No.17-09/COVID-2020-GDS
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
(GDS Section)
Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,
New Delhi-110 001
Dated: 24.04.2020
To
All Chief Postmasters General/All Postmasters Generals
Chief General Manager, BD Directorate/ Parcel Directorate/ PLI Directorate Director, RAKNPA/ GM, CEPT/ Directors of All PTCs
Addl. Director General, Army Postal Services, New Delhi.
All General Managers(Finances)/ Directors Postal Accounts/ DDAP
Subject : Uploading videos/audios/texts on social Media platforms against the interests of Department of Posts by Union representative/members during COVID-19 – reg.
Madam/Sir,
It is observed that some Union representatives/staff are uploading videos/audios/text comments requesting for improvement in service conditions in the Department on YouTube/Twitter and other social Media accounts. Moreover, some GDS have demanded to give them status of departmental employees through social media.
2. As you are aware, all the service Unions/staff/GDS have ample opportunities to represent their grievances/ suggestions to the concerned authority through proper channel.
3. Therefore, you are requested to bring it to the notice of all the employees/ GDS that uploading of such videos/audios/text comments on any social media platform may invite action under Departmental rules. All concerned may be advised that cases of personal grievance may be raised through the official channel as per Rules.
To
Point of Presence (PoPs) / Non-Individual Retirement Advisers (RAs)
Subject: Compliance of Cyber Security Policy by Point of Presence (PoPs) and Non-Individual Retirement Advisers (RAs)
PFRDA (Authority) has received in past, various queries from the stakeholders regarding scope and applicability of Circular no. PFRDA/2017/31/CRA/5 dated 04.10.2017 and Circular no. PFRDA/2019/2/REG dated 07.01.2019.
2. In this regard, it is clarified that: –
(i) All PoPs and Non-Individual RAs are required to adhere to the cyber security measures and compliances as mentioned in the Cyber Security Policy of the Authority, as detailed in Circular PFRDA/2017/31/CRA/5 dated 04.10.2017 and also as mandated by their principal regulator (as applicable).
(ii) In compliance to (i) above, the PoPs and Non-Individual RAs are hereby advised to submit the Compliance certificate with respect to cyber security for respective Financial Year (FY) as per Annexure I (enclosed) within 30 days from the end of the said FY. They are also advised to submit the report on cyber-attacks incident pertaining to NPS activities, if any, as per Annexure II (enclosed) immediately on occurrence of such incident.
(iii) Accordingly, the PoPs may submit Certificate as per Annexure I for FY 2018-19 and FY 2019-20 instead of quarter-basis Certificate as per Annexure A of Circular no. PFRDA/2019/2/REG dated 07.01.2019.
(iv) Circular no. PFRDA/2019/2/REG dated 07.01.2019 therefore stands superseded with respect to PoPs.
3. This circular is issued under Section 14 of PFRDA Act, 2013 and is available in Circulars section of Regulatory Framework at PFRDA’s website.
CITU DENOUNCES CENTRAL GOVT DECISION TO FREEZE AND CONFISCATE INCREASE IN DEARNESS ALLOWANCE FOR CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions denounces the Central Govt’s decision to freeze, rather confiscate the increase in Dearness Allowance payable to Central Govt employees and pensioners falling due from January 2020 and also future dues, falling due on July 2020 and January 2021 on the plea of financial crisis arising out of COVID 19 vide Finance Ministry Order no 1/1/2020-E-II(B) dated 23rd April 2020.
No doubt, the country has been passing through a financial crisis but why should the workers and employees be made the sacrificial item for the same who themselves suffer most owing to Covid-19 followed by lockdown. Quite a number of employees are deployed and consequently are involved in various governmental activities and services meant to combat the spread of the pandemic Covid-19 especially of those departments declared as emergency services viz, health, postal, defence, railways etc. While taking such decision Govt did not bother to consult the unions and federations of the central govt employees, displaying rabid authoritarianism.
CITU strongly urges that response to financial crisis by the central govt must start with measures to garner resources where it is there aplenty at the disposal of handful of ultra rich class. As Per OXFAM Report, combined wealth amassed by only 63 billionaires in India is more that the total Union Budget in 2018-19 which was at Rs 24, 42, 200 crore. Top 10% of population cornered 77% of national wealth. Wealth of India’s richest 1 per cent is 4 times more than the bottom 70%. Govt must tap this huge accumulation of wealth with barely 5% of ultra-rich, amassed mostly through undue and illegitimate patronization of the economic policy regime, through appropriate direct taxation/wealth tax measures instead of brutally pouncing on the working peoples’ earnings and livelihood. And this right is vested with the Central Govt only
CITU strongly condemns this retrograde decision of the Central Govt to confiscate outright the legitimate dues of the employees and pensioners on account of increase in DA till January 2021, although prices of all essentials will continue to increase to further increase the profit of the big-business/corporate.
CITU demands withdrawal of this DA Confiscation order by the central government also demands that the state governments be extended financial help to enable continuity of variable DA payment to their employees. CITU calls upon the Govt employees’ movement in particular and the trade union movement in general to unitedly oppose this retrograde anti-worker measures.
To
The Cabinet Secretary,
Government of India,
Cabinet Secretariat
Rashtrapati Bhawan,
New Delhi
Sub: Freezing of dearness allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness relief to Central Government pensioners at current rates till July, 2021.
Dear Sir,
We solicit your kind reference to the O.M. No. 1/12020-E.I (B) dated 23rd April, 2020 issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance on the above subject in view of the crisis arising out of the pandemic Covid-19.
The Central Government employees throughout the country noted the contents of the above cited O.M. with surprise and anguish. As you are aware, the Central Government employees responded admirably the call of the Honourable Prime Minister to donate one day’s salary to the Prime Minister’s Relief fund to enable the Government to meet out the financial exigencies arising out of the pandemic. This apart, both the employees and pensioners have contributed immensely to the Prime Minister’s and respective Chief Minister’s public relief funds voluntarily.
It was unfortunate that the Government did not cause any consultation with the standing committee of the JCM, the negotiating forum of the Central Government employees and took an arbitrary and unilateral decision on a vital matter like freezing the wages.
The Government are aware that quite a number of employees are deployed and consequently are involved in various governmental activities and services meant to combat the spread of the pandemic Covid-19 especially of those departments declared as emergency services viz, health, postal, defence, railways etc. endangering even their life. Not taking into confidence the employees’ representatives before taking decision to impose a mandatory freeze of dearness allowance is in utter disregard to the norms and procedure followed by the previous Governments when such situation had arisen. Besides at no previous occasion, the Government of India had resorted to impounding the dues arbitrarily. We, therefore, oppose the arbitrary decision of the Government to impound the DA .
Further, we are to inform you that the decision to deny the payment of the freezed amount even after overcoming the crisis is totally unacceptable to the employees. We are pained to note that the Government has been shifting the financial burden of the crisis on to the employees and workers, when in fact they require the financial assistance from the Government to face the crisis caused by the pandemic.
In the circumstance, we request you to direct the Ministry of Finance to rescind the decision to impound the DA and withdraw the O.M., as the Government has no legal or moral authority to take such a decision. The refusal to accede to this demand will only pave the way for an avoidable confrontation and agitation.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,
(R N Parashar)
Secretary General
Copy to:
The Secretary, Personnel,
Department of personnel and Training,
Government of India,
North Block, New Delhi. 110 001
The constituent organizations of the National Council(JCM) are very much shocked to note the arbitrary decision taken by the Government to freeze the DA to Central Govt. Employees and Dearness Relief to the Central Govt. Pensioners up to 30/06/2021. Before taking such a major policy decision the Govt. has not bothered to consult the staff side of the NC(JCM) and without even hearing the views of the staff side, the decision taken especially on a policy matter which effects the wages of the employees and the pension of the senior citizens is against the spirit of the JCM scheme. The entire 48 lakh Central Govt. Employees (including Armed Forces Personnel) and the 65 lakh Pensioners are very much disappointed against the most drastic decision taken by the Govt. against is own employees.
The Central Govt. and State Govt. employees are the one who are playing their front line role in the fight against COVID-19 Virus, by taking all risk and working in the field exposing themselves without any sufficient Personal Protective Equipments. The Railway employees, Defence Civilian employees, Postal employees and all other Central Govt. employees have already contributed their one day wages to the PM-CARES Fund. The Ordnance Factory Employees have contributed their two days wages, In the Railways , Employees belonging to different categories are deployed for various activities such as PW Tracks, signaling, Electrical and Mechanical assests, running freight trains, parcels special trains, Transport essential goods etc. Almost all the Central Government Departments are involved in one or other activities during the entire lockdown period. The Ordnance Factory Employees are directly involved in manufacturing of various Protective Equipment required for the Doctors, Nurses & Health Care Workers and for other Civil Authorities. Ignoring all these contribution of the Govt. Employees, the Govt. is targeting them on the plea of “Crisis arising out of COVID-19”. The Staff side of the National Council (JCM) is of the firm view that the 48 Lakh Central Govt. Employees (including Armed Forces Personnel) and 65 lakh Pensioners do not deserve such a treatment from the Government.
A part from that many of all our affiliates of JCM Staff Side have contributed to PM-CARES Fund crors of rupees. As well as they are providing shelter, Food, Transport etc to mitigate the problem of poor employees / workers who have lost their job and everything in this Lockdown.
Moreover the freezing of DA will have a serious impact of the HRA of the Central Govt. employees. In accordance with 7th CPC recommendations and as approved by the Govt. the HRA rates will be revised from 24% to 27% in “X” cities, and from 16% to 18% in “Y” Cities and 8% to 9% in “Z” cities. The manner in which the price for the essential commodities are rocketing sky high, DA is expected to cross 25% from 01/07/2020 onwards. Since the DA is freezed the employees will loose this hike in the HRA also.
You will appreciate that the Pensioners who are senior citizens are most vulnerable in the fight of the COVID-19 virus and any stoppage of DA in their case at this juncture is not an appreciable decision on the part of the Government.
The decision of the Govt. has subjected the Central Govt. Employees and the Pensioners to unnecessary financial hardship and mental agony when they all are on the field fighting from the frontline against the spread of COVID-19 Virus through various official activities. Therefore we request you to convey our feelings to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and also our request to reconsider the above decision of the Govt. and withdraw the same, so as to motivate the Central Govt. employees to perform their responsibilities, especially in this crisis period.
Yours faithfully,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary
Copy To:- The Secretary, Department of Personnel &Training, for information & necessary Action
The Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance for information & necessary Action
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS 1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001 Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com Email: [email protected] President Secretary General RAVI NAIR R.N. PARASHAR 9969234999 9718686800
____________________________________________________
No. Confd./DA-Covid-19/2020
Dated: 24.04.2020
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS
STRONGLY OPPOSE DA & DR FREEZING.
———————
Central Government’s decision to freeze three instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) of Central Government Employees and Dearness Relief (DR) of Pensioners from 01.01.2020 to 30.06.2021 is a severe and unexpected blow to the Central Government Employees and Pensioners. Already most of the Central Government employees and Pensioners have contributed one day’s salary and Pension to PM CARES Fund.
Confederation strongly oppose and protest the unilateral decision of the Central Government. We demand the Government to review the decision immediately and withdraw the DA & DR freezing orders.
Confederation CHQ is in touch with National Council (JCM) Staff Side Secretary and other leaders. Efforts are being made to arrive at a united stand and convey the same to Government through Secretary, JCM Staff Side. Detailed statement of Confederation will be issued shortly.
F. No.11013/9/2014-Estt.A-III Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions Department of Personnel & Training Establishment A-III Desk
North Block New Delhi.
Dated the 23rd April, 2020
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject :- Preventive measures to contain the spread of COVID-19
The undersigned is directed to refer to O.M of even number dated 17th March, 2020 on the above-mentioned subject. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) vide its Order dated 15.4.2020 has now extended the nationwide lockdown till 3rd May, 2020 to contain spread of Coronavirus in the country and has issued the consolidated revised guidelines for strict compliance. Para 18(ii) of these consolidated revised guidelines, inter-alia, provide that all officers of the level of Deputy Secretaries & above are to function with 100% attendance while 33% of the remaining officers/staff are to attend offices as per requirement.
2. The spirit of the guidelines is that crowding in the offices may be avoided and safe social distancing norms may be maintained. It is, however, seen that in some Ministries/ Departments, more than 1/3rd of officials /staff below Deputy Secretary level are being called to offices. This might lead to undesirable crowding in the office jeopardizing the preventive measures in place for containing the spread of COVID-19.
3. It is reiterated that guidelines for attendance for officers/staff at levels below Deputy Secretary, be strictly followed. Heads of Departments (HoDs) may also direct their officers/staff to attend office in staggered timings to further avoid crowding in offices/work spaces. As suggested vide O.M. of even number dated 19th March, 2020, the staggered timings may be as follows
(a) 9.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
(b) 9.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
(c) 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m.
Suitable Roster may, accordingly, be drawn up by the Heads of Department. Needless to say that officials/staff working from home on a particular day should be available on telephone and electronic means of communications at all times. They should attend office, if called for any exigencies of work.
(Umesh Kumar Bhatia)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India
Subject: Extension of Revalidation of BSNLMRS Medical Card for BSNL Retired Employees.
In view of current lockdown scenario due to the outbreak of Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), revalidation of BSNLMRS medical card for BSNL retired employees of BSNL Corporate Office has been extended till 30.06.2020 or till further order, which ever is earlier.
This issues with the approval of competent authority.
No. 1/1/2020-E- II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 23rd April, 2020.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Freezing of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners at current rates till July 2021.
The undersigned is directed to say that in view of the crisis arising out of COVID-19, it has been decided that the additional installment of Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Central Government pensioners, due from 1st January 2020 shall not be paid. The additional installments of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief due from 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 shall also not be paid. However, Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief at current rates will continue to be paid.
2. As and when the decision to release the future installment of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief due from 1st July 2021 is taken by the Government, the rates of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief as effective from 1st January 2020, 1st July 2020 and 1st January 2021 will be restored prospectively and will be subsumed in the cumulative revised rate effective from 1st July 2021. No arrears for the period from 1st January 2020 till 30th June 2021 shall be paid.
3 These orders shall be applicable to all Central Government employees and Central Government pensioners.
(Annie George Mathew)
Additional Secretary to the Government of India
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS 1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001 Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com Email: [email protected]
President Secretary General
RAVI NAIR R.N. PARASHAR
9969234999 9718686800
No. Confd./Covid-19/2020 Dated: 21.04,2020
To
The Secretary, Personnel,
Department of personnel and Training,
Government of India,
North Block, New Delhi. 110 001
Sub : (i) Contribution towards PM CARES FUND .
(ii) Delay in issuing orders for grant of additional Dearness Allowance w.e.f. 01.01.2020.
Sir,
With reference to the proposal for deduction of contribution from salary towards PM CARES FUND, we submit the following.
Needless to say that the Central Govt Employees organisations , especially Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers , in the past , had stood with the Govt of India and people of our country , during the days of crisis , whether it is war with the neighbouring countries or natural calamities. We are fully aware that the crisis now created due to the Covid-19 pandemic is unprecedented and hence the central Government Employees have to play a major role in overcoming this alarming situation. In fact, some of our departments like Department of Posts, Department of Health and Family Welfare are declared as essential services by the Government and employees are working round the clock in offices and also in the field, inspite of the fact that many of them are not provided with preventive measures as instructed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
We have already given a call to the employees to donate liberally, not less than one day’s salary, towards the PM CARES Fund. As we are representing the lower rung of employees, mainly non- gazetted employees; it may not be possible to donate more from their take home pay. Inspite of this constraint, if the Government is very particular to deduct more, it may be limited to maximum one more day’s salary, thus total two day’s salary. If any employee is willing to contribute more, the same may be deducted from their salary after obtaining consent letter.
Further it may be noted that the Government orders for granting additional DA of 4% to the Central Government Employees and Pensioners w.e.f.01.01.2020 is yet to be issued , even though Cabinet has approved it in March 2020.
It is reported by some print and electronic media that Govt is mooting a proposal to impound DA, which has created uneasiness in the minds of employees and pensioners. It is requested that action may be taken for issuing of DA orders early.
Concludingly , it is requested to issue strict instructions to all Departments that whenever employees are asked to attend duty , in office or in the field , it should be ensured that all preventive measures as instructed by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is provided to each and every employee , without fail. The death of a Postal employee working in Foreign Post Kolkata due to Covid-19 infection has caused much anxiety among the employees.
Thanking you in anticipation,
Yours Sincerely,
(R.N. Parashar)
Secretary General
Confederation of CGE&W,
Member Standing Committee & NC-JCM
