7th Central Pay Commission Meeting with COC Karnataka

Confederation of Central Government
Employees and Workers
Karnataka State

The meeting with CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS of 7th Central Pay Commission was held at Bangalore 0n 24^th August 2014 for about 50 minutes. Overall the meeting was on positive note.

The following members of COC Karnataka participated in the meeting.

Com S. Radhakrishna President of COC Karnataka

( Representing department AG’s)

Com Juliana Vincent Vice President of COC Karnataka

(Representing department Survey of India).

Com P.S.Prasad General Secretary of COC Karnataka

(Representing department Central Ground Water Board.)

Com Vinod Joint Secretary of COC Karnataka

(Representing department Income Tax office).

Com M,Ramakrishna Joint Secretary of COC Karnataka

(Representing department RMS).

Com Dominic Vijaya Anand Finance Secretary COC Karnataka (Representing department Postal Accounts).

Com D.K.Bharathi Assistant Secretary of COC Karnataka

(Representing department Postal Admin.)

Com Muthukumar Advisor of  COC Karnataka

(Representing department Postal.)

Com C.A.Kamesharwary Asst Finance Secretary of COC Karnataka 
(Representing department IMD.)
The President Com Radhakrishna welcomed the Chairman and Members of the 7^th CPC for the meeting.

The General Secretary Com P.S.Prasad presented the power point presentation.

The interactions were held for about 50 minutes with the Pay Commission officials,

Com   Radhakrishna, Com P.S.Prasad, Com Muthukumar , Com Vinod, & Com Ramakrishna spoke effectively on various subjects.

The following items and points were presented:

Bangalore Prices:

It was brought to the notice of the commission that the cost of living is high in Bangalore compared to other metro cities in the country and the prices of all essential commodities are comparatively high in the State of Karnataka. House rent is in the range of  Rs 7000/- per month to Rs 35,000/- per month. The private school fees is from Rs 25,000/- to Rs 50,000/- per year.  Donation is also too high, the cost of local transportation is from Rs 2000/- to Rs 10,000/- per month.

(This was only informative portion on prices)

Minimum Wage:

It was brought to the notice of the commission that:

a)      Since Government is a model employer, they should provide minimum wages as per the 15 ILO conference and other wages as per the educational qualification & skill requirement of the job .

b)      Higher skill requirement due to computer usage and modernisation of equipment's. The skill requirement is higher compared to earlier days due to technology advancement.   

c)      The  higher inflation which is existing from the last eight years which is effecting the Government Employees, the money value has gone down to a large extent & there is erosion in wages.

d)      The salaries of the Government Employees are fully accounted for tax calculation, whereas in private sector allowances are not taxed.

(The commission Agreed to consider this on the lines of JCM memorandum)

It was brought to the notice of the commission that to attract higher talent to Central Government higher pay scales should be given.

(The commission was of the view that people choose their career on various aspects including wages.  Wages of Government employees cannot be compared with private sector.   It was pointed out by us that though the wages cannot be compared with private sector there is a need to keep the wages in central government that people will continue in government after joining.  Chairman assured to examine this aspect)

EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

It was brought to the notice of the commission that in respect EQUAL PAY FOR EQUAL WORK

a)      For the same post which include similar duties and responsibility, there are different pay scales/ Grade Pay existing for same nature of duties and similar recruit qualifications.

b)      Grant of Grade Pay Rs.4800 to all Supervisors cadre.

c)      The gazetted Group “B” post be  started  from Rs 5400/- GP. 

d)      LDC pay scales should be provided with Grade Pay of Rs.2400 as their minimum qualifications is 12^th std.

e)      There should not be any discrimination in the Pay scales of CSSS Cadre and Subordinate Departments since the nature of work being carried out by them is similar. Hence, disparity is to be removed.

f)        The Drivers of Subordinate offices  be placed with starting pay of Rs 2400/ GP as in Lok Sabha Secretariat.

g)      Graded structure for MTS should also be recommended as the 5^th CPC vide para no 53.13 had recommended graded structure for these MTS.

h)      Pay scales of Stores wing persons be upgraded considering their work load and level of responsibility.

i)        Provide additional increment w.e.f. 01.01.2006 to staff working in old pay scale Rs.7450-11500 as in case of Inspectors of Central Excise and Income tax departments.

(The commission positively agreed to consider this suggestion except Drivers case.)

Increment rate of 5% and Promotion policy.

It was brought to the notice of the commission that on Increment rate of 5% and Promotion policy.

a)      As the Government employee put more and more service, he will be more trained to perform his duties in a better befitting manner. Thus the Government is more beneficial as good quality of work can be expected from an experienced official.

b)      His family responsibility will increase with age.

c)      They has to educate the children in professional courses, marriage of his children has to be performed, his medical expenses will also increase.

d)      There should be adequate financial protection for him, the better rate of increment should motivate him to work more.

e)      The person joining a Central Government Service is not just for the employment is for a whole career.

f)       On promotion one shall get two additional increments subject to an minimum salary increase of Rs 3000/- per month as he will perform higher duties and responsibility's.

g)      He shall get not less than five financial up gradations in promotional hierarchy during his service to motivate him to work more.

h)      Similarly the scientist are provided to FCS and get promotions every 4 years.

(The commission positively agreed to consider this suggestion.)

Consumer Price Index & Dearness Allowance Formula.

It was brought to the notice of the commission that on Consumer Price Index & Dearness Allowance  Formula.

a)      CPI as on 1/1/2006  was 115.76 points.

b)      CPI as on 1/1/2014  was 237 points.

c)      The CPI has increased by 121 points .

d)      But the DA increased by just 100% as on 1/1/2014 from 1/1/2006.

e)      The actual DA should have been 121 % not just 100% as on Jan 2014.

f)       Actual increase in price rise is more than 200 % and DA should have been more than 200%.

g)      6 months average DA computation of Consumer Price Index should be provided to Central Government employees rather than 12 months average.

h)      Rounding off DA be done whenever it crosses fraction more than 0.50

             (The commission positively agreed to consider this  suggestion.)

Allowances:

It was brought to the notice of the commission that on Allowances

a)      All allowances such as HRA, Tour DA, CEA (tuition fees) , Cashier Allowances, etc. should be increased by four times.

b)      OTA & Night Duty to be paid on par with Railways .

c)      When ever there is an increase in Dearness Allowance, the above  allowances be also increase as in the case of Transport allowance.

                 (The commission positively agreed to consider this suggestion.)

Transport allowance:

It was brought to the notice of the commission that on Transport allowance

a)      The  field oriented organizations like CGWB, Survey Of India, GSI, IBM, IMD, etc. most of the categories remain in fields, even Postal Employees and AG's Employees  are effected.  

b)      Now the field going staff are deprived of earlier CCA and present Transport Allowance as they cannot fulfill the condition of at least one day stay in a month in head quarters.  

c)      This condition of being present at Hqrs. Office at least a day in a calendar month becoming eligible for transport Allowances should be removed.

          (The commission positively agreed to consider this suggestion.)

                Taxes:

It was brought to the notice of the commission that on taxes:

a)      The  Fifth Central Pay commission in its report vide para no105.12 has said that  Dearness allowance  be paid free of net taxes as the DA is paid for compensation against price rise. All other allowances should also be paid net of taxes which has been examined by 5th CPC in para no 167.

(The commission agreed to examine this suggestion.)

 Health Care system:

It was brought to the notice of the commission that on Health Care system

a)      More CGHS hospitals should be made available or alternatively the person should have the option to choose any of the hospitals of his choice and the bill to be passed with AIMS rates.  

b)      Existing CGHS system needs improvement.

c)      Proper ward entitlement should be made as per grades.

d)      Cash less facility for hospitalization.

e)      Autonomous  bodies shall also be included in CGHS

(The commission to examine this suggestion, but not satisfied with demand of Cash less facility for hospitalization.)

It was brought to the notice of the commission that on following issues.

Other points:

a)      Central Government Strength.

b)      Non-filling up of vacant posts has resulted in increased work load on the existing employees.

c)      Lower Spending by Central Government on its Employees.

d)      Leave / Holidays.

e)      12 days Casual Leave.

f)       Restrictions EL of  300 days to be removed.

g)      The PSU are providing reward medals after 15 years, 25 years and end of service, similarly such reward should be provided to Central Government Employees.

h)      In case of death of Government Servant during while on duties, his family members should get compassionate  appointment not considering restrictions of 5%.

i)        Education Loan should be provided.

(The commission to examine this suggestion)