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Wednesday, April 30, 2014

May Day Greetings

COC Karnataka greets all working class people a revolutionary May day.
 
May Day or International Workers’ Day or Labour Day is celebrated on 1st May 2014 all over the world.


It originated in the late 19th century when the working class was in constant struggle to gain the 8-hour work day.


In those days, the working conditions were severe and people used to work 10 to 16 hours a day in unsafe conditions.


In a proclamation printed just before May 1, 1886, one publisher appealed to working people with this plea:

More than 3 lakh workers in 13,000 businesses across US walked off their jobs on 1st May Day celebration in history. Parades, bands and 10,000 demonstrators in the streets showed their workers’ strength and unity.


More than a lakh workers continued to walk off their jobs until the next 2 days.


Over 100 years have passed since that first May Day and till date people are still struggling for justice to make better conditions for labor force. need based minimum wage and equal pay for equal work. , which is the need of the hour. This day is commemoration of the lakhs of people’s sacrifices that cannot be forgotten and that is why we still celebrate May Day or Labour Day or International Workers’ Day.

Let us pledge to celebrate May Day for better working conditions and for better wages. 


 

Monday, April 28, 2014

Clarification on increase in certain allowances

Clarification on increase in certain allowances by further 25 percent as a result of enhancement of Dearness Allowances w.e.f. 1.1.2014.

CLICK HERE

Friday, April 25, 2014

COC Meeting on 30/4/14

To
All Affiliates

COC Karnataka,

Comrade,
                  Please attend the COC meeting to be held at Income Tax Office Queens Road in ITEF room on 30/4/14 ( Wednesday )  at 6.30 pm to discuss the latest developments on 7th CPC and holding a convention  at Bangalore on 7th CPC issues to be addressed by Central Leaders.

               
Comradely yours


(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

Thursday, April 24, 2014

ABOLISHING NEW PENSION SYSTEM (NPS) - HON’BLE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS

HON’BLE MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS SH. MALIKARJUN KHARGE HAS WRITTEN A DO LETTER TO MINISTER FOR FINANCE FOR ABOLISHING NEW PENSION SYSTEM (NPS) FROM INDIAN RAILWAYS.

MINISTER FOR RAILWAYS
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
NEW DELHI
No. 2012/F(E)III/1/4-Part
29 MAR 2014
Dear Shri P. Chidambaram ji,
Through this letter, I wish to draw your attention to a long standing demand raised by both Staff Federations of Railways on National Pension Scheme (NPS) for employees of Indian Railways. The Federations have been expressing resentment over operation in the Railways of the National Pension Scheme, which is perceived as a lower social security cover for Railway employees. Their contention is that there are enough grounds for Railway employees to be treated differently from other civil employees of the Government, and that Indian Railways should operate the traditional defined benefit pension scheme available to pre-01-01-2004 appointees.

You will recall that a few organizations/categories of Government employees were specifically exempted from the purview of NPS on consideration of special, riskier and more onerous nature of duties. The Federations have been drawing parallel with of nature of duties performed by most categories of Railway employees with those in the Armed Forces. They contend that during British period, Railways was conceived and operated as an auxiliary wing of the Army. It was also realized that by virtue of its complex nature, Railways required a high level of discipline and efficiency to be able to perform its role as the prime transport mode. Railways is an operational organization required to be run round the clock through the year. Railway employees have to work in inhospitable conditions, braving extreme weather, unfriendly law and order scenario, and inherent risks associated with the Railway operations itself. As in the Armed Forces, many have to stay away from their families for long periods while performing duties in areas where adequate facilities are lacking.

I feel that there is considerable merit in the contention of the Staff Federations. Besides the critical and complex nature of duties of Railway employees, the hazards involved are also high. Despite best efforts for enhanced safety measures, a large number of Railway employees lose their lives or meet with serious injuries in the course of performance of their duties each year.

During the period 2007-08 to October 2011, the number of Railway employees killed during the course of their duty has been more than number of passengers/other members of public killed in Rail related accidents including accidents at unmanned level crossings. While the nature of duties of Railway employees is inherently high risk during peace time, they also perform functions of critical importance during war time and times of natural calamities, in moving men and materials across the country to maintain supply of essential commodities and safeguard integrity of the nation.

In my view, there are adequate grounds for the Government to consider exemption for Railway employees from the purview of NPS. The Implications of this would be that Government expenditure would reduce over the next few years through discontinuance of Government Contribution under the NPS, but the long term liabilities would increase, as financial commitments in the defined benefit pension scheme would be higher. Since Railways are required to meet the pensionary outgo from their internal resources, switchover to defined benefit pension scheme would call for a more systematic provisioning under the Pension Fund through appropriate revenue generating measures. With Rail Tariff Authority on the horizon, I believe that this would be possible.

In the light of the above, I suggest that our request for exemption from operation of the NPS be considered sympathetically and necessary approvals communicated.

A copy of each demands raised by the two Federations is enclosed.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(Mallikarjun Kharge)

Saturday, April 19, 2014

7th CPC Questionnaire



CLICK HERE FOR 7th CPC Questions

CLICK HERE FOR 6th CPC Questions



GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION

9-1 WA, NEW DELHI-110001
Meena Agarwal
Secretary

D.O No. 7CPC/15/Questionnaire

9th April, 2014 

Dear ………..,


As you may be aware the Seventh Central Pay Commissions has been constituted by the Government on 28 February 2014 with a view to go into various issues of emoluments’ structure, retirement benefits and other service conditions of Central Government employees and to make recommendations on the changes required. The terms of reference of the Seventh Central Pay Commission are available on the http://7cpc.india.gov.in . 




2. A Questionnaire seeking the considered views of all stakeholders is enclosed. The response of your Ministry to this Questionnaire is sought. I shall be grateful if the replies are furnished to the Commission on or before 10th May, 2014, so as to enable the Commission to take them into account as part of its examination of the issues that it is mandated to address. The reply may be sent to Post Box No. 4599, Hauz Khas P.O, New Delhi 110 016, and in the case of email to secy-7cpc@nic.in. 




Encl:- As above. 



With Regards, 



Yours sincerely, 



(Meena Agarwal) 

To all Secretaries to Govt of India  

 7th CPC Questionnaire  
1. Salaries 


1.1 The considerations on which the minimum salary in case of the lowest Group ‘C’ functionary and the maximum salary in case of a Secretary level officer may be determined and what should be the reasonable ratio between the two. 



1.2 What should be the considerations for determining salary for various levels of functions falling between the highest level and the lowest level functionaries? 


2. Comparisons 


2.1 Should there be any comparison/parity between pay scales and perquisites between Government and the private sector? If so, why? If not, why not? 



2.2 Should there at all be any comparison/parity between pay scales and perquisites between Government and the public sector? If so, why? If not, why not? 



2.3 The concept of variable pay has been introduced in Central Public Sector Enterprises by the Second Pay Revision Committee. In the case of the Government is there merit in introducing a variable component of pay? Can such variable pay be linked to performance? 


3. Attracting Talent 


3.1 Does the present compensation package attract suitable talent in the All India Services & Group A Services? What are your observations and suggestions in this regard? 



3.2 To what extent should government compensation be structured to attract special talent? 


4. Pay Scales 


4.1 The 6th Central Pay Commission introduced the system of Pay Bands and Grade Pay as against the system of specific pay scales attached to various posts. What has been the impact of running pay bands post implementation of 6th CPC recommendations? 


4.2 Is there any need to bring about any change? 


4.3 Did the pay bands recommended by the Sixth CPC help in arresting exodus and attract talent towards the Government? 

  

 4.4 Successive Pay Commissions have reduced the number of pay scales by merging one or two pay scales together. Is there a case for the number of pay scales/ pay band to be rationalized and if so in what manner? 



4.5 Is the “grade pay” concept working? If not, what are your alternative suggestions? 


5. Increment 


5.1 Whether the present system of annual increment on 1 st  July of every year uniformly in case of all employees has served its purpose or not? Whether any changes are required? 



5.2 What should be the reasonable quantum of annual increment? 



5.3 Whether there should be a provision of variable increments at a rate higher than the normal annual increment in case of high achievers? If so, what should be transparent and objective parameters to assess high achievement, which could be uniformly applied across Central Government? 



5.4 Under the MACP scheme three financial up-gradations are allowed on completion of 10, 20, 30 years of regular service, counted from the direct entry grade. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the scheme? Is there a perception that a scheme of this nature, in some Departments, actually incentivizes people who do not wish to take the more arduous route of qualifying departmental examinations/ or those obtaining professional degrees? 


6. Performance 


What kind of incentives would you suggest to recognize and reward good performance? 


7. Impact on other organizations 


Salary structures in the Central and State Governments are broadly similar. The recommendations of the Pay Commission are likely to lead to similar demands from employees of State Governments, municipal bodies, panchayati raj institutions & autonomous institutions. To what extent should their paying capacity be considered in devising a reasonable remuneration package for Central Govt. employees? 


8. Defence Forces 


8.1 What should be the considerations for fixing salary in case of Defence personnel and in what manner does the parity with civil services need to be evolved, keeping in view their respective job profiles?  



8.2 In what manner should the concessions and facilities, both in cash and kind, be taken into account for determining salary structure in case of Defence Forces personnel. 



8.3 As per the November 2008 orders of the Ministry of Defence, there are a total of 45 types of allowances for Personnel Below Officer Rank and 39 types of allowances for Officers. Does a case exist for rationalization/ streamlining of the current variety of allowances? 



8.4 What are the options available for addressing the increasing expenditure on defence pensions? 



8.5 As a measure of special recognition, is there a case to review the present benefits provided to war widows? 



8.6 As a measure of special recognition, is there a case to review the present benefits provided to disabled soldiers, commensurate to the nature of their disability? 


9. Allowances 


9.1 Whether the existing allowances need to be retained or rationalized in such a manner as to ensure that salary structure takes care not only of the job profile but the situational factors as well, so that the number of allowances could be at a realistic level? 



9.2 What should be the principles to determine payment of House Rent Allowance? 


10. Pension 


10.1 The retirement benefits of all Central Government employees appointed on or after 1.1.2004 a re covered by the New Pension Scheme (NPS). What has been the experience of the NPS in the last decade? 



10.2 As far as pre-1.1.2004 appointees are concerned, what should be the principles that govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits? 



11. Strengthening the public governance system 



11.1 The 6th CPC recommended upgrading the skills of the Group D employees and placing them in Group C over a period of time. What has been the experience in this regard? 



11.2 In what way can Central Government organizations functioning be improved to make them more efficient, accountable and responsible? Please give specific suggestions with respect to: 



 a) Rationalisation of staff strength and more productive deployment of available staff;   



b) Rationalisation of processes and reduction of paper work; and c) Economy in expenditure. 


12. Training/ building competence 


12.1 How would you interpret the concept of “competency based framework”? 



12.2 One of the terms of reference suggests that the Commission recommend appropriate training and capacity building through a competency based framework. 



a) Is the present level of training at various stages of a person's career considered adequate? Are there gaps that need to be filled, and if so, where? 

b) Should it be made compulsory that each civil service officer should in his career span acquire a professional qualification? If so, can the nature of the study, time intervals and the Institution(s) whose qualification are acceptable, all be stipulated? 

c) What other indicators can best measure training and capacity building for personnel in your organization? Please suggest ways through which capacity building can be further strengthened? 


13. Outsourcing 


13.1 What has been the experience of outsourcing at various levels of Government and is there a case for streamlining it? 



13.2 Is there a clear identification of jobs that can be outsourced? 


14. Regulatory Bodies 


14.1 Kindly list out the Regulators set up unde r Acts of Parliament, related to your Ministry/ Department. The total number of personnel on rolls (Chairperson and members + support personnel) may be indicated. 



14.2 Regulators that may not qualify in terms of being set up under Acts of Parliament but perform regulatory functions may also be listed. The scale of pay for Chairperson /Members and other personnel of such bodies may be indicated. 



14.3 Across the Government there are a host of Regulatory bodies set up for various purposes. What are your suggestions regarding emoluments structure for Regulatory bodies? 


15. Payment of Bonus 


One of the terms of reference of the 7th Pay Commission is to examine the existing schemes of payment of bonus. What are your suggestions and observations in this regard? 

Source: http://7cpc.india.gov.in/7cpc_questionnaire.pdf

Friday, April 18, 2014

CAG can audit even private companies.

The Supreme Court on Thursday held that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) was empowered to examine the accounts of even private companies if they dealt with natural resources, in a judgement that will have far-reaching consequences. 

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS 

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Child Care Leave

Govt woman employee can get uninterrupted two-year leave for child care: SC

CLICK HERE

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

WPI inflation hits 3-month high of 5.7% in March


Snapping the declining trend, the inflation rose to a three month high of 5.7 per cent in March mainly due to spurt in prices of food items like potato, onion and fruits.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

GOVT PRESS RELEASE

25% INCREASE IN ALLOWANCES

25% INCREASE IN ALLOWANCES WHENEVER DA GOES UP BY 50% – WHETHER SEPARATE ORDERS NEEDED ?



As per the recommendations of Sixth Pay Commission Report, Government included a clause while granting / revising certain allowances such as Children Education Allowance, Traveling Allowance, Conveyance Allowance, Cash handling allowance, Risk Allowance, Bad Climate Allowance, Hill Area Allowance, Remote Locality Allowance, Tribal Area Allowances etc to the etc that whenever Dearness Allowance applicable to Central Government employees goes up by 50%, these allowances would be automatically increased by 25%.

We are getting repeated queries from many  whether any separate orders will be issued by Government for increasing Allowance by 25% which are linked with increase in DA, since Dearness Allowance has gone up by 50% for the second time now. We are of the opinion that there is no need for Separate orders for increasing these Allowances by 25% as Office Memorandums / Orders relating to these Allowances have the clause “whenever Dearness Allowance applicable to Central Government employees  goes up by 50%, these allowances would be automatically increased by 25%”.


 DOPT  OM No. 12011/03/ 2008- Estt.(AL) dated 2.9.2008 clearly indicates that the enhancement of Dearness Allowances beyond 50% limits "would be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%".
CLICK HERE FOR DOPT ORDERS -1.
 ORDER -2

ORDER TA/DA Rates

The following Table provides the quantum of increase in Allowances linked with increase in DA



 Name of the Allowances &
Advances
 Original Allowance as per 6CPC Existing amount of
Allowance after DA
 increases by 50% 
Revised Allowances per month if DA increases by 100% 
 Children Education Allowance  Rs 1000  Rs 1250  Rs 1500
 Hostel Subsidy Allowance  Rs 3000 Rs 3750  Rs 4500
 Special Compensatory
Hill Area Allowance
 Rs 600/480  Rs 750/600  Rs 900/720
 Special Compensatory
Scheduled / Tribal Area Allowance
 Rs.400 /Rs.240  Rs.500 / Rs.300  Rs. 600 / 450
 Project Allowance  Rs.1,500 / Rs.1,000  Rs.1,875 /Rs.1,250  Rs. 2250 / 1500
 Speical Compensatory (Remote Locality)Allowance   Rs.2,600 /Rs.2,100 /Rs.1,500 /Rs.400  Rs. 3,250 /Rs.2,625 /Rs.1,875 / Rs.500  Rs. 3900 / 3150 / 2250 / 600
 Cycle Maintenance Allowance  Rs.60 (Per month)  Rs.75 (Per month)  Rs.90
 Mileage for road journey/all
 components of daily allowance on tour/reimbursement for transfer
 of personal effects
 Rs.500 / Rs.300 / Rs.200 / Rs.150 / Rs.100  Rs.625 / Rs.375 / Rs.250 / Rs.190 / Rs.125 (TA for personal effects-Rs.22.50 per km / Rs. 11.25 per km / Rs.6.90 per km)  Rs.555 / 450 / 300 / 225 / 150(TA for personal Effects – Rs. 27 per km / 13.50 per km / 6.90 per km)
 Rates of Fixed Conveyance Allowance under SR-25 (Motor Car)  Rs.1,120 / Rs.1,680 / Rs.2,070 / Rs.2,430 / Rs.3,000  Rs.1,400 / Rs.2,100 / Rs.2,590 / Rs.3,040 / Rs.3,750  Rs.1680 / 2520 / 3105 / 3645 / 4500

Rates of Fixed Conveyance
Allowance under SR-25 (Other modes) 
Rs.370 / Rs.480 / Rs.640 / Rs.750 / Rs.850  Rs. 470 / Rs.600 / Rs.800 / Rs.940 / Rs.1,070  Rs.1,070 Rs.555 / 720 / 960 / 1125 / 1275
 Washing Allowance  Rs.60  Rs.75  Rs.90
 Split Duty Allowance  Rs 200  Rs 250  Rs 300
 Spl. Allowance for Child Care
 for Women with Disabilities
and Education Allowance for disabled children
 Rs.1,000 per month  Rs.1,250 per month  Rs.1500
 Cash Handling Allowance  Rs.600 / Rs.500 / Rs.400 / Rs.300 / Rs.150  Rs.750 / Rs.625 / Rs.500 / Rs.375 / Rs.190  Rs.900 / 750 / 600 / 450 / 225
 Risk Allowance  OPT 21012/1/2008-Estt.(Allowance)  12.3.2009  To be announced
 Postgraduate Allowance  Rs.1,000 / Rs.600  Rs.1,250 / Rs.750  Rs. 1500 / 900
 Desk Allowance  Rs.600  Rs.750  Rs.900
 Bad Climate Allowance  Rs.400 / Rs.240  Rs.500 / Rs.300  Rs.600 / 360
 Advances for purchase of Bicycle
 Rs.3,000  Rs.3,750  Rs.4500
 Advances for purchase of
Warm clothing
 Rs.3,000  Rs.3,750  Rs.4500
 Festival Advance  Rs.3,000  Rs.3,750  Rs.4500
 Natural Calamity Advance  Rs.3,000  Rs.3,750  Rs.4500

Thursday, April 10, 2014

HOLIDAY ON APRIL 17TH

DOPT ORDERS on Holiday for Lok Sabha polls CLICK HERE


The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Karnataka, has declared a general holiday on April 17 in view of the Lok Sabha elections. The declaration comes under the Negotiable Instruments Act and the Representation of the People Act.

The holiday is applicable to all the Central and State government offices, Central and State government undertakings, government and private educational institutions (aided and unaided), industrial establishments and others.

The CEO also ordered all business, trade and industrial establishments to grant a paid holiday to their employees on that day, for both permanent and also those on daily wages, to enable them to exercise their franchise.

Source : Hindu Paper CLICK HERE

Monday, April 7, 2014

ELECTION DUTY PROBLEMS


COC KARNATAKA TAKES UP CASE WOMEN EMPLOYEES & MEN EMPLOYEES  WELFARE DURING ELECTION PROCESS  WITH
 CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSION ON THESE ISSUES

CLICK HERE FOR HINDU PAPER REPORT

National Convention Outcome

Circular No: 15  

National Convention of Central Government Employees  held at Nagpur on 4th April 2014.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Thursday, April 3, 2014

7th CPC Office and Staff

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

SEVENTH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION

NEW DELHI – 110001

Camp Office : Room No.169-B

North Block, New Delhi

7th CPC requires Central Staff on Deputation Basis


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Expected DA from July 2014 - AICPIN for the month of Feb 2014


 Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers) for February 2014 is increased by one point and pegged at 238.

DA as on Feb 2014 is 102.79

CLICK HERE FOR CPI