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7th CPC Allowances : NCJCM writes to Cabinet Secretary for CG Employees Grievances

7th CPC Allowances : NCJCM writes to Cabinet Secretary for CG Employees Grievances

Grievances of the Central Government Employees – Secy./Staff Side writes to Cabinet Secretary

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001
E-Mail : [email protected]

No.NC/JCM/2017

Dated: March 29, 2017

The Cabinet Secretary,
Government of India,
Cabinet Secretariat,
Rashtrapati Bhawan,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Grievances of the Central Government Employees

Owing to serious discontentment on various retrograde recommendations of the VII CPC, there had been countrywide resentment among the Central Government Employees, and the Staff Side(JCM), under the aegis of the NJCA, had decided for an “Indefinite Countrywide Strike”, commencing from 6th July, 2016, which was deferred after negotiations with the GoMs, comprising of Hon’ble Minister for Home Affairs, Finance Minister, Railway Minister and State Minister for Railways, held on 30.06.2016, wherein it was assured that, demands of the Central Government Employees, viz. improvement in Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula, Rates of Allowances, Guaranteed Pension/Family Pension in lieu of NPS etc. would be resolved within a fixed time frame of four months, for which committees were constituted by the Government of India.

While substantial delay took place in setting-up of various committees itself, however, it is a matter of deep concern that, the committees have not yet finalized their reports despite lapse of more than eight months time.

The Staff Side had, at the very outset, opposed setting-up of Committee on Allowances, demanding upward revision and restoration of certain allowances which were recommended to be abolished by the 7th CPC, nevertheless, the government on the contrary constituted the said committee.

It may be recalled that, it has been an established convention in the past also that, payment of the revised rates of the allowances is done w.e.f. the date of implementation of the report of the Central Pay Commission, but this time, unlike previous occasion, the Central Government Employees are still being paid House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance etc. on the pre-revised rates.

It was being expected that, Committee on Allowances would complete its proceedings within the fixed timeframe and the CGEs would be paid allowances on the revised rates w.e.f. the date of implementation of the 7th CPC report, but unfortunately, it is being delayed inordinately, owing to which there is serious resentment brewing among the CGEs.

While Committee on Allowances also met on the previous day, i.e. 28.03.2017, and we were expected that it would finalize its recommendations in the said meeting, but on enquiring we have been made to understand that, the issue of revision of rates of HRA was even not discussed in the said meeting.

We, therefore, take this opportunity to apprise you that, unjustified and inordinate delay in finalizing the reports of the committees is not only breach of the assurance given to the Staff Side by the GoMs, but also creating an uncongenial atmosphere among the CGEs.

It would, therefore, be quite appropriate that, the issue may be considered with all seriousness as per assurance given to the Staff Side, and revision of the rates of the allowances, NPS, Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula and Pension/Family Pension, along with restoration of certain allowances abolished by the 7th CPC, be finalized without further loss of time in the larger interest of industrial harmony in the country.

With Kind Regards!

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary

Source: www.ncjcmstaffside.com

Dr Jitendra Singh launches e-Service Book of DoPT employees

Dr Jitendra Singh launches e-Service Book of DoPT employees

Online Vigilance System of Board and below Board Level Executives of CPSEs launched

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched Online Vigilance System of Board and below Board Level Executives of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) here today. He also launched e-Service Book of the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) employees on the occasion. The Cabinet Secretary Shri P K Sinha, the Additional Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr P K Mishra, Central Vigilance Commissioner Shri K. V. Chowdary, Vigilance Commissioners Shri Rajiv and Dr T. M. Bhasin, CBI Director Shri Alok Kumar Verma, Secretary CVC, Smt Nilam Sawhney, Chairman, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), Shri Sanjay Kothari, Secretary, DoPT Shri B. P. Sharma, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Shri Bhaskar Khulbe and senior officers of DoPT were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh said the launch of the online vigilance system is indeed a breakthrough. He said this will bring transparency and accountability in the system. As we move ahead with this initiative, many practical issues will keep arising and they will be tackled in due course, he added. Referring to the launch of e-Service Book, Dr Jitendra Singh said that in the long run it is going to touch each and every Central Government employee in the country. He said that most of the issues arise out of Service Book related matters and delay in disbursement of pensions, which will be resolved by this initiative. Dr Jitendra Singh said that these initiatives are in tune with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra of ‘Maximum Governance and Minimum Government’.

The Central Vigilance Commissioner Shri K. V. Chowdary said that the online vigilance system will be updated regularly and it is a major step in the process of promotions and appointments and will bring transparency in the process. It will minimize the scope of any confusion, he said. The CVC said that this will also curtail the delay in the processes, the cases which used to take months will now be resolved in one or two days. He said that improvements will be brought in as and when needed.

The Online Vigilance System is a technology based mechanism introduced to obtain vigilance status of 120-130 Board Level executive appointments made annually of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) timely, accurately and objectively so that process of their appointment is expedited. The system would enable efficient vigilance clearance of officers on real time basis who apply for these senior level posts. This system would facilitate CVC to decide on Vigilance Clearance early based on updated information. System will cover all CPSEs, Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions. The Online system will have modules for DoPT, CVC, CVO, CBI, PESB and ACC. To make the system secure, the Web portal has the feature of authentication of users from Ministries/Departments by DoPT and the users of CPSEs by the concerned Ministry/Department. The users can log in based on e-sign (OTP to be sent to the email/mobile every time). The system also maintains transaction log. The implementation of online vigilance status of board level executives of CPSEs would require feeding/updating of data pertaining to the details of employee’s vigilance profile, i.e. pending disciplinary proceedings, status of complaints received, details of prosecution sanction, Agreed List, ODI etc. at regular intervals. The data will be updated every month by the CVOs. After a series of sensitisation meetings, at present, 143 CPSEs and 26 Ministries have entered data related to 402 board level officers and 1799 below board level officers of CPSEs. This system would be operational on receipt of the ‘Security Certificate’.

The e-Service Book, launched by Dr Jitendra Singh, is a document to record all the events of a Government servant in his/her entire service period and career, recording each and every administrative action concerning the Government servant right from the stage of his recruitment till his retirement to reflect the history of service of a Government employee. The format of e-service book was finalised on December 5, 2016 and it was decided to roll it out in DoPT initially so that necessary changes if required can be made along with credentials of software. Accordingly data of 661 employees of DoPT got verified and details as such Aadhaar, mobile no, DoB, leave balance, LTC details, salary details, designations, photographs etc were updated. Physical service book of employees also got scanned and uploaded as legacy data. It is decided to integrate Personnel Information Management System (PIMS) with Public Financial Management System (PFMS) so that all financial data will flow from PFMS to PIMS (e-service book), in general terms in case of change in salary particulars due to promotion, increment, DA etc. Change made in one system will automatically reflect in other system which will reduce chances of errors etc. It has also been decided to develop all other applications impacting service book such as Promotions, Advances, Family declarations of employees etc. 27 such applications have been identified for development; out of this 12 applications will be developed by 31st May 2017 and remaining by 31st December 2017.

DoPT has successfully implemented e-service book of its 661 employees and is now taking concrete steps to roll out of e-service book in respect of all Central Govt. employees in a time bound manner with the support of NIC and involvement of Cadre Controlling Authorities. In this regard a workshop of all Cadre Controlling Authorities (CCAs) is being organised in April 2017 to discuss roll out plan in all Ministries and Departments.

E-service book for all the employees working in attached offices, subordinate offices and autonomous bodies for which DoPT is administrative department would be undertaken shortly and it will be completed for approximately 10,000 employees by 30th June 2017. It is planned to roll out e-service book of all civilian employees (approximately 41 lakh) of Govt. of India by 31st March 2018 in consultation with all CCAs.

The launch of e-Service book is expected to bring many positive outcomes. The shift to electronic service book would free up significant manpower to concentrate on core works of the Department. It will lead to stoppage of physical movement of Service Book and other documents between the Departments that will save time of the organisation and problem of missing Service Book will be eliminated. This will also enable timely verification of Service Book that will facilitate timely processing and finalization of pensions. Availability of centralized data will enable government for policy research and planning as educational qualifications and other competencies and deficiencies may be easily obtained. It will enable Government to take transfer and posting decisions more pragmatically based on reliable first hand data.

PIB

Dearness Allowance Order from January 2017

Dearness Allowance Order from January 2017

Grant of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2017

No. 1/3/2017-E-II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
******

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 30th March, 2017.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Grant of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 1.1.2017.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Ministry’s Office Memorandum No. 1/2/2016-E-II (B) dated 4th November, 2016 on the subject mentioned above and to say that the President is pleased to decide that the Dearness Allowance payable to Central Government employees shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 2% to 4% of the basic pay with effect from 1st January, 2017.

2. The term ‘basic pay’ in the revised pay structure means the pay drawn in the prescribed Level in the Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC recommendations accepted by the Government, but does not include any other type of pay like special pay, etc.

3. The Dearness Allowance will continue to be a distinct element of remuneration and will not be treated as pay within the ambit of FR 9(21).

4. The payment on account of Dearness Allowance involving fractions of 50 paise and above may be rounded to the next higher rupee and the fractions of Tess than 50 paise may be ignored.

5. The payment of arrears of Dearness Allowance shall not be made before the date of disbursement of salary of March, 2017.

6. These orders shall also apply to the civilian employees paid from the Defence Services Estimates and the expenditure will be chargeable to the relevant head of the Defence Services Estimates. In respect of Armed Forces personnel and Railway employees, separate orders will be issued by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways, respectively.

7. In so far as the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department are concerned, these orders are issued with the concurrence of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

DA Order 2017

Retirement Facilities for Employees Resigned from CPSEs

Retirement Facilities for Employees Resigned from CPSEs

Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) issued OM No. W-02/0017/2014-DPE(WC) dated 01.02.2017 clarifying the term “technical formality clause” as mentioned in point xvi) of OM No. W-02/0017/2014-DPE (WC) dated 21.05.2014. This has no effect on the provisions of the OM dated 21.05.2014.

In term of para vii) read with para x) of Department of Public Enterprises (DPE)’s OM dated 21.05.2014, any employee resigning from service of CPSEs and joining another CPSE having broadly similar schemes of pension and post superannuation medical benefit the entire amount of employer’s and employee’s contribution along with interest accrued thereon would be transferred to such CPSE. The services rendered in CPSEs prior to resigning would also be counted for the schemes. Thus, these provisions are available even prior to issue of the OM dated 01.02.2017 on ‘Technical formality’.

This information was given by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Shri Babul Supriyo in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

7th CPC Allowance Committee is now in the process of finalizing its Report

7th CPC Allowance Committee is now in the process of finalizing its Report

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 2986
ANSWERED ON 28.03.2017

Allowances of Government employees

2986 Shri A. Vijayakumar

Shri Ram Kumar Kashyap

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether Government has formed a Committee for taking decision about the allowances to the Central Government employees and removal of anomalies in their pay scales announced by the Seventh Pay Commission;

(b) if so, whether the Committee has submitted its report;

(c) if so, the main features thereof and if not, the reasons for delay in submission of report; and

(d) the time by which recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission regarding the allowances are proposed to be implemented?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (d): The Committee on allowances has been constituted vide Order dated 22.07.2016 to examine and make recommendations as to whether any changes in the recommendations of the 7th CPC relating to allowances are warranted and if so, in what form. A separate Anomaly Committee at National Level has also been set up, vide O.M. dated 09.09.2016, to settle the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the 7th CPC recommendations. The National Anomaly Committee has made recommendations on the calculation methodology of the Disability Pension for Defence forces personnel. The Committee on allowances has received a large number of demands on allowances and even now receiving such demands. All the demands have been diligently examined. The Committee has already held 13 meetings so far and interacted with the representatives of Central Nodal Ministries, National Council (Staff Side), Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) and officers and representatives of employee associations of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Home Affairs, Railways, Defence and Department of Posts. The Committee is now in the process of finalizing its Report. Decisions on implementing the Report will be taken after the Report is submitted by the Committee.

*****

Rajya Sabha Q&A

7th CPC Allowance Committee Meeting held on 28.3.2017 remained inconclusive – AIRF

7th CPC Allowance Committee Meeting held on 28.3.2017 remained inconclusive – AIRF

AIRF
All India Railwaymen’s Federation

No.AIRF/24(C)

Dated: March 28, 2017

The General Secretaries,
All Affiliated Unions,
Dear Comrades!

Sub: Meeting of Committee on Allowances held today remained inconclusive

Meeting of Committee on Allowances took place on 28th March, 2017, discussion on Allowances remained inconclusive. Issue of House Rent Allowance didn’t come up during meeting.

I met Cabinet Secretary/GOI & urged him for early resolution of pending demands of Railwaymen that includes NPS, early disbursal of Allowances of 7th Pay Commission, Increase in Minimum wages and fitment formula. Issue of MACP was also discussed and removal of the provision of benchmark ‘Very Good’ for MACP, which has been recommended from ‘Good’ to ‘Very Good’ by the 7th Pay Commission, has also been demanded. Though Cabinet Secretary has given positive assurance on our demands yet we need our rank and file to be prepared for persistent struggle.

With Good Wishes!

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source: AIRF

PCDA Circular 190 – Non transfer of Pension files from banks to other PDAs

PCDA Circular 190 – Non transfer of Pension files from banks to other PDAs

Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension), Draupadi
Ghat, Allahabad-211014

Circular No. 190

No. AT/Tech/70-XXV
Dated:16.03.2017

To,

1. The Chief Accountant, RBI Deptt. of Govt. Bank Accounts, Central office C-7, Second Floor, Bandre- Kurla Complex, P B No. 8143, Bandre East Mumbai-400051.

2. The Manger CPPC of Public Sector Banks including IDBI

3. The Nodal Officers (ICICI/ AXIS/HDFC Bank)….

Sub: Non transfer of Pension files from banks to other PDAs.

**************

This office is receiving representations from pensioners/family pensioners stating that they have submitted applications to their banks for transfer of their pension account to other PDA, however, banks are not transferring their pension account to the new PDAs.

In this regards, attention is drawn to para 3 of “Scheme for Payment of Pension of Defence Pension’ by Public Sector Banks” which clearly provides that pensioner will have the choice to draw their pension from any PDA. Further in para 7 of above scheme, procedure for transfer of pension account from one PDA to another PDA has been laid down. Similar provisions for transfer of pension account alongwith necessary supporting documents from one PDA to another PDAs are available in para 93.1, 93.3 and 94 of Defence Pension Payment Instruction 2013.

Non-transfer of pension account of pensioner/family pensioners, if opting, is not only a violation of provisions laid down but also reason of cause of dissent in pensioner/family pensioner. It is, therefore, requested to transfer pension account of pensioners/family pensioners to the new PDA on priority as and when pensioner/family pensioner opts for the same.

(Abhishek Singh)
ACDA (P)

PCDA Circular 190

Death Claim settled within 20 days from the date of receipt

Death Claim settled within 20 days from the date of receipt

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3931

ANSWERED ON: 27.03.2017

Death Claims

G. HARI
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) proposes to settle PF money claimed after death of an employee within seven days from 20 days at present;

(b)if so, the details thereof;

(c)whether all the death cases claims will be given top priority and officers in charge at all EPF offices will personally monitor such claims on day-to-day basis; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) & (b): As per paragraph 72(7) of the Employees’ Provident Funds (EPF) Scheme, 1952, the claim complete in all respects submitted along with the requisite documents shall be settled and benefit amount paid to the beneficiaries within 20 days from the date of its receipt by the Commissioner. The field offices of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) have been directed to settle claims in cases of deaths within seven days of receipt of such claims.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. Public Relation Officer and officials in the Facilitation Centres of EPFO have been instructed to scrutinise the claim forms received in respect of death cases and guide the claimants for submission of all required documents in one go only. An official has been specially earmarked to handle such claims. Regional Provident Fund Commissioners have been directed to personally monitor the death cases on day-to-day basis.

********

Loksabha QA

Grant of TA/DA to retired Railway servants, re-engaged after retirement

Grant of TA/DA to retired Railway servants, re-engaged after retirement

Government of India
Ministry of Railways / Rail Mantralaya
(Railway Board)

RBE No 24/17
No. F(E)I/2015/AL-28/58

New Delhi, dated 16.03.2017

General Managers,
All Indian Railways etc,
(As per Standard Mailing List)

Sub: Grant of TA/DA to retired Railway servants, re-engaged after retirement.

Ref: CORE, Allahabad’s letter No. CORE/E/1/19/ENGAGEMENT/PART-1 dated 09.10.2015.

——-

A clarification had been sought by CORE, Allahabad regarding admissibility of Travelling Allowance/Daily Allowance to retired Railway servants re-engaged after retirement when they are sent on duty outside the station/headquarter for project / field works.

2. The matter has been considered by Board and it has been decided that the retired Railway servants, re-engaged after retirement; when they are sent on duty outside the station/headquarter, may be paid, in addition to their usual daily wages/remuneration, daily allowance at the rate of 60% of the applicable Daily Allowance rate (as indicated in Board’s letter No. F(E)I/2008/AL-28/14, dated 01/12/2008, as modified from time to time) corresponding to the pay drawn/post held by the retired Railway servant immediately prior to their retirement to meet out of pocket expenses. Such daily allowance will require the approval of SAG level officer.

3. Further, this will be subject to the other terms & condition as mentioned in chapter 16 of IREC Vol. II and will be regulated by the general/specific orders issued in this regard from time to time.

4. These orders shall take effect from 03/03/2017.

5. This disposes off CORE Allahabad’s letter No. CORE/E/1/19/ENGAGEMENT/ PART-1 dated 09.10.2015.

6. Hindi version is enclosed.

7. Please acknowledge receipt.

(Sonali Chaturvedi)
Deputy Director Finance (Estt.)
Railway Board

Source  : NFIR

Order Copy

Streamlining implementation of the National Pension System – Meeting Minutes

Streamlining implementation of the National Pension System – Meeting Minutes

No. 57/1/2016-P&PW(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions
Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi
Dated the 23rd March, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Minutes of the meeting of the Committee to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held on 17.03.2017 -reg.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Pension) on 17.03.2017 at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi is hereby forwarded for information and further necessary action.

S/d,
(Harjit Singh)
Director

Encl. as above.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee to suggest measures for streamlining implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) held on 17.03.2017 at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi

A meeting of the Committee to suggest measures for streamlining the implementation of the National Pension System was held under the Chairmanship of Shri C.Viswanath, Secretary (Pension) on 17.03.2017 at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi with JCM ( Staff side). The following were present:

Official side

  • Ms. Vandana Sharma, Additional Secretary (Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare).
  • Shri Gyanendra Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training (representing Secretary DoPT).
  • Shri G.S. Yadav, Joint Secretary and Legal Advisor, Department of Legal Affairs).
  • Shri Amar Nath Singh, Director, Department of Expenditure (representing JS (Pers), Deptt. Of Expenditure).
  • Dr. B. S. Bhandari, Member, Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority.
  • Shri Pravesh Kumar, DGM, PFRDA.

JCM (Staff Side)

  • Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary, Staff Side (JCM),
  • Shri M. Raghavaiah, Leader(JCM Staff Side) & General Secretary, NFIR
  • Shri Guman Singh, President, NFIR
  • Shri K.K. N. Kutty, President, Confederation of CG employees & Workers
  • Shri C. Srikumar, General Secretary/AIDEF, Member National Council, JCM
  • Shri R. Srinivasan, General Secretary, INDWF, Member, National Council (JCM).

2. Additional Secretary (Pension) made a brief presentation on the recommendation of the 7th CPC and the decision of the Government on setting up of the Committee, composition of the Committee, formation of three Sub Committees and issues being considered by each of the Sub Committee. The presentation also brought out the issues raised and suggestion made by the employees’ Associations and other stakeholders for streamlining the implementation of NPS.

3. Thereafter, JCM (Staff side) made following observations / suggestion :

  • NPS amounts to discrimination between employees appointed before and after 01.01.2004 and also between service personnel and civilian employees within Defence Department. Personnel retiring with less service period are getting very little pension with no revision linked to price index. Government employees should be excluded from the purview of NPS. In case, however, it minimum was not/ possible to exempt the Government employees from the NPS, a pension @ 50% of the last pay drawn with dearness relief may be ensured to all NPS employees on their retirement.
  • In the Defence Department, the contributions of around 250 employees have not been credited to their NPS accounts and are presumed to be lying in suspense account. The matter should be looked into.
  • There is lot of confusion over NPS among employees due to deficiencies in communication of information. Employees are not getting any statement of their deductions /accumulated fund. The statement of transaction i.e. detailments of contribution made by employees, matching contribution from the Govern and the accumulated wealth as on date should be communicated to employees at regular intervals. This may be provided in the form of passbook to the employees in physical form.
  • Employees should be made aware about the grievance mechanism available under NPS and the authorities whom they could approach for redressal of their grievances. Employees should be made aware of the procedure for correction of Name, address and contact details etc. in the NPS account.
  • Rules on entitlements to employees / family on death or disability of an employee covered under NPS may be framed. There may be no objection to option to the employee / family to get family pension / disability pension under the old pension scheme or the benefits under NPS, in the event of death / disability of the employee during service.
  • Study on International practices on the pension should be done and functional difficulties in NPS may be sorted out. Best practices should be adopted after the study.

4. Secretary ( Pension) assured that the concern raised by the JCM (Staff side) would be duly considered and addressed in the report of the Committee.

5.The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Order Copy

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