aipeu puri
Monday, 29 February 2016
OUR ASHA DIDI NO MORE
SAD NEWS : Smt. Asharani Sethi. APM(SB), Bhubaneswar GPO No More
Smt. Asharani Sethi. APM(SB), Bhubaneswar GPO popularly known as Ashadidi expired today ( 01.03.2016) morning. LateAsha Didi served maximum period of her service carrier in Puri division.She was a very amicable and lovable one by the entire division.On promotion to LSG Cadre she was posted as APM SB Bhubaneswar GPO last year. She has been survived by her husband, 2 sons and one unmarried daughter.
On behalf of entire postal fraternity of Puri Division we express our deepest condolence on the sad demise of our beloved Ashadidi and prays almighty to shower blessings over the breaved family members especially sons Mahesh ,Rakesh and daughter Kasturi to have courage and patience to bear with this irreparable loss.
Let the departed soul rest in eternal peace.
Important Announcements made by Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech 2016-17
Press Information
Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
29-February-2016 13:15 IST
Important Announcements made by Union
Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech 2016-17
1. Big
Focus on Agriculture and Farmer’ Welfare
(i)
Farmer’s income to be doubled by 2022.
(ii) 28.5
lakh hectares will be brought under irrigation under Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchai Yojana.
(iii)
89 irrigation projects, requiring Rs. 86,500 crore in next five years, to be
fast tracked. 23 of these projects to be completed before 31st
March, 2017.
(iv) Dedicated
Long Term Irrigation Fund will be created in NABARD with initial corpus of Rs.
20,000 crore.
(v)
Total outlay on irrigation including market borrowings is R. 12,157 crore.
(vi)
Major programme for Sustainable Ground Water management proposed for
multilateral funding at a cost of Rs. 6,000 crore.
(vii)
5 lakh farm ponds and dug wells in rain-fed areas and 10 lakh copost pits for
production of organic manure will be taken up.
(viii)
Soil Health Cards will be given to 14 crore farm holdings by March, 2017.
(ix)
2,000 model retail otlets of fertilizer companies with soil and seed testing facilities,
will be opened in the next three years.
(x)
Unified Agricultural Marketing E Platform to be dedicated to the Nation on the
Birthday of Dr. Ambedkar on 14th April, 2016.
2. Rs.
27,000 crore including State’s share to be spent on PMGSY in 2016-17. Target
date of completion of PMGSY advanced from 2021 to 2019.
3. Rs.
9 lakh crore will be given as Agricultural credit in 2016-17.
4. FCI
will undertake online procurement of food grains. This will bring transparency
and convenience to farmers through prior registration and monitoring of
procurement.
5. Pashudhan
Sanjeevani, an animal wellness programme, will be undertaken. Nakul Swasthya
Patras to be issued.
6. Rural
Sector
(i)
R. 2.87 lakh crore will be given as Grant in Aid to Gram Panchayats and
Municpalities as per the recommendations of the 14th FC. This
translates to Rs. 81 lakh per gram panchayat and over Rs. 21 crore per
Municipality.
(ii)
Every Block in drought and rural distress areas will be taken up under Deen
Dayal Antoyodaya Mission.
(iii)
300 Rurban Clusters will incubate growth Centres in Rural Area.
(iv)
All villages will be electrified by 1st May, 2018.
(v)
A new Digital Literacy Mission scheme will be launched for rural India to cover
around 6 crore households in next three years.
(vi)
Modernisation of Land Records through revamped National Land Records Programme.
(vii)
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Programme to be launched.
7. Targeted
Delivery of Government subsidies and benefits to ensure that they reach the
poor and the deserving.
(i)
New law fpr targeted delivery of financial and other subsidies etc. using
Aadhar framework will be enacted.
(ii)
DBT in fertilizer will be launced on pilot basis.
(iii)
Of the total 5.35 lakh fair price shops in the country, 3 lakh shops to be
automated by March,2017.
8. MUDRA
– Loan target of 1,80,000 crore in 2016-17.
9. Social
Sector
(i)
Massive Mission to provide LPG connection to poor households will be launched.
1.5 crore poor households will benefit in 2016-17. Scheme will continue for two
more years to cover a total of 5 crore BPL households. LPG connection to be
given in the name of woman member of the family.
(ii)
New Health Protection scheme will be launched. Health cover up to Rs. 1 lakh
per family and additional Rs. 30,000 for senior citizens to be provided.
(iii)
3000 stores under Prime Minister’s Jan Aushadhi Yojana will be opened in 2016-
17.
(iv) National
Dialysis Services Programme will be launched. Tax exemptions given to certain
parts of dialysis equipments.
(v)
A new Eco System for SC/ST entrepreneurs will be set up. SC/ST Hub to be set up
in MSME Ministry.
10. Education
(i)
62 new Navaodaya Vidyalayas to be opened in remaining uncovered districts in
next two years.
(ii)
An enabling regulatory architecture will be provided to 10 public and 10
private institutions to emerge as world class teaching and research
institutions.
(iii)
Higher Education Financing Agency will be set up with an initial capital base
of Rs. 1,000 crore.
(iv)
Digital Depository will be set up for educational certificates, mark-sheets, awards
etc.
11. Skills
(i)
1500 Multi Skill Training Institutes will be set up under Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana
(ii)
National Board for Skill Development Certification will be set up in
partnership with industry and academia.
(iii)
Entrepreneurship education and training will be provided in 2200 colleges, 300
schools, 500 govt. it is and 50 vocational training centres through open online
courses.
12. Job Creation
(i)
Government of India will pay EPS contribution of 8.33% for all new employees
enrolling in EPFO for the first three years of employment. Applicable to those
with salaries of Rs. 15,000 per month
(ii)
Section 80 JJAA of Income Tax Act being amended to broaden the scope of
employment generation incentives.
(iii)
Interlinking of State Employment Exchanges with National Career Service
Platform.
(iv)
Small and medium shops to be permitted to remain open all 7 days a week on
voluntary basis. New jobs in retail sector.
13. Measures in the sectors of
Infrastructure, Investment, Banking, Insurance etc.
(i)
Rs. 2,18,000 crore will be spent on capital expenditure of roads and railways
in 2016-17.
Includes: Rs. 27,000 crore PMGSY
55,000 crore Road Transport
and highway
15,000 crore NHAI Bonds
1,21,000 crore Railways
(ii)
Unserved and underserved airstrips to be revived by AAI and also in partnership
with State Governments.
(iii)
Road transport sector (passenger segment) to be opened up by removing permit
system. This will benefit the poor and middle class, encourage new investment,
promote start up entrepreneurs and create new jobs. This is a major reform
measure.
(iv)
Discovery and exploration of fas in difficult areas will be incentivized by
giving them calibrated marketing freedom. This is a major reform measure.
(v)
To promote private participation in infrastructure projects, Public Utility
(Resolution of Disputes) Bill will be introduced; and guidelines for
renegotiation of PPP agreements will be issued, without compromising
transparency.
(vi)
Changes in FDI Policy.
(vii)
For the benefit of farmers, 100% FDI through FIPB route will be permitted for
marketing of food products, produced and manufactured in India. This will give
big encouragement to food processing industry and create new jobs.
(viii)
Guidelines for strategic disinvestment have been approved and will be spelt
out.
(ix)
Individual units of CPSEs can be disinvested to raise resources for investment
in new projects.
(x)
In the financial sector, a comprehensive Code on Resolution of Financial Firms
will be enacted. Together will the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law, this will
fill a major systemic vacuum. This is a big reform measure.
(xi)
SARFAESI Act to be amended to strengthen Asset Reconstruction Companies. This
will help in dealing with stressed assets of Banks.
(xii)
Public Sector Banks (PSB) – (a) Recapitalisation of PSBs; (b) roadmap to be
spelt out for consolidation of PSBs; (c) considering reduction of Government
equity in IDBI Bank to 49% of below; (d) DRTs to be strengthened with
computerized processing of court cases.
(xiii)
General Insurance Companies will be listed in stock exchanges for improving
transparency, accountability and efficiency.
(xiv)
Comprehensive Central legislation to deal with Illicit Deposit Taking schemes
will be enacted.
14. ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha
Bharat’ will be launched to link States and Districts.
15. Technology Driven Platform
for Government procurement of goods and services will be set up by DGS&D.
This will improve transparency, efficiency and reduce cost of procurement.
16. Fiscal Discipline
(i)
Fiscal deficit target of 3.5% of GDP in 2016-17
(ii)
Committee for review of FRBM Act.
(iii)
Removal of -/Non Plan classification from 2017-18
(iv)
Rationalisation of Central Plan Schemes. More than 1500 Central Plan schemes
have been restructured to about 300 Central sector and 30 centrally sponsored
Schemes.
Union Budget 2016-17
Press
Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
29-February-2016 13:01 IST
Limit
of Deduction of Rent Increased from Rs.24,000 to Rs.60,000
100% Deduction of Profits for 3 out of 5 Years for Start-Ups
Withdrawal upto 40% of the Corpus to be Tax-Free at the time of Retirement
100% Deduction of Profits for 3 out of 5 Years for Start-Ups
Withdrawal upto 40% of the Corpus to be Tax-Free at the time of Retirement
Deduction
of Additional Interest of Rs.50,000 Per Annum for First-Time Home buyers
New
Dispute Resolution Scheme to be Introduced
Thirteen
Cesses Levied by Various Ministries having Revenue Collection less than Rs.50
Crore to be Abolished
‘E-Sahyog’
and ‘E-Assessment’ to be Expanded Further
100%
Deductions for Profits to an undertaking in Housing Project for Flats up to 30
Sq. Mtrs.
Click here to view details
CASUAL
LABOURERS WITH TEMPORARY STATUS-CLARIFICATION REGARDING CONTRIBUTION TO GPF AND
PENSION UNDER THE OLD PENSION SCHEME
TS CASUAL LABOURERS OLD PENSION IMPORTANT JUDGEMENT AND DEPARTMENT
ISSUED ORDERS TO CPMG KARNATAKA
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
POSTAL AND
BANK INTEREST RATES COMPARISON TABLE
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER –MARCH: 2016
GET READY FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE FROM
11th APRIL-2016
The 7th Central
Pay Commission has submitted its report to Government of India. The
recommendations given by the Pay Commission are most retrograde. The Chairman,
Pay Commission did not consider even a single demand of unions. The demand of
minimum wage as per Dr. Aykhroyid formula has been negated totally. The
National Council JCM demanded minimum
wage as Rs. 26000/- but the Pay Commission has recommended only Rs. 18000/-. Other demands like rate of increment as 5% , upgraded pay
scales to the various cadres of Postal Department , 5 promotions ,
Deletion of Bench Mark in MACP, Revision
of wages and other service
conditions of GDS ,wage revision of
Casual part time and contingent
employees, cashless hassle free
Medical facility , One time LTC to
visit abroad, Removal of ceiling of 5% on compassionate appointments, Scrapping of New Pension Scheme
, 67% of pay as pension on
superannuation along with other demands have not been considered .Beside this
the Pay Commission has recommended to
abolish 52 existing allowances and advances like HBA, Festival
Advance , TA Advance and Medical Advance. The percentage of HRA has been
reduced as 24%, 16%, 8% instead of 30%, 20% & 10%.
This Pay Commission is one of the worst Pay Commission
ever seen. It has recommended only 14.29% increase like 2nd Pay Commission.
The NJCA after
detailed discussions in several Meetings with all constituents
organizations of National Council JCM
has submitted memorandum and
Charter of demands to the Government of
India with the warning that if the
same is not settled , NJCA (Railway,
Defence, Confederation) will be forced
to go on indefinite strike from
11th April -2016 for which the notice will be served to Cabinet
Secretary along with all heads of
departments and at all levels on 11th March,
2016.
The Government has set up implementation Cell in Finance
Ministry which will work as Secretariat to Empowered Committee headed by
Cabinet Secretary for processing and implementation of recommendations of 7th
Pay Commission. First meeting has been taken by the Chairman implementation
Cell with NJCA leaders on 19th February, 2016. NJCA leaders have very clearly told that Employees will go on
indefinite strike from 11th Apeil, 2016.
The Confederation of Central Government Employees and
Workers and national Federation of Postal Employees along with Postal JCA have
endorsed the decision of NJCA.
All Central leaders will address rallies in the Capital
Cities to popularize the strike demands and to mobilize the employees for which
campaign programme has been chalked out and circulated among all.
29th
March -2016 will be observed as Solidarity day throughout the country by all
constituents of NJCA.
We as NFPE being on the forefront of all struggles have
more responsibility to carry on all agitational programmes more successfully.
Keeping in view all the above mentioned facts NFPE appeals to the entirety of Postal, RMS
and GDS employees to make all the agitational programmes cent per cent success and make all efforts to
make the indefinite strike from 11th
April-2016 a historic success to achieve the genuine and justified demands.
We have won on so many occasions and this time also we
will win.
Unity for struggle and struggle for unity.
Inquilab Zindabad
Workers unity Zindabad.
Friday, 26 February 2016
Key Highlights of the Railway Budget 2016.
Railway Minister presented the Railway Budget 2016 on Thursday.
He unveiled pillars of strategy that would reflect the new thought
process for the railways.
"This is a budget which reflects the aspirations of each and every
member of the Railway's family", said Prabhu, who presented his second
budget in the Parliament.
Experts said that they are disappointed by the budget which adds
only marginal increase in target and suggest underperformance for FY16.
Prabhu asserted that this Rail Budget reflects the aspiration of the
common people. "This is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's
vision to make railways the backbone of India's progress and economic
development", he added.
Restructure, reorganize and rejuvenate are 3Rs which is the pillar of Railway Budget, said Prabhu.
He further said co-operation, collaboration and communication are the hallmarks of Indian Railways journey forward.
This Rail Budget will play a key role in the country's rejuvenation, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Here are the key highlights of the Railway Budget 2016:
1. Railways to get Rs 40,000 crore budgetary support from the government.
2. There will be no hike in passenger fares this year.
3. All the unmanned level crossings will be eliminated by 2020.
4. 17,000 biotoilets and additional toilets in 475 stations to be installed in order to promote Swachh Bharat Mission.
5. Quota for senior citizens for lower berths in each coach to be
increased by 50% thereby adding nearly 120 lower berths per train for
then.
6. 33% reservation to women in reserved quota in Railways will be introduced.
7. Wi-Fi to be installed in 100 stations this year and 400 stations next year, in partnership with Google.
8. All the major stations to be brought under CCTV surveillance.
9. IRCTC to manage catering service. Local cuisine of choice will be
available for passengers. Reservation for backward classes SC and ST
and women in catering.
10. Cleaning of toilets by requests through SMS. Disabled enabled toilet in 11 Class-A stations this year.
11. Capacity of e-ticketing system to be enhanced from 2,000 tickets/min to 7,200/min.
12. Deen Dayal coaches to be added for long distance trains for
unreserved passengers. These coaches will provide potable water and
higher number of mobile charging points.
13. GPS-based digital display in coaches for showing upcoming stations.
14. Ticket cancellation facility to be provided through helpline number 139.
15. Bar-coded tickets to be available on pilot basis which will tackle menace of ticketless travel.
16. Menu for their children, baby food, baby boards to be made available for ease travelling of mothers.
17. 1,780 automatic ticket vending machines to be added to railway stations.
18. Braille enabled train wagons to be implemented for specially abled people.
19. 1,600 km of electrification this year and 2,000 km proposed for the next year.
20. India's first railway auto hub in Chennai to be launched soon.
21. More dedicated freight corridors to accommodate the increased demand in freight transport.
22. Highend technology for safety will be implemented.
23. Three direct services - fully air-conditioned Humsafer to travel at 130-km per hour.
24. E-booking of tickets on concessional passes for journalists introduced.
25. Ajmer, Amritsar, Gaya, Mathura, Nanded, Nashik, Puri, Tirupati,
Varanasi, Nagapattinam and other pilgrim stations to be beautified.
26. Porters not to be called 'coolies' but be called 'sahayaks' now; will be trained in soft skills.
27. Aastha Circuit Trains to connect important Pilgrim Centers.
28. Propose to invite FM radio stations to provide train borne entertainment via PA systems.
New projects to be implemented this year:
1. Overnight double-decker train Uday Express to be introduced on
busiest routes, carrying capacity to be 40 per cent more, says Prabhu.
2. Northeast India, especially Mizoram and Manipur to be connected though broad gauge.
3. Special purpose vehicle for the Ahmedabad-Mumbai high speed corridor registered this month.
4. Broad Gauge Lumding-Silchar section in Assam, connecting Barak Valley with rest of country.
Reward for the DoP Staff those who will conduct Change Management Workshops - regarding
The AIPEU, Group-C, Puri Division congratulates the Change Network Top Performers of Odisha Circle .
(Total 7 numbers highlighted startingfrom Babunidear,Chinarasir,Adityasir,Com.Biswaprakas,Com.Ranjan to my elderly Brother com.Samal) for Year 1 and 2 in particular and of all India in general.
(Total 7 numbers highlighted startingfrom Babunidear,Chinarasir,Adityasir,Com.Biswaprakas,Com.Ranjan to my elderly Brother com.Samal) for Year 1 and 2 in particular and of all India in general.
NCCPA CALLS UPON TO RALLY ALL THE
PENSIONERS BEHIND THE DEMANDS FOR MODIFICATION OF 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS
NCCPA
Circular Calls upon to extend total solidarity to NJCA Programmes and organise
independent Pensioners Programmes
NCCPA
has written to Joint Secretary Impelementation Cell on important issues
of Pensioners
NCCPA has
called opinion about organising Pensioners Rally in all State Capitals around
the date of visit by Comrade KKN Kutty SG NCCPA - All CHQ Office Bearers of
AIPRPA are requested to inform the CHQ about the feasibility of Pensioners
Rally at State Headquarters by the end of March 2016!
K.Ragavendran
General Secretary AIPRPA
NATIONAL
CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE OF PENSIONERS
President:
Com. Shiv Gopal Misra..97176 47594
Secretary General: Com. K.KN.
Kutty. . 98110 48303
Dear Comrades,
The National Joint Council of Action which met on 8th had
decided to call upon the constituent originations to start preparation for an
indefinite strike action. In a detailed plan chalked out, there will be a
massive rally at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 11th March, 2016
in which the NJCA leaders will take part and the strike notice will be served
on the Cabinet Secretary. Simultaneously, all the affiliated Associations
and Federations will serve the strike notice to their respective heads of
Department.. The strike is to commence from 6,00AM on 11th “April,
2016. On different dates, every State capital and big industrial units
will organize a massive rally of all Central Government employees in which all
the NJCA members will be present and the preparation for the strike will be
reviewed. The Railway and Defence Federations will complete the strike
ballot by the 2nd week of February, 2016. Each Federation has
been asked to chalk out their own programmes of campaign to make the strike a
cent per cent success. 29th March will be observed
throughout the country as Solidarity day by holding rallies and other
mobilization programmes.
The NJCA met Sheri R.K. Chathurvedi, Joint Secretary,
Implementation Cell, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance , on his
invitation on 19th Feb. 2016. The Staff side explained
the 26 demands and other issues on which the employees will be organizing the
strike action in April, 2011. It is learnt that the implementation cell
has not received reports on Department specific issues and the same might take time.
The NJCA has pointed out to him that despite the submission of memorandum in
many Departments the process of consultation with the Staff Side has not begun,
barring a few. Shri Chathurvedi has agreed to expedite the process and
the cell will place the list of Nodal officers on its website. It has
also been agreed that the meeting with the empowered committee will be held in
a fortnight’s time.
The NCCPA has written to Shri R.K. Chathurvedi on issues pertaining to
Pensioners. Our submissions are in consonance with the stand the NJCA has
taken at the meeting with him on 19th Feb. 2016. The
undersigned had participated in the discussions with the Joint Secretary IC. in
his capacity as the member of the NJCA. We send herewith a copy of the
said letter, which is self explanatory. We have included the grant of HRA
for pensioners as an additional item on the basis of the discussions, the NCCPA
Sectt. had on 7th Feb. 2016.
We appeal to the affiliates of NCCPA to get in touch with all organizations and
branches and units and the pensioners to elicit their participation in the
programmes of action chalked out by the NJCA. Once the state level
meeting of NJCA is decided, we shall intimate you the itinery. Since the
undersigned would be going over to most of the States, it is appropriate that
we must organize a separate meeting of the Pensioners Organizations in each
State Capital, the details of which will be communicated to you in our next
communication. In the meantime, we propose to have a rally of Pensioners
in all State capitals to project our demands separately either prior to 29th March
or afterwards. The affiliates are requested to kindly intimate the
undersigned their views and opinion over this proposal.
With greetings,
Yours
fraternally,
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General
Copy of NCCPA/s letter to
the Joint Secretary, Implementation Celll. New Delhi.
President:
Com. Shiv Gopal Misra..97176 47594
Secretary General: Com. K.KN.
Kutty. . 98110 48303
Shri R.K.
Chathurvedi,
Joint
Secretary, Implementation Cell,
Department
of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance,
North Block New Delhi.
110 001.
Dear Sir,
Sub: 7thCPC recommendations on retirement
benefits- Reg.
The National Co-ordinating Committee of Pensioners Association is the apex
organisation of Associations/Federations of Central Government
Pensioners. We had submitted a detailed memorandum to the 7th CPC
on various demands, problems and grievances of the Central Government
Pensioners. However, it must be sadly admitted that most of the issues,
which we had projected before the Commission did not have a proper
consideration, may be perhaps, due to the Commission’s perceived anxiety over the
financial constrains of the Government of India. We have every reason to
believe that their anxiety was not well placed, for the Government’s finances
are far better presently than what it was two decades back. The
memorandum submitted by the Staff Side JCM National Council had elaborately
dealt with the issue concerning the relative capacity of the Government to pay
its employees and pensioners in the background of accelerated growth of
the economy, reduced tax burden on both business houses and the common people
the reduced percentage of expenditure on wages, salary and pension with
reference to the Government’s revenue resources, revenue expenditure and the
GDP itself. The denial of the need based minimum wage,(in accordance wit
Dy. Aykhroyd formula) in other words, the bare existence wage in the
circumstance by the 7th CPC is incomprehensible. We are
pointing out this aspect of the recommendations, for the successive
earlier Commissions had denied the need based minimum wage on the specious plea
of the inability of the Government to pay. We hope you will
appreciate that the present pensioners, who were in active service in 1960s,
1970s, 1980s, 1990s, did suffer immensely as they were denied even the bare
existence wages. They suffered on many counts, as they could not provide
a decent standard of living to their families, could not construct a
residential dwelling, could not educate their children properly for sheer want
of requisite finances, so on and so forth. The Pensioners’ community is presently
concerned again with the minimum wage as the re-fixation of pension on
account of the wage revision effected by the 7th CPC is linked
to the minimum wage. We, therefore, appeal that the grievances presented
by the Staff Side, National Council JCM on the determination of the quantum of
minimum wage by the 7th CPC must be considered seriously and
necessary corrections made.
Another important issue we would like to present before you, concerns the
New Pension Scheme introduced by the Government of India, with effect from.
1.1.2014. Both the Serving employees and Pensioners organisations placed
before the Commission, rather passionately, to consider their submissions made
for the replacement of the newly introduced defined contributory system of
pension for those who entered the Government of India Service from.1.1.2014
with the time tested defined benefit scheme of pension. As of date the
Government employees, by virtue of the new contributory pension scheme
are divided into two classes viz. a good number of them receive
emoluments after deduction of 10% towards pension contribution whereas
the other for the same job is provided with a higher rate of emoluments.
It is nothing but a blatant denial of equal pay for equal work. We had
pointed out to the Commission in no uncertain terms that the new scheme was
conceived as an idea to allow the flow of the hard earned income of the
employees to the Stock market and permit the access of those funds for
the corporate houses with no guaranteed return to the contributor. We had
pleaded before the Commission to recommend for the exclusion of the Government employees
from the purview of the NPS, if the scrapping of the scheme is infeasible
in the light of the enactment of PFRDA. The Commission, as you could see
from the report, has enumerated innumerable flaws, defects, deficiencies and
what not in the administrative apparatus of the NPS, which has now
amassed huge funds and its coffers are swelling enormously day by day.
They have still not evolved a mechanism to monitor the remittances by the
concerned employers. The Commission has suggested in the light of their findings,
cosmetic remedial measures which in all fairness one should admit, will
not address the issue. In short, the Commission has not been
emboldened to make a positive recommendation for the exclusion of the
Central Government employees from its ambit, even though they have been
convinced of the force of our submissions and arguments. We may also
state that the Commission which was anxious of the increased financial
outflow on account of the revision of wages and pension did not, rather failed
to recognise the enormous outflow of tax payers money to the pension fund in
the form of Governmental Contributions. Without stating the various other
demerits of the New Contributory Pension Scheme, as it has been oft-repeated,
we plead that the Government employees be excluded from the Contributory
Pension scheme and all of them irrespective of their date of recruitment be
brought within the purview of the time tested defined benefit pension system.
Besides the submissions made in the preceding paragraphs, we enumerate
hereunder some specific issues concerning pensioners and request the
Implementation Committee to consider the same and place it before the
empowering committee for acceptance.
1. Parity
between the past and present pensioners be brought about on the basis of the 7th CPC
recommendations with the modification that the basis of computation be the pay
level of the post/grade/scale of pay from which the employee retired, whichever
is beneficial to him.
The 7th CPC
has recommended the modus operandi for bringing about parity between the past
and present pensioners. While issuing orders in acceptance of this
recommendation, we urge upon that care may be taken to provide the benefit to
the pensioners as envisaged by the Commission in its letter and spirit.
Often we find when the orders are issued, the same is interpreted by the
pension disbursing authority in such a manner that the envisaged benefit is
denied to the deserving personnel on flimsy technical grounds. We want
you to appreciate that it is not a perceived grievance but a real and genuine
one. To cite a recent example:, When the orders on the question of
modified parity was issued after the 6th CPOC recommendation,
the benefit was denied to a large number of pensioners by such an
interpretation made by the Offices of the Controller General of Accounts.
The issue had to be agitated in the Central Administrative Tribunal, where the
CGA’s interpretation was set aside. The Government dragged the poor pensioners
upto the highest court of justice in the country, the Supreme Court, before the
concerned order was amended. Even in the amended order, care was not
taken to convey the benefit to certain pensioners fully on the specious plea
that the words employed in the original orders speaks only of the scale of pay
and not of the revised scale of pay. It is highly unethical to drag the
pensioners to the Courts. They are compelled to bear the huge expenditure
involved in the litigation at the level of the Supreme Court . To avoid the
recurrence of such a scenario, we plead that the orders must specify in
unambiguous terms, that the parity must be with reference to the level of pay
of an individual employee of the post/grade/scale of pay from which he/she
retired, whichever is beneficial to that individual. This is to
take care of the situation where the concerned Government servant had
been granted MACP, or the pay scale/pay band/grade pay/ had been revised
by the Government either suo motu or on the basis of the recommendation
of the Pay Commission.
2. Pension
to be 60% of the last pay drawn and family pension to be 50% of the last
pay drawn. Minimum pension to be 60% of the minimum wage and
minimum family pension to be 50% of the Minimum wage.
In
our memorandum, we had demanded that pension to be 66.6% of the last pay drawn
and the minimum pension to be 66.66% of the minimum wage. The CPC has not
conceded this demand. Our present request in the matter is that the pension
must be fixed at 60% of the last pay drawn and the minimum pension at the rate
of 60% of the minimum wage. This is on the ground that minimum wage is
computed taking into account the family consisting of three units of two adults
and two children ( i.e. 1+0.8+0.6+0.6=3) Since the requirement of the children
can be excluded in the case of pensioners, the rational approach will be
to provide 60% of the minimum wage as the minimum pension Both the
pension and the minimum pension has to be at the rate of 60% of the last pay
drawn (or average emoluments) and the minimum wage respectively. The
present stipulation of computing the pension at the rate of 50% and the minimum
pension at 50% of the minimum wage has no basis at all. Family pension is
granted mostly in the case of the surviving spouse or unmarried or widowed
daughter. To reduce the pension beyond 10% is to heap misery and agony on
the survivors. Our suggestion in the matter is that the surviving member
of the family be provided with at least 50% of the pension.
3. Enhance
the pension and family pension on the basis of the increased age of the
pensioner. Grant 5% rise in pension for every addition of 5 years of age, 10%
after attaining the age of 80 and 20% for those beyond 90.
The
decaying process of physique gets accelerated normally after 60 years of
age. To keep one fit, after the age of 60, increased expenses on various
counts are needed. It was in recognition of this fact that the earlier
Pay Commission suggested to calibrate the pension entitlement linking to the
age of the pensioner. The demand was formulated to rein in a logical
methodology for such increases. Our specific suggestion is to raise the
quantum by5% (i.e. 65% at the age of 65) and by 5% for every five year increase
in the age of pensioner. However, the increase will have to be 10% at the
age of 85 and 20% at the age of 90.
4. Restoration
of Commuted value after 10 years and gratuity as per the provisions of the
Gratuity Act.
It is
now an admitted fact that the Government recovers the full value of the
commuted portion of the pension in 10 years including the interest. However, it
has refused to accede to the demand for a revision of the period of restoration
when it was taken up in the National Council. There had been
no reason adduced as to why this demand cannot be accepted, when the issue was
subjected to discussions before the 7th CPC. Fifteen
years is too long a period and the last five years in which the pensioner is
denied the full pension is without justification. We request you to kindly
place this fact before the Empowering Committee for a favourable decision. In
the matter of gratuity our demand is that the Government must adhere to
the provisions of the Gratuity Act and no distinction between the Government
employees and the workers in the Public or private enterprises be made in the
matter.
5. Fixed
Medical Allowance.
In
the case of pensioners who resides at locations not covered by the CGHS scheme
has no health care benefit at all. The serving employees are entitled for
CGHS benefit if they stay in any of the 26 cities where the CGHS
facilities are available, and they enjoy the benefit of CVCS(MA) Rules in
other places. The Pensioners staying outside the CGHS areas are to bear
the health care expenses from the3oir meagre pension amount. It is
in consideration of this fact, a fixed medical allowance was introduced.
However, the quantum of such allowance is a paltry sum of Rs. 500
p.m. In the neo-liberalised economic system, the administered price mechanism
barring in the case of a few medicines, has been dispensed with,
consequent upon which is the exorbitant prices of medicines in the
market. The pensioner is not able to afford the
prices of medicines. Either the Government must come forward to
bring in the application of CCS(MA) rules to the pensioners who are not within
the ambit of CGHS or the FMA will have to be increased. We request that
the FMA may atleast be raised to Rs. 2000 per month.
6. Grant
of HRA for pensioners.
Gone
are the days when the pensioner can expect to be looked after by their
children. In most of the cases, they are unable to live with their
children even if the children are willing to accommodate them. This is
because of the frequent transfer of workplace and many other relevant
factors. As has been pointed out elsewhere in this letter, the pensioners
of date were the serving employees of 1970s,80s and 90s. They did not
have a decent wage structure nor could they obtain loan facility
from the banks on nominal interest (which the people of the present
contemporary society enjoys), with the result they could not venture to own a
house for occupation atleast after retirement. Throughout their service
career they had been in the occupation of the Government accommodation, which
they had to vacate after retirement. The real estate business in the
country witnessed a boom in 1990s and 2000s, . The pensioners cannot
compete in the real estate market either with the consumers like serving employees
or business people. All these factors put together makes the pensioners to
shell out a major portion of his pension income only for hiring a dwelling
place. We, therefore, request the Committee may consider the demand
for HRA from a humanitarian point of view.
7. Grant
of an increment prior to the date of retirement.
Grant
of one increment in the case of those pensioners who retired on completion of
one year in service as on the date of superannuation had been the demand the
staff side placed before the Government for their consideration in the National
Council. The demand was rejected on the technical ground that even though
they had worked for a full year the grant of increment would be possible only
if they are in service on the day when it become due. The 6th CPC while
recommending uniform date of increment for all Government Servants, also
suggested that in the case of all employees who had completed more than six
months, increment might be granted. The issue was taken up before the 7th CPC
too through our memorandum. The Commission also did not recommend the
acceptance of our demand. We therefore, appeal once again to the
Government that this simple issue may be settled as it has very little coverage
and the consequent financial implication is very meagre.
These are some of the issues, which various pensioners organisations have
brought before us to take it up with you. We therefore, once again
request you to kindly consider these issues in the light of the justification
we have appended under each of them and recommend to the Government for a
positive consideration thereof.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General.
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