GOVERNMENT RELEASED PRESS NOTE THROUGH PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

Thursday, July 7, 2016

DATED - 07.07.2016

STRIKE IS DEFERRED, BUT THE STRUGGLE SHALL CONTINUE

Finally, the united struggle of 33 lakhs Central Government Employees under the banner of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) comprising Railways, Defence and Confederation has compelled the totally negative and unwilling NDA Government to negotiate with the staff side leaders. Hon’ble Prime Minister has intervened and directed three Cabinet Minsters viz. Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu to hold discussion with the NJCA Leaders on 30^th June 2016. After discussing the demands raised in the Charter of demands, the Ministers assured that a high level committee will be constituted to consider the demands raised by NJCA especially the demand for improving the minimum wage and fitment formula.

As no written communication or minutes regarding the assurances given by Group of Ministers is forthcoming, the NJCA met again and 6^th July and decided to go ahead with the strike decision. Again Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh called the NJCA leaders for discussion on 6^thJuly and reiterated the assurances already given on 30^th June and stated that the Finance Minister will issue a press statement on 6^th July itself confirming the assurances given by the Group of Ministers. It was further assured by the Minister that the proposed High level committee will submit its recommendations to Government within a time frame.

Accordingly, the Government issued the press statement and after detailed deliberations the NJCA unanimously decided to defer the indefinite strike till the committee finalizes its report. The press statement of the NJCA and the Government are attached.

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Confederation

E-mail: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Mob: 09447068125

GOVERNMENT RELEASED PRESS NOTE THROUGH PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

Ministry of Finance









































06-July, 2016 20:50 IST

Government assures Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government that the issues raised by them relating to the pay scales and other recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission would be considered by a High Level Committee

Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government had met the Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and the Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh Prabhu in the evening of 30th June, 2016.

They had requested that certain issues raised by them in relation to the pay scales and other recommendations of the Pay Commission be allowed to be raised before a Committee of Secretaries looking into different aspects of grievances of employees in relation to the Pay Commission recommendations.

The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee.

******

DSM
(Release ID :146885)

7^th CPC REPORT & NDA GOVERNMENT

M. Krishnan, Secretary General,

Confederation of C. G. Employees & Workers

Report of the 7^th Central Pay Commission (CPC) headed by Retired Supreme Court Justice, Ashok Kumar Mathur was submitted to Government on 19^th November 2015 after 21 months. The Union Cabinet announced its decision to implement the recommendations on 29^th June 2016. Through the press release circulated to media and the statement of Finance Minister, the Government made a calculated move to create an impression among the public that the Modi Government is magnanimous enough to extend big bonanza to the Central Government employees. Eventhough, immediately after submission of the 7^th CPC report, the Joint Council of Action of Central Government Employees (NJCA) representing Railways, Defence and Confederation including Postal had submitted a memorandum to Government demanding modifications of the retrograde recommendations of the 7^thCPC, the Government while announcing its decision, rejected all the demands raised by the staff side.

The 7^th CPC recommended only Rs.18000/- as minimum pay by arbitrarily modifying and manipulating Dr. Aykroyd’s Need based minimum wage formula on untenable premises and incorrect data. The main demand of the NJCA is to re-compute the minimum wage on the basis of actual commodity prices as on 01.07.2015 and factor Dr. Aykroyd formula stipulated percentage for housing, social obligations and children’s education etc. and to revise the fitment formula and all pay scales on the basis of the so determined minimum wage. The methodology adopted by 7^th CPC is irrational, imaginary and even absurd.

The Government’s claim that big increase is given to the employees is totally false. In para 4.2.9 of the report, the 7^th CPC has given a table depicting the percentage of increase provided by the successive pay commissions appointed after independence. According to the table, the 2^nd CPC has made a paltry increase of 14.2.% (1960), the 3^rd CPC gave a rise of 20.6% (1973), the 4^th CPC 27.6% (1986), the 5^th CPC 31% (1996) and 6^thCPC 54% (2006) whereas the average increase granted by 7^th CPC is only 14.29% (2016), while the percentage increase had been in ascending order all along, the 7^th CPC has sought to reverse that trend. The megre increase recommended and accepted by the Government without any change is the worst ever any pay commission has recommended since 1960. In 1960 five days historic strike of entire Central Government employees took lace demanding modifications of 2^nd CPC recommendations.

Another claim of the Government is that it has accepted the recommendations of the 7^th CPC to increase the existing salary by 2.57 times !!!. This is a totally misleading propaganda. The existing basic pay of a lowest level employee of the Central Government called Multi-Tasking staff (MTS) is 7000 plus 125% Dearness Allowance as on 01.01.2016. Thus the total salary as on 1^st January 2016 is 7000 + 8750 DA = 15750. The Minimum pay recommended by 7^th CPC is 18000 i.e; the actual increase in salary is Rs. 2250/- only at the lowest level. The fitment factor of 2.57 is worked out excluding the 125% DA an employee is getting at present. As the next wage revision takes place only after ten years in 2026, the above increase of 2250/- in the salary is megre.

In the past, every time, either before or immediately after the appointment of pay commissions, the employees are granted DA merger, Last time, before appointment of 6^th CPC, Government has granted merger of 50% DA in 2004 and the merged DA is treated as Pay for all purposes. This time no DA merger is granted. Suppose, as in the past, the Government has accepted the demand for merger of 50% DA as on 01.01.2011 when DA crossed 50%, the total salary of an employee at the lowest level as on 01.01.2016 will become Rs.18395/- (7000 + 50% DA 3500 = 10500 + remaining 75% DA as on 01.01.2016 Rs.7875 = 18395). Thus it can be seen that even if no pay commission is appointed by Government, simply by granting DA merger alone the lowest level salary will become more than 18000/- which is recommended by 7^th CPC after 21 months study and spending crores of rupees for its functioning.

The Government’s press release further claim that the ratio between lowest and highest salary (compression ratio) is 1:3.12. The highest level employees are Cabinet Secretary and Secretaries of various departments. The recommended salary of the Cabinet Secretary is 2,50000. Government deliberately avoided comparison between salary of lowest employee and highest level employee, instead compared with middle level Class-I officer only. Actual ratio between the lowest and highest salary come to 1:14 (18000:2,50000). No other pay commission has recommended such a huge margin.

Other retrograde recommendations of the 7^th CPC are as follows:

1.     House Rent Allowance (HRA) rate reduced from 30%, 20% and 10% to 24%, 16% and 8%

2.    52 existing allowances are to be abolished.

3.    All interest-free advances including Festival advance, are to be abolished. Only interest bearing advances to be retained.

4.    Salary for the second year of Child care leave granted to women employees should be reduced to 80%.

5.    For Three Time bound promotions (Assured Carreer Progression) passing examination and other conditions made mandatory.

6.    New Pension Scheme (NPS) shall continue, recommended only some cosmetic changes.

7.    Contractorisation and casual labour System shall be continued.

8.    Outsourcing of Government functions to continue.

9.    Employment of retired personnel to be legalized and panel of experienced retired personnel should be kept ready.

10.  Filling up of vacancies – commission pointed out that there are six lakhs unfilled vacancies in Central Government services, but no recommendations for filling up the vacancies in a time bound manner by special recruitment.

11.   Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks of Postal department – rejected.

12.  Increase in minimum pension percentage, Fixed medical Allowance to Pensioners and increment rate – rejected.

Inspite of several round of country wide agitational programmes conducted by NJCA including massive Parliament March, the NDA Government refused to negotiate the demands with the staff side, but declared unilateral implementation of the recommendations without any modifications. The resentment, anger and protest of the entire Central Government employees increased day-by-day and the NJCA decided to go ahead with indefinite strike from 11^th July 2016 and preperations and campaigning for making the strike a thundering success went on in full swing. Modi Government understood that if it still refuse to discuss with the NJCA then from 11^th July 6 AM onwards the entire Central Government establishments including Railways, Defence, Postal and other departments. will come to standstill marking the commencement of the biggest strike action of the Central Government employees.

It is in this background the Hon’ble Prime Minister directed three Cabinet Ministers including Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Shri. Suresh Prabhu to hold discussion with the NJCA leaders on 30^th January 2016. Major demands in the Charter of demands were discussed with particular reference to Improvement in Minimum wage and fitment formula. Issues relating to parity in pension was also discussed. Finally the Ministers assured that a high level committee will be appointed to consider the issues raised by the NJCA.

As no written minutes or communications is forthcoming from the Government regarding the 30^th June discussion and assurances, the NJCA decided to go ahead with the strike. Country wide demonstrations were held daily in front of all offices and at all important centres. On 6^th July 2016 when the NJCA meeting was in progress, Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh again invited the NCA Leaers for discussion. The Minister reiterated the earlier assurances and told that Finance Minister will issue a press statement making the Government stand clear on the demands.

Accordingly, the Government issued a press statement on 6^th July 2016 in which it is stated that – “The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee.”

Thus, the unite struggle of the entire Central Government Employees compelled the unwilling NDA Government to accept the reality that modification in the 7^th CPC recommendations is a must and before arriving at a final conclusion the staff side should be given a fair chance to present and discuss the case with the Government. It was assured that the proposed High Level Committee to be appointed by the Government shall complete its task within a time frame.

Advancement in the wages and service conditions of Central Government Employees can be achieved only through the united struggle of all Central Government employees for which the unity built up under the banner of NJCA is to be maintained and strengthened. Further the neo-liberal policy offensives of the NDA Government in the Central Government Employees Sector including privatisation, outsourcing, downsizing, contractorisation, corporatization, winding up of departments, New Pension Scheme etc. can only be resisted and reverted by building up united movement of the entire employees. Eventhough the strike is deferred, the Central Government employees shall continue its united struggle against the anti-people and anti-labour policies of the NDA Government. We should self-critically analyze the strength and weakness of the NJCA and shall arrive at proper conclusion for taking corrective measures, if necessary, and also for further unity and advancement. The final outcome of the united struggle is, no doubt, one step forward.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

NJCA Defers Strike on the face of Government Assuring Consideration of Staff Side Views

NJCA UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVES TO DEFER THE INDEFINITE STRIKE

After the meeting with the Home Minister today by the NJCA and further developments leading to issue of a Press Release by the Government of India assuring consideration of the issues raised by the Staff Side relating to the pay scales and other recommendations of the Pay Commission by a High Level Committee. The NJCA has decided to defer the Indefinite Strike in the background of meetings with the Ministers and the assurance by the Government of India.

The Press Release by the Government today is reproduced below: 

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

06-July-2016 20:50 IST

Government assures Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government that the issues raised by them relating to the pay scales and other recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission would be considered by a High Level Committee.

Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government had met the Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and the Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh Prabhu in the evening of 30th June, 2016. 

They had requested that certain issues raised by them in relation to the pay scales and other recommendations of the Pay Commission be allowed to be raised before a Committee of Secretaries looking into different aspects of grievances of employees in relation to the Pay Commission recommendations. 

The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee. 

Show quoted text

DATED – 06.07.2016

The National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) met at the Staff Side office, JCM, New Delhi today at 11:30 AM as scheduled. During the discussions, the Convener received an invitation from the Honourable Home Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh. The following members of the NJCA met the Home Minister in a delegation.

1. Dr. M. Raghavaiah (NFIR), 2. Shiv Gopal Misra (AIRF), 3. Rakhal Dasgupta (AIRF), 4. Guman Singh (NFIR), 5. K. K. N. Kutty (Confederation), 6. C. Srikumar (AIDEF), 7. M. Krishnan (Confederation), 8. Ashok Singh (INDWF), 9. R. Srinivasan (INDWF), 10. M. S. Raja (Confederation), 11. J. R. Bhosale (AIRF), 12. Bhatnagar (NFIR), 13. R. N. Parashar (NFPE), 14. Giriraj Singh (NFPE), 15. Satish Chander (FNPO), 16. Shiv Kumar (FNPO), 17. N. Kannaiah (AIRF).

The issues in the Charter of demands were discussed with special reference to the 7^th CPC related demands. The delegation brought to the notice of the Honourable Home Minister that the NJCA has not received a communication from the Government over the assurances held out on 30^th June, 2016, when the NJCA delegation met the Honourable Home Minister, Finance Minister and the Railway Ministers. On 30^th June 2016, the Government had assured to refer the revision of Minimum wage and fitment formula to a Committee. The Finance Minister has also clarified that the Government has taken the decision to implement the recommendation of the 7^th CPC to bring about parity between the past and present pensioners. They added that such a communication in confirmation of the assurances will enable them to take a decision over the strike action which is to commence from 11^th July, 2016.

The Honourable Home Minister assured the delegation that the Government will honour the assurances held out to the NJCA leaders on 30^th June, 2016 and accordingly the Honourable Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitly will issue a Press Statement today, with copy to NJCA.

After receipt of the copy of the Press Communique issued by the Honourable Finance Minister, the NJCA will take a final decision.

M. KRISHNAN

Secretary General

Confederation

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

CHANGE OF DATE OF HOLIDAY ON ACCOUNT OF ID-UL-FITR DURING 2016 FOR ALL CENTRAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES LOCATED AT DELHI / NEW DELHI.

                                                     F.N0.12/10/20 16-JCA2

 Government of India

Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions

Department of Personnel and Training

 North Block, New Delhi Dated the 05 July, 2016

 OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Change of date of holiday on account of Id-ul-Fitr during 2016 for all Central Government administrative offices located at Delhi / New Delhi.

            As per list of holidays circulated vide this Ministry's 0.M.No.12 / 7 / 2015-JCA-2 dated the 11th June, 2015, the holiday on account of Id-ul-Fitr falls on Wednesday the 6th July, 2016. It has been brought to notice of this Ministry that in Delhi Id-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on 7th July, 2016. Accordingly, it has been decided to shift the Id-ul-Fitr holiday to 7th July, 2016 in place of 6th July, 2016 as notified earlier, for all Central Government administrative offices at Delhi / New Delhi.

2.         For Offices outside Delhi / New  Delhi the  Employees   Coordination Committee  or Head of Offices (where such Committees are not functioning ) can decide the date  depending upon the decision of the concerned State Government.

            Hindi version will follow.

(DEBABRATA DAS)

 Under Secretary 

Copy to 1. All Ministries/ Departments of Government of India. 2. UPSC / CVC / C&,AG / PM's Office / Lok Sabha Secretariat / Rajya Sabha Secretariat/ President secretariat/Vice President's Secretariat/ Supreme Court /High Court / Central Administrative Tribunal. 3. All attached and subordinate offices of Ministry of Personnel, P.G. 86 Pensions/ MHA 4. Secretary, Staff Side, National Council (JCM), 13-C, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi. 5. All Staff/Members of the National Council (JCM). 6. All Staff Side Members of the Departmental Council (JCM), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. 7. Chairmen / Secretaries, Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committees, in the State Capitals. 8. National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. 9. Deputy Secretary (Coordination), Delhi Govt. Secretariat, I.G. Stadium, I.T.O., New Delhi. 10. Chief Secretary, all the State Governments 11. The Election Commission of India, New Delhi. 12. National Informatics Centre (DOPT) with the request to place this O.M. on the website of the DOPT (www.persmin.nic.in)