of Posts has therefore issued order vide No.9/2/2008-SR dated 27.05.2008 to all concerned intimating that the interim stay granted by the Hon'ble High Court will operate till 18.06.2008,whichmay be observed scrupulously and further instructions regarding continuation of the verification process after expiry of the interim stay granted by the High Court will follow.

 

  • Our divisional and branch secretaries need not get confused or diverted.
  • Carry on with the job of collecting more letters of authorization from all employees and keep them ready for submission until further instructions from the Postal Directorate.
  • Do not submit the letters of authorization on 10.06.2008. Wait for future instructions.
  • The Department will be moving the High Court of Madras shortly for vacation of the interim stay orders.
  • Immediately on vacation of stay orders, only a very short time gap is likely to be given for submission of letter of authorization to the DDOs. Therefore do not stop the work of collecting forms from members.
  • Wait for instructions from NFPE and Affiliated Unions / Association and act accordingly only.

   

NFPE DELEGATION MET

SECRETARY [P] ON 27.05.2008

 

Secretary General NFPE and General Secretaries of P3, P4 and Postal Accounts have met the Secretary [P] on 27.05.2008. On our request the Secretary [P] agreed to convene a formal meeting to discuss with the Staff Side on all the issues related to Pay Commission. He assured that the Department of Posts would come forward with a plan to sort out the issues like TBOP, LSG getting a lower pay band etc. The Secretary [P] in fact suggested that the promotional avenues of General Line Supervisors should be properly improved upto Gazetted Postmasters level and that the first promotional stage of PA/SA will be in PB-2 by amalgamating all LSG and BCR/HSG II posts. We have suggested that by changing the entry educational qualification of PA/SA cadre as Graduation [Degree] they can be upgraded to pre-revised scale of pay of 4500-7000 [Pay Band 1 with 2800/- Grade Pay] so that they can go to Pay Band 2 with 4200/- Grade Pay on their first regular Promotion or financial upgradation etc. The formal meeting will discuss all issues and thereupon a Sub Committee consisting of both official and staff sides would be constituted for considering the restructuring the cadre of PA/SA. In the formal meeting all issues like PO & RMS Accountants, MMS Charge Hand, System Administrators and Marketing Executives etc would be discussed. The issue of JAO promotion to the waitlisted candidates also discussed and the Secretary [P] agreed to favourable consider the issue on the condition that the cadre controlling of Group B would be under Member [P] instead of DDG [PAF].

 

 

 

Adhoc Promotion to HSG I extended

Another 6 Months

 

The Department of Posts has issued orders on 21.05.2008 for the continuation of ad-hoc promotion in the cadre of HSG-I by another 6 months as the same has been approved by the Department of Personnel & Training. [Order No.4-16/2002-SPB-II dated 21.05.2008]

 

 

SURPLUS QUALIFIED IPO PROMOTIONS RELEASED

 

Orders on supplementary results of the Departmental Examination for selection to the posts of IPOs for the year 2007 held on 10-12 August 2007 have been issued by the Directorate vide F.No. A-34013/3/2007-DE(Pt-II) dated 21.05.2008.

 

Similarly Orders on allotment of surplus qualified candidates to fill up the unfilled vacancies of other circles also are issued vide F.No. A-34013/03/2007-DE (Pt.III) dated 21.05.2008. There are 76 unfilled vacancies in 10 circles and options have been called from 79 candidates. [Final selection will be limited to 76 only].

 

 

 

 



--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

Saturday, May 24, 2008

MOBILIZE FULL STRENGTH FOR NFPE PROGRAMME

LAUNCH NFPE PROGRAMME WITH FULL STRENGTH
 
Dear Comrades! We request that the Programme of three days demonstrations in front of HPOs/HROs/Divisional Offices on 27.05.2008; in front of Regional Offices on 28.05.2008; and in front of Circle Offices and Dak Bhawan on 29.05.2008 and to send SAVINGRAM to the Secretary [P] to focus on the required modifications in the Pay Commission Report for Postal Employees may be mobilized with all seriousness and with full strength of mobilisation of employees. The Staff Side is not aware of the stand taken by the Postal Administration with regard to our grievances in the recommendations of the 6th CPC.  The Secretaries Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary is likely to complete its task and submit to the Group of Ministers before 30th June 2008. But the assured formal meeting with our Staff Side by the DDG[Est] before finalising the view points of the Department of Posts is not yet convened. NFPE has already requested the Secretary [P] to convene the above formal meeting. Therefore it is all the more necessary to focus our full strength behind the Note submitted by us to the Secretary [P] seeking certain modifications. The 13 Point Charter of Demands is only the reflection of the Note submitted by us to the Department. All Circle / Regional / Divisional / Branch Secretaries are requested to make the NFPE Programme  a grand success.
Text of the Savingram:
" This demonstration of the Postal employees of _________________________________  Division / ________________ Circle  hereby resolves to urge upon the Secretary [P]  to  kindly settle the 13 Point Charter of demands of the     employees"                                   

Secretary / Convener 

 
 

--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

Sunday, May 18, 2008

CABINET SECRETARY MEETS STAFF SIDE

The Cabinet Secretary met all the members of the Standing Committee JCM National Council on 17.05.2008 and discussed the issues related to Pay Commission as a follow up to the earlier meeting of the Standing Committee held on 7.5.2008. The gist of discussions held is reproduced below through the latest Circular of the Confederation of Central Government Employees.
 
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General

 

CONFEDERATION OF CG EMPLOYEES

 

CIRCULAR

 

No.D.11/06 /08  Dated: 17.05.08

 

 

 

Dear Comrades,

                                   

Gist of discussion at the meeting

with the Cabinet Secretary.

 

            The entire staff side of the Standing Committee met today the Cabinet Secretary as intimated to you earlier. All members of the Committee of Secretaries were present. The Confederation was represented by Com. S.K.Vyas, President, and Com. K.K.N. Kutty. Secretary General.  The Cabinet Secretary informed the staff side that he has been briefed by the Secretary Personnel of the discussions at the  Standing Committee meeting held on 7th May, 2008 and he has personally gone through the minutes.  He also informed the members that the Govt. would like to take a decision on the recommendations of the Pay Commission as quickly as possible.  He also assured that some mechanism would be worked out to look into various anomalies expeditiously and to a reach finality thereon within a stipulated time frame. In the discussion that ensued thereafter the following issues were reiterated with emphasis

 

(a)     the exclusion of DA on DP (i.e. 12%) in the construction of Pay bands and consequently in the fixation benefit

(b)     The very construction of Pay Band itself contrary to the recommendation of the 6th CPC itself.

(c)     The defect in the computation of minimum wage with special reference to the price differential of WSP and retail price and the exclusion of 25% and 10% meant for  various expenses; social obligation; old age social security; housing etc..  The fact that had the minimum wage been computed with reference to 5th CPC formulation it would have been far greater than Rs. 5740. ie. It would have been Rs.7400.

(d)     The discrimination in the fitment benefit between the officers and employees ranging from 181% to 15% and the need to accept the suggestion of the Staff Side for a minimum benefit of 2.625 times of basic pay in the fitment formula. 

(e)     The necessity of affording a minimum benefit of 10% on promotion in the background of the fact that the recommended benefit of 2.5% would be too low and would even result in the reduction of take home salary on promotion, especially in the case of person who are perforce transferred out on promotion.

(f)       Parity in pension of pre-1996 and post 1996 retirees; discrimination in the grant of family pension; minimum pension and revision in exgratia to SRPF/CPF retirees.

 

2.         The representatives of the Railways and Defence Federations also pointed out the discriminatory treatment meted out to the Master Craftsman and Technicians in their organizations by the 6th CPC and demanded redressal thereof immediately.

 

3.         At the end of the discussion, the staff side placed the need for coming to an agreement before the Govt. issues notification in implementation of the VI CPC recommendations.

 

With greetings,

 
Yours fraternally,
Sd/- 
K.K.N.Kuty
Secretary General

 

 



--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

Friday, May 16, 2008

NFPE LATEST CIRCULAR

           

                                                                                                                     
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
1st Floor, North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi – 110001

 

             PF-01 (e)/7/2008   Dated May 15, 2008

To

All General / Circle / Divisional / Branch Secretaries

NFPE Unions

 

WORK HARD FOR SUCCESS IN VERIFICATION

Dear Comrades,

The Re-Verification of membership is hectically going on and the NFPE Headquarters is receiving encouraging information that in many Circles our comrades have obtained letter of authorization from new members. The efforts of our rank and file comrades despite the scorching summer in many parts of the country are commendable. However the task is still incomplete. The other unions and federations also are taking the issue very seriously and on the field to boost their respective positions. It shall be our endeavour to ensure that the supremacy in certain wings by way of our status of being the only recognised union or association is maintained in tact and to improve our position in all other unions and associations at the same time.

NFPE has taken a lot of initiative to form new associations for SBCO and Civil Wing Employees. The Postal Civil Wing Employees Association has already collected more than necessary letters of authorization to stake its claim for recognition as number one union. The task is still on with regard to All India Postal SBCO Employees Association and the role of all Circle and Divisional / Branch Secretaries of all NFPE unions in general and the P3 in particular is very crucial in elevating this newly formed NFPE union to the status of the recognized association. NFPE requests your initiative and serious action.

The Department of Posts has made it clear that the JCM representation in all forums of JCM will be subjected to the outcome of this ongoing verification. Since the NFPE is now recognised by the Government under the CCS [RSA] Rules, 1993, increased membership for NFPE unions will alone ensure more JCM representation to our unions in the Departmental Council and the Regional Councils.

Our comrades are requested to take another round of "Meet Every Employee" Campaign and ensure more enrollments immediately. We are confident that our rank and file leaders and active comrades are capable of accomplishing the task. 

ONE BRANCH ONE ADVERTISEMENT

Comrades are once again reminded to immediately rush sending advertisements to the Special Issue of Postal Crusader June issue to be brought out in commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the demise of Comrade Adinarayana. Circle Secretaries are requested to approach all Postal Cooperative Societies and Banks for obtaining a full-page advertisement from them.  Time is running out and comrades are requested to attach more importance to this task of collecting "One Ad for One Branch Union". Postal Crusader will highlight the names of the performing Branch Secretaries in July issue.

QUOTA AND DONATION

Comrades! The existing situation of non-sending due quota to NFPE by many branches should change. The call for 10/- per member NFPE Donation is still not received from many branches and divisions in various circles. NFPE cannot function without funds. All our branches are requested to send quota every month and also the special donation immediately.

IMPLEMENT NFPE PROGRAMME 27-29 MAY 2008

All branches and circle unions shall effectively implement NFPE Call focusing the attention on modifications sought in the Pay Commission's Recommendations from 27th May to 29th May. As per the Secretary [Personnel] announcement interaction with each department shall be completed by15th June to enable the Secretaries Committee to take a final position by 30th June 2008. NFPE has sent its note seeking modifications to the Secretary [P]. We want to interact with the Department on our request for modification and therefore the effective implementation of the programme and sending of the Savingrams to Secretary [P] will help more focus on the issues.

ANDHRA POSTAL EMPLOYEES AGITATION

All Circle Unions of NFPE and FNPO have served a strike notice for Indefinite Strike on a 22-point charter of demands including notional promotion, filling up of residual vacancies, GDS vacancies, regularization of casual labourers etc. The Indefinite Strike shall commence from 21.05.2008. NFPE intervened with the Directorate and the Secretary [P] and Member [P] assured to instruct the Chief Postmaster General Andhra to hold discussions with all the Circle Unions for a settlement. Both the Secretaries General of NFPE and FNPO met the above on 14.05.2008 also and were assured by the Secretary [P] that the Chief PMG will be advised to discuss with our circle unions.

POSTAL WELFARE BOARD MEETING

Secretary General attended from Staff Side representing NFPE in the All India Postal Welfare Board meeting held on 14.05.2008. Honourable Minister of Communications & IT chaired the meeting and Honourable Minister of State for Communications & IT also attended. Secretary [P], Member [P] and other higher officers of the department attended. The meeting is being held after a gap of 6 years and the staff side pointed out the delay. Honourable Ministers were much concerned with the delay and instructed to hold the meeting regularly in future once in six months. They also instructed that in future all the subjects should be discussed well in advance with the Staff Side and to come to the Board Meeting with complete suggestions for approval. Secretary General NFPE sought relief from the Honourable Minister for financial compensation and other relief for the postal official suffered permanent injury by letter-bomb blast in Bhubaneshwar [Orissa], bullet wounds in Satna [MP] and flood affected in Assam and gave a detailed letter to the Ministers and the Secretary [P]. Enhancements in financial assistance on death etc are accepted in principle in the meeting, which would be decided within two months. After the close of the meeting the Secretary General requested the Honourable Minister of State for a special interview with the representatives of NFPE that he agreed. We intend to raise selective important issues before the Minister shortly. 

REQUEST TO CIRCLE SECRETARIES

We request the Circle Secretaries kindly to circulate this circular to all their divisional and branch Secretaries. 

With Regards,                                                                                              

Yours Comradely,

     Sd/-                                                                                             

[K.Ragavendran]

Secretary General

 

 

 

 

 

 



--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE

STANDING COMMITTEE OFFICIAL MINUTES

Dear Comrades, The Official Minutes of the Standing Committee is circulated by the Confederation in its circular dated 14.05.2008 with the comments of the Confederation. The Secretaries Committee is going to meet the Staff Side on 17.05.2008. Confederation Secretary General has correctly observed in the Circular that the official minutes failed to note the categorical words of the Secretary Personnel that despite upgradation of Group D, open recruitment will continue with the minimum qualification of matriculation. This is a serious matter and the Staff Side is expected to raise this issue in the meeting of the Secretaries on 17.05.2008. The same is reproduced below:

 

K.Ragavendran

Secretary General NFPE

 

 

 

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

CHQ: Manishinath Bhawan A2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110027

 

Dated: 14-05-2008

  Dear Comrade,

 

We place hereunder the official Minutes of the Standing committee meeting held on 7th May,2008. We do not fail to notice that the observation maid by the Secretary (Personnel) during the discussion that the recruitment to carry out the Group D functions would continue even after the whole scale up-gradation of all the Group D Posts into Group C, the only condition being the academic/eligibility condition of Matriculate/Inspector of Income Tax diploma do not find a place in the official minutes.

 

The Committee of Secretaries will now meet the Staff Side on 17th inst

 

With greetings,

 

Yours fraternally,

 

Sd/-

K.K.N.Kutty

Secretary General

 

 

Minutes of the meeting of Standing Committee held on 7.5.2008

 

Opening Address

 

I.       A meeting of the Standing committee of the National Council (JCM) was held on 7.5.2008 in Conference Room No. 119, North Block, New Delhi, under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Personnel). 

 

The list of the members who attended the meeting from official side and staff side is placed at Annexure-I.

 

II.      The Chairman and Secretary, DoP&T welcome and thanked staff side and officials for attending  the meeting at a very short notice.  He requested the cooperation of the staff side for implementation of the 6th CPC recommendations at the earliest.

 

Thereafter the Chairman invited the leader and the Secretary, staff side.

 

III.            Leader of the staff side thanked the Chairman for his sustained cooperation for considering and resolving the grievances of staff side and organizing the meeting. He raised various issues for consideration in the meeting relating to the 6th CPC report. He conveyed the agitated feelings of various sections of employees more particularly those belonging to industrial establishments and explained the need to resolve the grievances for generating motivation and satisfaction.

 

Secretary staff side thanked the Chairman and conveyed the appreciation of the staff side regarding the positive atmosphere in which the meetings have been conducted and problems resolved.  He informed that various reactions are coming from employees in various parts of the country.  This is the first time that the pattern of the scales in Pay Commission has been changed.  He stated that Indian economy is on higher side, therefore, the Govt. servant should also be given his due and grievances resolved.  He also welcomed the invitation of DoP&T to hold first meeting in respect of the issues arising out of the 6th CPC.

           Secretary Staff side informed that the more we go through the report we come across more problems, however he requested to go through the agenda items.

  Thereafter discussion on the  agenda items commenced. 

 

1.       A. The minimum wage

           The computation of minimum wage of the 6th CPC is not acceptable for the following reasons in brief:-

i)          Prices applied for various commodities (included in the basket) is the wholesale price as increased by 20% which is not the norms prescribed by the 15 ILC;

ii)         The exclusion of 25% for meeting expenditure connected with social obligation like marriage, education of children, recreational needs etc. is on the untenable grounds.

iii)        The exclusion of 10% for the housing requirement (on the ground that HRA is given separately) is not correct as HRA is not a full reimbursement of the expenses incurred by the employee.

 

If these corrections are carried out the need based minimum wage will be what is computed by the staff side.

 

B. Even as per the formulation adopted by the 5th CPC the minimum wage works out to Rs.7400 i.e. by application of the percentage increase of the net national product which comes to 56.2%.

 

C. The Commission, without assigning any reason has rejected the demand of the staff side for parity in the minimum wage with what is obtaining in certain specified public sector undertakings.

 

D. For the above reasons, the minimum wage need to be worked out afresh and the same reflected in all the pay bands appropriately by applying the resultant multiplication factor as was done by the 5th CPC.

 

The Methodology of the 6th CPC in determining the minimum wage was explained by the official side.

During the discussion the Secretary staff side said  that the pay of any employee was 1.86 times of the basic pay in December 2005 whereas on 1.1.2006 as per the recommendations of the 6 th CPC has been taken as 1.74 times of the basic hence this reduction of 12% should be restored  to bring it at par with the pay  of December 2005.

The difference in retail price of various commodities has been taken as 20% above  the wholesale price.  However the staff side pointed out that as per the survey report of ASSOCHAM the retail price was 60% higher than the wholesale price.  A copy of the report was handed over to the Chairman and other members of the official side.  The staff side asked for the recomputation of the minimum wage as per the actual retail price of the commodities.

The staff side also stated that the addition of additional expenditure of 25% prescribed by the Supreme Court is for:

(a) educational expenses which are not fully reimbursed (except tution fees/hostel subsidy) like cost of books, uniform, transporation charges etc.

(b) medical expenses are only partially reimbursed.

(c) There is no separate compensation for social obligation like marriage, ceremonies etc.

(d) Old age security has assumed importance due to the fact that 10% of the emoluments are now being deducted from the salary of new entrants towards NPS.

In the light of the above, the staff side insisted that the additional expenditure @ 25% should be provided for the computation of minimum wage.In view of the provisions of FR 45A and 45 C and Rule 2A of the I.T. rules, 10% of total pay should also be added in the computation of minimum wage and not merely 3% as has been done by the 6th CPC.

 

The staff side further pointed out that the pay bands devised by the 6th CPC is contrary to what they have indicated in para 2.2.19(vii) of their report.  The pay band should have been devised with reference to minimum of the highest pay scale of the band.  By taking the minimum of the lowest pay scale of the band the CPC has virtually merged all the higher pay scales in the band into the lowest pay scales

 

 The Chairman assured that the suggestions would be brought to the notice of the competent authorities.

 

2.       Fitment formula

 

Rejection of point-to-point fixation (which is normally adopted by the PSUs in their wage revisions as fitment formula) is for no sound reasons. There is no 40% hike as propagated by the Commission. By withdrawing the benefit of merger of DA the actual rise is between 15 to 28%. Our demand in this connection is as under:-

 

a)   The merged portion of the DA should be taken into account to arrive at the revised basic pay and Grade Pay in each case.

b)   Since quite a number of pay scales have been merged together (especially in Gr. B & C cadres) the senior employees who were in higher scales of pay and who have put in large number of years of service progressively get reduced benefits.

c)   Taking these two factors into account we suggest that the fitment formula as suggested by the Commission may be amended to incorporate the following:

 

"subject to the condition that the pay and grade pay so fixed is not less than 2.625 times of the pre revised basic pay."

 

The multiplication factor of 2.625 is the same as is applied in the case of the entry grade pay band and grade pay in the case of Gr.A officers. This clause will make good the loss of benefit one might suffer due to the exclusion of the DP from the computation process of fitment formula.

 

 Secretary staff side informed that there was no 40%  hike as propagated  by the Commission the actual hike is between 15 to 18%.  They suggested the fitment formula as above.

It was explained by the official side that the situation in b) above had happened even after the 5th CPC's recommendations and was not a new feature.

The staff side clarified that in 5th CPC with the adoption of fitment formula of 40% which was deduced from the common multiplication factor of 3.25 (as opposed to fixed amount of grade pay) the impact of anomaly considerably reduced.

 

 Chairman informed that it would be brought to the notice of the competent authorities.

 

3        Rate of increment

 

a)   The rate of increment suggested by the CPC is to be raised to 3.5% for the following reasons:-

 

i)     The 2.5% is below the existing rate of increment in many grades.

ii)    Due to the compounding factor, over a period of ten years, this might rise to 4.5% still less than the prevailing rate of increment in the PSUs which is 5% and above.

 

b)   The condition prescribed i.e. to have a minimum six months for applying the uniform date of increment must be done away with, as it is only to be applied in the initial year.

 

They requested for a uniform increment rate of 3.5%.

 

The official side informed that it has been noted and would be brought to the notice of the competent authorities.

 

4.       Transport allowance

 

The recommendation of the Commission is to subsume the CCA in the Transport allowance and raise the existing Transport allowance by 4 times. This has reduced the proportionate benefit to certain grades and categories of employees. We make the following suggestions:-

 

a)   Since the CCA has been subsumed in this allowance, no condition should be imposed for the grant of this allowance.

b)   Taking into account that some of the employees might get reduced benefit from the across the board rise at the rate of 4 times, the following rates may be applied.

 

Employees drawing grade pay      A-1/A class cities              Others

Rs.5400 and above                          Rs.3200+DA               Rs.2400+DA

Rs.4200-4800                                  Rs.2400+DA               Rs.1800+DA

Below Rs. 4200                               Rs.1600+DA               Rs.1200+DA

 

The staff side stated that the revised rates suggested by them is to take into account the effect of the errata issued by the Pay Commission later and to provide proportionate benefit to category between the grade pay of Rs. 4200 and 4800).

 

The staff side further proposed that 50% of Transport allowance should be taken into account for the OTA computation.

 

      Since CCA has been subsumed in this allowance hence there should not be any other restrictions such as persons living in the campus  Official side stated that the issues will be looked into.

 

5.       Fixation of pay on Promotion

 

In the present scheme of things, wherein many grades have been merged under one single Pay band, promotion will not bring about any significant rise in emoluments. The benefit will be very insignificant in the case of promotion from one grade to another where the grade pay is one and the same. In that case the one increment benefit will be less than even what is obtaining today. We suggest to incorporate the following clause to take care of this situation.

 

"the pay plus grade pay so fixed on promotion shall not be less than 10% of pay plus grade pay the individual was drawing in the feeder cadre."

 

 It was informed that the merits of the contentions of the staff side would be looked into.

 

6        Allowances and benefits withdrawn

 

Certain allowances and benefits have been withdrawn to be replaced with a new scheme. The New scheme will have to be formulated on the basis of discussion/agreement in the National/Departmental Council as the case may. Till such agreement is reached, the old scheme of allowances and benefits will continue to be operated relating to the revised basic pay and grade pay.

 

 It was stated by the staff side that no allowances should be stopped. As far as the risk allowance is concerned it should continue and the risk insurance as proposed by the 6th CPC should be in addition.  They indicated that risk allowance given by the Govt. is to add to the nutritious diet of the employee so that the physical harm done by the risky job is at least partly minimized.

 The staff side further stated that overtime and bonus should continue to be paid and should not be discontinued.  Any job related incentive scheme should be discussed separately and settled.

 The official side stated that these issues will be looked into.

 

7.       Special duty allowance of North Eastern Region

 

We hope that the SDA will now become available for all employees working in the North Eastern Region. However, we feel that it is likely that the phraseology employed in detailing the scheme is capable of misinterpretation giving room for further discrimination amongst the employees posted in N.E. Region. This may, therefore, be appropriately clarified to mean that the employees and officers working in North Eastern Region are  entitled to draw this allowance.

 

 Staff side requested for correct phraseology.

 It was informed by the official side that once Govt. has taken a decision on the matter, the issues raised will be looked at the time of issue of orders.

 

8.       Daily allowance on tour

 

The rates of daily allowance which include the following elements, viz. food, conveyance and accommodation suggested by the Commission to the officers other than Gr.A is extremely meagre  and would not go to meet the expenditure involved. We suggest the following amendment.

The rates prescribed for grade pay of Rs.4200 to 4800 and below Rs.4200 may be replaced with the following.

 

Rs.4200 to 4800 Reimbursement of hotel accommodation of upto  Rs.1000 per day. Reimbursement of travel charges upto Rs.150 per diem for travel within the

city and reimbursement of food not exceeding Rs.200 per day. Below Rs.4200    Reimbursement of hotel accommodation of upto Rs.700 per    day. Reimbursement of travel charges upto Rs.150  per diem for travel within the city and reimbursement of food not exceeding Rs.200 per day.

 

 Staff side requested that no bill should be required to support the claim for reimbursement of local travel and food as it was not possible to obtain any bill from local traveling modes and same was true for food also.

 The official side stated that this was a matter of detail which could be considered once Govt. has taken a decision on the matter.

 

9.       Promotion ACP scheme

 

The scheme should be improved to provide three promotion at the intervals of ten, twenty and twenty five years of service.

 

 They indicated as per the recommendations the ACP scheme is having reduced affect and hence not acceptable.

                  The official side stated that the matter would be examined.

 

 Secretary staff side requested that soon after implementation of 6th CPC cadre restructuring should take place so that stagnation/hierarchy problems do not occur.

 

10.     Inappropriate rationalization.

 

There is a great deal of resentment over the rationalization of the scales of pay of S9 to S.12. The grievances in this regard must be addressed by appropriate decisions.

 

 The staff side requested that the staff with qualifications of Matric/ITI should be placed in 3050-4590 grade instead of 2750-4400.  This issue is important for M/o Railway and Defence.

 

            The staff side insisted that the grade pay for S 11 and S 12 be appropriately revised as the 4 scales of pay merged in the pay band 2 have been provided with the same grade pay.

 

 The staff side pointed out that the highest group B pay scale (2375-3500) had an edge over the Group A induction pay scale (2200-4000) in the IVth CPC, 5th CPC reversed this by granting Rs. 500 more to Group A induction pay scale.  The 6th CPC has further widened this gap to Rs. 7500.  This is not acceptable.  In this connection the staff side also pointed the grant of PB 3 to the Divisional Accounts Officers Grade I whereas all others have been placed in PB 2.

 

 The official side informed that this demand of the staff side would be placed before the  higher authorities. 

 

11.    Pension

 

The Staff Side appreciates the acceptance of some of its suggestions for improving the pension of the old pensioners by the Commission. However, we feel the following amendment is needed in the case of pensioners.

 

a)    The minimum pension must be the minimum of the PB. with grade pay.

b)    The 5th CPC suggestion to  refix the pension on the basis of the notional pay as     on 1.1.1996 is to be implemented. The pension entitlement has to be worked out on that basis. The new commutation table to be applied only prospectively.

The restoration of commuted value of pension should be on completion of 12 years.

 

The staff side demanded that the recommendation for revising the commutation table may not be accepted and the commuted amount of pension may be restored after 12 years on the plea that the Govt. was recovering the entire amount of commuted value along with interest within that period.  They further stated that the submission made by them before the Secretary (Pension) may be considered.                                                 

 

 Director(Pension) informed that they had received a representation through staff side and it would be examined and would be placed to the higher authorities through Secretary (Pension).

 

12      Fast Track Committee

 

There are cases like the Master Craftsmen, where the existing pay scales have been reduced to a lower scale. To consider these types of cases, a fast track committee may be set up.

 

 It was informed that the certain categories like Master Craftsman in Railways are in 5000-8000 scale whereas now they have been brought down to 4500.  Secretary staff side emphasized that similarly in case of Pharmasists the whole background placed before the Pay commission is wrong therefore, wrong decision has been taken.  It need to be corrected immediately.  In the case of the Master craftsmen in Ministry of Defence and LDC also similar anomaly exists.  They have requested to set up the Fast Track Committee in the concerned department to resolve.

 

 The Chairman requested them to inform if they notice any such anomaly in near future in some other category also.

 

            Demand of the staff side was noted by the official side.

 

 

 

13      Anomalies

 

There are certain anomalies arising from the disturbance of vertical and horizontal relativities etc. For quick and time bound disposal of these anomalies a Joint Committee of the National Council JCM with the participation of the Secretaries of all concerned Ministries should be constituted.

 

 The Chairman informed that since the departments/ministries did not have financial experts to deal with the 6th CPC recommendations hence it would be looked into at a later date.

 

14      Grameen Dak Sewaks

 

Grameen Dak Sewaks are employed by the Postal Department. They constitute the largest segment of the workforce of the Postal organization. We suggest that the pay, allowance, pension and other benefits in their case should be proportionately what is suggested to the regular civilian employees. Since the Group D Cadres have been abolished, they may be promoted/absorbed/regularized in Group C cadres in the same manner provided for matriculate/non matriculate regular Group D employees.

 

 The representative of Department of Posts informed that the Gramin Dak Sewaks were out of the purview of JCM hence it would not be appropriate to discuss this issue in this meeting.  However, they informed that a separate Committee has been set up to look into the grievances.

 

It was further stated by the staff side that according to recommendations of the 6th CPC, all group D employees would be upgraded to group C post w.e.f. 1.1.2006.  They would continue to do the same job and would be paid arrears.
 
The Chairman assured that the issues discussed with the staff side would be brought to the notice of the higher authorities dealing with the VIth    CPC. He expressed his confidence and requested that the support of the staff side to resolve the legitimate issues should continue and their assistance whenever required would be taken.    He also stated that at a later stage the Committee of Secretaries may also discuss these issues with the staff side and that the process of consultation is likely to be completed by June end 2008. 
 

Secretary staff side thanked and assured of the continued support of the staff side.



--
K.Ragavendran
Secretary General NFPE