Reduction in the amount of 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- for entitlement of NDA

 

Reduction in the amount of 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- for entitlement of NDA

Dated: 07/10/2020

No.I/5(E)

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Reduction in the amount of NDA in 7th CPC as compared to 6th CPC and imposition of pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/- p.m. for entitlement of NDA -reg

Ref: (i) NFIR’s PNM item No.35/2018.
(ii) NFIR’s letters No.I/5(E) dated 30th July, 2018, 7th December, 2018 and 18th March,2019.
(iii) Railway Board’s reply vide No.E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated June,2020 to NFIR.
(iv) NFIR’s letter No. I/5(E) dated 24/07/2020 addressed to Railway Board.
(v) Railway Board’s letter No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated 29/09/2020 (RBE No.83/020).

Responding to Railway Board’s reply vide letter No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated June 2020 to the GS/NFIR, Federation vide its letter dated 27/07/2020, requested the Railway Board to provide a copy of the proposal sent to Department of Expenditure (DoE) for taking further action at Government’s level. It is however observed that copy has not been made available till now, while the Railway Board vide RBE No. 83/2020 dated 29/09/2020 since issued instructions revising the rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA), fixing unjustified pay ceiling at Rs. 43,600/-per month for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance to be applicable with effect from 01/07/2017. The said decision of the Railway Ministry prescribing pay ceiling of Rs. 43,600/- per month has resulted in deprival of Night Duty Allowance to large number of Railway employees, therefore unacceptable to the Federation in view of the following:-

Also check: 7th CPC Night Duty Allowance – Payment of (NDA) pursuant to the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission

• All Group ‘C’ Railway employees (working in GP 1800 to 4600, PB-1 & 2) are eligible to receive Night Duty Allowance (NDA) as could be verified vide Board’s letters dated 09/06/2016, 14/12/2016, 17/11/2017 & 08/03/2018. These provisions are also applicable to the Group ‘C’ Railway employees in GP 4600 and also those who got financial upgradation under MACPS in GP 4800 & 5400 respectively.
• It is relevant to note that since 6th CPC pay of the Railway employees has been fixed in 7th CPC pay levels applying multiplication factor of 2.57, similar criteria should have been applied for fixing rates of Night Duty Allowance without imposing any ceiling limit.
• With the issuance of Railway Board’s instructions vide dated 29/09/2020, prescribing pay ceiling of Rs. 43,600/-, the Railway employees working even in GP 1900, 2000, 2400/Pay Level 2, 3, 4 and above have been deprived of Night Duty Allowance, although they ‘continued to perform night duty for smooth running of train services at all times.
• The decision of Railway Board vide letter dated 29-09-2020 prescribing pay ceiling of Rs.43,600/- p.m w.e.f. July 1, 2017 would also cause financial hardship to the staff who have already been paid Night Duty Allowance at the rates prevailed till date as it may lead to recovery of the NDA already paid. This situation may lead to resentment and agony among Group ‘C’ employees of all pay levels. The Railway Ministry should take initiative and place the case before DoP&T, highlighting the uniqueness and complex working to review and allow Railway to sort out the matter in consultation with the Federations.

2. Federation also desires to re-iterate again that the issue relating to grant of Night Duty Allowance to Railway Employees w.e.f. 01-07-2016 and 01-01-2017 consequent to increase in the Dearness Allowance rates from 125% to 132% raised vide NFIR’s PNM Agenda Item No.35/2018 and discussed already has not yet been resolved, therefore the same needs to be addressed now.

NFIR, therefore, once again requests to Railway Board to kindly review and see that all the points relating to grant of Night Duty Allowance to Railway employees mentioned above and also in PNM Agenda No.15/2018 are addressed and the correspondence exchanged with the DoE be also made available to the Federation. An early action in the matter is solicited.

Also check: Implementation of Government decision on 7th CPC’s recommendations on Night Duty Allowance (NDA)

Yours faithfully,

(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

7th CPC: Revision of the rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission

7th CPC: Revision of the rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission

No. I/5(E)

Dated: 07/12/2018

The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Revision of the rates of Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission-reg.

Ref: (i) Railway Board's letter No. E(P&A)II-2017/HW-1 dated 08/03/2018 (RBE No. 36/2018).
(ii) NFIR's letter No. I/5(E) dated 30/07/2018.

Federation vide its letter dated 30th July, 2018 brought to the notice of Railway Board specific cases through illustrations where revised rates of Night Duty Allowance to be paid to various categories of staff have been lowered down on implementation of Board’s instructions dated 08/03/2018 (RBE No. 36/2018) and requested the Railway Ministry to review its decision and issue revised instructions duly allowing the rates of Night Duty Allowance to such staff at the rates mentioned in RBE No. 61/2016 w.e.f. 01/01/2016. A period for more than four months has passed, unfortunately revised instructions have not been issued so far causing financial loss to the staff performing night duty.

NFIR, therefore, once again urges upon the Railway Board to kindly consider the points brought out vide Federation's letter dated 30/07/2018 and issued revised instructions accordingly.

Yours faithfully,

(Dr. M. Raghavaiah),
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - Clarification regarding Fixation of Ceiling of pay for entitlement

Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - Clarification regarding Fixation of Ceiling of pay for entitlement

Office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Central Command)
Cariappa Road, Cantt., Lucknow, Pin Code - 226002

No. PT/3088/View/Vol-VI

Dated 11/08/2017

To,
All Sub-Offices
Under PCDA(CC)
Pay- I, II, III (Local)

Subject: Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - Clarification regarding Fixation of Ceiling of pay for entitlement.

A letter of Government of India, Ministry of Defence, (Department of Defence) D (Civ.II) bearing MOD ID No. 17(4)/2012/D-(Civ-II) dated 07.07.2017 received from HQrs office vide their letter No. AT/II/2366/NDA/Vol-XI dated 31.07.2017/ 02.08.2017 on the above subject, which is self-explanatory. is available on the website of PCDA CC (pcdaacc.gov.in) for your information, guidance and necessary action.

Encls: As above

sd/-
Accounts Officer (PT)

CGDA's letter No. AT/II/2366/NDA/Vol-XI dated 31.07.2017/ 02.08.2017

Controller General of Defence Accounts
ULAN BATAR ROAD, PALAM, DELHI CANTT- 110010

File No..AT/II/2366/NDA/Vol-XI
Dated: 31 Jul 2017/02 Aug 2017

To,
PCDA(CC), Lucknow

Subject: Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - Clarification regarding Fixation of Ceiling of pay for entitlement.
Ref : This HQrs letter No. AT/II/2366/NDA/Vol-X dated 29.05.2015.

Consequent upon issuance of GoI, Min of Def No.17(4)/2012/D(Civ-II) dated 8th May 2015 for implementation of the order dated 5 Nov 2009 passed by Central Administrative Tribunal, Jodhpur Bench in OA 34/2008, filed by Shri Ram Kumar others, reference had been received in The HQrs office from several controllers regarding ceiling of pay for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance. Accordingly, The matter was Taken up with MOD for clarifications.

2. In this context, please find enclosed a copy of Ministry of Defence, ID No. 17 (4)/2012/D-(Civ-II) dated 07th July 2017 on the above subject. The Cases of NDA may be dealt with accordingly.

JT. CGDA (P&W) has seen.

(Ashish Yadav)
Sr. ACGDA

Ex-Servicemen Status for Ex-NDA Cadets

Ex-Servicemen Status for Ex-NDA Cadets

26 cadets were declared medically unfit and withdrawn from training due to injuries during the last three years and the current year as per details given below:-

Spring Term 2014 - 05

Autumn Term 2014 - 01

Spring Term 2015 - 07

Autumn Term 2015 - 04

Spring Term 2016 - 01

Autumn Term 2016 - 06

Spring Term 2017 - 02

Autumn Term 2017 - NIL

NDA cadets who are medically boarded out are not being granted Ex-servicemen (ESM) status as the NDA cadets are not yet commissioned as officers and are therefore not counted as "Servicemen".

Government is implementing schemes for the welfare of NDA cadets . The following schemes are being implemented:

    Ex-Gratia Awards in cases of Disablement:- The cadet on being medically boarded out is entitled for following benefits:-
    Ex-gratia amount - Rs. 3,500/- p.m.
    Ex-gratia disability award - Rs. 6,300/- p.m. (100% disability).
    Constant Attendance Allowance - Rs. 3,000/- p.m. (100% disability as recommended in invaliding medical board).

AGIF Insurance Cover for NDA Cadets:-

    Disability:- Rs. 7.5 Lakhs for 100 percent disability proportionately reduced to Rs.1.5 lakhs for 20 % disability.
    Ex-gratia Grant:- Rs. 50,000/- per cadet being invalided out with less than 20% of disability in the first two years of training and Rs. 1 lakh for cadets if invalided out with less than 20% of disability during the last year of training.

Preference in Employment in the Government Jobs: Cadets who are invalidated out on medical grounds attributable to military training are accorded Priority-1 for the purpose of employment in Government service.

The cadet consequent to his injury is provided free medical treatment in Military Hospital, Command Hospital and Research & Referral Hospital, Delhi. The cadet is only invalidated out in the medical board if he does not recover from the injury and is found unfit for further military training with the aforesaid treatment. The data on expenditure incurred on such treatment is not maintained.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Parimal Nathwani in Rajya Sabha today.

PIB

Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - Clarification regarding Fixation of ceiling of pay for entitlement

Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - Clarification regarding Fixation of ceiling of pay for entitlement

Government of India
Ministry of Defence
(Department of Defence)
D(Civ.II)

Subject: Night Duty Allowance (NDA) - Clarification regarding Fixation of ceiling of pay for entitlement.
Ref. : CGDA UO No. AT/11/2366/NDANol-X dated 22.01.2016 and last reminder dated 13.12.2016

In compliance of Hon. CAT, Jodhpur Bench Order dated 5 Nov 2009, MoD issued letter dated 8th May 2015 to provide that the payment of Night Duty Allowance (NDA) shall be made on the basis of the current pay of the employees who are deployed for performing the duty during the night hours. Accordingly, Principal Controller of Accounts (PCA) (Fys), Kolkata issued letter dated 29.05.2015 to define the new formula for computation of NDA. This formula provides that the amount of NDA shall be computed by taking employee's current Band Pay & Grade Pay plus DA divided by 195 (i.e. total working hours in a month). In this manner, the Hon'ble CAT order, as upheld by Hon'ble High Court/Supreme Court stands implemented in letter & spirit.

2. Subsequently, PCA (Fys) Kolkata issued letter dated,9 Sep 2015 to prescribe the pay ceiling corresponding to Rs. 2200 per month (specified in terms of DoPT OM dated 4 Oct 1989) to determine entitlement of staff for night duty. However, the corresponding pay so prescribed was not accepted by the OFB Administration.

As per OFB's calculations, the current pay corresponding to Rs.2200 is not only different, but there is wide disparity in both the figures. OFB has stated that they cannot accept this unilateral decision of PCA(Fys) because the calculations are incorrect. Besides, this has led to industrial unrest at all Ordnance Factories.
The staff side members have expressed displeasure and have threatened to stop Night duty at all Ordnance Factories. OFB Admn apprehends serious loss of production and have requested MoD to examine the issue and intimate corresponding pay of Rs.2200 so that the employees could be detailed accordingly for performing duty at night hours. Likewise, CGDA has also sought clarification from MoD on the same issue.

3. The matter was examined in MoD in consultation with MoD(Fin) and DoPT. DoPT stated that the calculations made by both PCA (Fys) and OFB are incorrect and prescribed a different formula to compute the current pay corresponding to Rs.2200 per month that existed during 1989. Both PCA(Fys) and OFB have rejected this formula for being cumbersome and unworkable.

This office also supports their views because using this formula entails tedious calculations of pay of each employee ever since their date of joining service, running into decades. In a nutshell, attempts to find out the current pay equivalent to Rs.2200 pm have not been fruitful in spite of consultations with DoPT and MoD(Fin), and the stalemate on the issue continues across all the defence establishments, leading to confusion and possible loss of productivity.

4. On further consideration, it has been observed that the DOPT OM No. 12012/4/86-Estt.(Allowances) dt. 04.10.1989 on the subject of NDA lays down following condition to determine the entitlement for NDA:
 (Clause a) - The ceiling of pay for entitlement of NDA shall be Rs. 2200/- p.m.
(Clause b)- There will however be no ceiling for entitlement of NDA in respect of officials who are, at present, getting this benefit as per existing criteria.

5.Clause (a)
The pay ceiling of Rs. 2200 per month mentioned in the DoPT in their OM dated 4 Oct 1989, was prescribed more than 25 years ago. During the intervening period, two Pay Commissions have come into force which have altered the pay structure of the employees drastically. In spite of an altogether different landscape of the pay structure, the DoPT did not come up with any revised order to amend the provisions of their OM dated 4 Oct 1989 relevant to the current pay structure. In the absence of clear guidelines, the management of Defence Establishments resorted to adhoc measures to keep their organisations running during the night hours in the intervening period. Proposals sent by MoD to DoP&T at various stages in the light of various judicial pronouncements, were rejected, sometimes on the grounds that the DoPT orders are not applicable to industrial employees.

In the current phase, the efforts being made by the defence authorities to adhere to the prescribed pay limit have proved to be frustrating because of the practical difficulties being faced by both Accounting Authorities and the Defence Estts who, due to tedious and lengthy calculations, have not been able to reach a consensus to determine the level of staff who can be deployed for performing the night duty. In the current scenario, where  the pay ceiling of Rs.2200 prn. is obsolete and meaningless, and the DoPT have  avoided prescribing a realistic ceiling that would be relevant to the current pay  structure of the Government employees, it is left upon MoD to find a solution. Even though MoD proposes to take up the matter with DoPT again for prescribing a pay ceiling based on the current pay structure, it is however felt that the decision thereon shall have reflection over the future cases only and is not likely to resolve the current cases.

6. Clause (b)
The provision in the DoPT OM dated 4 Oct 1989 (highlighted above in para 4) permits entitlement of NDA without any ceiling in respect of officials "who were getting this benefit (at that time) as per existing criteria". In view of the fact that the pay ceiling prescribed in clause (a) is of no relevance today, it has become necessary to resolve the imbroglio by resorting to the second provision given in this OM - named as clause
(b). It has been decided that till such time the new pay parameters based on the current pay structure to determine the entitlement for NDA are prescribed by the nodal Ministry, OFB/Field Offices/Defence Establishments are allowed to determine the entitlement of their employees for the purpose of NDA in terms of this clause in the DoPT OM dated 04.10.1989 that provides that there shall  be no ceiling for entitlement of NDA in respect of such officials who were getting this  benefit at that point of time as per extant criteria. So as to give a formal and concrete shape to this, the OFB and other Defence Establishments are being advised to issue a one-time office order, specifying in definite terms, the designations/ categories/levels of non-gazetted employees (Industrial and Non Industrial) who were getting this benefit of NDA in accordance with extant instructions i.e. DoPT OM dated 4 Oct 1989, so as to ensure their seamless deployment at night shifts and payment of NDA based on current pay.

7. CGDA is, therefore, requested to issue necessary directions to their lower formations to deal with the cases of payment of NDA accordingly.

8. This issues with the approval of Additional Secretary.

S/d,
(Anil Kumar)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt of India
Tel: 23011681

Signed Copy

Payment of Night Duty Allowance on actual pay, without any ceiling and should be correlated with the pay of 7th CPC

Night Duty Allowance without any ceiling as per 7th CPC - BPMS

Payment of Night Duty Allowance on actual pay, without any ceiling and should be correlated with the pay of 7th CPC.

REF: BPMS/MOD/07thCPC/DAC/247(8/3/M)

Dated: 29.06.2017

REMINDER

To,
The Dy Secretary (CP),
Govt of India, Min of Defence,
Sena Bhawan, DHQ PO,
New Delhi 110011

Subject: Payment of Night Duty Allowance on actual pay, without any ceiling and should be 
correlated with the pay of 7th CPC.
Reference: This federation’s letter of even No. Dated 06.01.2017

Respected Sir,
With due regards, your attention is invited to the Anomalies Committee meeting held on 26.12.2016 under the Chairmanship of AS(J) Shri J Rama Krishna Rao wherein we have reflected our concern that the Night Duty Allowance was being paid on the notional basic pay of 4th CPC. Later, based on the Hon’ble Supreme Court judgment NDA is revised in 6th CPC pay scale and extended to all including non-petitioners w.e.f. 01.04.2007. Subsequently, PC of Fys imposed ceiling limit to the employees of Ordnance Factories that Rs.12380/-. OFB has referred the matter to MoD to remove the ceiling but this is not yet settled.
Therefore, you are requested to take necessary action so that the payment of Night Duty Allowance in defence establishments on the revised pay of 07th CPC may be granted without any ceiling.

Thanking you.

Sincerely yours
(MUKESH SINGH)

Secretary/BPMS &
Member, JCM-II Level Council (MOD)

Source: BPMS

Three years of Modi government: A report card

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
President's Secretariat

26-May-2017 12:14 IST

Three years of Modi government: A report card

The record of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) during its three years in power has been impressive, judging by macroeconomic parameters, especially inflation.
Politically too, the BJP has seen unprecedented ascendancy by wresting back power in Uttar Pradesh in March after a gap of 15 years and expanding its electoral footprint to the North-East. This in part explains why Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains India's most popular political leader.
Still, controversies associated with the actions of fringe saffron groups have left the BJP vulnerable to criticism. The next general election is due in 2019 and, to a large extent, the outcome will depend on Modi's management of the optics and his government's ability to generate jobs to meet the growing aspirations of voters.
Here is a look at the key themes of the NDA's three years in power.

CONNECTIVITY

Positive

1. New integrated transportation initiative for roads, railways, waterways and civil aviation.
2. Sagarmala and Bharatmala programmes for the construction of new ports and expressways.
3. UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme with fares starting at about Rs2,500.

Negative

1. Increasing number of railway accidents.
2. 23km per day of highway construction achieved vis-a-vis a target of 41km.
3. Air India's finances are still precarious. The national carrier is still grappling with legacy issues.

TERROR, DEFENCE AND FOREIGN POLICY

Positive

1. Carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir, resumed cordon and search operations in more than 20 villages in Shopian.
2. Combing operations launched against Maoists in Chhattisgarh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "neighbourhood diplomacy" falling in place as relations with Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka look up.

Negative

1. No strategy to pre-empt rebel attacks on security personnel in districts where Maoists are active.
2. Ties with Pakistan and China are icy despite Prime Minister Modi making trips to both countries (a December 2015 stopover in the former).
3. Relations with Russia - India's once time-tested friend - too seem to be in the doldrums.

FARMERS

Positive

1. New crop insurance scheme and higher funding for irrigation to counter weather risks.
2. Set an ambitious goal to double farm incomes in real terms by 2022, moving away from the historical focus on increasing production.
3. Initiated a range of marketing reforms to create a "one nation, one market" in agriculture.

Negative

1. Decline in wholesale prices of vegetables and pulses has dented farm incomes.
2. A loan waiver in Uttar Pradesh led to a moral hazard problem and delay in repayment of loans in other states.
3. Acute drought in southern states led to a spike in farm suicides.

GREEN ECONOMY AND ENERGY

Positive

1. Push for electric vehicles.
2. Rs42,000 crore unlocked for afforestation with Parliament passing The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Bill, 2016.
3. Clean and renewable energy generation gets a boost.

Negative

1. Neglect of the forest and wildlife sectors. Decisions pending on a national forest policy, definition of forests, inviolate forest areas and a national wildlife action plan.
2. Activists allege that the government is favouring industries and indiscriminately giving green clearances, ignoring the toll taken on the environment.
3. Ganga clean-up is yet to gather momentum.

Positive

1. Got states on board to introduce the goods and services tax (GST), the biggest tax reform since independence.
2. Crackdown on black money leads to a surge in 2016-17 tax receipts, number of return filers.
3. Merger of railway budget with Union budget and shifting budget presentation date to 1 February from 28 February.

Negative

1. Demonetisation drive led to short-term cash crunch, hit small and medium enterprises.
2. Pending cases of retrospective taxation on past transactions still unresolved.
3. Inability to bring back black money stashed away abroad by citizens.

POLITICS

Positive

1. Getting unanimity on the economic reforms agenda with high parliamentary productivity.
2. Series of electoral gains puts the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on the political forefront.
3. Expanding voter base of the BJP to Dalits and other backward classes, focus on expansion in the North-East.

Negative

1. Failure to get consensus on reform policies like a proposed land bill.
2. Allegations of toppling elected state governments.
3. Problems within the NDA: the Peoples Democratic Party (Jammu and Kashmir), Shiv Sena (Maharashtra) and Telugu Desam Party (Andhra Pradesh) are annoyed with the BJP leadership.

EMPOWERMENT - SOCIAL SAFETY, EDUCATION, JOBS, GENDER

Positive

1. Graded autonomy to promote quality in education.
2. Slew of social security measures to benefit the working class.
3. Six months of paid maternity leave for working women.

Negative

1. The Women's Reservation Bill is still pending.
2. New Education Policy still to be formulated.
3. Job creation yet to pick up pace.

MINDSET CHANGE

Positive

1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched to eliminate open defecation and promote cleanliness.
2. Soviet-style five-year plans come to an end; 15-year vision, three-year action plan come into play.
3. Cashless economy.

Negative

1. Hyper-nationalism as seen through the lens of social media trolling and rise of vigilante groups with little regard for human life.
2. Rise of vigilante groups with political agendas who attack minorities.
3. In spite of stricter laws, greater awareness and even campaigns, violence against women continues unabated.

DIGITAL AND COMMUNICATIONS

Positive

1. Improving e-infrastructure, e-participation and government e-services for addressing transparency.
2. Unified Payments Interface (UPI) - a payment system that allows mobile-enabled money transfers between bank accounts. Promotion of the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) for a less-cash economy.
3. Leveraging Aadhaar for improving service delivery to citizens.

Negative

1. Call drops continue despite mobile phone services providers promising improvement.
2. Drop in digital payment transactions with the easing of a cash crunch that followed the demonetisation of high-value banknotes in November.
3. Leakage of Aadhaar data.

OPTICS

Positive

1. Doing away with the red beacon - a symbol of so-called VIP culture - from all government vehicles.
2. Extending support to ending the practice of triple talaq.
3. Introducing the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (save the girl child, educate the girl child) scheme.

Negative

1. Rise of vigilante groups called Gau Rakshaks, who target people suspected of harming cows or consuming beef.
2. Launch of the anti-Romeo squads in Uttar Pradesh, ostensibly to protect women from harassment, but seen widely as moral policing.
3. Ghar Wapsi (homecoming), aimed at promoting the conversion of non-Hindus to Hinduism, and campaign against Love Jihad, allegedly practised by Muslim men to win over Hindu women.

Cabinet Decision on 7th CPC Allowances only after 11th March 2017

Cabinet Decision on 7th CPC Allowances only after 11th March 2017

"Retention of the rates of HRA and date of effect of allowances should be from 1st January 2016 and revision of rates of Transport allowances, OTA and NDA apart from retention of many of the allowances - COC Karnataka".

Allowances

Comrades,
The media is debating that the allowances committee headed by Shri Ashok Lavasa Finance Secretary has submitted its report to the Hon’ble Finance Minister Arun Jaitleyji on 22nd or not. Comrades as you aware that this committee period has expired on 22nd February 2017, the question is that even if it has submitted its report to the Hon’ble Finance Minister Arun Jaitleyji it is confidential document all media creation on the HRA rates are not be believed, the actual truth will be known only after the assembly elections results of five states which will be declared on March 11.

The past experience is that even if the committee decides positively the union cabinet had turn down the recommendations of the committee, hence speculation is not correct, only after the union cabinet approves the recommendations of the committee, the new orders is issued.

The main demands of the CG employees is retention of the rates of HRA and date of effect of allowances should be from 1st January 2016 and revision of rates of Transport allowances, OTA and NDA apart from retention of many of the allowances.

Comrades instead of speculation it would be better we focus on the 16th March 2017 strike, which would put pressure on the Central Government to yield to our charter of demands.

Comradely yours
(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

Source: http://karnatakacoc.blogspot.in/

7th Pay Commission: Central Govt employee union calls nationwide strike on February 15, demand settlement of 21 points charter demand

7th Pay Commission: Central Govt employee union calls nationwide strike on February 15, demand settlement of 21 points charter demand

After a massive Parliament march conducted by the central government employees on December 15, the union has called again for a nationwide strike on February 15, 2017, demanding the Union Government to make an immediate settlement of their 21 points charter demands in 7th Pay Commission (7CPC). The strike has been called in a joint cooperation by several central government employees union against what they say “the betrayal and breach of assurance by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu”.

On 15th December a massive Parliament march was conducted in which around 15,000 central government employees from all over the states participated. In the Parliament march autonomous bodies employees and pensioners also extended their support by joining the rally. During the rally which the central government employees union view as a success also declared a one-day nationwide strike on February 15.

The strike has been announced by the National President of the Confederation KKN Kutty, Secretary General M Krishnan and several other leaders present at the rally.

According to reports, the rally condemned the authoritarian attitude of the NDA Government and also the breach of an assurance given by the trio Union Ministers to NJCA leaders who met them after the implementation of 7th Pay Commission.

What are 21 Points Charter Demands made by central government employees:

1) The central government employees union asked the government to settle the demands raised by NJCA regarding modifications of 7th Pay Commission recommendations as submitted in the memorandum to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015. Honour the assurance given by the Union Ministers to NJCA on 30th June 2016 and 6th July 2016, especially increase in minimum wage and fitment factor. Grant revised HRA at the existing percentage itself ie: 30 per cent, 20 per cent and 10 per cent. Accept the proposal of the staff side regarding transport allowance. Settle all anomalies arising out of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations, in a time bound manner.

2) Implement option-I recommended by 7th Pay Commission and accepted by the Government regarding parity in pension of pre-2016 pensioners, without any further delay. Settle the pension related issues raised by NJCA against item 13 of its memorandum submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015.

3) Scrap PFRDA Act and New Pension System (NPS) and grant pension and Family Pension to all Central Government employees recruited after 1st January 2004, under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.

4) Treat Gramin Dak Sewaks of postal department as civil servants, and extend all benefits like pay, pension, allowances etc. of departmental employees to GDS. Publish GDS Committee report immediately.

5) Regularise all casual, contract, part-time, contingent and Daily rated mazdoors and grant equal pay
and other benefits. Revise the wages as per 7th CPC minimum pay.

6) No downsizing, privatisation, outsourcing and contractorisation of government functions.

7) Withdraw the arbitrary decision of the Government to enhance the benchmark for performance appraisal for promotion and financial up-gradations under MACP from “GOOD” to VERY GOOD” and also decision to withhold annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the bench march either for MACP or for regular promotion within the first 20 years of service. Grant MACP pay fixation benefits on promotional hierarchy and not on pay-matrix hierarchy. Personnel promoted on the basis of examination should be treated as fresh entrants to the cadre for grant of MACP.

8) Withdraw the draconian FR 56 (J) and Rule 48 of CCs (Pension) Rules 1972 which is being misused as a short cut as purity measure to punish and victimize the employees.

9) Fill up all vacant posts including promotional posts in a time bound manner. Lift ban on creation of posts. Undertake cadre Review to access the requirement of employees and their cadre prospects. Modify recruitment rules of Group-‘C’ cadre and make recruitment on Regional basis.

10) Remove 5% ceiling on compassionate appointments and grant appointment in all deserving cases.

11) Grant five promotions in the service career to all Central Govt. employees.

12) Abolish and upgrade all Lower Division Clerks to Upper Division Clerks.

13) Ensure parity in pay for all stenographers, Assistants, Ministerial Staff in subordinate offices and in all organized Accounts cadres with Central Secretariat staff by upgrading their pay scales. Grant pay scale of Drivers in Loksabha Secretariat to Drivers working in all other Central Government Departments.

14) Reject the stipulation of 7th CPC to reduce the salary to 80 per cent for the second year of Child Care leave and retain the existing provision.

15) Introduce Productivity Linked bonus in all department and continue the existing bi-lateral agreement on PLB wherever it exists.

16) Ensure cashless medical treatment to all Central Government employees & Pensioners in all recognized Government and Private hospitals.

17) Revision of Overtime Allowance (OTA) and Night Duty Allowance (NDA) w.e.f 01.01.2016 based on 7th CPC pay scale.

18) Revision of wages of Central Government employees in every five years.

19) Revive JCM functioning at all levels. Grant recognition of the unions/Associations under CCS (RSA) Rules 1993 within a time frame to facilitate effective JCM functioning.

20) Implementation of the Revised Pay structure in respect of employees and pensioners of autonomous bodies consequent on implementation of CCS (Revised Pay) Rules 2016 in respect of Central Government employees and pensioners w.e.f. 01.01.2016.

21) Implementation of the “equal pay for equal work” judgement of the Supreme Court in all departments of the Central Government.

Source: India

7th CPC recommends that Heads of NDC, NDA and DSSC institutions should be upgraded to Apex Scale

7th Pay Commission recommends that heads of three institutions viz., National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi, National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune and Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington should be upgraded to Apex Scale

7th CPC recommends that Heads of NDC, NDA and DSSC institutions should be upgraded to Apex Scale

7th Pay Commission has recommended CGWB Technical Operator (Drilling) be given GP 1900 and be combined with the post of Compressor

National Academies

The Commission has received a number of demands from both the civilian and defence employees that the heads of National Academies should be upgraded to Apex Scale.

The Commission finds merit in upgrading only the heads of tri-services institutions of the defence forces. Accordingly, it is recommended that the heads of the following three tri- services institutions should be upgraded to Apex Scale:

a.   National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi

b.  National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune

c.   Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington

Only those  officers should  be posted  as  heads  of these establishments  who have minimum two years of service left before superannuation. No extension in service should be granted based on these recommendations.

Grant of Night Duty Allowance on the basis of Actual Salary

Grant of Night Duty Allowance on the basis of Actual Salary – BPMS writes to OFB

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS)
(AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.)
(RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA)

REF: BPMS / OFB / NDA / 200 (8/2/L)

Dated: 14/09/2015

To,
The DDG (IR),
Ordnance Factory Board,
10 A, S.K.Bose Road,
Kolkata – 700001

Subject: Grant of Night Duty Allowance on the basis of Actual Salary

Reference: PC of A (Fys) Kolkata letter No. Pay/Tech-II/1206/2015/13, dated 09.09.2015

Respected Sir,
With due regards, it is submitted that the issue of payment of Night Duty Allowance based on actual salary, instead of notional pay of Rs.2200/- was resolved vide MOD ID No. 17(4)/2012/D(Civ-II), Dated 08.05.2015 in compliance of Contempt Petition (CP No. 200/2014 Shri Arvind Girija Singh & Ors versus UOI & Ors.) based on the CAT Jodhpur directions in CA No 34/2008 dated 5.11.2009 and subsequent ratifications by Hon’ble High Court and Supreme Court of India.

We are surprised to see the PC of A (Fys) letter cited under reference whereby ceiling for entitlement of Night Duty Allowance has been revised to Rs. 12380/- pay in Pay Band. We have strong objection on the issuance of this letter because PC of A (Fys) is not the competent authority to revise the ceiling of entitlement for NDA unilaterally as the original order has been issued by Ministry of Defence in consultation with Min of Finance, DoP&T, Def (Finance) and if there was any doubt regarding eligibility, PC of A (Fys) should have asked for clarification from the competent authorities through prescribed channels.

Further, all the court cases regarding revision of night duty allowance was related to the notional ceiling of Rs. 2200/- per month and this issue was resolved by ordering the NDA on the actual salary and nowhere court further fixed any real or notional ceiling. Even it has been already clarified in the earlier order which states that entitlement ceiling of Rs. 2200/- is not applicable to existing categories who are getting NDA. Prior to implementation of recommendations of 6th CPC, IEs / NIEs / NGOs upto Assistant Foreman (Technical) was entitled for Night Duty Allowance being a non-gazetted supervisory staff but now the post of Assistant Foreman is merged with JWM which is a gazetted supervisory post in OFB. Hence, all the Industrial / Non-Industrial & Non – Gazetted Supervisory staff are entitled for NDA on the basis of actual salary.

Therefore, you are requested to intervene into the matter so that all IEs/NIEs/NGOs may get the NDA as per actual salary in compliance with the court pronouncements in letter and spirit.

Thanking you.

Sincerely yours
sd/-
(M P SINGH)
General Secretary

Source: BPMS

Grant of Night Duty Allowance on the basis of actual salary of 6th CPC

Grant of Night Duty Allowance on the basis of actual salary of 6th CPC

An All India Federation of Defence Workers, BPMS has published the message about the current status of Night Duty Allowance in Ordnance Factories.

Grant of Night Duty Allowance on the basis of actual salary of 6th CPC

Contempt Petition No. 200/2014 arising out of O.A. No. 2017/2014 Shri Arving Girija Sing & Ors Vs Union of India & Ors was heard by Hon’ble Mumbai Bench of CAT on 23.02.2015 and after hearing both sides Hon’ble CAT disposed of the Contempt Petition with an order to grant NDA as per revised rate within 03 months from the date of receiving the order. Further, CAT expressed that if required, a senior officer of O.F.Board should be deputed to the Ministry of Defence and Representative/Officer of MOD alongwith officer of O.F.Board should liaise with Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure to expedite the matter.

Since the period granted by Hon’ble CAT would expire on 23.05.2015, Secretary MOD has approved the proposal and the same has been vetted by FA (Def Fin) and now file is being sent to Min of Fin for concurrence so that CAT order may be implemented.

It is the status of the NDA as on 26.02.2015.

MUKESH SINGH
Secretary
01.03.2015