Revision of pay of employees stagnating at the maximum of the Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale in pre-revised structure under Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016
No.1-6/2016-IC
Government of India
Department of Expenditure
Implementation Cell
Room No.214, The Ashok, New Delhi
Dated the 7th September,2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Revision of pay of employees stagnating at the maximum of the Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale in pre-revised structure under Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.
The undersigned is directed to say that consequent upon notification of Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016, representations have been received regarding provision of additional increments in the revised pay structure on 01.01.2016 in case of employees who had been stagnating at the maximum of the Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale in the pre-revised pay structure.
2. The matter was examined in this Department and it has been decided that in case of persons who had been drawing maximum of the applicable Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale, as the case may be, for more than two years as on 01.01.2016, one increment in the applicable Level in the Pay Matrix shall be granted on 01.01.2016 for every two completed years of stagnation at the maximum of the said Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale. Grant of additional increment (s) shall be subject to condition that the pay arrived at after grant of such increment does not exceed the maximum of the applicable Level in the Pay Matrix. Illustrations:
(Amount in )
Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale
PB-4 (37400 – 67000), GP 10000
HAG (67000 – 79000)
Maximum of the applicable Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale
77000
79000
Date on which pay fixed at maximum of the applicable pay band and Grade pay or scale
01.07.2014
01.07.2013
Revised pay in the applicable level in the new pay matrix
199600
205100
No.of years completed at maximum of the applicable Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale as on 01.01.2016
1 Year and 6 Months
2 Years and 6 Months
No. of increment(s) to be granted on 01.01.2016
Nil
01
Revised Pay after grant of increment on 01.01.2016
199600
211300
3. After fixation of pay on 01.01.2016 as indicated above, the date of increment shall be regulated as per the provisions of Rule 10 of Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.
7th CPC – Bunching of stages in the revised pay structure under CCS Rules, 2016
No. 1-6/2016-IC
Government of India
Department of Expenditure
Implementation Cell
Room No. 214, The Ashok, New Delhi
Dated the 7th September, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission — bunching of stages in the revised pay structure under Central Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2016.
The undersigned is directed to say that in view of the recommendation of the 7th Central Pay Commission regarding bunching of stages in the revised pay structure, it has been decided that in cases where in revision of pay, the pay of Government servants drawing pay at two or more stages in pre-revised Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale, as the case may be, get fixed at same Cell in the applicable Level in the new Pay Matrix, one additional increment shall be given for every two stages bunched and the pay of Government servant drawing higher pay in pre-revised structure shall be fixed at the next vertical Cell in the applicable Level.
2.For this purpose, pay drawn by two Government servants in a given Pay Band and Grade Pay or scale where the higher pay is at least 3% more than the lower pay shall constitute two stages. Officers drawing pay where the difference is less than 3% shall not be entitled for this benefit.
3.As per illustration given in para 5.1.37 of the Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission, if two persons drawing pay of 53,000 and 54,590 in the GP 10,000 are to be fitted in the new Pay Matrix, the person drawing pay of 53,000 on multiplication by a factor of 2.57 will expect a pay corresponding to 1,36,210 and the person drawing pay of 54,590 on multiplication by a factor of 2.57 will expect a pay corresponding to 1,40,296. Revised pay of both should ideally be fixed in the first cell of Level 14 in the pay of 1,44,200 but to avoid bunching the person drawing pay of 54,590 will get fixed in second cell of Level 14 in the pay of 1,48,500.
(R. K Chaturvedi)
Joint Secretary to the Govt. of India
7th Pay Commission Gazetted Notification for Defence Personnel
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
RESOLUTION
New Delhi, the 5th September, 2016
No. 01(E).— 1. The Seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC) was set up by the Government of India vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) Resolution No. 1/1/2013-E.III(A,) dated 28th February, 2014. The Commission submitted its report on 19th November, 2015. The report covered among other things, matters relating to structure of emoluments, allowances and conditions of service of Armed Forces personnel. Government has given careful consideration to the recommendations of the Commission relating to these matters in respect of Officers of the Armed Forces and have decided that the recommendations of the Commission on the aforementioned matters in respect of these categories of Defence personnel shall be accepted as follows. Some of the major points in respect of Defence Personnel(Officers) are as mentioned below:-
(i) Implementation of the revised pay structure will be w.e.f 01.01.2016;
(ii) Pay related Matter;
a) The existing system of Pay Band and Grade Pay has been replaced with separate Pay Matrices for both Defence and Military Nursing Services personnel.
b) Fixation of pay of each employee in the new Pay Matrix as on 01.01.2016 would be done by multiplying his/her basic pay by a factor of 2.57.
Note-1 With regard to fixation of pay in the new Pay Matrix as on 01.01.2016, the existing pay (Pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay) in the pre-revised structure as on 31.12.2015 shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.57. The figure so arrived at is to be located in the Level Corresponding to employee’s Grade Pay in the new Pay Matrix. If a Cell identical with the figure so arrived at is available in the appropriate Level, that Cell shall be the revised pay; otherwise the next higher cell in that Level shall be the revised pay of the employee.
Note-2 After fixation of pay in the appropriate Level as specified in Note-1 above, the subsequent increments shall be at the immediate next Cell in that Level.
c) General recommendations on pay recommended by the Commission have been accepted with the following exceptions in Defence Pay Matrix, namely:
i. The index of Rationalisation of Level 13A (Brigadier) in Defence Pay Matrix may be revised upward from 2.57 to 2.67.
ii. Additional 3 stages in Levels 12A (Lt. Col), 3 stages in Level 13 (Colonel) and 2 stages in Level 13A (Brigadier) may be added appropriately in the Defence Pay Matrix.
(iii) Increase in Military Service Pay (MSP) of Officers Rank from Rs. 6000/- to Rs. 15500/- p.m. and for Military Nursing Service (MNS) Officers from Rs 4200/- to Rs 10800/- p.m. MSP would be counted only for Dearness Allowance (DA) and Pension purposes;
(iv) There will be two dates for grant of increment viz. 1st January and 1st July of every year, instead of existing date of 1st July. However, an employee will be able to avail annual increment only on one of these two dates depending on the date of appointment, promotion or grant of financial upgradation;
(v) Recommendations on Allowances (except Dearness Allowance) would be referred to a Committee comprising Finance Secretary & Secretary (Expenditure) as Chairman and Secretaries of Home Affairs, Defence, Health & Family Welfare, Personnel and Training, Posts and Chairman, Railway Board as Members. The Committee would submit its report within a period of 4 months. Till a final decision on Allowances is taken based on the recommendations of this Committee, all Allowances would continue to be paid at existing rates in existing pay structure, as if the pay had not been revised w.e.f. 1.1.2016 i.e. , status quo would be maintained;
(vi) Arrears of Pay would be paid during the current financial year;
(vii) Recommendations not relating to pay and allowances and other administrative issues specific to department/ cadres/ posts would be examined separately as per the Transaction of Business Rules/ Allocation of Business Rules.
2. Other instructions on Pay Fixation and increment not specifically covered in these instructions will be as in the Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) Resolution No.1-2/2016-IC dated 25th July, 2016.
3. The decisions taken by the Government accordingly on various recommendations of the Commission in respect of Officers of Armed Forces are indicated in the statement at Annexure-I to this Resolution.New Pay Matrix for Defence Service Officers is at Annexure-II and for MNS Officers is at Annexure-III.
[No. 1(6)/2016/D (Pay/Services)]
V. ANANDARAJAN, Jt. Secy.
ANNEXURE-I
STATEMENT SHOWING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE VII CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION RELATED TO OFFICERS OF THE ARMED FORCES AND GOVERNMENT DECISION THEREON (FIGURES REFERRED IN PARENTHESIS PERTAINS TO CHAPTER AND PARAGRAPH OF THE PAY COMMISSION REPORT)
Sl.No
Recommendations of the VII CPC
Decision of the Government
1
Fitment Factor:The Seventh CPC has recommended fitment in the pay band in the following manner:-
‘The fitment in the new matrix is essentially a multiple factor of 2.57. This multiple is the ratio of the new minimum pay arrived at by the Commission and the existing minimum pay. The fitment factor is being applied uniformly to all employees. It includes a factor of 2.25 to
account for DA neutralisation, assuming that the rate of Dearness Allowance would be 125 percent at the time of implementation of the new pay as on 01.01.2016. The actual raise/fitment being recommended by the Commission is 14.29 percent. An identical fitment of 2.57 has also been applied to the existing rates of Military Service Pay (MSP), applicable to Defence forces personnel only.’ (Para 5.2.7)
Minimum Pay, Fitment Factor, Index of Rationalisation, Pay Matrices and general recommendations on pay recommended by the
Commission have been accepted without any material alteration with the following exceptions in Defence Pay Matrix, namely:-
a) The Index of Rationalisation of Level 13A (Brigadier) in Defence Pay Matrix would be
revised upward from 2.57 to 2.67.
b) Additional 3 stages in Levels 12A (Lt. Col), 3 stages in Level 13 (Colonel) and 2 stages in Level 13A (Brigadier) would be added appropriately in the Defence Pay Matrix
2
Rate of increment:The rate of annual increment is being retained at 3 per cent. ( Para 5.1.38)
There would be two dates for grant of increment viz. 1st January and 1st July of every year, instead of existing date of 1st July. However, an employee will be able to avail annual increment only on one of these two dates depending on the date of appointment, promotion or grant of financial upgradation.
3
Military Service Pay for Officers:
The Defence forces personnel, in addition to their pay as per the Matrices above, will be entitled to payment of Military Service Pay for all ranks up to and inclusive of Brigadiers and their equivalents. The Commission recommends an MSP for Defence forces personnel at Rs 15,500 for the Service Officersand Rs 10,800 for Nursing Officers.MSP will continue to be reckoned as Basic Pay for purposes of Dearness Allowance, as also in thecomputation of pension. Military Service Pay will however not be counted for purposes of House Rent Allowance, Composite Transfer Grant and Annual Increment.(Para No. 5.2.22)
Rate of Military Service Pay (MSP) is accepted.However, MSP will be counted only for Dearness Allowance (DA) and Pension
Meeting Minutes to review the status of implementation of 7th CPC pension revision
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE
CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE
TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,
NEW DELHI – 110066
PHONES: 26174596, 26174456, 26174438
Subject: Minutes of the meeting held on 22.08.2016 under the Chairmanship of Addl.CGA with all the Heads of CPPCs/Government Business Divisions of Authorised Banks to review the status of implementation of 7th CPC pension revision and other issues.
A meeting with all the Heads of CPPCs/Govt. Business Divisions to review the status of implementation of 7th CPC revision and other issues was held on 22.08.2016 at PFMS Conference Hall, 4th Floor, Shivaji Stadium Annexe, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Addl.CGA. A list of participants is enclosed at Annexure-I.
Following agenda items were discussed.
I) Status of implementation of 7th CPC Pension Revision
1) Readiness of the banks for timely and correct revision of pension and payment of arrears by 31st Aug 2016:- As per DPPW OM dated 4th August, 2016 all the pension disbursing banks have to complete the task related with 7th CPC pension revisions and payments of arrears by 31st August, 2016. Banks were also instructed vide OM No. CPAO/IT & Tech/Revision (7th CPC)/19.Vol-III/2015-16/109 dated 11th August 2016 from CPAO instructing them to complete the task by 31st August 2016 and report the revision through e-scrolls. In the meeting, instructions were reiterated to ensure payment of revised pension alongwith arrears to all pre-2016 pensioners by 31.08.2016. All banks expressed their commitment for payment of revised pension alongwith arrears to pensioners by 31.08.2016. However, the State Bank of India mentioned that it was targeting the date of 8th September, 2016 to complete the process on which both the Addl. CGA and CC (P) instructed SBI that the target date of 31.08.2016 is non-negotiable and SBI should use all their resources to complete the payment of revised pension alongwith arrears by 31.08.2016. Since payment of pension presently being drawn by the Pensioners/Family Pensioners under 6th CPC will provide basis for revision under 7th CPC, correctness of pension under 7th CPC revisions would depend upon the accuracy of the revisions effected by the Banks under 6th CPC. Internal Audit of CPAO has pointed out in many cases mismatches between the pension authorized by the CPAO and the pension paid by the Banks vide letter dated 22nd July 2016 to banks. In these cases, banks were either making overpayments or underpayments to the pensioners. If not corrected, these discrepancies in the payment would percolate to the 7th CPC revisions also which may lead to the pensioners’ grievances and court cases. Therefore, banks were advised to comply with the audit observations while revising such cases as per 7th CPC without breaching the deadline of 31st August, 2016.
2) Strategy of banks to deal with pending cases of revision under 6th CPC:- It was discussed that there were possibilities where Revision Authorities had been sent by the CPAO but banks had not yet acted upon these authorities pertaining to the pension revisions under DP&PW O.M. dated 30.07.2015 & 06.04.2016. Further, other revisions under 6th CPC pending with Departments may also be received by the banks later after effecting revisions under 7th CPC by them based on the existing pension.
To deal with these pending cases under 6th CPC, banks were advised to make suitable strategy and provision in their software to revise these cases under 6th CPC at a later date too and provisions for further required adjustments for 7th CPC revisions may also be made.
3) Monitoring of implementation of 7th CPC by CPPCs/GBDs: As banks have to effect 7th CPC revisions along with payment of arrears by 31st August, 2016, close monitoring of implementation of the same was required. For this purpose, banks were advised to constitute a group of officials who may keep a close watch on the status of implementation on daily basis. This group may deal with the issues related with manpower, software, infrastructure and availability of records to ensure that correct revisions are done and arrear payments are made by 31st August, 2016. Banks were also advised to strengthen their Internal Monitoring and Control System for timely and correct payment of pension and revisions.
4) Reporting of revised cases to CPAO by banks: The objective of government is to ensure timely and correct revision of pension under 7th CPC. It becomes necessary for CPAO to monitor the same. Therefore, after paying the revised pension and arrears, banks were advised to flag the revised cases in the Format -A of the e-scrolls to be submitted to CPAO so that revised cases may be identified at CPAO. To enable the banks for flagging of such cases, necessary modifications have been made in the Format-A of e-Scroll by changing the heading of column-18 to “Applicable Pay Commission”. Under this column, banks have to fill “7” for the cases which have been revised under 7th CPC by them. Further banks were advised to incorporate in the column 27 of the Format in e-scroll titled “Pay Commission”, 7th CPC and send it alongwith Format-A.
Banks sought certain clarifications on the 7th CPC revisions and the clarifications of CPAO have been put on CPAO website on 24th August 2016. A copy of the same is at Annexure-II.
II) Other Issues
a) Furnishing the details/records of pending revision of Pre-2006 pension cases: Despite all efforts of PAOs and CPAO, still 4,857 (1.13%) cases as on 22nd August 2016 pertaining to Civil Ministries/Departments were pending for revision as per 6th CPC recommendations. In these cases, details of pensioners required for revision are neither available with CPAO nor with PAO/Ministry/Department. Since banks are paying pension to these pensioners, they were advised to forward the details of such pensioners/family pensioners to CPAO for immediate revision of pension. In those cases where banks are not having requisite details of these pensioners, they were supposed to contact the pensioners on the contact details available with them under KYC norms and get the details.
b) Delay in commencement of family pension to spouse on death of pensioners:- It has been reported by the pensioners and pensioners associations that there is inordinate delay in start of pension in favour of spouse after the death of pensioners. Ideally there should not be any delay in the start of family pension in favour of the spouse of deceased pensioners because family pension in favour of spouse is co-authorized in the original PPO of pensioners itself through joint bank accounts. The family pension must be started immediately after submission of death certificate of the pensioners. It is essential for CPAO to monitor such types of cases; however, it becomes difficult because the date of death of pensioner is not known to CPAO. Though, provision of reporting of date of death of Pensioners is available in the Format ‘F’ of the e-scroll. However, banks are not providing this information to CPAO. Therefore, banks were advised to take necessary steps in this regard to ensure timely payment of family pension in the event of death of pensioners and report the same to the CPAO through Format-F of e-Scroll.
c) Automatic Restoration of Commutation of pension and payment of Additional Pension: The commuted portion of pension must be restored after 15 years from the date of payment of commutation automatically. Similarly, on attaining the age of 80 years, additional pension to the pensioners should also be paid automatically. It was mentioned to the banks that it has been noticed that in many case timely restoration of CVP and payment of additional pension are not done by the banks resulting into sufferings to the pensioners. These issues are reported by the pensioners and pensioners associations to the government time and again. In the recent SCOVA meeting also these issues were raised on which Secretary (P&PW) expressed his deep concern and desired that CPAO should take monthly report on it from the banks. To ensure timely restoration of CVP and payment of additional pension on attaining the age of 80 years, banks were advised to make necessary provisions in their software for flagging of such cases and regular monitoring thereof so that pensioner may not feel harassed on these grounds.
d) Use of CPAO website to respond on the action taken on pensioners’ grievances: Banks were informed that CPAO has developed web responsive pensioner’s service on its website www.cpao.nic.in for the registration and tracking of grievances registered by the pensioners. Facility to forward bank related grievances and taking online response thereof has been developed. For this purpose login IDs have been created for every head of CPPC and necessary instructions (along with login id and password) have already been circulated by CPAO for the use of this service by the banks. To monitor the disposal of grievances by the banks, separate login IDs have also been created for the officers of Government Accounting/Business Divisions. However, it is noticed that banks have not started using this facility for taking action on the grievances of pensioners forwarded online through this system. They were advised to use this facility immediately.
Further, banks were also advised to have separate website for CPPCs which should be able to redress pensioners grievances too as per para 9.2 of CPPC guidelines issued by CPAO.
e) Readiness of SFTP for implementation of digitally signed pension revision authorities: After the implementation of paperless movement of digitally signed revision authorities for SBI, PNB, Canara Bank and Bank of Baroda, other 25 banks were instructed through CPAO OM dated 28/01/2016 to get ready with their SFTP server so that w.e.f. 16.02.2016 this project might be implemented in all the banks. Accordingly, all the banks were requested to provide Server fingerprint for SFTP, Username of SFTP and Password for the SFTP to the CPAO. However, 7 Banks i.e. Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, State Bank of Travancore, United Commercial Bank and Syndicate Bank were still to provide these details. Consequently, this project was yet to be implemented with these banks. These 7 Banks were advised to complete all formalities in this regard without further delay so that the digitally signed pension revision authorities may be implemented with them also.
f) Status of Aadhaar Seeding: CC (P) appreciated the overall seeding of Aadhaar by the banks which was more than 75% of the total civil pensioners. Further, quoting the reference of DP&PW letter dated – 10.08.2016 addressed to CMDs of all Pension Disbursing Banks, he advised the banks to complete the Aadhaar seeding for remaining pensioners also while revising the pension under 7th CPC.
g) Delay in receipt of Scrolls from Banks: Though Banks are required to send e-scrolls to CPAO either on the same day or by next day, but delay ranging from 1 days to 68 days has been observed. Banks were advised to ensure that e-scrolls are timely sent to CPAO.
h) Timely credit of revisions of pension effected consequent to Oms dated-30th July, 2015 and 6th April 2016 respectively of DP&PW: Instances have been reported where the revision of pension already sent by CPAO consequent to Oms dated-30th July, 2015 and 6th April 2016 respectively of DP&PW have not been effected by banks for long or with too much delay. Banks were instructed to have their internal timelines to effect revisions and keep a close watch to avoid delays.
Meeting ended with the vote of thanks to the chair.
Change of date of holiday on account of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) during 2016 – DOPT
MOST IMMEDIATE
F.NO.12/11/2016-JCA2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 6th September, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Change of date of holiday on account of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) during 2016 for all Central Government administrative offices located at Delhi / New Delhi.
As per list of holidays circulated vide this Ministry’s 0.M.No.12/ 7/2015-JCA-2 dated the 11th June, 2015, the holiday on account of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) falls on Monday the 12h September, 2016. It has been brought to notice of this Ministry that in Delhi Id-ul- Zuha (Bakrid) will be celebrated on 13th September, 2016. Accordingly, it has been decided to shift the Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) holiday to 13th September, 2016 in place of 12th September, 2016 as notified earlier, for all Central Government administrative offices at Delhi / New Delhi.
2. For Offices outside Delhi / New Delhi the Employees Coordination Committees or Head of Offices (where such Committees are not functioning) can decide the date depending upon the decision of the concerned State Government.
3. Hindi version will follow.
(D.K.Sengupta)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Change in Holiday on account of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid)
All Central Government Administrative Offices located at Delhi/New Delhi shall remain closed on 13th September, 2016 on account of Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) (in place of 12th September, 2016)
Compassionate Appointment – Review of FAQs dated 30.05.2013/25.02.2015 with regard to married son
F.No.14014/02/2012-Estt.(D)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 05th September, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject:- Consolidated Instructions on compassionate appointment — Review of FAQs dated 30.05.2013/25.02.2015 with regard to married son.
*****
The undersigned is directed to invite attention to this Department’s O.M. No. 14014/6/1994-Estt.(D) dated 09th October, 1998 and OM of even number dated 16th January, 2013 vide which Consolidated Instructions on compassionate appointment were issued. Subsequently, vide FAQ No. 13 dated 30.05.2013 it has been clarified that married sons are not considered as dependent family member and hence not eligible for consideration for compassionate appointment. The clarification with regard to married son as stipulated in FAQ No. 13 dated 30.05.2013 has been reviewed vide FAQ No 60 of even number dated 25.02.2015 as under:-
SI.
No.
Question
Answer
60
Whether ‘married son’ can be considered for compassionate appointment?
Yes, if he otherwise fulfils all the other requirements of the Scheme i.e. he is otherwise eligible and fulfils the criteria laid down in this Department’s O.M. dated 16 th January, 2013. This would be effective from the date of issue of this FAQ viz. 25th February, 2015 and the cases of compassionate appointment already settled w.r.t. the FAQs dated 30thMay, 2013, may not be reopened. Sr.No.13 of the FAQs dated 30thMay, 2013 may be deemed to have been modified to this extent.
2. Pursuant to various Court Orders, the clarification/FAQ No. 13 dated 30.05.2013 and FAQ No. 60 dated 25.02.2015 has been further reviewed in consultation with the Department of Legal Affairs. It has been decided that married son can be considered for compassionate appointment if he otherwise fulfils all the other requirements of the Scheme i.e. he is otherwise eligible and fulfils the criteria laid down in this Department’s O.M. dated 16th January, 2013.
3. FAQ No. 13 dated 30.05.2013 and FAQ No. 60 dated 25.02.2015 stands withdrawn from the date of their issue.
4. The cases of compassionate appointment rejected solely on the grounds of marital status in terms of FAQ No. 13 dated 30.05.2013 during the intervening period i.e. w.e.f. 30.05.2013 to 25.02.2015 in respect of married son may be
reopened/reconsidered against vacancies occurring after issue of this OM.
Calculation formula for Dearness Allowance and adoption base index figure to Revised Minimum Wage
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consulative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
No.NC/JCM/2016
Dated: September 6, 2016
The Secretary(Expenditure),
Ministry of Finance,
(Government of India),
North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dear Sir,
Sub: Future computation of Dearness Allowance and adoption base index figure to Revised Minimum Wage – Regarding
The revised pay structure, as recommended by the 7th CPC, was given effect as on 01.01.2016 as per the Government’s Notification. The Dearness Allowance, which was computed at 125% ( i.e 125.75 fraction of 0.75 being ignored), got merged with Pay as on that date. The 7th CPC has not indicated as to what base figure of AICPI(IW) the Revised Wages will relate to hereafter wards. As you are aware, the actual DA that was due as on 01.01.2016 was 125.75. It is only due to the practice of ignoring fraction; the DA was determined at 125%. No doubt, the said practice had not been impacting very much except for the postponement of the benefit by six months. It is, therefore, necessary that, Revised Wages are related to a base index figure equivalent to actual Dearness Allowance percentage of 125 that stands merged as on 01.01.2016. This is more so due to the fact that there is no possibility of the ignored fraction of 0.75 being reckoned for any computation in future.
We, therefore, request that, 12 monthly average, which stood at 261.33 as on 31.12.2015, may be taken at 260.46, which would provide the exact percentage of DA at 125. The future percentage increase in DA in other words may be computed with the base figure of 260.46. The next instalment of DA, which has become due as on 1.07.2016 if computed on the above basis of 260.46, shall work out to 3.28%. On ignoring the faction, the DA with effect from 01.07.2016 shall be 3%. We, request you to kindly take the above into account and issue orders for grant of 3% DA w.e.f. 01.07.2016.
2nd September 2016 General Strike Reflection of Workers’ Anger
Hemalata
The country wide general strike on 2nd September this year was even bigger and more widespread than that held on the same day last year, as initial reports from all over the country suggest. The country wide general strike this year too was held on the same 12 point charter of demands. The central trade unions claimed a participation of 15 crore workers in the strike last year. The impact of the strike this year was so huge that even before the trade unions made any claims, the electronic media reported that 18 crore workers participated in the strike.
This gives big rebuff to the claims made by the government that it was working for the benefit of the workers and for providing them social security benefits. It is also significant that the BMS, which withdrew from the strike in the last minute in 2015, did not join the strike call this year at all. Besides, the BJP led government used everything within its capacity to create confusion among the workers and sabotage the strike. The BMS became a willing ally of the government in these efforts, declaring that it was ‘withdrawing’ from a strike that it has never called, but also claiming ‘historic victory’ for the workers. All these were nothing but manoeuvres by the BJP and the BMS, both members of the same parivar headed by the RSS to deceive the workers in their efforts to serve their corporate masters. The corporate media, particularly the electronic media, as usual, aired these false claims and added their might to the misinformation campaign.
But the working class of the country refused to be deceived. As the reports show, despite the call of the BMS leadership to organise ‘victory rallies and meetings’, BMS members were not willing to oppose the strike. In fact, in several places they joined the strike. Workers who were not organised into any unions, who joined the strike last year, as in Pune industrial area, joined the strike this time too. In several places the strike spread to newer areas encompassing newer sections of workers. In many states, not only the states that are traditional strongholds of trade unions, but in many others, the strike turned into a bandh. This was mainly due to the massive participation of the road transport workers as a result of which life in these states came to a standstill. In many districts of Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab wore a bandh like look. Despite the attempts by the TMC government in West Bengal to suppress the strike by issuing warnings and threats to the workers, state transport buses in the state plied empty and a bandh like situation prevailed in almost all the districts. In Kerala and Tripura, as always, strike turned into a bandh.
The anger of the workers against the policies of the government was visible in many ways. Around 70000 anganwadi employees and ASHAs, most of them who were not members of any union joined the strike in Gujarat. Thousands of them participated in the demonstrations held at the district headquarters in many districts. All the workers in the minor ports of Bhavnagar in Gujarat, Gangavaram and Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh joined the strike. These workers are not members of any of the central trade unions that called the strike. Similarly in many industrial clusters across the country, thousands of workers, who are not members of any union, joined the strike.
While there were a few areas like the port sector where the strike was not as good as the last time, and a few districts where the strike in the road transport sector was not as effective as last year, overall the strike was observed in many more industrial clusters and sectors and many newer sections of workers joined it.
It was not only the misinformation and misleading campaign of the government with its huge advertisements in the media aided and abetted by the BMS that the workers confronted. In several states they were subjected to victimisation, police repression and physical attacks. In Haryana 22 leaders of road transport workers’ union were arrested and the striking workers were lathi charged; police went to the residential areas where contract workers lived and coerced them to join duties. Several coal workers in Jharkhand were suspended for joining the strike. The police conducted a flag march to intimidate workers and also lathi charged workers standing peacefully near a theatre in Noida. In West Bengal CITU leader and former MP Suraj Pathak and many CITU leaders were arrested. TMC goons attacked the workers and their supporters, including women, participating in the rallies. Around 5000 workers were arrested in different parts of Assam.
The extent of the strike and the support it received could be gauged from the reports that were available till the evening of 2nd September though comprehensive reports from all the states and sectors are yet to come. In several states local state level unions joined the strike. In Telangana, the TRS affiliated union joined the strike; the TNTUC belonging to the ruling TDP in Andhra Pradesh supported the strike in Telangana. Even in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, though TNTUC opposed the strike, workers belonging to it joined the strike. In Odisha the chief minister himself expressed his support to the strike when the trade union leaders met him. The Left parties openly supported the strike. Even while the BMS was not part of the strike and BMS leadership directed its members to observe ‘victory rallies’, local units of the BMS were not in a position to oppose the strike; in several states BMS members joined the strike.
Overwhelming majority of bank and insurance employees all over the country joined the strike. State government employees in most of the states joined the strike. Particularly noteworthy is the participation of state government employees in the north eastern states including Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya etc who participated in the strike for the first time. Participation of central government employees – of the income tax employees, postal employees in particular was massive. Defence employees in several defence production units joined the strike. BSNL employees all over the country joined the strike. The strike was near total in the coal sector. Overwhelming majority of contract workers in the public sector participated in the strike. Strike among medical and sales representatives was total in almost all the states.
Scheme workers including anganwadi employees, ASHAs, midday meal workers participated in the strike all over the country. Teaching and non teaching staff of National Child Labour Project joined the strike in Bihar, Maharashtra etc. Traditional sector workers like the plantation workers, cashew, coir, and fisheries workers participated in the strike in their lakhs. Unorganised workers in beedi, construction, head load workers, auto and rickshaw drivers, street vendors, domestic workers in several states joined the strike and also participated in the demonstrations, rasta roko and rail roko. Municipal and conservancy workers, panchayat workers, village chowkidars etc also joined the strike.
In Andhra Pradesh, strike was total in Vizag steel and DCI; around 70% of workers of permanent workers in the Vizag Shipyard participated in the strike. The TTD in the holy town of Tirupati was totally paralysed. Autos all over the state went on strike. Almost all the industrial clusters including the Renigunta industrial area were closed down. In several major cities truck owners associations participated in the strike. This along with the strike of the head load workers throughout the state brought all commercial transactions in the state to a standstill.
In Assam strike took the form of complete bandh in almost all districts seriously affecting public and private transport. No oil refinery in the state functioned. ONGC remained paralysed. More than 15 lakhs tea garden workers joined the strike. All public and private educational institutions remained closed. Railway transport was disrupted due to the rail roko by the unorganised workers, peasants, agricultural workers etc.
In Bihar too the strike was turned into bandh in many districts. Road transport including bus and tempo services was off the road. Workers in several industrial clusters went on strike.
Workers in almost all the major industrial areas in NCR Delh joined the strike. Massive joint demonstrations were held in several centres. The central demonstration was addressed by the national trade union leaders.
In Gujarat, an estimated 4 lakhs workers in 22 districts joined the strike and organised demonstrations in many districts.
Strike was highly successful in Haryana including in the Gurgaon, Manesar industrial areas. Workers in the Manesar plant of Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Hero Honda and other industrial units joined the strike and held demonstrations.
Demonstrations were held in Jammu region in support of the strike while Kashmir region continues to be under curfew. Thousands of workers from different sectors participated in the demonstrations
In Jharkhand strike was observed in industrial areas including in Jamshedpur that never participated in any strike till now. It was reported to be more massive than the strike in 2015.
An estimated 50 lakhs workers participated in the strike in Karnataka. Strike was total in the road transport sector and in all the major industries in Bengaluru and Mysore. 19 lakhs workers in the industrial clusters of Bengaluru joined the strike. Strike was total in both the units of Mico, L&T, Chenna metals, Toyota, ITC, Vikrant Tyres etc. In BEL in Bengaluru, the union affiliated to INTUC did not join the strike; despite this 80% of workers, 800 out of the total 1073 workers, more than the membership of the CITU affiliated union, joined the strike
The strike in transport sector in several cities and towns in Madhya Pradesh was total. Hamalis of agricultural mandis also participated affecting commercial transactions.
Strike was total in many private industrial areas in Maharashtra including the Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Nasik, Mumbai, Solapur etc. Major industries like Ceat Ltd, Thysun Crupp, Sansonite India, Crompton Grieves, beer manufacturing units, pharma industries, liquor and textile industries were closed. Strike was total among beedi and power loom workers in Solapur.
Strike created a bandh like situation in Odisha. It was total among iron ore, manganese and coal mines workers and near total among the contract workers. Road transport including autos was totally paralysed.
Strike evoked massive response in Punjab with workers. Road transport was paralysed and industrial clusters remaining closed. Unorganised workers participated in the demonstrations in thousands.
The garment industry in Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu witnessed total strike. Strike was also effective in the Coimbatore industrial area. It was total in Ashok Leyland, Ennore Foundries, Simpson Group of companies and all three factories of TI Group in Chennai. Workers in BHEL Trichy and Ranipet, ordinance factory in Nilgiris, defence production units in Avadi and Aravangadu were totally in strike. In Aravangadu, BMS members also joined the strike. Contract workers in Manali industrial belt MFL, ATC Tyres in Tirunelveli and TCL Lancer, in L&T, in Tyre machinery making Honey Well company went on strike.
There was bandh like situation in the state due to the total participation of road transport workers in the strike in Telangana. There was total strike in most of the public sector undertakings in the state. Strike was also total in most of the industrial clusters in and around Hyderabad. On the whole the strike was reported to be even more successful than last year
Strike was total in Udhampur industrial area of Uttarakhand and partial in that in Haridwar. It was also total in public road transport in the state but partial in private road transport.
In West Bengal, bandh like situation prevailed in many districts despite the threats and intimidation of the TMC government and its goons. Government ran buses without passengers in the morning but was compelled to withdraw later. Jute mills were closed. Commercial activities were nominal. Educational institutions in several districts were closed. Most of the tea gardens remained closed.
This strike, the seventeenth joint country wide general strike after the advent of neoliberal policies in the country, was preceded by joint campaign that was better organised and taken up to the block and in some states lower level to reach the workers. In addition, CITU prepared campaign material to make the workers aware of the issues and their relationship to the government policies. Booklets exposing government claims were also published which were translated into local languages. During the strike the lower level committees were regularly up dated with information exposing government claims. This has helped in preventing the workers from succumbing to the confusion sought to be created by the government and the BMS.
This country wide general strike will definitely be a mile stone in the working class struggles of the country.
Strike on 2nd September 2016, Confederation salutes all its members for an grand success
Confederation salutes all its members for their whole hearted participation in the strike and making it an unprecedented success
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
PRESS STATEMENT Dated 2nd September 2016
The initial report received at the Confederation Central Head Quarters indicate the participation of about ten lakhs Central Government employees in today’s nationwide general strike action of the Indian Working Class. Earlier, endorsing the call of the Central Trade Unions, the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers had called upon the Central Government employees to take part in the one-day strike to compel the Government to withdraw the anti-people and anti-labour neo-liberal policies pursued by the Central Government.
Offices of the Postal, Income Tax, Ground Water Board, Survey of India, Geological Survey of India, Printing and Stationery department, Botanical Survey of India, Indian Bureau of Mines, RMS offices, census department, Indian Space Research organization, Central Government Health Scheme, Atomic Energy, Medical Stores depots, Film Institute of India, AGMARK, Indian Council for Medical Research, Film division and various other autonomous scientific and research institutions etc. remained closed and the work completely paralysed.
The strike also affected the functioning of various offices of Indian Audit & Accounts department, Civil Accounts, Central Excise and Customs, CPWD etc. Total civilian employees of various Defence organisations and Defence Accounts Departments participated in the strike. The Strike was total in Kerala, West Bengal, Tamilnadu, Andhra, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, North Eastern states, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and 70 to 80% in other states.
The Central Government employees were particularly unhappy over the totally negative attitude of the NDA Government towards their demands while implementing 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations. Ban on creation of new posts, non-filling up of about six lakhs vacant posts, introduction of New Contributory Pension Scheme, non-regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks and casual, contract workers, ceiling on compassionate appointments, rejection of the demand for increase in the minimum wage and fitment formula, reduction in the percentage of House Rent Allowance, abolition of 52 allowances etc. are some of the retrograde measures taken by the Central Government.
The Confederation National Secretariat Congratulates the Central Government employees, who undertook intensive campaign to make the strike a grand success. The Confederation salutes all its members for their whole hearted participation in the strike and making it an unprecedented success.
