7th Pay Commission Recommendations has begun to emerge!

7th Pay Commission Recommendations has begun to emerge!

“It doesn’t come as a surprise that even bits and morsels of information about the recommendations, which is being eagerly expected by nearly 50 lakh employees and pensioners, make headlines.”

The recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission have slowly started to make their way to the media in the form of unconfirmed news. The information that was being extensively discussed by all for more than a week now has finally made it to the websites yesterday.

It has now been confirmed that the 7th Pay Commission will submit is report to the Government next month. With the report being given a final shape, certain pieces of information have already started to hit the media. Some of the workable recommendations of the commission are out.

In 2006, a number of such unconfirmed reports surfaced, when the 6th Pay Commission report was being prepared, because the report was not submitted to the government on time. Due to the delay, there was tremendous curiosity to find out what the report contained. This led to a lot of rumors. Since the internet didn’t become that popular in those days, those rumors were hard to believe. Most of them were circulated by word of mouth.

Now, despite the fact that there are plenty of news sources, since it has become possible to trace the point of origin of the information, such rumors have reduced. This time around, the information was given by the leaders of Federations. Yet, one can neither completely accept them as true, nor dismiss them as entirely false.

Since the government and the major employees federations have their own websites, it has become possible for the information to spread to the corners of the world within minutes. Also, retracts and denials too have become equally fast, thus killing the rumours immediately. With a number of other individual websites and blogs too covering the news about Central Government employees, the readers are now able to differentiate between news and rumours.

There is nothing surprising or shocking in the news reports that have now surfaced. A minimum basic pay of Rs.21,000 is an expected one. The recently released Kerala Pay Commission too has recommended the minimum wage at Rs.17,000 (from 01.01.2014 onwards). The National Council has demanded that it be Rs.26,000 per month.

It is a well known fact that the Grade Pay System had been a source of constant irritation. The dual Hierarchy System (Promotional hierarchy and Grade Pay hierarchy) will come to an end. There will not be any more confusion about the promotions that come through MACP.

The Multiplication Factor of 2.86 does sound very low. NC JCM had pressurized the Pay Commission to fix it at 3.7. The 6th Pay Commission had fixed it at 1.86, and also given Grade Pay. Since the DA now stands at 125% (including July 2015 and January 2016), this could end up being substantial.

Information about retirement is unexpected. Unconfirmed reports claim that the 7th Pay Commission is planning to recommend 33 years in service or the age of 60 (whichever comes early) as the criteria for superannuation. Since the recommendations will be implemented from 01.01.2016 onwards, many are likely to get affected.

And also some key messages revolving about the recommendations are…
There will be no running Pay band and Grade Pay System. The Pay scales will be open ended to avoid stagnation in the scales. The CCA will be separated into two components as it was in the 5th Pay Commission. CGEGIS Insurance Coverage and Monthly premium will be increased. Classification of Posts will be Modified and the 7th Pay Commission recommendation will be implemented with effects from 1.1.2016.

Ministry of Railways decides to modify Tatkal ticket rules for the convenience of passengers

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Railways18-July-2015 20:53 IST

Ministry of Railways decides to modify Tatkal ticket rules for the convenience of passengers 

Under the proposed modifications, some existing anomalies are being corrected for the benefit of the passengers

Under the modification, it is proposed to remove the condition of providing photocopy of identity card or indicating its number at the time of purchase of Tatkal ticket

The requirement of the passenger to carry one of the permitted photo-identity cards during travel continues to prevent any possible misuse

The modified tatkal provisions to come to effect by 1^st September, 2015.  The exact date of effect will be notified separately

   

             Ministry of Railways has decided to modify some of the rules pertaining to purchase of tatkal tickets.  Under the modified rules, there will be no need to furnish photocopy of proof of identity while booking Tatkal ticket from computerised reservation counter or to indicate its number at the time of booking of Tatkal ticket at the counter or through internet.

            In addition,  as per the proposed changes, in case of ticket booked under Tatkal scheme, one of the passengers has to produce anyone of the following proofs of identity in original during the journey, failing which all the passengers booked on that ticket will be treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly : -

                   (i)                Voter Photo Identity Card issued by Election Commission of India.

                   (ii)              Passport

                  (iii)   PAN Card issued by Income Tax Department

                  (iv)  Driving Licence issued by RTO

                  (v)              Photocopy Identity Card having serial number issued by Central/State Government

                  (vi)  Student Identity Card with photograph issued by recognized School/College for their Students

                  (vii) Nationalised Bank Passbook with photograph

                  (viii)                       Credit Cards issued by Banks with laminated photograph

                  (ix)  Unique Identification Card “Aadhar”

                  (x)               Photo identity cards having serial number issued by Public Sector Undertaking of State/Central Government, District Administrations, Municipal bodies and Panchayat Administrations.

            These modifications will come into effect by 1^st September, 2015.  The exact date of effect will be notified separately. 

            Rationale For Changing Rules For Tatkal tickets  Booking :-

1.         As per extant/present instructions for undertaking journey on Tatkal tickets, the passenger at the time of booking a ticket from PRS Centre has to provide a photocopy of identity card which he/she will carry during the journey. The number of this identity card is indicated on the ticket as well as reservation chart and during the journey the passenger has to carry the same original proof of identity failing which he/she is treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly. Similarly, in case of passengers booking ticket through internet, the number and type of identity card to be carried by the passenger during the journey is indicated at the time of booking of ticket and the passenger has to carry the same original proof of identity during the journey failing which all the passengers are treated as travelling without ticket and charged accordingly.  This provision has been done away to facilitate passengers to buy Tatkal tickets since it is possible that a person may be booking ticket for his parents (aged) /children who are staying in a different city (hostel) and  may not have photocopy of their photo identity card. Now it would be possible to book tickets in such situations.  However, the requirement of the passenger to carry one of the permitted photo Identity  Card in original to prove his identity at the time of travel continues to ensure there is no misuse.

2. Presently the number given in the identity card has to be entered while generating the Tatkal ticket.  This is increasing the transaction time.  The transaction time for individuals booking through PRS and internet is getting increased due to requirement of entering the identity card number while the agents are able to book faster using scripting software and thereby getting unfair advantage. By doing away with entering the identity card number, the transaction time is reduced.  Further in case the identity number is wrongly typed by the railway clerk and found to be not tallying with the original identity card number, the TTE has no discretion but to treat the passenger as without ticket.  There have been reports of passengers having suffered due to this problem. The proposed modification solves this problem.

3.  Presently if the passenger is carrying a valid photo-identity card (Aadhaar Card/Passport/Driving Licence/PAN Card etc.) but is not the same as mentioned in the ticket at the time of booking the passenger will be treated as without ticket.  Many complaints have been received in this regard where the passengers to continue travel had to pay the fare of the ticket plus penalty for not showing the same photo-identity card as mentioned at the time of booking. In case the passenger misplaces the identity card mentioned in the ticket but is carrying any of the other identity card in the prescribed list the present system will treat him as without ticket.  A large number of uneducated, senior citizen, women and people from rural areas were getting affected due to this rule. This was also highlighted by Hon'ble MPs in various meetings of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. This issue will also get resolved under the proposed changes.

4.  Presently in case of normal (non-Tatkal) ticket a passenger can travel by showing anyone of the 10 prescribed proof of identity in original.  For Tatkal it was restricted to only the identity proof mentioned in the ticket at the time of booking the ticket. This anomaly has now been corrected in the proposed changes and the Tatkal Ticket holder can also travel by showing anyone of the ten prescribed proof of identity.       

5.         In a nutshell, even after the modified rules, there is no dilution on proving identity at the time of travel by showing the original photo-identity card.  The proposed change is only to facilitate easy booking of Tatkal tickets by correcting existing anomalies.   

****

AKS/MKV/MN/DK

Source : http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=123375

NFPE CIRCULAR

National Federation of Postal Employees

 NFPE CIRCULAR                     

MOST URGENT

IMPORATANT

No. PF-01(e)/2015                                                        Dated-13.07.2015

2015 SEPTEMBER 2

NATIONWIDE ONE DAY STRIKE AS PER THE CALL OF ALL CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS AND INDEPENDENT FEDERATIONS

2015 NOVEMBER 23

NATIONWIDE INDEFINITE STRIKE AS PER THE CALL OF NATIONAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION OF ALL JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL STAFF SIDE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING RAILWAY, DEFENCE & CONFEDERATION.

 

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT COMMITTEE MEETING DECIDED TO MAKE BOTH THE STRIKES A GRAND SUCCESS.

START INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN AND PREPARATIONS NOW ONWARDS.

CONDUCT GENERAL BODY MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS, OFFICE-TO-OFFICE CAMPAIGN AND GATE MEETINGS

CIRCULATE NOTICES, PAMPHLETS, POSTERS AMONG ALL EMPLOYEES. EXHIBIT IN ALL WEBSITES.

STRIKE NOTICE FOR 2^ND SEPTEMBER STRIKE SHOULD BE SERVED BY ALL AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS ON 11^THAUGUST 2015.

Dear Comrades,

            The NFPE Federal Secretariat Meeting was held at NFPE Office, North Avenue on 13.07.2015. All General Secretaries of affiliated organizations & available NFPE Office Bearers participated. After detailed deliberations the Federal Secretariat took the following important decisions.

(I)   2^nd SEPTEMBER 2015 NATIONAL STRIKE:

1.    NFPE and all its affiliated organizations shall participate in the Nationwide one day strike on 2^nd September 2015 as per the call of all Central Trade Unions and independent Federations.

2.    Charter of demands on which the strike is being organised on September 2^nd by NFPE shall include

(1)  12 point common charter of demands affecting all sections of the Indian working class and

(2)  12 point charter of demands of the central government employees formulated by the National Joint Council of Action including sectional demands of Postal Department.

(See Charter of demands attached – Annexure-I)

3.    Intensive campaign should be conducted among all offices by each individual organisation by holding General body meetings, conventions, office-to-office campaign and gate meetings. Notices, pamphlets and posters should be printed and circulated to all offices and employees. Wide publicity should be given through print and electronic media. All websites of affiliates shall exhibit the campaign details, photos etc.

4.    From NFPE, All India Leaders of affiliated unions shall visit all important centres throughout the country between27^th July to 10^th August-2015 and address Joint Conventions/meetings of the employees. Meetings should be organised by the Circle unions jointly. Advance planning should be made by the Circle unions to make the campaign programmes of All India Leaders a grand success, by ensuring maximum participation of employees from all affiliated organisations Circle/Divisional Unions of the NFPE shall plan and organize their own campaign programmes at Circle/Divisional level..

5.    Strike notice will be served by NFPE to the Secretary (Posts), Government of India on 11^th August 2015. On the same day each Circle/Divisional Unions should also serve strike notice to their respective Circle /Divisional Heads . Demonstrations in front of all important offices should be held on 11^th August 2015. Copy of the strike notice served by each organisation should be sent by post or by (email) to NFPE HQ.

6.    All Circle/Divisional Unions   shall make maximum efforts to ensure participation of maximum number of employees in the 2^nd September strike. More than 10 crores organised and unorganised workers will be participating in the strike.

7.    All Circle/Divisional Unions should issue their own separate circulars in regional languages and send to  each member  to start campaign work immediately and also to ensure maximum participation of employees in the strike.

(II) 23^rd NOVEMBER INDEFINITE STRIKE:

1.    NFPE and all its affiliated organizations shall commence their own independent intensive campaign especially among grass-root level workers from now onwards.

2.    At the same time NFPE Circle/Division level leadership) should take initiative to organize joint conventions of National Joint Council of Action at maximum possible centres.

3.    Immediately after the 2^nd September strike and after submission of report by 7^th CPC, the Federal Executive will meet again and decide further programmes to intensify the campaign programme for the success of 23^rd November indefinite strike.

Yours Comradely,

                        (R. N. Parashar)

Secretary General

ANNEXURE – I

2^ND SEPTEMBER 2015 STRIKE CHARTER OF DEMANDS

PART-I

1.    Urgent measures for containing price-rise through universalisation of public distribution system and banning speculative trade in commodity market.

2.    Containing unemployment through concrete measures for employment generation.

3.    Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measure for violation for labour laws.

4.    Universal social security cover for all workers

5.    Minimum wages of not less than Rs. 15,000/- per month with provisions of indexation.

6.    Assured enhanced pension not less than Rs. 3000/- P.M. for the entire working population.

7.    Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/State PSUs.

8.    Stoppage of contractorisation in permanent perennial work and payment of same wage and benefits for contract workers as regular workers for same and similar work.

9.    Removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund; increase the quantum of gratuity.

10.  Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting applications; and immediate ratification of ILO Convention C 87 and C 98.

11.  Against Labour Law Amendments

12.  Against FDI in Railways, Insurance and Defence.

PART-II

1.    Effect wage revision of the Central Government Employees from 01.01.2014 accepting memorandum of the staff side JCM; ensure 5-year wage revision in future; grant interim relief and merger of 100% of DA; Include Gramin Dak Sevaks within the ambit of 7^th CPC. Settle all anomalies of 6^th CPC.

2.    Implement Cadre restructuring proposal in all Cadres including MMS.

3.    Implement arbitration awards and revise OTA Rates.

4.    No Privatisation, PPP or FDI in Railways, Defence Establishment and no corporatization of Postal services.

5.    No ban on creation of new posts. Fill up all vacant posts.

6.    Scrap PFRDA Act an re-introduce the defined benefit statutory pension scheme.

7.    No outsourcing, contractrisation, privatization of governmental functions; withdraw the proposed move to close down the printing presses, the publications, form stores and stationery departments and medical stores Depots; regularize the existing daily-rated/casual and contract workers and absorption of trained apprentices.

8.    Revive the JCM functioning at all level as an effective negotiating forum for settlement of the demands of the Central Government Employees.

9.    Remove arbitrary ceiling on compassionate appointment.

10.  No labour reforms which are inimical to the interest of the workers.

11.  Remove the ceiling on payment on bonus

12.  Ensure five promotions in the service career.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR GRANT OF MATERNITY GRANT TO GDS

Identity proof not required to book Tatkal ticket from September 1

Passengers booking tatkal train tickets would not be required to produce identity proof anymore as Railways have decided to discontinue with this provision. 

The modified provision could come into effect by September 1. 

"Under the modified rules, there will be no need to furnish photocopy of proof of identity while booking Tatkal ticket from computerised reservation counter or to indicate its number at the time of booking of tatkal ticket at the counter or through internet," said a railway statement. 

However, one of the passengers has to produce the original proofs of identity during the journey to avoid being penalised. 

Officials said the decision to do away with producing identity card while purchasing tatkal ticket was taken to avoid any duplicity as the passengers had to produce identity proof at the time of the journey too. 

The present provision also led to harassment of those passengers carrying a different identity proof at the time of the journey than the one produced at the time of booking tickets, thus being penalised in the process, they said. 

Currently, passengers at the time of booking a ticket has to provide a photocopy of identity card which he/she will carry during the journey.

The number of this identity card is indicated on the ticket as well as reservation chart and during the journey the passenger has to carry the same original proof of identity during the journey.

Source : The Economic Times

Govt Mulls Giving Rs 10 Lakh Extra To Employees For Taking VRS.

Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said in a conference that his Ministry is mulling to give Rs 10 lakh extra to such employees, who want to take VRS.

New Delhi: Government is considering giving financial incentives Rs 10 lakh to those central government employees willing to go to voluntary retirement.

The Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday that he has asked his Ministry to come out with a proposal to give Rs 10 lakh extra to such employees for taking VRS.

Gadkari asked bureaucrats and engineers to take voluntary retirement, who often raise needless objections or delay work.

“There is a tendency to stop or delay work, which goes against everyone and hampers development. It’s better that government personnel take VRS…Let them go rather than troubling us,” Gadkari said while addressing a conference on highway construction equipment.

Large number of engineers and other officials from Transport Ministry, NHAI and other affiliated agencies were present in the meeting.

This is not the first time when Gadkari has cracked the whip on a public platform. Soon after taking charge of the Ministry, he had asked officials and engineers to stop the practice of making contractors visit them again and again.

He had said he would prefer such officials go out of the system. Gadkari had also warned that strict action would be taken against all those who keep files with them for several days.

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GUJRAT CIRCLE - SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE AGITATION & PROPOSED STRIKE FROM 10-07-2015 BY NFPE UNIONS

CIRCLE SECRETARY'S REPORT : (08-07-2015)

Postman Strike Deferred. Successful outcome. Greetings to all

Conciliation proceedings at Hon. Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) Ahmedabad regarding Notice for Indefinite Strike by NFPE & FNPO P4 unions

I am very happy to inform all that a very successful outcome has been reached and all possible steps are taken by the administration side for alternative arrangements to settle problems occurring from shortage of postman and MTS staff and also heavy vacancy in GDS cadre.

We had a special meeting yesterday with Hon.PMG (BD) but he had no ultimate powers to make any final decision, as he said, as such it was left upon Hon. CPMG. Today morning we went to Regional Labour Commissioner (Central) office as per their notice for conciliation proceedings but no representative from official side had come therefore proceedings were adjourned at 17-00 hours and an email was issued by RLC office to Circle office for attending. 

In the meantime we were called by Hon.CPMG for discussion. Com.Rashmin Purohit Convenor Co ordination committee NFPE & CS P.3, Com.J.U.Mahida CS AIPEU P4 & Shri.A.K.Solanki CS NAPE P4 three union representatives attended the meeting in which Hon.CPMG has shown quite positive and supporting approach and agreed with almost all issues raised by us. A written instruction was also prepared which was signed by Hon.CPMG. In the said written letter addressed to all SSP/SP/St.PM etc following main instructions, as per our demands, were clearly issued:

1. Notification for recruitment of Postmen by examination from GDS cadre for the year 2014 has already been issued. Accordingly 303 posts will be filled up. Same notification for filling up vacancies in Postmen cadre up to 31-3-15 will be issued on 6-8-15. It will also provide more then 300 Postmen from GDS cadre by examination. 

As such it is a very good welcome step by which not only shortage of Postmen staff will be filled up but more then 600 lucky our GDS will get promotion as Postmen. This will also be a life changing golden chance for 600 and more families of our GDS emoyees.

Similarly Posts of MTS will be filledup.

2. Process for recruitment from outsiders quota has been started but it may take some time. As all are aware, there are vigilance inquiries in connection with last recruitment in PA cadre and there are clear indications for some very serious & worry some irregularities. You might be knowing that out of 600 newly recruited PAs in Gujarat Circle, only 22 candidates from Gujarat could succeed in getting appointment! Looking to such facts the Circle administration would obviously look forward some amendments. In view of this, considerable delay will be caused in process of recruitment in Postman & MTS cadres through agency.

3. In the meantime, as per instructions, all Heads of units are instructed to manage shortage of Postmen staff by following actions:

@  engage GDS as outsider postman against vacancies.

@ ensure that no bills of GDS for wages as OS Oiatnan remain pending and clear all pending bills.

@  engage Short duty postman as per rules from retired postmen staff 

@  if till vacant post remains, engage manpower by outsourcing by calling nominations from employment exchange.

@ to engage outsiders against all vacant posts of GDS Packer, Stamp vender and all other posts and utilise them for postman delivery work for 5 hours.(this is also a very important decision)

4. It is also instructed that:

@ no Short beat OTA bill should remain pending and all pending bills of Postmen for Short beat, speed post delivery etc should be sanctioned.

@ pay of postmen should not be withheld on account of any reason.

5. A very important instructions were also issued for completing process for recruitment in GDS cadre. There are 3077 posts vacant in GDS cadre in Gujarat circle as per information of 8-10 months back. As such there will be massive recruitment in GDS cadre.

After signature on the letter copies were also handed over but Hon.CPMG wanted to add one para and therefore the letters were taken back. It will be given at tomorrow forenoon. As and when it comes, I will put it on blog as well as blog and whatsApp.

At 17-30 hours we again visited RLC (central) office for conciliation proceedings. From official side Shri.Harshadbhai Joshi saheb AD (R&E) attended and from our side we three as cited above attended.

It was very important and concrete stage. Administration side was already affirmative and also issuing instructions as discussed above, and Hon RLC  also recorded submissions of Shri Joshi saheb on behalf of Hon.CPMG in minutes and in that situation we have unanimously decided to defer the indefinite Strike from 10-7-15.

Copy of conciliation proceedings is given below. Copy of above said letter of Hon.CPMG will be given to us at Circle office at 11am. It will be published here on the spot for information of all.

Friends, this is a golden event in Gujarat circle. Unity has once again worked .

We have to thank Brig.Shri.Thapar Saheb and Shri.H C Joshi Saheb for very cordial and helping approach. We have to thank Shri. Kamble Saheb Hon.Regional Labour Commissioner also for quick and helping approach.

Again, thanks to all friends who came forwarded with unbreakable unity for the common cause.

Tomorrow at 5pm we will arrange a big staff meeting at Ahmedabad GPO to provide complete information to all members.

Gujarat is now changing.......

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