Brief on Meeting with Hon’ble Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh prabhu on retrograde recommendations of 7th CPC
AIRF
All India Railwaymen’s Federation
(Estd, 1924)
4, State Entry Road
New Delhi – 110 055
India
No.AIRF/24(C)
Dated: 05.01.2016
The General Secretaries
All Affiliated Unions
Dear Comrades,
Sub:- BRIEF ON MEETING WITH HON’BLE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS SH. SURESH PRABHU ON RETROGRADE RECOMMENDATIONs OF 7th CPC
Today I met Shri Suresh Prabhu and apprised Hon’ble Minister about the concerns of railway employees regarding retrograde recommendations of 7th Pay Commission. We reminded Hon’ble Minister about the memorandum submitted by AIRF on 15.12.15 in respect of 7th Pay Commission.
Hon’ble Minister talked to Finance Secretary(Expenditure/MOF), Secretary DOPT and Chairman Railway Board, apprising them the resentment prevailing amongst Railwaymen after the retrograde recommendations given by 7th Pay Commission. Shri Suresh Prabhu also assured AIRF that he would discuss the issues of Railwaymen at highest level.
Shri Suresh Prabhu,
Hon’ble Minister for Railways,
Rail Mantralaya,
Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi.
Respected Sir,
Sub: NFIR’s proposals for Rail Budget 2016-17-reg.
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NFIR wishes to bring to your kind notice that the Railway Ministers have made budget pronouncements for Staff Welfare, but, however the following pronouncements have not been implemented till date. Extract of pronouncements are placed below:-
Railway Budget 2009-10
STAFF WELFARE
Item No. 32
“A thrust will be given under the Corporate Welfare Plan for improvement of staff quarters & colonies. During 2009-10, 6550 Staff Quarters are proposed to be constructed.
It is proposed to Open seven Nursing Colleges on Railway land at Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai (Kalyan), Chennai, Secunderabad, Lucknow and Jabalpur on Public Private Partnership model so as to facilitate the wards of the Railway employees in finding a good vocational avenue”.
Railway Budget 2010-11
STAFF WELFARE & HEALTH
Item No. 49 of the Budget Speech:- A new Scheme of ‘House for All’, was launched to provide residences to all Railway employees in the next ten years with the help of Ministry of Urban Development.
Item No. 54 of Budget speech:- It is proposed to set up 50 Creches for children of 80,000 women employees and 20 hostels. Railways will also provide more numbers of community centres and stadiums.
Railway Budget 2011-12
Extending medical facilities to both dependent father & mother.
20 additional hostels for children of Railway employees to be set up.
Railway Budget 2012-13
Railways is a 24×7 service available to the rail-users. To run services at this scale, the employees have to put in long hours of duty without any respite round the year and the compulsion of job creates high stress levels. I therefore intend to introduce a wellness programme for them at their places for early detection. of risk factors, prevention and early treatment of diseases caused due to high blood pressure and sugar levels, obesity and other lifestyle related ailments.
We need to recognize the dedication, hard work and sacrifice of the staff at all levels. To minimize incidence of human error especially amongst the skilled and technical staff including loco pilots, cabin men and gangmen, it is important to ensure proper rest period for them. I am also conscious of the importance of periodic training and creation of a general environment to provide them enhanced dignity. I have also requested NID to design appropriate outfits for various categories of workforce.
Railway Budget 2013-14
Construction of staff quarters has been hampered by funding constraints. Encouraged by the success of Ministry of Urban Development in constructing quarters through PPP mode, I propose to=adopt the same in the Railways. Yet, I have enhanced the fund allocation under staff quarter by 50% over previous year to provide Rs. 3000 crore.
Provision of hostel facilities for single women railway employees at all Divisional Headquarters.
Considering the stress faced by loco-pilots particularly in harsh climatic conditions, it is proposed to provide water closets and air condition the locomotive cabs.
Conduct National Skill Development Programme of the Ministry of Railways to impart skills to the youths in Railway related trades at 25 locations spread across the length and breadth of the country.
Setting up of a multi-disciplinary training institute at Nagpur for imparting training in rail related electronics technologies.
NFIR requests the Hon’ble Railway Minister to see that the Government takes steps for fulfillment of its Budget pronouncements.
II.NFIR also requests the Hon’ble MR to consider making Budget announcements on the following:-
(a) Provision of funds for construction/improvement of Railway Institutes, Community Halls and Holiday Homes.
(b) Provision of adequate funds for construction of new Railway Quarters on replacement account to the extant of 100%.
(c) Sanctioning of Cardiology Department at Northern Railway Central Hospital, New Delhi.
(d) Road Mobile Medical Vans facility for covering all remote and inaccessible areas in Railways.
III. NFIR alsoybrings to the notice of Hon’ble Railway Minister that the condition of Railway Quarters on Indian Railways is awfully bad and many of them deserve demolition. New Quarters are not being built adequately due to inadequate allotment of funds. Federation cites the case of Mumbai area of Western Railway wherein about 1200 Railway quarters (Type-I to Type-IV) have been dismantled by the Railway administration. However, Western Railway authorities have constructed only 447 Railway quarters which is only 37%, of total number demolished. Adequate funds need to be provided for construction of new Quarters atleast equivalent to the number demolished. Also there are over 600 Railway Quarters (Type-I & Type-II) in Mumbai area which do not have separate toilets. The Railway employees and their families living in those quarters in Mumbai are compelled to share common toilets (one toilet shared by 3, to 4 families), thus the lives of employees are miserable.
NFIR requests the Hon’ble MR to consider the points placed above favourably and give decisions.
7th CPC: Central government employees salary hikes not before June?
Government is likely to accept the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission and offer salary hikes to Central Government Employees not before June 2016.
Though, the matter may become clearer when Finance Ministry announces the details on implementation, and that is expected to happen before Budget 2016-17 in February.
Then there are Assembly elections expected in Pondicherry, Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Kerala. So the implementation of salary hike is also expected only when the State Assembly elections are over by June/July.
Also, as per reports, seven states: UP, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Tripura and Sikkim, have requested the Centre to delay implementation of salary hikes due to the financial burden 7th CPC recommendations are likely to cast on the state exchequer.
Representation from Railway servants on service matters
RBE No.162/2015
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(RAILWAY BOARD)
No.E(D&A) 2015 GS1-6
New Delhi, 29.12.2015
The General Manager(P)
All Indian Railways and
Production Units etc.
(As per standard list).
Sub: Representation from Railway servants on service matters – reiteration of instructions – regarding
*****
Attention is invited to Railway Board’s letter no. E(D&A) dated 25.05.2010 whereby copies of Railway Board’s earlier instructions and Department of Personnel and Training’s Office Memoranda on the above subject were circulated on the Railways.
2. In this regard, Department of Personnel and Training has issued O.M. No.11013/08/2013-Estt.(A-III) dated 31.08.2015, reiterating the earlier instructions issued in this regard. Rule 3(1)(iii) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 referred to in para 3 of the O.M. dated 31.08.2015 corresponds to Rule 3(1)(III) of Railway Services (Conduct) Rules 1966. The Department of Personnel and Training’s O.M. dated dated 06.06.2013, referred to in para 1 of their of their above O.M. is available at their website ‘persmin.nic.in/DOPT.asp’ under ‘OMs & Orders – ‘Vigilance’ – ‘CCS(Conduct) Rules’.
3. It is reiterated that all concerned are required to strictly comply with the aforesaid instructions and violation(s) may entail suitable action.
4. Please acknowledge receipt. Hindi Version will follow.
(S.Modi)
Dy. Director Estt.(D&A)
Railway Board
F. No.11013/00/2013-Estt.(A-III)
Government of Linda
Ministry of personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
Establishment A-III Desk
*****
North Block, New Delhi
Dated August 31,2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject : Representation from Government servant on service matters – reiteration of instructions – regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to O.M of even number dated 6th June, 2013 wherein instructions have been issued on submission of representation by Government servants about their service matters. In spite of these instructions, it has been observed that Government servants including officers/ officials of para military forces and Army personnel continue to represent directly to the Prime Minister, Minister, Secretary (P) and other higher authorities directly.
2. As per the existing instructions, wherever, in any matter connected with his service rights or conditions, a Government servant wishes to press a claim or to seek redressal of a grievance, the proper course for him is to address his Immediate official superior, or Head of his office, or such other authority at the appropriate level who is competent to deal with the matter in the organisation.
3. Such submission of representations directly to other authorities by passing the prescribed channel of communication, has to be reviewed seriously and appropriate disciplinary action should be taken against those who violate these instructions. This can rightly be treated as an unbecoming conduct attracting the provisions of Rule 3(1)(iii) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. It is Clarified that this would include all forms of communication including through e-mails or public grievances portal etc.
4. Attention in this connection is also invited to the provision of Rule 20 of CCS (Conduct Rules, 1964 prohibiting Government servants from bringing outside influence in respect of matter pertaining to his service matter. Representation by relatives of Government servant is also treated as outside influence as clarified vide MHA OM No.F.25/21/63~Estt.(A) dated 19.09.1963.
5. It is reiterated that these instructions may be brought to the notice of all Govt. servants including officers/ officials of para military forces and member of armed forces and action taken against those who violate these instructions.
Posting of Government employees who have differently abled dependents
No.42011/3/2014-Estt.(Res)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
North Block, New Delhi,
dated the 05th January, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Posting of Government employees who have differently abled dependents- reg.
The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM of even number dated 06.06.2014 and 17.11.2014 exempting a Government employee, who is also a care giver of disabled child, from the routine exercise of transfer/rotational transfer subject to the administrative constraints. The word ‘disabled’ includes (i) blindness or low vision (ii) hearing impairment (iii) locomotor disability or cerebral palsy (iv) leprosy cured (v) mental retardation (vi) mental illness (vii) multiple disabilities and (viii) autism.
2. The matter regarding the scope of ‘disabled’ has been examined in consultation with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Considering the fact that the child suffering from “Thalassemia” and “Haemophilia” requires constant caregiver support and it would be imperative for the Government employees to take care of their child suffering from “Thalassemia” and “Haemophilia” on continuous basis, it has been decided to include “Thalassemia” and “Haemophilia” in the term of ‘disabled’ defined in Para 3 of the above mentioned OM dated o6.06.2014-
3. The term ‘disabled’ as defined herein and in OM dated 06.06.2014 and 17.11.2014 is applicable only as grounds for seeking exemption from routine transfer/rotational transfer of a Government employee who have disabled child.
4. All the Ministries/Departments are requested to bring these instructions to the notice of all concerned under their control.
Encl: As above.
(G. Srinivasan)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
With reference to the note received from AM(B) dated 23/12/2015 on the subject relating to the implementation of the recommendations of 7th CPC on Railways, the Federation at the outset conveys as follows:-
During discussions with the Hon’ble MR and the Board (CRB, FC, MS) on 23rd December 2015, the NFIR General Secretary has expressed that there is all-round unhappiness on 7th CPC recommendations as in many cases the ‘Take Home Pay’ is either very marginal or less than what is received by the employee now. The Federation also disputed the estimated financial implications (Rs.28,500 crores) and said that the estimated expenditure has been exaggerated. It was also brought to the notice of the MR the retrograde recommendations of 7th CPC, while the case of Railway employees of various categories was not dealt adequately and the Railway Ministry has unfortunately not apprised the inadequacies of Grades Pay and Pay Band of 6th CPC to the Chairman, 7th CPC.
2. As desired vide note dated 23/12/2015, the Federation furnishes the following details as Annexures to this letter.
(a) Table –I gives the position of 6th CPC minimum pay in Pay Band & Grade Pay (PB-I to PB-3) as on 01/01/2016.
(b) Table-I (a) explains the 7th CPC minimum pay from Level-1 to Level-12 of the Pay Matrix . [A comparison of Table-I with Table-I (a) reveals that the net benefit is marginal at Level-1, minus at Level–2. However, there may be substantial increase from Level- 7 and above. If Income Tax deduction takes place, the increase will fall.]
(c) Table–II indicates 6th CPC minimum pay in GP+ Pay Band without HRA.
Table-II (a) gives 7th CPC minimum pay without HRA (staff in occupation of Railway quarters are not entitled for HRA).
[A comparison of Table-II with Table-II (a) shows minus ‘Take Home Pay’ for employees of Level- I to Level-6 of Pay Matrix and equally marginal increase to those in Level-7, 8 & 9 of Pay Matrix. Again in Level-I 0 the ‘Take Home Pay’ will be less than the present amount. Overall position will be either “minus” or “marginal increase”. The Income Tax deduction would further worsen.]
(d) Table–III shows the approximate 6th CPC pay of employees after drawal of 10 annual increments.
Table III (a) provides information pertaining to 7th CPC Pay (approx) for Staff in Level-1 to Level-12 (Pay Matrix).
[A comparison between Table-III and Table-III(a) reveals that there will be marginal increase to those in Level-I to Level-6. Although there will be an increase of more than 2400 to those in Level-7 to Level-12, the Income Tax deduction would reduce their ‘Net Take Home Pay.’
(e) Table-IV gives position of 6th CPC Pay of staff (without HRA + 10 annual increments – approx) as on 01/01/2016 Table-IV(a) explains 7th CPC Pay without HRA as on 01101/2016.
[A comparison of Table-IV with Table-IV (a) reveals that those in CPC Pay Matrix Level-I to Level-12 will draw minus salary. With Income Tax deduction, the position may be more worse.]
Note:
(i) In the case of employees living in Railway Quarters (nearly 40%) the financial implications of HRA will be Zero.
(ii) The unfilled vacancies are approximately over two lakhs since the last two years. The costs of these posts have already been saved by the Indian Railways.
The Gazette of India
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II — Section 1
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 6] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016/PAUSHA 11, 1937 (SAKA)
Separate paging is given to this Part in order that it may be filed as a separate compilation.
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
(Legislative Department)
New Delhi, the 1st January, 2016/Pausha 11, 1937 (Saka)
THE PAYMENT OF BONUS (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2015
NO. 6 OF 2016
[31st December, 2015.]
An Act further to amend the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
1. (1) This Act may be called the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015.
(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 1st day of April, 2014.
2. In section 2 of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in clause (13), for the words “ten thousand rupees”, the words “twenty-one thousand rupees” shall be substituted.
3. In section 12 of the principal Act,—
(i) for the words “three thousand and five hundred rupees” at both the places where they occur, the words “seven thousand rupees or the minimum wage for the scheduled employment, as fixed by the appropriate Government, whichever is higher” shall respectively be substituted;
(ii) the following Explanation shall be inserted at the end, namely:—
‘Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, the expression “scheduled employment” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (g) of section 2 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.’.
4. In section 38 of the principal Act, for sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(1) The Central Government may, subject to the condition of previous publication, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act.”
DR. G. NARAYANA RAJU,
Secretary to the Govt. of India.
Dearness Allowance is confirmed for 125% as of current AICPIN data. Let us assume for December 2015, if AICPIN stayed or increased upto 1 point i.e. upto 271, DA will be 125%, incase on or above 272 then DA will be 126%
AICPIN Point for Dec (assumption)
% of DA
upto 271
125
on or above 272
126
Dearness Allowance already estimated 125% in the 7th pay Commission Report, based on 125% the Pay Commission calculated the multiplication factor to 2.57, incase DA from January 2016 reaches 126% then there are chances to revise the multiplication factor from 2.57.
Tamil Nadu govt announces Pongal bonus for its employees, teachers and others
The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday announced the annual Pongal bonus for its employees, teachers, pensioners and family pensioners.TNTN
Group C and Group D government employees as well as teachers will get bonus up to Rs 3,000.
Group A and Group B employees as well as teachers, who have worked for more than 240 days, will get Rs 1,000 as special salary.
Pensioners and family pensioners will get Rs 500 as bonus.
In a statement, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said, ”Totally, Rs 326.85 crore will be spent on distributing bonus for government employees and others.”
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – November, 2015
The All-India CPI-IW for November, 2015 increased by 1 point and pegged at 270(two hundred and seventy). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by (+) 0.37 per cent between October and November, 2015 which was static between the same two months a year ago.
The maximum upward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (+) 0.64 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Urd Dal, Mustard Oil, Eggs (Hen), Milk, Chillies-Dry, Garlic, Carrot, Lady’s Finger, Peas, Potato, Tomato, Tea (Readymade), Sugar, Flower/Flower Garlands, Tailoring Charges, etc. are responsible for the increase in index. However, this increase was restricted by Chillies Green, Onion, Brinjal, Cauliflower, Green Coriander Leaves, Methi, Radish, etc., putting downward pressure on the index.
The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 6.72 per cent for November, 2015 as compared to 6.32 per cent for the previous month and 4.12 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 7.86 per cent against 7.50 per cent of the previous month and 2.56 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.
At centre level, Madurai reported the highest increase of 11 points followed by Tiruchirapally (9 points), Jalandhar, Puducherry and Salem (7points each) and Mundakkayam (6 points). Among others, 4 points rise was observed in 5 centres, 3 points in 7 centres, 2 points in 12 centres and 1 point in 10 centres. On the contrary, Jamshedpur, Tripura and Rangapara-Tezpur recorded a maximum decrease of 4 points each followed by Kolkata, Amritsar and Kodarma (3 points each). Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 13 centres and 1 point in 8 centres. Rest of the 11 centres’ indices remained stationary.
The indices of 36 centres are above All India Index and other 41 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Salem centre remained at par with all-India index.
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of December, 2015 will be released on Friday, 29th January, 2016. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
