Sunday 30 August 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

Confederation News : Countrywide General Strike on 2nd September Stands

Confederation News : Countrywide General Strike on 2nd September Stands
FLASH NEWS

28th August 2015

COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 2ND SEPTEMBER STANDS

CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS REASSERT THE CALL FOR UNITED ACTION

MARCH AHEAD UNITEDLY, MAKE THE COUNTRYWIDE GENERAL STRIKE ON 2ND SEPTEMBER A MASSIVE SUCCESS
After two rounds of discussion between the Group of Ministers and the central trade unions on the 12-point charter of demands of the trade unions held on 26th and 27th August 2015, the GoM headed by Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley sent an appeal through the press release dated 27-08-2015 (Press Information Bureau) after 10 pm urging upon the trade unions to reconsider the call for countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2015 claiming that the Govt has given concrete assurance to consider most of the demands of the trade unions and that the trade unions agreed to consider the Govt’s proposals. Similar appeal was also made in the meeting of 27th August. Both the claims of the Govt are totally incorrect.

To put the facts straight, the joint platform of central trade unions have been pursuing with successive governments at the centre with their basic demands since 2009 and observed three rounds of countrywide general strike since 2010, the last being for two days in February 2013. In the two rounds of meeting between the CTUOs and the Group of Minister, nothing transpired in concrete terms except vague statements by the ministers on steps to be taken or being taken on some of the issues, that too not in the justify direction.
The Govt’s press release mentioned, inter alia, certain issues in support of their unfounded claim.
The Govt stated about “appropriate legislation for making formula based minimum wages mandatory and applicable” for all. But despite concrete pointers made by the trade unions that such formula should be what has already been unanimously recommended by the 44th Indian Labour Conference in 2012 and again reiterated by 46th Indian Labour Conference in July 2015 in which the Govt of India is also a party, the Ministers did not give any concrete commitment on the same. In fact said formulae recommended by 44th ILC in 2012 and reiterated by 46th ILC in July 2015, makes minimum wage around Rs 20000/- at 2014 price level and the Trade Unions demanded only Rs 15,000/. The Ministers’ vague formulation does not ensure even half of that. Is such a position worth consideration?
On contract workers, the Govt assured that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. What is there to assure except spreading deliberate confusion? Existing laws of the land lawfully ensures payment of minimum wages to contract workers. The Govt’s statement regarding “sector specific minimum wages for the contract workers” also does not make any sense. The trade unions demanded “same wages and other benefits as regular workers in the concerned industry/establishment to be paid to contract workers.” The 43rd Indian Labour Conference held in 2011 recommended the same and 46th ILC unanimously reiterated the same in 2015, in which, again, the present Govt is a party. How could they deny the unanimous recommendation of the highest tripartite forum in the country like Indian Labour Conference?
The steps taken by the Govt on Labour Law amendments, are meticulously designed to throw out more than 70% of the workers on industries and other establishments from the purview and coverage of almost all basic labour laws and also to eliminate almost all components/provisions of justifys and protections of the workers. This was supplemented by more aggressive steps already taken by a good number of state governments to already amend the labour laws in the similar lines. On this issue, the Govt stated only that they will hold tripartite consultation before taking such steps. The trade unions demanded scrapping of such proposals by the central govt and also not to give assents (through President) to the unilateral amendments made by the state governments. Even in all the tripartite consultations held on some of the proposals of the Govt, the trade unions’ unanimous suggestions has been ignored by the Govt in favour of loud supportive applauds of the employers. Once these retrograde changes in labour laws totally dismantling the justifys and protection measures for the workers and also throwing more that 70% of the workers out of the purview of labour laws are enacted, thereby rendering the almost entire working people a justify-less entity in their workplace, what would ensure even payment of minimum wage and other social security benefits for them, even if those provisions are improved ? Can any trade union, worth its name accept such a machination designed to impose conditions of virtual slavery on the working people ?
Despite repeated insistence by all the trade unions, the Govt refused to concede to the demand for recognizing the Scheme workers, viz., Anganwadi, Mid-day meal, ASHA, Para-teachers and others as “worker” with attendant justifys of statutory minimum wages and other benefits in gross violation of the unanimous recommendation of the 45th Indian Labour Conference in 2013, reiterated again by the 46th ILC in 2015. These workers and all the schemes have been put to further crisis threatening their existance owing to drastic cut in budgetary allocations for those schemes. In such a situation, does the assurance of the Govt to “extend social security measures” and “working out ways” for the same carry any meaning?
On bonus issue, the Govt has assured to revise the eligibility and calculation ceiling to Rs 21000/- and Rs 7000/- respectively from existing Rs 10000/- and Rs 3500/-. Trade Unions’ demand has been that since there is no ceiling on profit, all ceilings in the Payment of Bonus Act should be removed altogether. Trade unions also demanded substantial upward revision of the formula for gratuity calculation and remove the ceiling on gratuity payment. The Govt has negated the demands.
On price rise situation, claim of the Govt that it has gone down does not match with ground reality in respect of commodities for daily necessities of the common people. The demands of the trade unions for putting a ban on speculation/forward trading in essential commodities and services along with universalisation of public distribution system throughout the country have been totally ignored.
Trade Unions demanded stoppage of disinvestment in public sector undertakings playing crucial and supportive role in advancement of the national economy. Govt totally ignored the same, rather has been going on aggressively in disinvestment route in all the major PSUs much to the detriment of the interest of the country’s economy. On the demands for stoppage of further FDI in defence, railways and financial sector, the stance of the Govt is continuing to be a total denial. Rather, the Govt has been aggressively pursuing deregulation and privatization in strategic sectors like electricity, Port & Docks, Airports etc in a big way.
There are other issues as well, statement of Govt continued to be totally vague and their claim is unfounded. How can anybody, rather any trade union worth its name can consider above stands taken by the Govt on vital demands of the workers as a positive development and move out from the programme of united strike action ?
Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for reconsidering the decisions of the Central Trade Unions for countrywide general strike on 2nd September 2015. Rather, the situation demands that there should be no vascillation in carrying forward the call for general strike on 2nd September 2015 throughout the country in all sectors of the economy with firm determination.
The Central Trade Unions appeal to all working people irrespective of affiliations to make the call for countrywide general strike against the anti-worker, anti-people policies of Govt a massive success.
Tapan Sen 
General Secretary CITU
Source: Confederation News
90paisa article-2

Friday 28 August 2015

National Association of Postal Employees Group-C, Andrapradesh Circle, M47,Chikkadapalle Postal Staff Quarters,Hydearabad - 500020

Friday, 28 August 2015

Happy Rakshya Bandhan to all FNPO family members, friends, well wishers and viewers

Happy Rakshya Bandhan to all FNPO family members, friends, well wishers and viewers

Splitting of one higher denomination account into multiple lower denomination accounts - Directorate Instructions

Strike on 2nd Sep, 2015: Govt assured on Bonus enhancement, Wages formula and Union agreed to reconsider the proposed strike

Strike on 2nd Sep, 2015: Govt assured on Bonus enhancement, Wages formula and Union agreed to reconsider the proposed strike:

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment
27-August-2015 21:05 IST

Inter Ministerial Committee Holds Wider Consultations with Trade Unions on Charter of Demands Appeals to Reconsider Proposed Call for Strike in View of Discussions

The Second meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) continued discussion on 12 Demands Charter of Trade Unions for the second day here today in continuation of discussions held yesterday. The Committee comprises Shri Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister, Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, MoS(IC) Labour and Employment, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, MOS(IC) Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Jitendra Singh, MoS DOPT, and Shri Piyush Goel, MoS (IC),Power. During the discussions Trade Unions expressed concern and asked for clarifications on their demands. Addressing their concerns and expectations, the Finance Minister explained policies on which the Government is working and assured that the Government is committed to welfare of labour. Underlining the importance of role of Trade Unions, Shri Jaitely assured the Central Trade Unions that all labour laws reforms will be done with due discussions and tripartite consultations.
In view of the discussions held in conducive and cordial atmosphere, the IMC appealed to Trade Unions to reconsider the proposed call for strike on 2nd September, 2015.The Trade Unions have agreed to consider the appeal.
In view of the suggestions given by Central Trade Unions in the meetings held on 19th July, 26th August and 27th August, 2015, the Government assured the following :
1. Appropriate legislation for making formula based minimum wages mandatory and applicable to all employees across the country.
2. For the purposes of bonus the wage eligibility limit and calculation ceiling would be appropriately revised. Earlier in 2006-07 the calculation ceiling was decided at Rs.3500/- and eligibility limit was wage of Rs.10,000/- per month which is proposed to be revised to Rs.7,000 and Rs.21,000 respectively.
3. The Government is expanding the coverage of social security and working out ways to include construction workers, Aanganwari workers ,ASHA workers and Mid Day Meal workers.
4. Regarding contract workers the Government assured that they will be guaranteed minimum wages. Moreover, the Government is working out ways so that workers of industries will get sector specific minimum wages.
5. Government has already enhanced minimum pension for EPFO members and every pensioner gets minimum pension of Rs.1000/- per month perpetually.
6. Labour laws reforms will be based on tripartite consultations as already stated by the Prime Minister. The States are also being advised to follow the tripartite process.
7. For strict adherence to labour law enforcement, advisory has been issued to the State/UT Governments and strict monitoring has been initiated by Central Government.
8. For employment generation Mudra Yojana, Make in India, Skill India and National Career Service Portal initiatives have been taken.
9. Abolition of interviews for all primary jobs which do not require any special knowledge/expertise, is being done for transparency and expediting the process of recruitment.
10. Inflation is lowest in the last many years excepting two items onion and pulses. Government is taking necessary steps to contain the higher prices of these two commodities also.
It was further clarified that there is no ban on filling up of vacancies in Government jobs and all concerned Departments are taking necessary action to fill-up these vacancies. It was further assured that the Government is committed to job security, wages security and social security to the workers. The issue of equal wages for equal work for contract workers is an issue requiring wider consultations and a committee will be constituted, if required.


Source : http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=126401

Thursday, 27 August 2015

Salary Hike for Government Employees Likely to be Delayed by 2 Months

NEW DELHI:  A salary hike for lakhs of government employees will be delayed by two months by a panel that decides on their salaries, according to sources.

The 7th Pay Commission is not expected to lower or increase the retirement age for 54 lakh government employees, but its final report on salary hike that was to be submitted to the Centre by the end of this month, has been delayed till September 15.

According to sources, there will be no interim report of the Commission, and the new wage salary whenever accepted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's National Democratic Alliance, will be effective from January 1 next year.

The chairman of the 7th Pay Commission, Justice AK Mathur has asked for a two month extension from the government. The Commission was appointed by the previous UPA regime in February 2014, and was given 18 months to submit its report.

Nearly 90 per cent of government employees work in the armed and paramilitary forces, while others are in railways and postal department.

Sources said that the Commission was hoping that the government would take a call on One Rank One Pension, so they could modulate their own formulation in terms of pay revision.

The Commission is also expected to take a call on lateral entry and performance based pay, which has been discussed for years, but with no real solution.

During the monsoon session of Parliament earlier this month, the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework Statement tabled in Parliament said, that the salary outgo of central government employees will rise 9.56 per cent to Rs. 1,00,619 crore in the current fiscal year.

Next year, it could increase further at 15.79 per cent to nearly Rs. 1.16 lakh crore, with the likely implementation of the 7th Pay Commission award, said the statement tabled by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.

Some Ruling files in PDF format



1.CCS (Conduct) Rules 


2.CCS (CCA) Rules



3.CCS (Leave) Rules

4.Fundamental & Supplementary Rules

5.Pension Rules

6.New Pension Scheme

7.Provident Fund Rules

8.Medical Attendance Rules 
 
Courtesy : http://finaclesolution.blogspot.in/

Cabinet clears four-month extension to 7th Central Pay Commission

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for the extension of the term of the 7th Central Pay Commission by four months up to31.12.2015

The Central Pay Commission was constituted by the Central Government on 28.2.2014. According to the Resolution dated 28.2.2014, by which the Commission was constituted, it is to make its recommendations within 18 months of the date of its constitution that is by 27th August, 2015. 

In view of its volume of work and intensive stake-holders' consultations, the 7th Central Pay Commission had made a request to the Government for a four month extension up to 31.12.201


Source : PIB(Release ID :126354)

Prime Minister expressed concern over the grievances of public relating to post offices

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today chaired his fifth interaction through PRAGATI - the ICT-based, multi-modal platform for Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation. 

In course of his review today, the Prime Minister expressed concern at the grievances relating to post offices. Noting that postal services are vital for the poorest sections of society, he directed the Department of Posts to work towards improvement in service delivery, especially in areas such as payment of policy benefits, money orders, postal savings accounts, and delay in delivery of post. 


The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of key infrastructure projects in the Railway, Road, Power, Telecommunication and Agri-Infrastructure sectors, spread over several states including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The projects reviewed also included the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and Chennai Metro Rail. The Prime Minister urged speeding up of work for early completion of the projects. 

Shri Narendra Modi reviewed the scheme for provision of mobile services in Left Wing Extremism affected areas. Emphasizing that mobile connectivity was extremely essential for the common man, particularly in backward areas, he urged all concerned States to accelerate implementation of the scheme. 

The Prime Minister was given a demonstration of the progress of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) scheme, through live video conferencing with three police stations in the States of Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka. He called for enhancing both the level of sophistication, and the speed of implementation of this scheme across the country. 

Source : PIB

Tuesday 25 August 2015

Monday, 24 August 2015

JOIN THE 2ND SEPTEMBER STRIKE ENMASS

Our Federation decided to participate in the 2ndSeptember strike called by National trade Union centres against the anti labour policies of the Central Government. We have taken this decision last minute based on the feedback and advice received from the various levels.
 The staff side of National JCM already announced strike in November 2015. The policies of the Government and there is no progress on the demands during the negotiations led to the strike decision. All the trade unions participating in the strike including the BMS affiliates.
  Even after 65 years of formation of Indian Republic the ILO basic conventions No 87 & 98 were not ratified by India which is said to be a democratic Union and member country of the ILO from the day of its formation. The ID Act 1947 is protecting the working class for all the years. Since there is no statutory protection, the   laws were amended to help the corporate sectors and SEZs. Disinvestment of Central /State PSUs and FDIs in Railways anddefence shocked the working Class about the future. There is no guarantee for the minimum wage and social security for the working population. Employment in the Govt.secter is degenerating replaced by the outsourcing and contracterisation. The Agriculture sector is facing uncertainity.
  In the Government sector the Department of Posts having 3 lakhs GDS employees and their suffering is the same as out sourced contract employees. In the present scenario they are performing the duties of  regular employees and the Govt is harping on the illegality that they cannot be paid more than 5 hours.The Postal JCA served strike notice for inclusion of GDS employees in the purview of 7th CPC.But it was rejected on the technical grounds and the Department is proposing the officers committee. We have seen the results of the recommendations of these committees headed by the officers which never clinched the basic structure of these GDS employees.
  The cadre restructuring in the Department, though agreements were signed,long ago the recommendations did not see the light in the nodal ministries. The CPC submitting its report. Many issues whre there are agreements in the Department council nothing is implemented.
 The employees are frustrated at all levels. Under these circumstances we have to join the struggle and show our strong resentment over the   Anti employees policies of the Government. Let us make the strike a grand success.

PFRDA to launch online facility to open NPS accounts

MUMBAI: Pension fund regulator PFRDA is set to launch an online facility for opening of accounts under the National Pension System (NPS) to net in prospective customers. 

"We are set to launch the online on-boarding facility for the prospective customers of pension schemes under the NPS," PFRDA chairman Hemant Contractor told reporters on the sidelines of an insurance summitorganised by the industry lobby CII here this evening. 

"We have also urged the government to offer tax-breaks to pension schemes falling on the lines of other financial products like mutual funds and insurance, to popularise pension products in the unorganisedsector," he said. 

The Pension Funds Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA has sought clarification from the government if the pension products being run by various fund houses and life insurers can be regulated by it

"We have asked the government to clarify whether we can regulate the pension business being run by mutual fund houses and life insurers because the PFRDA Act empowers us to regulate all kinds of pension business," Contractor said. 

On the pension business being managed by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation EPFO), he said it is up to the government to decide that who will be regulating it. 

Commenting on the progress of NPS, he said the NPS corpus has already crossed Rs 94,000 crore so far, which includes Rs 7,000 crore from the Atal Pension Yojana. 

He further said, "We've already opened 6,80,000 accounts under the Atal Pension scheme during the past couple of months and we are looking at taking it to 2 crore by December. Out of these 6,80,000 accounts, 65 per cent subscribers come from urban areas and the rest from the rural areas." 

The three state-owned fund managers, who are managing the Atal Pension scheme funds are UTI, SBI and LIC Pension Fund. 

The regulator is getting ready to appoint new fund managers for the NPS, which has seven active fund managers now and also reviewing fund management charges. 

Contractor also said the regulator is planning to increase the tenure of NPS fund managers to five years from the present three. 

"We don't mind paying a higher commission to incentivise fund managers and distributors so as to expand the NPS reach. We are reviewing a proposal in this regard and we will be issuing a request for proposal to appoint new fund managers within a month," he said.

Report of Seventh Pay commission might be submitted by second week of September 2015

The Hindi daily Dainik Baskar quoted in its report published on 22.8.2015 about report of Seventh pay commission that the pay commission report will be submitted by second week of September 2015,
According to its report the Seventh Pay Commission report to be submitted to the government will be examined by  the senior CoS, which will take two months. Then it will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance, which will be  implemented from 1st  January, 2016,
According to sources the fitment formula 2.86 would be recommended by 7th pay commission.

Saturday, 22 August 2015

New Delhi: The Seventh Pay Commission is likely to recommend the government to form a permanent pay panel to give recommendations to the government from time to time on issues pertaining to pay structure of central government employees.

The permanent pay panel would recommend regular salary hikes in keeping with the rate of inflation.

The formation of the permanent pay panel would help raise the salaries and allowances of central government officials and employees, an official of the pay panel said.

He added the permanent pay panel would recommend salary and allowance hikes in keeping with the rising inflation rate, which will be implemented by the government. “Then it will not be necessary to form a new commission during the next several years for central government employees.”

However, the Seventh Pay Commission got one month extension to submit its recommendations.

Accordingly it is expected to submit its report by the end of September. The time allotted for the commission ends this month.

The government appointed the Seventh Pay Commission on 28 February 2014 under chairman, Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur, with a time frame of 18 months to make its recommendations

“There are some data points that are missing, which we hope to get by this month end. We are trying to submit the report by 20 September,” the official of the pay panel also said.

The government’s salary bill will rise by 9.56% to Rs 1,00,619 crore with the implementation of the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, according to a statement tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on August 12.

The recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, is likely to be implemented in April, next year.

Source : http://www.tkbsen.in/