Effect of the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 on DA

 

Dear Comrades, 

                           Parliament on 22nd September 2020 passed The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which removes cereal, pulses, oilseed, edible oil, onion and potatoes from the list of essential commodities.

Now the question before every Central Government employee how this Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, will affect us in terms of calculation of Dearness Allowance.   

What is Dearness allowance:

Dearness allowance is a cost of living adjustment allowance paid to government employees, public sector employees and pensioners and is calculated as a percentage of basic salary to mitigate the impact of inflation.

Dearness Allowance is granted to employees of the central government each year with effect from January 1 and July 1^st.  It is calculated on the basis of a rise in inflation and increase in prices of essential commodities.

The formulae for calculating dearness allowance are as under: For central government employees: DA% = ((Average of AICPI (Base Year 2001=100) for the past 12 months -115.76)/115.76)100 

What is Inflation?

Inflation is a measure of rise in the general price level or equivalently average level of prices of all the goods and services in an economy. The general price level varies inversely with the purchasing power of a unit of money, say one rupee. As such, inflation is often viewed as a reduction in the purchasing power of money. Inflation does not necessarily mean that the prices of all the goods and services in an economy rise. In an inflationary situation, the average level of prices rise with some items showing excessive rise while others may not follow suit.

Let us understand the Essential Commodities Act:  

Essential Commodities Act  was enacted way back in 1955.

It has since been used by the Government to regulate the production, supply and distribution of a whole host of commodities it declares ‘essential’ in order to make them available to consumers at fair prices.

The list of items under the Act include drugs, fertilisers, pulses and edible oils, and petroleum and petroleum products.

The Centre can include new commodities as and when the need arises, and take them off the list once the situation improves.

The Essential Commodities Act gives consumers protection against irrational spikes in prices of essential commodities.

 

What is Consumer Price Index?

Consumer Price Index or CPI as it is commonly called is an index measuring retail inflation in the economy by collecting the change in prices of most common goods and services used by consumers. Called market basket, CPI is calculated for a fixed list of items including food, housing, apparel, transportation, electronics, medical care, education, etc. Note that the price data is collected periodically, and thus, the CPI is used to calculate the inflation levels in an economy. This can be further used to compute the cost of living. This also provides insights as to how much a consumer can spend to be on par with the price change.

The CPI is calculated with reference to a base year, which is used as a benchmark. The price change pertains to that year. Remember, when you calculate the CPI, note that the price of the basket in 1 year has to be first divided by the price of the market basket of the base year. Then, it is multiplied by 100.

Consumer Price Index formula:

CPI = (Cost of basket divided by Cost of basket in the base year) multiplied by 100

A basket of goods is a constant set of general goods produced in an economy whose prices are tracked over time. The basket is used to measure inflation over time, such as with the consumer price index (CPI).

Basket, CPI is calculated for a fixed list of items including food, housing, apparel, transportation, electronics, medical care, education, etc. Note that the price data is collected periodically, and thus, the CPI is used to calculate the inflation levels in an economy.

 

   In India, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is calculated on a monthly basis by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI).

The following table provides All-India Sub-group/Group Weights of CPI (Rural), CPI(Urban) and CPI(Combined). (Base 2012=100)

	Index Base Year 2012	Rural	Urban	Combined
	GENERAL INDEX (ALL GROUPS)	100.00	100.00	100.00
	FOOD AND BEVERAGES	54.18	36.29	45.86
	Cereals and products	12.35	6.59	9.67
	Meat and Fish	4.38	2.73	3.61
	Egg	0.49	0.36	0.43
	Milk and products	7.72	5.33	6.61
	Oils and fats	4.21	2.81	3.56
	Fruits	2.88	2.90	2.89
	Vegetables	7.46	4.41	6.04
	Pulses and products	2.95	1.73	2.38
	Sugar and confectionery	1.70	0.97	1.36
	Spices	3.11	1.79	2.50
	Non-alcoholic beverages	1.37	1.13	1.26
	Prepared meals, snacks, sweets etc.	5.56	5.54	5.55
	PAN, TOBACCO AND INTOXICANTS	3.26	1.36	2.38
	CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR	7.36	5.57	6.53
	Clothing	6.32	4.72	5.58
	Footwear	1.04	0.85	0.95
HOUSING			21.67	10.07
	FUEL AND LIGHT	7.94	5.58	6.84
	MISCELLANEOUS	27.26	29.53	28.32
	Household goods and services	3.75	3.87	3.80
	Health	6.83	4.81	5.89
	Transport and communication	7.60	9.73	8.59
	Recreation and amusement	1.37	2.04	1.68
	Education	3.46	5.62	4.46
	Personal care and effects	4.25	3.47	3.89

The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which removes cereal, pulses, oilseed, edible oil, onion and potatoes from the list of essential commodities. How will it affect the Central Government employees, State Government employees,  public sector employees and pensioners

Cereals : 9.67%

Pulses : 2.38 %

Oil seeds  and edible oil: 3.56 %

Onion and potatoes : 1%

Total : 16.61 %

So total say 17% of the total weightage of items are being affected, at present, these items will be replaced with other items, the new consumer price index with weightage will be issued by the Government in due course, which may or may not yield higher consumer points, so we have to wait for some time  to assess the actual impact on the CPI and DA  .

July 2019 CPI was at 319 points

June 2020 is at 330 points

Net Increase in CPI last year : 11 points

DA as on July 2019 : 17 %

DA as July 2020 : 24 %

DA we got last year : 7%

       Net loss of DA per year due to the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is to be assessed only after the new consumer price index with weightage will be issued by the Government in due course. Always it is believed with previous experience this will have an impact on DA and it is presumed that the Government employees are always at loss due to Government policy the exact impact will be studied in due course. 

 

Published by COC Karnataka

S.Radhakrishna                          P.S.Prasad                       Vinod

President                                     Working President       General Secretary

23rd September, 2020 Programme

 To                                     

All the affiliates of COC Karnataka,                                      

Respected Comrades,        

The Central Trade Unions have decided to organize a demonstration on 23rd September, 2020 against the anti worker destructive polices of the Government of India.  

The Confederation of CG Employees  and Workers has also endorsed the same and directed us to follow the same.

Over the very many incidents that have taken place in the country, it appears that the Government has decided to take advantage of the corona Covid 19 pandemic in the country, to push through some of the objectionable policies which affects the working class in general and the Central Government employees in particular, viz.,

(a)  The dearness allowance due from 1.1.2020 to 1.07.2021 has not only been freezed but has been decided to be denied to the employees and pensioners.

(b)  The restructuring of the Banking sector reducing the presence of the PSU banks in the country

(c)  Closure of defence production establishments

(d)  Privatisation of coal mines; air ports;

(e)  Privatisation of the oldest governmental establishment of Railways; its production units and maintenance.

(f)   Direction giving unfettered powers to the bureaucracy to enforce the provisions of FR 56-J to retrench the services of senior employees;

(g)  The enlargement of NPS;

(h)  The new recruiting procedures as against the regional recruitment demanded by the employees organisations etc.

Besides all these, the Government has now chosen the two organizations  affiliated to the Confederation, i.e. NFPE and ITEF for selected attack. In both the cases, the recognition granted to these federation are sought to be withdrawn on flimsy, untenable grounds.  The ITEF apprehends that the new scheme is bound to result in large scale redundancy and consequent retrenchment or redeployment.  In the case of NFPE,  the re-recognition is stated to be possible only if they amend certain provisions of the constitution of its affiliated Associations. 

Similarly the Government had been sitting on the proposal of recognition submitted by many Unions and Federation of Central Government employees, giving room for the bureaucracy to do whatever they like in administering these Departmental organizations. Apart from the above attacks, the Government has not been responding to innumerable representations the Confederation, had been making in respect of providing treatment to the Central Government Employees who are afflicted with the deadly virus corona Covid 19,  while the private hospitals are allowed to charge exorbitantly  the government reimburses only a paltry amount to these unfortunate employees. 

It is, therefore, highly necessary that we form part of the struggle of the working people in the country against these policies.  We request all affiliates and District  Committees to take steps to ensure the maximum participation of  the members in the programme slated for 23rd September, 2020.  

All the affiliates  of COC Karnataka and District Committees may please try to reach out as many members as possible. 

The photographs may be sent by WA.

Fraternally Yours,

Sd/-

Vinod, General Secretary

Protest Photos against 56J in Karnataka

 

DA as on 1st August and CPI

 The All-India CPI-IW for July, 2020 increased by 4 points and stood at 336 (three hundred and thirty six) 

DA as on 1st August is 25.47

Consumer Price Index and DA for June, 2020

The All-India CPI-IW for June, 2020 increased by 2 points and stood at 332 (three hundred and thirty two) 

DA as on 1st July is 24.94

Com. R. Seethalakshmi, No More

Com. R. Seethalakshmi, Ex General Secretary AIPEU Postmen/MTS , ex Vice President COC Karnataka,  ex All India NFPE leader, She held various positions including  the  Society Director.  She was a fire brand women leader working for the  working class,  expired today evening.  May her soul rest in peace.

Com. R. Seethalakshmi the first woman General Secretary among all affiliated unions of NFPE, elected in 25^th All India Conference held at Cuttack (Odisha) 29^th to 31^st December 2013 succeeded by 26^th AIC held at Ujjain during Jan-2015. Her services rendered to Confederation of Central Govt. Employees,  Deputy Secretary General-NFPE, All India Women Employees Associations and various organizations in Karnataka are very much appreciable. 

As a strong follower of Com. Adi and followed his foot-steps with all loyalty, commitment and dedication and continued the same throughout the career.

Started her career as GDS (EDA), promoted as Post-women and working in Bangalore City MDG, Bg West Division, Bangalore and retired as post-women. She is familiar with 5 languages and can make oration fluently.

Even after her  retirement  she continued to work for the working class with all her cheerful appearance and smiling always remains in the hearts of many and many people all over India, particularly, in Postal department. 

The COC Karnataka remembering her valuable contribution towards the working class dips the flag in her remembrance.   

Clarification on regularization of absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period – regarding.

F.No.14029/5/2019-Estt.(L)(Pt.2)

Old JNU Campus, New Delhi 110 067

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Clarification on regularization of absence during COVID-19 epidemic lockdown period – regarding.

This Department has been receiving several references/queries from Central Government employees who proceeded on leave, with station leave permission, but could not report for duty due to non-availability of public transport / flights and restrictions on inter/intra state movement of persons as per Ministry of Home Affairs’ Orders from time to time, to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The matter has been considered and the following clarifications relating to regularization of period of absence during the period of lockdown are issued in the matter :-

S.No	Situation	Clarification
1	Government Servants who were on official tour and were unable to return to their Headquarters (HQs) due to non-availability of Public Transport	Deemed to have joined duty on the date of expiry of official tour, if intimation in any form, indicating difficulty in joining duty due to non-availability of public transport/flights, has been given by the Government servant to the office.
2	Government servants who were on leave prior to issue of lockdown orders with effect from 25.03.2020 and the leave ended during lockdown period	Deemed to have joined duty from the date of expiry of leave, if intimation in any form, indicating difficulty in joining duty due to non-availability of public transport/flights has been given by the Government servant to the office. In case of leave on medical grounds, this is subject to production of medical/fitness certificate
3	Government servants who left HQ on the week-end prior to lockdown, i.e. 20.03.2020 (Friday), but could not return to HQ on 23.03.2020(Monday) due to non-availability of transport.	Deemed to have joined on 23.03.2020, if intimation, in any form indicating difficulty in joining duty due to nonavailability of public transport/flights has been given by the Government servant to the office.
4	Government servants who were on leave prior to issue of orders on lockdown with effect from 25.03.2020 and the leave expired during the lock down but who wish to curtail the leave before expirty and join duty	Curtailment of sanctioned leave may not be agreed to, unless allowed by the leave sanctioning authority only in rare cases based on official exigency. From the date following the date of expiry of leave during the period of lockdown, the employee may be deemed to have joined duty.

2. All the Ministries/Departments and their attached/subordinate offices are directed to regulate the period of absence strictly as per above clarifications and unnecessary references to DoPT on the subject may be avoided.  

(Satyajit Mishra)

Joint Secretary to the Government of India

CLICK HERE FOR DoPT Order 

 

CGHS rates for treatment at private healthcare organizations empanelled under CGHS in view of the COVID-19 Pandemic

F No. 6-52/CGHS/GR.CELL/2020/DIR/CGHS

Government of India

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Directorate General of CGHS

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi

Dated the 10th July, 2020.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

CGHS rates for treatment at private healthcare organizations empanelled under CGHS in view of the COVID-19 Pandemic

With reference to the above mentioned subject the undersigned is directed to state that in view of the current Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic this Ministry is in receipt of representations seeking clarifications and guidelines regarding rates applicable for treatment in private healthcare organizations empanelled under CGHS. This matter has been reviewed by the Ministry and it is now decided to issue guidelines and rates for treatment / investigations at private healthcare organizations empanelled under CGHS as per the details given under

a) CGHS rates for treatment for COVID-19 in private empanelled hospitals in respect of CGHS beneficiaries in a City shall be as per the package rates prescribed by the concerned State Government. In case no such rates have been prescribed by the State Government in any CGHS City, the rates prescribed by Govt. of NCT Delhi shall be applicable, till rates are notified by the concerned State Government.

b) For non COVID related treatment in private hospitals empanelled under CGHS the Normal CGHS package rates shall be admissible CGFIS beneficiary shall undergo COV/0.19 test as per the approved rate before elective treatment procedure.

c) For treatment, .ender emergency — the patient shalt be treated in Isolation ward till the COVID-19 test results is not available and rates as per isolation ward rates for one day shall be applicable.

If the beneficiary is COVID-19 negative, he/ she shall be shifted to normal wards and normal CGHS rates will be applicable and if COVID-19 positive, he/she shall be under treatment’ in COVID ward and prescribed rates shall be applicable.

d) COVID test shall be permitted as per ICMR guidelines, and CGHS rate shall be as per the rates fixed by concerned State Government or actual, whichever may be less. If State Government has not notified such rates in any CGHS City, the rates prescribed by ICMR are applicable till rates are notified by State Government.

It is once again reiterated that all CGHS empanelled hospitals which are notified as COVID-Hospitals by State Governments shall provide treatment facilities to CGHS beneficiaries as per the CGHS norms and as per the rates prescribed above , for all COVID related treatments.

Similarly, it is again reiterated that all the CGHS empanelled hospitals, which are not notified as COVID Hospitals shall not deny treatment facilities / admission to CGHS beneficiaries and shall charge as per CGHS norms, for all other treatments. Suitable action shall be taken in case of violation of the guidelines.

CGHS empanelled healthcare organizations shall perform the treatment / test on Cashless basis in respect of pensioners. etc.. and submit the bills to CGHS through UTI-ITSL The reimbursement for the cast of expenditure on the test at approved rate shall be reimbursed by concerned Ministry / Department / Organization in respect of serving employees and beneficiaries of Autonomous Bodies.

These orders come into effect from the date of issue till further orders.

This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Division, Mot-JEW vide CD No 805 dt 10.07.2020

Source:https://cghs.gov.in/

Government employees can join rallies, freely post their opinions on social media platforms: Tripura HC

AGARTALA: Dismissing an inquiry against a retired employee of the state fisheries department, the chief justice of Tripura high court on Friday said that government employees can take part in political programmes, including meetings, and freely post their opinions on social media platforms, without attracting punitive measures under Rule 5 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules.

Justice A Kureshi said that attending a political rally would not be considered as involvement in politics and government employees should have the personal liberty to post their opinions on social media.

As a government servant the petitioner is not devoid of her right of free speech, a fundamental right which can be curtailed only by a valid law. She was entitled to hold her own beliefs and express them in the manner she desired of course subject to not crossing the borders laid down in sub-rule (4) of Rule 5 of the All India Services (Conduct) Rules.”

Com. M.S.Raja

VERY SAD NEWS.

 

Com. M.S.Raja, Ex. Secretary General, All India Audit and Accounts Association and Working President, Confederation of CGE&W, Expired on 14th July 2020 due to Heart attack in hospital at his native place at Kerala.

Com. Raja was a very dynamic leader having clear vision about working class.

He lead Audit and Accounts Association for a long time.

He was Member of Standing Committee of National Council J.C.M.

He guided the Central Government Employees movement in Karnataka , he used to frequently visit Bengaluru  and help us to organize.   

We have lost A very fine Comrade, a very good friend and very good person.

We on behalf of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers of Karnataka state , Convey its heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family members. May they get strength to bear this shock.

We dip our banner in respect of him.

RED SALUTE COM.RAJA.

         LONG LIVE COM.RAJA.

            COM.RAJA AMAR RAHE.

issued by COC Karnataka 

Protest day 3rd July Photos

Income Tax Office  Koramangala 

Income Tax Office Queens Road  Bangalore 

Postal Accounts GPO Bangalore 

Survey Of India Bangalore 

DA and CPI June 2020

The All-India Consumer Price Index-IW for May  2020 Increased by 1 points now stands  at 330 (three hundred  and thirty ).  

DA as on 1st June  2020 is  24.43%. 

Likely DA as on 1st July 2020 is  24 %.