NFIR: Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest implementation of the National Pension System Employees

NFIR: Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest implementation of the National Pension System Employees

No.IV/NPS/PFRDA BILL/Part-I

Dated: 18/03/2017

The General Secretaries
of Affiliated Unions of NFIR.

Brother,

Sub: Meeting of the Committee constituted to suggest implementation of the National Pension System Employees - reg.

A meeting of the Committee with JCM (Staff Side) under the chairmanship of Secretary (Pension), Department of pension & Pensioners' Welfare was held at Sardar Patel Bhavan, New Delhi on 17th March 2017 at 15.00 hrs. Brief on the discussions is given below:

(i) At the outset, Secretary (Pension) stated that the Committee will try to consider and propose for safeguarding the interests of pensioners appointed on or after 01/01/2004. He said that the purpose of meeting was to elicit views from JCM (Staff Side) and make out report with an attempt to accommodate the views by and large.

(ii) Thereafter, the Additional Secretary (Pension) made a brief presentation highlighting the attempts of the Committee for formulating Rules, Regulations and Procedures to be considered by the Government.

(iii) Initiating discussions, the JCM (Staff Side) leaders have reiterated their consistent stand that the Liberalized Pension Scheme needs to be made applicable to those who joined the Government service from 01/01/2004.

2. The JCM (Staff Side) leader Dr.M.Raghavaiah and Standing Committee Member, Shri Guman Singh have participated in the meeting and pointed out as follows:

(a) The Committee should consider for recommending 50% of Last Pay drawn as minimum pension to the retiring NPS subscribers irrespective of their total service.

(b) The Pension Rules of 1972 be incorporated in the proposed draft Rules in an appropriate manner, thereby pension is guaranteed to the families of retired/deceased employees and their dependents.

(c) While 60% of Pension wealth will be paid to the retiring NPS subscriber, the remaining 40% is invested by PFRDA on which retiring employee has no control. What is needed to be ensured is "Guarantee for payment of 50% of Last Pat drawn as Pension". Remaining 40% Pension wealth may be invested or used by PFRDA on which,retiring employee may have no claim.

(d) In the Railways, the employer deducts l0% of wages from employee's salary towards subscription and contributes equal amount. No Railway employee knows what their actual amount is, as no written statement is furnished by the employer. The JCM (Staff Side) is not concerned about the role of PFRDA - NSDL- etc., as every Railway employee wants to know what is his/her amount (subscription plus contribution). It should be ensured that Railways should give atleast annually, the statement of accumulated amount to the employee so that on the date of his retirement, he/she will know whether entire money was credited to PFRDA and equally he/she will know what would be 60% of the total pension wealth. The present defective system needs to be streamlined.

The above is for information of affiliates.

Yours fraternity
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

Fixation of Pay of re-employed pensioners - treatment of Military Service Pay (MSP)

Fixation of Pay of re-employed pensioners - treatment of Military Service Pay (MSP) - reg.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAILWAY BOARD

No.E(G) 2013/EM 1-5

New Delhi, dated 06, March 2017

The General Secretary,
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen.
3, Chelmsford Road,
New Delhi.

Sir.

Sub: Fixation of Pay of re-employed pensioners - treatment of Military Service Pay (MSP) - reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to your letter No.II/35/Part XIII dated 10.01.2017 on the above subject and to state that the illustration given in your letter regarding treatment of Military Service Pay (MSP) while fixing the pay of ex-servicemen re-employed in the Railways has been examined in consultation with the Finance Directorate is not as per the instructions contained in DoP&T's OM No.3/19/2009 Estt. Pay II dated 08.11.2010 which was circulated to the Railways vide Board's letter No.E(G) 2013/EM 1-4 dated 24.07.2013 and reiterated vide Board's letter of even number dated 15.12.2016. The DoP&T’s OM only provides that the MSP part of pension will not be deducted from the pay fixed on re-employment. It does not provide for including MSP in the pay fixed on re-employment.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
for Secretary/
Railway Board

Source: NFIR

16th March 2017 Strike - Participation of Employees All Time High

16th March 2017 Strike - Participation of Employees All Time High

CIRCULAR

Dated - 18.03.2017

To,
1) All National Secretariat Members (CHQ Office Bearers)
2) Chief Executives of all Affiliated organisations
3) General Secretaries of all COCs

Dear Comrades,

1. 16th MARCH 2017 STRIKE - PARTICIPATION OF EMPLOYEES ALL TIME HIGH:

Reports received from Affiliated organisations and COCs and also many field level units shows that the participation of employees in the 16th March 2017 strike was all time high. The reason is obvious that the employees are angry and upset due the totally adamant and negative attitude of the NDA government towards the genuine issues of Central Govt. employees and pensioners and their discontentment was ventilated through the strike as an outburst of their pent up feelings. The response to the strike call was overwhelming and majority of employees suo- moto participated in the strike without any compulsion. This was also quite visible during the 15th December 2016 Parliament March and other agitational programmes including dharna and observance of 6th March 2017 Black Day. (For other details please see the press statement dated 16.03.2017 published in the Confederation website). Confederation National Secretariat congratulates and salutes all the leaders and employees who organized and participated in the strike and made it one of the best organized and best participated historic strike of Central Government Employees. Once again it is proved that it is Confederation alone, which is the true representative of entire Central Government employees.

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING ON 13TH APRIL 2017 WILL DECIDE FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION.
National Secretariat of the Confederation will meet at Delhi on 13.04.2017, as already notified. Secretariat will conduct a detailed review of the strike and decide future course of action. All National Secretariat members are requested to attend the meeting without fail.

CONFEDERATION ALL INDIA TRADE UNION EDUCATION CAMP AT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM ON 06TH & 07TH MAY 2017:
As already notified, the All India Trade Union Education Camp of Confederation will be conducted at EMS Academy, Thiruvananthapuram on 6th & 7th May 2017. All affiliated organisations and COCs are one again requested to ensure participation of allotted number of delegates WITHOUT FAIL. Please ensure that travel tickets are booked immediately, if not already booked. (Notice was issued in January itself to facilitate booking of confirmed train tickets, as train reservation starts four months in advance).

Quota allotted to each organisation and COC and other informations relating to the camp are is furnished in the circular attached.

While selecting delegates to the camp, younger generation and ladies may be given maximum representation.

Please intimate the number of delegates attending the camp by email to confederationhq@gmail.com OR mkrishnan6854@gmail.com and also to the Reception Committee.

REMITTANCE OF QUOTA:
Needless to say that for smooth and efficient functioning of an organisation, especially for a vibrant organisation like Confederation, funds is an essential requirement. Unfortunately, many affiliates and COCs are continuously failing in their responsibility to support the Confederation CHQ financially. Available fund has been utilized for Parliament March and strike campaign. Now the financial position is almost NIL. Unless all the affiliates and COCs clear their quota immediately, it will adversely effect the CHQ functioning. All affiliates and COCs are one again requested to clear the quota (Re.1/- per member per year) before 31.03.2017. Please treat it as most important. The amount may be remitted to:

Com. Vrigu Bhattacharya,
Financial Secretary
Confederation of C. G. Employees & Workers (CHQ)
17/C, P & T Quarters, Kalibari Marg,
New Delhi - 110001
Mob: 09868520926
Email: v.aicaea@gmail.com

Bank Account details
Bank - Indian oversees Bank
Branch - Gole Market, New Delhi
Account No. 084001000015586
IFS Code - IOBA0000840

JOINT MOVEMENT AND CAMPAIGN AGAINST CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME (NPS) AND OUTSOURCING OF GOVT. FUNCTIONS
Discussion are in progress for organizing nationwide campaign and agitational programmes against the NPS and outsourcing of Government functions, jointly with All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) and other like-minded organisations. Final decision in this regard will be taken in the National Secretariat meeting to be held on 13th April 2017.

Fraternally yours,

(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
Mob&WhatsApp: 09447068125
Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Source: http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

16th March 2017 Strike Report - Karnataka COC

16th March 2017 Strike Report - Karnataka COC

16th March 2017 strike report

Comrades,
I thank one and all the Central Government Employees of the Karnataka State who are affiliated to the Confederation of CG employees for making the 16th March 2017 strike a grand success , the leaders of the affiliates were working for making this strike a success . The Central leaders Com KKK Kuttyji President Confederation of CG employees had been to the state of Karnataka many times , his valuable guidance has inspired us very much . I also thank Com Krishnanji Secretary General Confederation of CG employees for his valuable guidance in making 16th March 2017 strike a grand success.

The participation of employees in 16th March 2017 strike was very good in Karnataka state , apart from Bangalore CG employees in all districts of the state of Karnataka had participated in the strike , this time there was huge success , this is due to the success campaign by all leaders , it was a joint effort .

The strike in Postal was historic, many of the Post offices were locked and the strike participation was nearly 90%.

The participation in ITEF, AICGWBEA, RMS was near to 100%, In Survey of India, AG's Census it was nearly 70%, Civil Accounts for the first time participated with 95% strike.

The media have given good coverage of the strike, the article and photos of the strike were taken and published in many newspapers in many parts of the state.

Com Tapen Senji Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha has raised our justified demands in the floor of the Rajya Sabha. On behalf of COC Karnataka I express my gratitude to Com Tapen Senji for taking up the issues.

I hope our demands gets attention of the Government, the promises made to our leaders by the Group of Ministers is kept up and your issues get resolved at the earliest. I once again thank all the employees and leaders for making this strike of 16th March 2017 a success.

Comradely yours

(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

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

Expected DA: 4% of 7th CPC Basic Pay as DA from Jan 2017

Expected DA: 4% of 7th CPC Basic Pay as DA from Jan 2017

"The central cabinet has given its approval for issuing additional Dearness Allowance of 2% from July 1, 2017 onwards."

Including the additional 2% DA announced earler by the Central Government, DA will be 4% of the 7th CPC basic pay from Jan 2017 for Central Government Employees.

With the Confederation of Central Government employees announced a nationwide day-long strike on 16th March 2017, the go
vernment announced an additional Dearness Allowance of 2 percent a day before on 15th March 2017.
The employees believe that the announcement was made much earlier. Even last year, the cabinet issued its approval for the second installment of July only on October 27. The Ministry of Finance issued the Government Order on November 4. But this time, in an unexpected and surprising move, the Dearness Allowance is announced much before its due time. The payment of Dearness Allowance will be issued to all categories of Central Government employees only after the Ministry of Finance issues an Office Memorandum.

Brief of meeting held on 17.03.2017 : AIRF

Brief of meeting held on 17.03.2017 : AIRF

All Affiliated Unions

Dear Comrades!

Sub: Brief of the meeting held today with Hon'ble MR

A meeting was held today with Hon'ble Minister for Railways in the Parliament House, on the issue of withdrawal of Railway Board’s orders dated 30.01.2017, in a very cordial manner, wherein Hon'ble MR assured the federations that, he would take decision in this regard at his own. Hon'ble Minister for Railways has also called a meeting in this regard on 21/22 March, 2017.

Though this meeting may go on, you are advised to hold demonstrations, dharnas, gate meetings etc. at the Divisional and Extra Divisional Offices in a befitting manner.

We are also getting reports of 16th March, 2017 agitational programmes from our affiliates in the Railway Zones, which are quite encouraging, and we hope, the same enthusiasm will continue.

Source: AIRF

7th Pay Commission : From Higher Allowance to Implementation where does the story Stands

7th Pay Commission : From Higher Allowance to Implementation where does the story Stands

7th Pay Commission : On Friday senior officials of Union Cabinet were expected to meet members of the panel over Higher Allowance and National Pension Scheme (NPS).

However sources indicate that the meeting did not take place.

As almost a year has passed, we try to figure out where does the story of 7th Pay Commission stand today. The panel was constituted a day after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations.
This panel on the higher allowance, named 'Committee on Allowance' was also expected to make a major announcement on Friday following the submission of the report to the government. However that too didn’t happen.

As we all know, Prime Minister gave the nod for an additional 2 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance(DA) for all Central Government employees. Moreover, along with the DA, for pensioners, the Dearness Relief (DR) has been increased by 2 per cent with effect from January 1, 2017.

While reports claim that the increasing of the Dearness Allowance has benefited 48.85 lakh employees and 55.51 lakh pensioners, the central Government employees are now concerned about the Committee on Allowance’s decision.

But more importantly, although the DA has been hiked, the Committee headed by Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa is yet to submit the reports on other allowances, which were also scheduled to be increased once the 7th Pay Commission was implemented.

However, the National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) on behalf of the Central Government employees expressed their dissatisfaction over the hiked 2% DA and said it should have been increased by at least 3%.

April 1, 2017, was the rumoured date for implementing the allowance hike but now that the report has not yet been submitted, it seems the rumour is to stay as it is.

Following this, the NJCA has warned of dire consequences if the Centre fails to implement the allowance hike from April 1.

Source: India.com

Parliamentary Panel for shifting fiscal year to January-December

Parliamentary Panel for shifting fiscal year to January-December

New Delhi: India should shift to the January - December financial year by ending the decades old tradition of April - March fiscal introduced by the British, a Parliamentary Panel said today.

The present system was adopted by the Government of India in 1867 principally to align the Indian financial year with that of the British government. Prior to 1867, the financial year in India used to commence on May 1 and end on April 30 of the following year.

Criticising the Finance Ministry for "hastening" the exercise of Budget presentation, the Standing Committee on Finance, chaired by Congress MP M Veerappa Moily, said "greater preparation and adequate groundwork should have been made" before preponing Budget by a month.

"The Committee would thus expect a more thorough exercise next year onwards. Keeping in view the above constraints, the Committee would suggest that the financial year may also be correspondingly shifted to calendar year and the budget date be further advanced correspondingly," it said.

It concurred with the government's decision to advance budget date to end financial business of the government before March 31 so that the respective ministries are able to spend their allocated money from the beginning of the financial year.

Ending the decades old practice of presenting Union Budget on the last working day of February, the government presented the Budget for 2017-18 on February 1.

"The Committee, however, finds that shifting the Budget by one month leads to non-availability of comparative data for almost a quarter and in the process the utilisation of funds, achievement of physical and financial targets cannot be determined," the report said.

The government had last year appointed a high-level committee to study the feasibility of shifting financial year to January 1 from the current practice of starting the fiscal from April 1. The panel submitted its report to the Finance Minister in December.

A Niti Aayog panel, headed by its member Bibek Debroy, had also reportedly favoured following the calendar year as the financial year.

A change in financial year would require amendments in various statutes and changes in tax laws during the transitional period.

The Standing Committee also highlighted “inconsistencies” in budget allocation and occurrence of wide variations between the budget estimates and actuals of various departments.

Giving instances of inconsistent budgeting and recurring occurrences of wide variation between the budget estimates, revised estimates and actuals, it said the budgetary exercise should have been done with greater due diligence.

"The Committee would once again urge that the standard rules and guidelines may be strictly applied and if required, objective parameters may be devised for this purpose so as to avoid inconsistencies and mismatch in their estimates in future and put forth realistic and need based demands," it said.

PTI

Simplification of procedure for payment of (CGEGIS) dues - Finmin Orders

Simplification of procedure for payment of (CGEGIS) dues - Finmin Orders

No.7(1)/EV/2016

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, Dated the 17th March, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Simplification of procedure for payment of Central Government Employees  Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) dues - regarding

It has been brought to the notice of this Department that in a number of cases delay occurs in payment of Ccntral Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) dues, owing to missing entries, despite the fact that a provision has made for making entries of subscription for CGEGIS, recovered from pay & allowances every year in Part- VII-C of the service book.

2. In terms of para 8.1 Of the Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme, 1980, as contained in this O.M. No. F.7(5)-EV/89 dated 15th May, 1989, which relates to Savings Fund of the Scheme, the total accumulation of savings together with interest thereon will be payable to the member on retirement or on cessation of his employment with the Central Government or to his family on his death while in service. The total accumulation under Savings Fund is provided for in terms of the applicable Table of Benefits pertaining to a particular year as prescribed under the relevant Orders issued by this Ministry from time to time.

3. The issue has been considered in consultation with Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare and Controller General of Accounts. It has been decided that in order to ease the process of payment of Savings Fund on account of CGEGIS at the time of retirement Of a Central Government employee, in all cases where the service of the retiring Central Government employee has been verified, payment of the accumulation under Savings Fund of CGEGIS be made without awaiting confirmation of deduction of each monthly subscription of CGEGIS, as service verification is carried out based on the monthly salary payment and the CGEGIS subscriptions are mandatory deductions from these payments.

4. All Ministries/ Departments are accordingly advised to ensure compliance of above instructions so that the dues of CGEGIS in respect Of Government servants retiring on attaining the age of superannuation are discharged with due promptness. Further, it may be ensured that Ministries/ Departments send their budget requirements for payments under CGEGIS to CCA (Finance) well in advance, preferably, at the time of RE/ BE so that the budget under this head is made on a realistic basis.

sd/-
(Amar Nath Singh)
Director

Authority: www.finmin.nic.in

Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme 1980 - Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017

Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme 1980 - Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017.

No.7(2)/EV/2016
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, Dated the 17th March, 2017

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme-1980 -  Tables of Benefits for the savings fund for the period from 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017.

Every year two Table of Benefits are issued by the Ministry of Finance on calendar year basis for the savings fund to the beneficiaries under Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS)- 1980. While one Table of Benefits for the savings fund of the scheme is based on a subscription of Rs.10 per month per unit from 1.1.1982 to 31.12.1989 and Rs.15 per month per unit w.e.f. 1.1.1990 onwards, the other Table of Benefits for the savings fund is based on a subscription of Rs.10 per month in respect of the employess who had opted out of the revised rates of subscription w.e.f. 1.1.1990.

2. The Table of Benefits under CGEGIS-80 are prepared by IRDA based on the rate of interest notified by DEA for samll savings including GPF. Earlier, DEA used to notify the interest rate on financial year basis. However, DEA has now shifted to notifying the interest rate on quarterly basis. In view of this, it has been decided that the Table of benefits will be issued on quarterly basis commencing from 1.1.2017 to 31.3.2017.
3. The two tables under CGEGIS-80 for the first quarter of the year 2017 i.e, 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2017, prepared by IRDA, are enclosed. The benefits in the Tables have been worked out on the basis of interest @ 8% per annum (compounded quarterly), as notified by Department of Economic Affairs.

4. While calculating the amount it has been assumed that the subscription has been recovered or will be recovered from the salary of the month in which a member ceases to be in service failing which it should be deducted from accumulated amounts payable.

5. In its application to the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Department this Office Memorandum issues in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-
(Amar Nath Singh)
Director

Authority: www.finmin.nic.in