NFIR Meeting Minutes with Railway Minister on 7th Dec 2018
No. 11/95/2018
Dated: 08/12/2018
The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR
Brother,
Sub : General Secretary/NFIR’s Meeting with Hon’ble Railway Minister on 07/12/2018-reg.
**********
It is to inform that I met Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal on 07/12/2018 at Rail Bhavan, New Delhi and discussed the following issues, while urging his personal intervention for speedy favourable decisions.
1. Railways to be exempted from NPS in the light of proposals already sent by the Railway Ministers S/Shri Suresh Prabhu and Mallikarjun Kharge.
2. Revision of Kilometrage Allowance rates of Running Staff pending since long. Hon’ble Railway Minister should accord approval without further loss of time as Running Staff are disappointed over the delay.
3. LARSGESS — The Scheme should be continued duly taking conscious decision and those wards already selected should be appointed.
4. Issues relating to Act Apprentices, Quasi Staff, Revision of Incentive Bonus rates of Workshop and Production Units etc., were also brought to MR’s notice..
The Hon’ble Railway Minister ‘has assured to consider the issues positively while at the same time said that the operating ratio has been causing anxiety.
The above is for information of the affiliates for taking further action to convey to the employees down the line.
Important to Note : The General Secretary, NFIR met FC/Railway Board on 07/12/2018 and explained the inputs given to the Member Staff by NFIR as a follow up step to the special discussions held on 25/10/2018 on NFIR’s demand for exempting Railways from NPS. The General Secretary specially urged upon the FC to make out cogent case, justifying the need to exempt Railways from NPS to enable Railway Ministry as well Government of India to accord approval.
ALL INDIA GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS UNION (AIGDSU)
First Floor, Post Office Building, Padamnagar, Delhi 110007
No.GDS/CHQ/1/5/2018
Dated 7-12-2018
To
All Circles/Divisional/ Branch Secretaries of All India Gramin Dak Sevaks’ Union All India Office Bearers
Dear Comrades,
GDS Unity is the Message of AIGDSU 10th AIC
The 10th Biennial Conference of AIGDSU was successfully held from 03-12-2018 to 05-12-2018 at Deopur Dhule, in Balakrishna Mangal Karyalaya Maharastra Circle as scheduled under the president ship of Corn. M. Ranjangam, All India President. The Conference commenced at 10 a.m. on 3-12-18 started with flag hoisting Corn S.S.Mahadevaiah General Secretary hoisted the AIGDSU flag followed by thundering slogan raised by more than 1500 delegates and visitors in the conference.
After the flag hoisting Subject Committee meeting commenced at about 11hrs to discuss the issues placed in the notice by General Secretary. 22 out of 22 circles and 15 out of 15 Central Working Committee Members attended the conference on the very 1st day itself. The President of the conference declared quorum amidst thundering claps of the delegates and visitors. All the proceedings of the conference were recorded officially. One delegate except Circle Secretary from every circle was allowed to speak on the agenda items. 24 delegates from various circles placed their views and ideas not only on the agenda items but also regarding the ensuing indefinite strike from 18-12-18. All the Circle Secretaries, Special invitees and CWC members discussed in length on both agenda and indefinite strike. Some of the Circle Secretaries raised doubts, querries and questions on the struggles, agitations and indefinite strike conducted by AIGDSU previously.
Com. S.S.Mahadevaiah General Secretary gave suitable appropriate scientific reply to the questions and querries raised by some of the Circle Secretaries and CWC members. He urged the August House to having belief in AIGDSU which is the unique recognized union among the GDS Unions in the Department of Posts.
Com. Rajender Prasad Singh working president CHQ(Bihar), Com. Mahender Pratap Singh, Vice president CHQ(M.P) Com. C.B.Mehra Vice President CHQ(Uttrakhand) were felicitated with garlands, shawls and momento on their superannuation for their out standing services to AIGDSU by S.S.Mahadevaiah General Secretary, Com.B.V.Rao, Assistant General Secretary and P.T.Berghe Senior leader Maharashtra. Com. M. Rajangam president who is going to be retired on 30.12.18 and Corn. Duttaram, Vice President CHQ(H.P) who is going to retire shortly, was also felicitated with garland, shawl and moment° for his outstanding services in AIGDSU.
The open session
The open session commenced at about 15:30 hrs on 4-12-18 with Com.Rajender Prasad in Chair. Com. M. Parietal senior leader Maharashtra. Com. P.T. Berghe, Com. Amrutha Lingam former deputy General Secretary AIPEU Gr.0 AITUC Leaders Corn. Arun Mhaske, Corn. V.D. Dhanvate Electrical employees leaders Com. Com. S.S.Mahadevaiah G.S, Com. B.V.Rao Asst. GS, Com. Rajender Prasad Singh working president„ Com. Girnale, Com. Jaiswal C/S AIGDSU Maharastra, Com. Sagwekar, Circle Prsident Maharastra, Com. SK Lalavazer,Wellwisher of AIGDSU and other several other leaders addressed and greeted the conference. The open session ended successfully with vote of thanks of Com. M.D. Ahiri working president CHQ and GS reception committee.
On the 3rd day i.e.., 5-12-18 Com. B.V. Rao Asst. GS explained a elobarately the struggles and strikes of the AIGDSU for achieving justified demand of GDS fraternity. He quoted the various of AIGDSU particularly from 2012 to till date. He also told the endeavour of AIGDSU in preparing Memorandum of each and every issue of GDS to submit the GDS Committee headed by Sri.Kamlesh Chandra committee. Com. B.V.Rao insisting one thing that there is no exaguration to say that more than 80% suggestions of AIGDSU memorandum of has been taken into consideration by Sri. Kamlesh Chandra
Com. S.S.Mahadevaiah GS delivered an inspiring speech and the doubt of the delegates about certain problems regarding RICT, IPPB etc. The house unanimously adopted the resolution placed by the General Secretary S.S.Mahadevaiah
The August house unanimously accepted the following policy and program placed by the Asst. general secretary.
1. Divisional leadership have to conduct meetings in sub offices in the divisions from 9-12-18 to 16-12-18.
2. Conduct mass demonstrations in front of divisional offices from 4 p.m. to 5.p.m. from 14-12-18 to 16-12-18.
3. Make huge propaganda in each and every division regarding indefinite strike through print and electronic media.
4. Conduct candle rally on 17-12-18 evening on divisional head quarters.
Following this all the agenda items completed with due approval of the conference. The elections were democratically and peacefully held and the following office bearers for the next session were elected unanimously.
Centre’s contribution to NPS hiked to 14% of basic salary
In a bid to make retirement income scheme more attractive for central government employees, the government has agreed to chip in a higher 14 per cent of the basic salary of an individual as its contribution to the National Pension System (NPS), a top source said.
The move would benefit over 36 lakh central government employees.
Also, individual contributions, which will continue to be capped at a maximum of 10 per cent of the basic salary, will be exempt from taxable income.
National Pension System (NPS) is a government-sponsored pension scheme that was launched in January 2004 for government employees. However, in 2009, it was opened to all sections.
The scheme allows subscribers to contribute regularly in a pension account during their working life. On retirement, subscribers can withdraw a part of the corpus in a lump sum and use the remaining corpus to buy an annuity to secure a regular income after retirement.
Currently, the minimum employee contribution in NPS is 10 per cent of basic pay and an equal contribution is made by the government.
The Cabinet at its meeting Thursday cleared raising the government’s share to NPS to 14 per cent, the source said.
It also cleared tax incentives under Section 80C of Income Tax Act for employee contribution of up to 10 per cent towards NPS. The tax measures are likely to come into effect from April 1, 2019.
Central government employees had approached the government seeking tweaking of the terms of the current ‘contribution’ based NPS.
Also, the Cabinet has given more flexibility to the government employees to withdraw the amount from NPS corpus at the time of retirement.
Once the changes are notified, central government employees can commute up to 60 per cent of the NPS fund accumulated, up from 40 per cent at present.
Sources said if an employee decides not to commute any portion of the accumulated fund in NPS at the time of maturity and transfers 100 per cent to annuity scheme, then his pension would be more than 50 per cent of his last drawn pay.
Also, employees will have the option to decide on investing their annuity either in fixed income instruments or equities, sources said.
While the government is yet to decide on the date of notification of the new scheme, sources said many of the changes require amendment to the Income Tax Act and hence will come into effect from April 1, 2019.
This formula for changes in the NPS was worked out by the Finance Ministry based on the recommendation of a government-appointed committee, sources said.
ESIC to Allow Non – IPs to Avail Medical Services from its Underutilized Hospitals
Recruitment of Around 5200 Various Posts in ESIC Under Way
The ESI Corporation during its 176th meeting held on 05.12.18 under the Chairmanship of Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State for Labour & Employment (I/C) has taken some very important decisions towards improvements in its service delivery mechanism.
In the meeting, It was decided to allow Non-IPs (Non Insured Persons) to avail medical services from underutilized ESIC Hospitals after levying User Charges at a subsidized cost of Rs. 10/- for OPD Consultation, at 25% of CGHS package rates for admitted patients and to provide medicines on actual rate initially for one year on pilot basis. It will immensely help common people get the quality medical care at very low cost. Besides, it will ensure full utilization of resources of hospital for people’s cause.
Recruitment to the 5200 posts in various categories like Social Security Officer, Insurance Medical Officer Grade-II, Junior Engineers, Teaching Faculty, Paramedical & Nursing Cadre, UDC and Steno etc. in ESIC is under process.
To meet the shortage of specialist/super specialist doctors in some of the ESIC Hospitals, the ESIC approved for hiring of full time contractual specialists/super specialists in the department of Anaesthesia, Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Gyne, Ortho, Cardiology, Nephrology and Medical Oncology after inviting open tender.
Keeping in view the rise in the National Floor Level Minimum Wages to Rs. 176/-, it was decided in the meeting to Enhance the exemption limit for payment of employees’ share of contribution from Rs. 137 to Rs. 176.
Shri Heera Lal Samaria, Secretary, Labour & Employment, Sh. Raj Kumar, Director General, ESIC, ESIC representatives of Employees and Employers and ESI Corporation Members, representatives of state govts. and senior officers of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.
Non-functional Grade pay of Rs.5400 for Inspectors
F.No.A-23011/62/2016-Ad.IIA
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
North Block,New Delhi
Dated 6th December, 2018
To,
Director General
Directorate of Human Resource Development(HRM),
Customs & Central Excise, 507, Deep Shikha,
Rajendra Place,New Delhi-110 008
Subject: OA No. 1707/2016 filed by Shri R.K. Tripathi & Ors before Hon’ble CAT PB,New Delhi for grant of non-functional Grade pay of Rs.5400/- in PB-2 to those Inspectors who were granted Grade Pay of Rs. 4800/- due to ACP/MACP Scheme
Sir, I am directed to say that as per extant instructions, non functional Grade pay of Rs.5400 in PB-2 (per-revised) is granted to those Superintendents / Appraisers who have completed 4 years who was granted Grade pay of Rs. 4800/- Shri M.Subramaniam, the then Inspector who was granted Grade pay of Rs. 4800/-due to ACP scheme, got favorable judgment from the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Review Petition in the said case was also dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.
2. Consequent upon dismissal of Civil Appeal No.8883/2011 and Review Petition in Civil Appeal filed by UOI by Hon’ble Supreme Court, the judgement of Hon’ble High Court of Madras in M. Subramaniam has been implemented in consultation with D/o Expenditure.
3.Keeping in view a number of similar court cases in different Benches of CAT/Court being decided by CAT/High Court, in favour of petitioners, the matter was examined in the Board and a proposal was referred to D/o Expenditure tp consider extension of the direction of the Hon’ble Court in M.Subramaniam, to all similarly placed officers.Deptt.Of Expenditure vide note dated 12.11.2018 examined the matter and sought following clarifications:-
(i) Hoe many individuals of which posts have been allowed the benefit so far?
(ii) How many similarly placed persons are to be covered in the benefit?
(iii) Whether the similarly placed persons are holder of the same post which was held by the individuals covered in the SLP?
(iv) The financial implications on the benefit already allowed and the estimated financial implication on the similarly placed employees?
4. The details sought by D/o Expenditure vide note dated 12.11.2108 needs to be compiled from the Zonal Commissionerates. You are requested to kindly obtain the details/information on the points mentioned above from Zonal Commissionerate, compile it and furnish the same to the Board for taking up the matter with D/o Expenditure. Since a number of court cases are pending in CAT/High Court, it is requested to expedite this exercise and detail/information be made available to the Board, by 20.12.2018.
Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(M.K.Gupta)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
PJCA Draft Strike Notice for 2 days strike on 8th & 9th Jan 2019
POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANIZATIONS ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION — GDS NATIONAL UNION — GDS
No.PF-12-c/2017
Dated: 12th December 2018
To
The Secretary/ Director General,
Department of Posts,
Dak Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110001
NOTICE
Sir,
In accordance with the provisions of Sub Section (1) of section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, we hereby notify that all the Postal / RMS / Administrative 8 Postal Accounts Employees and The AIPEUGDS of NFPE / FNPO will go on 2 Days Strike on 08 & 09th January 2019.
The Charter of Demands Is enclosed herewith
Yours Sincerely
PART-A CHARTER OF DEMANDS
1. Implement all positive recommendations of Sri Kamlesh Chandra Committee report and grant Civil servant Status to GDS.
2. Fill up all Vacant Posts in all cadres of Deptt of Post i.e P.A/S.A, Postmen, Mail Guard , Mailmen, MMS, MTS, GDS, Postal Acctts, P.A Admn Offices, P.A SBCO & Civil Wing etc within a time frame and separate identity of all cadres.
3. Settle all the problems arisen out of implementation of C.S.I & R.I.C.T.
4. Withdraw NPS and Guarantee minimum pension 50% of last pay drawn.
5. Membership verification of G.D.S and declaration of result of regular employees membership verification conducted in 2015.
6. Implementation of orders of payment of revised wages and arrears to the casual , Part time, Contingent employees & daily rated mazdoors as per 6th and 7th CPC and Regularize Services of casual Labourers.
7. Implement Cadre Restructuring for left out categories i.e RMS, MMS, Postman/MTS, PACO, PASBCO, Postal Acctts, Postmaster Cadre and Civil Wing etc.
8. Stop Privatization, Corporatization and out sourcing in Postal Services.
9. Scrap Bench Mark in MACP .
10. Implement 5 days week in Postal and RMS
11. Consider the suggestions given by RMS JCA regarding PNOP & CSI.
12. Enhancement of higher payscales to those categories whose minimum qualification has been enhanced e.g Postmen, Mail guard.
13. Grant of pension to the promoted GDS based on Supreme Court Judgement in SLP No (C) 13042/2014
14. Withdraw orders of enhancement of cash conyance limit without security.
15. Implement all High Court and Supreme Court decisions in C/W MACP, RTP and others.
16. Cash less treatment under CGHS and allotment of adequate fund under head MR & T.A
17. Retention of Civil wing in the Deptt of Post.
18. Holding of Deptt Council Meetings and periodical meetings at all levels.
19. Stop Trade Union victimization and in the name of unscientific targets.
20. Provide 40 percent SCF quota promotion in AAO cadre and amend RR incorporating the modifications demanded by AIPAEA.
21. Status of audit to SBCO
PART-B
1. Urgent measures for containing price rise through universalization 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 measures for violation of labour laws.
4. Universal social security cover for all workers.
5. Minimum wage of not less than 18000/- per month with provisions of indexation (for unskilled worker).
6. Assured enhanced pension not less than 3000 P.M. for the entire working population (including unorganized sector workers).
7. Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/State public sector undertakings
8. Stoppage of Contractorisation in permanent /perennial work and payment of same wage and benefits for contract workers as that of regular workers for the same and similar work.
9. Removal of all ceiling on payment and eligibility of bonus , provident fund and increase in quantum of gratuity
10. Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submission application and immediate ratification of ILO conventions C-87 & C-98.
11. No FDI in Railways, Defense and other strategic sectors.
Vice President compliments Armed Forces on Armed Forces Flag Day
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has complimented the Armed Forces for their valiant and vigilant contribution to national security on the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, here today. He was interacting with the Army Personnel Team led by Shri Pudi Hari Prasad who called on him to Pin Token to him on this occasion.
The Vice President saluted the brave soldiers guarding our frontiers on this occasion.
Col. R.S. Deswal, Capt. (IN) Sanjay Sahrawat, Sub. Maj (H/Capt) B.G. Rao and other dignitaries were present on the
occasion.
Attention is invited to this office letter para 10 (i) and 10 (c) of Board’s letter No. E(NG)II/90/RC-1/117 dated 12.12.1990 wherein it had been laid down regarding order of priority in offering appointment on compassionate grounds.
Priority No. 10 (i) ~ Dependents of employees who die or are permanently crippled in the course of duty and 1 0 (c) – a time limit of one month should be observed within which appointment should be given and Para 6 of Board’s letter No. E(NG)II/91/RR-1120 dated 03.12.1991 wherein it had been laid down that Compassionate appointment in the clerical categories should be avoided to the extent possible. For any such appointment, General Manager should be personally satisfied that, the same is unavoidable, and offered as a last resort.
It has been decided by the Board that for the dependents of employees who die or are permanently crippled in the course of duty (Priority No.1), there should be no restriction on offering him/her clerical post and this power is hereby delegated to DRMs/CWMs solely for the dependents of employees who die or permanently crippled in the course of duty.
(Neeraj Kumar)
Director Estt. (N)II,
Railway Board.
AIRF postponed Work To Rule scheduled from 11th December, 2018
No.AIRF/24(C)
Dated: December 4, 2018
The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions,
Dear Comrades,
Sub: Deferring of “Work To Rule”, scheduled from 11th December, 2018
We have already briefed you regarding our discussions held with the Member Staff, Railway Board, and other officials of the Railway Board, on 4th December, 2018, brief of the discussions held on 4thand 5th December, 2018, is also enclosed herewith:-
The Member Staff, Railway Board, had persistently requested us and also sent us a communication (Railway Board’s letter No.2018/E(LR)II/NM 1-9 dated 05.12.2018) in writing that the items raised by AIRF are under very active consideration of the Railway Board, but need some time, therefore, we should withdraw our call of “Work To Rule”, scheduled from 11th December, 2018.
After prolonged discussions, between the Railway Board as well as with the Zonal General Secretaries, and in consultation with the President AIRF, it has been decided that, the proposed call of “Work To Rule”, scheduled from 11th December, 2018, should be deferred for the time being and we should wait for some time for the outcome of the assurances given by the Railway Board.
I know that, all of you had worked round-the-clock for mobilizing the Railwaymen to prepare them for “Work To Rule”. Now, it has become more important to reach each and every Railwayman for thanking them for creating the tempo as well as we should also inform them about the assurances given by the Railway Board, based on the brief of 4-5 December, 2018, sent to you.
Completion of APARs in “SPARROW” for the year 2017-18
Office of the Controller General of Defence Accounts Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt – 110 010
No. AN/I/1058/SPARROW/Vol II
Date : 5th December 2018
To
All PAR Managers/ Custodians
All IDAS officers
(Through CGDA’s website)
Subject : Completion of APARs in “SPARROW” for the year 2017-18.
Reference is invited to this HQrs. Office letter No. AN/I/1058/Sparrow/Vol.11/24 dated 30th May 2018 wherein it was enjoined upon all IDAS officers to take timely action in completion of APARs as per timelines prescribed.
2. The progress made on generation and completion of online APARs is being constantly monitored by this HOrs office. It is observed that 25 APARs are pending with ORUs, 33 APARS are pending with Reporting Officers, 52 APARs are pending with reviewing officers and 77 APARs are pending with the Accepting Authorities. Apart from the above 129 APARs are pending at different stages (ie after acceptance by the Accepting Authority) for disclosure/closure. 148 APARs are closed in all respects.
3. PAR Managers are requested to generate an alert in SPARROW (as demonstrated in the attached screenshot) with a message “Kindly complete the Part 1/11/111/IV/V of the APAR immediately”.
4. The progress made on generation and completion of online APARs reveals that some of the officers are yet to submit their online APAR to their respective Reporting Officers. The PARs in respect of ORUs (officer Reported upon) who have still not submitted their PARs to their Reporting officers, may be given a final chance to submit their self appraisal to their respective Reporting Officers by 13.12.2018. Thereafter their APARs may be force forwarded to their next level ie the Reporting Officer.
5. It may kindly be noted that in terms of Department of Personnel & Training M. No. 21011/02/2015-Est(A-I1)-Part II dated 21st May 2018, the process of writing of APARs in SPARROW shall end on 31st December 2018 and, therefore the window for online recording of APARs on SPARROW system will be closed on 31st December 2018 by NIC. Thereafter, it will not be possible to take any action on the APARs.
6. It is, therefore, enjoined upon all officers to complete the APARs pending with them urgently. In cases where APARs have been forwarded to the Executive Authorities for Reporting/Reviewing, the same may be called for from them urgently and uploaded on SPARROW system.
7. Officers posted on deputation to various Ministries/Departments are also requested to liaise with their officers for completion of their APARs.
