Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Confederation Circular dated 24-11-2016

CHALO DELHI – CHALO PARLIAMENT
MAKE THE 15TH DECEMBER 2016 PARLIAMENT MARCH
 A HISTORIC SUCCESS
20000 CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES WILL MARCH TO PARLIAMENT
To
1.      All National Secretariat Members (office bearers)
2.      Chief Executives of all affiliated organisations
3.      General Secretaries of all C-O-Cs.
Dear Comrades,
Please refer to the previous circulars on the above subject. Reports so far received at CHQ shows that all affiliates and C-O-Cs are making intensive preparations for the Parliament March to ensure participation of employees as per the quota fixed by the National Secretariat meeting held on 30.09.2016.
AFFILIATES & C-O-CS IN DELHI AND NEAR BY STATES SHOULD ENSURE PARTICIAPTION OF HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES.
All affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar etc. are requested to mobilise hundreds and thousands of employees for the Parliament March. 
CONDUCT CAMPAIGN PROGRAMMES
Please conduct serious campaign programmes. Print notices, posters, circulars etc. and circulate widely among employees and public. Book special conveyance. Bring maximum flags, banners and Placards. Convene your organization’s managing bodies and make effective planning for bringing maximum employees to Delhi. 
ACCOMMODATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
The national Secretariat has decided that the accommodation for the participants from major organisations is to be arranged by the respective organization. For others, if accommodation is required, they are requested to contact the following CHQ office bearers (office bearers of Delhi COC).
1.      Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee                                                    2. Com. Giriraj Singh
General Secretary, COC Delhi State                                               President, COC Delhi State     
& Financial Secretary, Confederation CHQ                     & Vice President Confederation CHQ
Mob: 09868520926                                                                             Mob: 09811213808
CLIMATE
Climate in Delhi in December will be cold (Sometimes severe cold). Participants may bring warm clothings.
FLAGS, BANNERS & PLACARDS
Participants are requested to bring flags, placards with slogans and banners in large number.
PUBLICITY IN LOCAL MEDIA
Maximum effort may be made to give wide publicity for the Parliament March through local print & electronic media, social media etc.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE MEETINGS OF CONFEDERATION
National Executive Meeting of the Confederation will be held on 16th December 2016 (next day of the Parliament March) at New Delhi at 10 AM. Venue: MP’s Club, OPP. NFPE office, North Avenue, New Delhi. All National Secretariat members, Chief Executives of all affiliated organisations (with minimum 500 membership) and General Secretaries of C-O-Cs are requested to attend the meeting without fail. Meeting will continue upto 5 PM. Please book your travel tickets accordingly.
1ST MEETING OF THE NEWLY ELECTED WOMEN’S COMMITTEE OF CONFEDERATION
1st Meeting of the newly elected Women’s Committee of the Confederation will be held on 15.12.2016 (Day of Parliament March) at 4 PM at New Delhi. Venue: NFPE office, 1st Floor, North Avenue Post office building. All affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs are requested to ensure participation of the women committee members nominated by them in the meeting on 15.12.2016 at 4 PM. 
Fraternally yours,
 (M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
mkrishnan6854@gmail.com 
Mob: 09447068125

AIPAEA NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING NOTIFICATION

Wednesday, November 16, 2016 AIPAEA CHQ REQUESTS THE SECRETARY POSTS TO SETTLE THE LONG PENDING ISSUE OF REVIEW OF MARKS OF AAO EXAM 2012 FOR SC/ST CANDIDATES

All India Postal Accounts Employees Association
Central Headquarter
(Affiliated to National Federation of Postal Employees)
13-B, New Mahavir Nagar, DAO Flat, New Delhi – 110018
AIPAEA/CHQ/16                                                                                 Dated: 16-11-2016
To
Sri. B.V. Sudhakar,
Secretary, Department of Posts &
Chairperson, Postal Services Board,
New Delhi.
Sub:- Review of JAO (P) Part-II examinations held in December 2012 –  Agenda item
           in the Departmental Council (JCM) - Request – Reg.
Ref:-   1. All India Postal Accounts Employees Association letter dated 28-03-2016.
           2. AIPAEA letter dated 29-06-2016 and letter dated 16-09-2016.
           3.PA Wing notificationF.No.3-24/10-PACE/Exam (DE)/2111to2210 Dt.11-09-12.
Respected Sir,
I would like to bring it to your kind attention the anxiety of the SC/ST employees who have appeared the Special Limited Departmental Competitive Examination for promotion to the cadre of AAO for the year 2012 as notified vide the letter under reference number 3 and pinned their hopes on your benign self for favourable settlement of this long pending issue of review of the results of the above said exam.
The following facts may kindly be appreciated and cause orders to undertake the review as a one-time measure by relaxing the provisions to help the SC/ST employees.
1.     The Eligibility criteria to write the above examination are “as per the Recruitment Rules notified in the Official Gazette on 11.01.2002”.
2.     The said examination was held to fill up the “90% of the vacancies in the JAO (now AAO) cadre” then existing.
3.     The Competent authority has ordered to hold the above said examination to all categories of the officials who had qualified in the JAO Part-I (Postal) Examination and are eligible to “appear for the above examination as a onetime measure. “
4.     139 SC and 80 ST posts in JAO cadre were lying vacant on 01-09-2012 and at present there is a huge number of back-log vacancies piled up due to non-holding of examination to fill up these vacancies for years together.
5.     It is learnt that in the recent past the Parliamentary Committee also expressed its unhappiness over the large number of unfilled SC/ST vacancies in AAO cadre.
6.      There is a huge shortage of supervisory staff i.e. AAOs in Postal Accounts and everywhere the work is being carried on by making ad-hoc arrangement to man these posts.
7.     By under taking the review of the results of the above said examination for SC/ST candidates who have already passed the JAO Part-I exam the shortage can be stemmed.
8.     The SC/ST employees who are qualified in JAO Part-I and appeared in the above-notified exam are stagnating for more than two decades in spite of the availability of the large number of SC/ST vacancies and all are inching towards superannuation.
Under above circumstances I earnestly request you to kindly cause action to grant one time relaxation of provisions and review the results of the SC/ST employees who wrote the above said examination, so that the interests of the Department as well as the SC/ST employees will be served.
With Regards,
Yours faithfully,
 SD/-,
(S.B.Yadav)
General Secretary

CHQ DEMANDS REVALUATION OF TYPE-TEST PAPER FOR THE MTS TO LDC PROMOTION

All India Postal Accounts Employees Association
Central Headquarter
(Affiliated to National Federation of Postal Employees)
13-B, New Mahavir Nagar, DAO Flat, New Delhi – 110018
AIPAEA/CHQ/16                                                                                 Dated: 16-11-2016
To
Sri. B.V. Sudhakar,
Secretary, Department of Posts &
Chairperson, Postal Services Board,
New Delhi.
Sub:- Wrong setting of Type-test paper for the Departmental exam for promotion to
           LDC in  PAOs for MTS qualified in 12th class or equalent  held in the month of
           August 2016 – Reg.
Ref:- This Association letter dated 15-09-2016.
Respected Sir,
This Association vide the letter dated 15-09-16 has brought to the notice of the authorities concerned that a serious lapse has taken place in setting the question paper for Type-test for the above stated exam for promotion to LDCs in PAOs. Unfortunately, no serious action has been taken to address this issue. Now the results of the above said exam wherever declared (PAOs like Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna ), all the candidates failed only in Type test paper.
The paper was set for 669 words against the stipulated 525 words. This led to confusion, tension and the candidates in order to finish the paper within 15 minutes hurried and committed more mistakes. Because of the wrong setting of paper the careers of the officials are at stake. The hopes of the candidates to get promotion immediately were dashed to ground.
I request you to kindly cause immediate order to review and re-declare the results by taking the excess-set words as permissable mistakes. I also request you to kindly order to promote all those candidates who have passed in all papers except in Type test, wherever vacancies exist as per the DOP (PA Wing) order No. 48-1/87-PACE/686 to 719 dated 24-06-1993, pending review of the Type Test results.
Regards,
Yours faithfully,
 Sd/-.
(S.B.YADAV)
General Secretary
Copy to:

Sri. Manish Sinha, DDG(PAF) for information and necessary action.

IMPACT OF NFPE'S LETTER NO. PF-66/2016 DATED 12.11.2016.

AIPAEA ADDRESSED A LETTER ON 7TH CPC ANOMALIES AND COPY IS GIVEN TO CONFEDERATION AND NFPE TO TAKE UP THE ISSUE AT HIGHER LEVEL

All India Postal Accounts Employees Association
Central Headquarter
(Affiliated to National Federation of Postal Employees)
13-B, New Mahavir Nagar, DAO Flat, New Delhi – 110018
No. AIPAEA/CHQ/ 16                                                                          Dated 13.11.2016
To,                                                                                                                                         
Shri Manish Sinha,
Dy. Director General (PAF)
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi 110001
           
Subject: - 7CPC Anomalies & related Issues in Postal Accounts Offices.   
Respected Sir,
I would like to bring to your kind notice the following issues related to the implementation of the 7th CPC recommendations in Postal Accounts Organization. These anomalies/discrepancies have to be addressed to redress the grievances of the Postal Accounts employees. Hence, it is requested to take up these issues with the authorities concerned at appropriate level for their immediate attention and solution.
1.    Restore the Pay relativities: Due to grant of higher Level of Pay by the 7th CPC to IPO/ASPO/SPO, the historical pay relativities maintained in the Department of Posts till 6th CPC were disturbed to the disadvantage of the Postal Accounts Cadres. The following points clearly bring out the injustice.
                       I.         Sr. Accountants and IPOs: 
·      In IV CPC, the Sr. Accountants were in 1400-2600 whereas IPOs were in 1400-2300.
·      In V CPC, the Sr. Accountants were in 5500-9000 and IPOs were also in 5500-9000
·      In VI CPC, the Sr. Accountants were in PB-2 with GP of 4200 and IPOs were also in PB-2 with GP of 4200
·      Now in VII CPC Sr. Accountants are placed in Level 6 (corresponding to GP 4200) whereas IPOs are placed in higher Level 7 corresponding to GP 4600;
 Therefore, the Sr. Accountant cadre should be granted Level 7 (corresponding to GP 4600) on par with the IPOs to maintain the relativity among the Accounts and Executive cadres.
II. AAOs and ASPOs / SPOs:
·      In IV CPC, the AAOs were in 2000-3200 whereas ASPOs and SPOs were in 2000-3200 and 2000-3500.
·      In IV CPC, the AOs and Sr.AOs were 2375-3500 and 2200-4000
·      In V CPC, the AAOs were in 7450-11500 whereas ASPOs and SPOs were in 6500-10500 and 7500-12000
·      In V CPC, the AOs and Sr.AOs were 7500-12000 and 8000-13500
·      In VI CPC, the AAOs were in PB-2 with GP of 4800 whereas ASPOs and SPOs were in PB-2 with GP of 4600 and 4800 (up to 4 years)
·      In VI CPC, the AOs and Sr.AOs were PB-2 with GP 5400 and PB-3 with GP of 5400
·      But in VII CPC, IPOs are given Level 7 (corresponding to GP of 4600) higher than Sr. Accountants. ASPOs are given Level 8 equating with AAOs. SPOs / SRMs are given directly Level 9 equating with AOs from the initial stage.
This will adversely undermine the authority of these cadres vested with audit functions in the Department of Posts.
Therefore, we demand to maintain the relativity among the Accounts and Executive cadres.
1.    Level 6 (corresponding to GP 4200) for JA
2.    Level 7 (corresponding to GP 4600) for SA equating with IPOs
3.    Level 9 (corresponding to GP 5400) for AAO
4.    Level 10 (corresponding to GP 6600) for AO
5.    Level 11 (corresponding to GP 7600) for Sr.AO
2. Rectify the anomalies in Pay Matrix: The Pay Matrix itself is full of anomalies.
If the pay is fixed as per the Matrix Table in respect of officials belong to two different grades i.e. one is higher grade and the other is in lower grade and both having same basic pay – the pay of official in higher grade is fixed at lower stage and the pay of official in lower grade is fixed at higher stage which is quite unnatural and unjustified.  The following illustration proves this point:
S.No     Pay               GP      Total             Factor           Level                      Pay (Matrix)
1         22900           5400             28300           72731                9                   73400
2         22860           5400             28260           72628                9                   73400
3         23660           4600             28260           72628                7                   74300
4         23670           4800             28470           73168                8                   74300
The above table is depicting the pay fixation as per the Pay Matrix.  It is seen that a senior official in higher grade i.e. in GP 5400 with higher Basic Pay is being fixed at a lower stage when compared to the  pay of the junior person who is in lower grade with GP of Rs.4800 / Rs.4600/- and with lesser Basic Pay. Many such instances have come to the notice of this Association.  This has to be rectified by allowing next higher stage to the senior officials who is in higher grade or by amending the Pay Matrix suitably. 
3. The Pay Matrix restricts the benefit on promotion: The construction of the Matrix is done in such a way that on promotion in most of the cases the fixation falls in the same stage. Thus, the benefit on promotion works out to be mere one increment i.e. 3%.  The Staff Side demanded two increments (of 5%) in the feeder cadre.  If, minimum benefit of 2 increments is not ensured on promotion, that will act as disincentive to the employees for accepting the promotion. Hence, in case of promotion, two increments should be allowed in the lower scale and pay should be fixed at the promotion level, i.e. one notional increment and stage next above in the higher scale and not the same stage even if it is available.
4.INCREMENT: Para 5.1.21 of the report says the matrix is prepared allowing increment @ 3%. In some cases it is observed that the subsequent stages are worked out to less than the 3%, in such situation next higher stage should be allowed. (However the demand must be at least for 5%). Further,
a) The increment should be rounded to next Rs 100/- (not nearest).
b) The option to elect the DNI (1st January or 1st July) should be allowed to all existing employees in addition to those who got promotion/MACP or appointed during the periods i.e. between 01-01-2016 to 25-07-2016  as mentioned in the PARA, as ONE TIME BENEFIT. Here also it was not mentioned the stage to be fixed from the date of option to date of next increment, if opted to next increment in the lower post.
5. Option under FR 22(I)(a)(1): There is an ambiguity in application of this rule for any official who got promotion should be allowed to exercise the option, to have his pay fixed in higher scale on the date of promotion or on the date of next increment in revised pay structure.
6. BENCH MARK: Benchmark system should be removed in MACP up-gradations as it is financial up-gradation and not a promotion involving higher responsibilities.
7.REGULAR PROMOTION AFTER MACP: After MACP, employee gets his/her regular promotion pay should be fixed in accordance with Rule 13 of RP Rule 2016.
8. MACP should be in the promotional hierarchy instead of level hierarchy (Grade Pay hierarchy).
9. Air Travel Facility should be allowed to all the GR- B Officials.
10. Merge the Levels: In the pay matrix, there are similar pay stages at various Levels, such as Level 2&3, Level 7&8 etc, and resulting nominal/no benefit in case of promotion. At these Levels the rate of increment works out even less than 3%, Hence, such Levels where the stages are same should be merged.
11.While promoting the Sr. Accountants drawing GP of 5400 (under MACP) to the AAO Post which is carrying higher responsibility, the pay of such officials should be given the benefit of fixation under FR 22 as it is already enforced in the case of Level 6,7 and 8.
12. Option to switch over to 7th CPC may be kept open till one month after finalization of Allowances. Till such time, all are to be allowed to revise their options, if it is beneficiary to them, if already exercised.
                                   
With Regards,
(S. B. Yadav)
General Secretary

CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF GROUP 'C' EMPLOYEES IN DEPARTMENT OF POSTS - CLARIFICATION - REG

DEATH CLAIMS TO BE PROCESSED WITHIN 07 DAYS AND RETIREMENT CLAIMS TO BE SETTLED ON THE DAY OF RETIREMENT (Ministry of Labour & employment 18.11.2016)
PAYMENT OF STATUTORY CONTRIBUTIONS
HENCEFORTH ONLY THROUGH INTERNET BANKING

            The Prime Minister of India during the PRAGATI review meeting held on 26th October desired that claims related to death cases be prioritized and expedited and retirement claims may be settled on the day of retirement. In accordance, the processes have been reviewed and instructions have been issued to field offices to settle death claims within a period of 07 days from the date of receipt of proposal and retirement claims on the day of retirement. The officials in the facilitation centre of field offices have been instructed to scrutinize the claims and guide the claimant regarding submission of required documents in appropriate shape. An official has been posted in the facilitation centers of EPFO this category of claims.

            Employers are now increasingly using internet banking to deposit statutory EPF dues since EPFO made it mandatory to use internet banking as the mode of receipt of EPF dues. 96.03% contributions in October 2016 were received online.

            In an important judgment delivered by the High Court of Madras in the matter of writ petition filed by Builders Association of India, Madurai, the High Court dismissed the petition praying non enforcement of EPF & MP Act, 1952 every employee employed in or in connection with the work or that factory or establishment, other than an excluded employee, who has not become a member already shall also be entitled and required to become a member of the Fund from the date of joining the factory or establishment.

            To expand the reach of convenience offered to EPF members, EPFO has joined the network of Common Services Centers (CSC). A Memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between EPFO and CSC e-Governance Services India Limited (CSC SPV) on 25th October 2016. The MoU is initially for a period of five years. Every year on 14st November, pensioners were required to submit their life certificates. From this year onward, pensioners can submit digital life certificates via Jeevan Pramaan Patra programme through a large number of points of Presence (PoP) of CSC network in addition to those available at EPFO offices. The pensioners living in remote areas can avoid cost and inconvenience of travelling down to the EPF offices or their banks for filing paper based life certificate through this arrangement.
AT/AK
(Release ID :153777) 18.11.2016


*********************

ABOLITION OF OVERTIME ALLOWANCE IN 7TH PAY COMMISSION: FIN MIN'S STATEMENT IN LOK SABHA.

 

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 492
ANSWERED ON: 18.11.2016
Abolition of Overtime Allowance
G. HARI
Will the Minister of
FINANCE be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the expenditure on overtime allowance provided to Government employees had increased from Rs.797 crore to Rs.1629 crore during 2012-13 and if so, the details thereof; and
(b) whether the Government is considering to abolish overtime allowance in Government offices and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE (EXPENDITURE)
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a) Yes Sir. The expenditure of Rs.796.90 crore in 2006-07 was excluding the expenditure on overtime allowance in respect of employees of Union Territories whereas the expenditure of Rs. 1629.02 crore during year 2012-13 is including the expenditure in respect of employees of Union Territories. 
(b) The Seventh Central Pay Commission has recommended to abolish OTA (except for operational staff and industrial employees who are governed by statutory provisions) and in case the Government decides to continue with OTA for those categories of staff for which it is not a statutory requirement, then the rates of OTA for such staff should be increased by 50 percent from their current levels. Recommendation of the 7th CPC on allowances are yet to be finalised
*********************
INTEREST RATE ON THE LONG TERM SAVING DEPOSITS IN POST OFFICES (Finance Ministry)

            Interest rates on bank deposits are not uniform and vary from bank to bank. Hence, a one-on-one comparison of interest rates may not be possible.

            The interest rates on term deposits are deregulated and they are determined by the banks themselves as per their Board approved policies. In contrast interest rates on Small Savings Schemes are administered interest rates linked to G-Sec rate of comparable maturity.

            The percentage of savings in the savings schemes in Post Office as on 31.03.2016 is 14.84% of the deposits in the savings schemes of PSBs.

            The Government has taken various steps to popularise all the existing schemes by carrying out publicity through print and electronic/Audio Visual media on an all India basis. Jan Dhan Yojana is a scheme of the Government to encourage deposits in banks and promote savings.

            This was stated by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

PIBDSM/KA (Release ID :153841)   (18.11.206)
*********************
SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION ALLOWANCES TO GOVT EMPLOYEES: OFFICIAL ANSWER IN LOK SABHA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO: 57
ANSWERED ON:  18.11.2016
ALLOWANCES TO GOVT. EMPLOYEES
VIJAY KUMAR S.R.

SUDHEER GUPTA

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government has deferred the Seventh Pay Commission’s recommendations on various allowances, perks and perquisites and referred the matter to a Committee;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the terms of reference and aims and objectives of this move;

(c) whether the Committee has submitted its report to the Government and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the delay; and

(d) the timeframe drawn for the Committee to submit its report to the Government and the date from which the allowances including house rent, education and transport allowances are likely to be made effective?

ANSWER
FINANCE MINISTER (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

A Statement is laid on the Table of the House

            Statement Annexed with the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 57 for 18.11.2016 by Shri S. R. Vijayakumar and Shri Sudheer Gupta on Allowances to Government Employees

(a) & (b): In view of the number of representations received with regard to substantial changes with the existing provisions relating to Allowances recommended by the 7th Central Pay Commission, the Government has set up a Committee to examine the recommendations of the Commission on allowances (except Dearness Allowance). The Committee has been asked to go into the recommendations of the Commission on various allowances and, having regard to the representations made by the staff associations as also the suggestions of the concerned Ministries/Departments and to make recommendations as to whether any changes in the recommendations of the Commission are warranted and, if so, in what form. Till a final decision is taken by the Government based on the recommendations of this Committee, all allowances (except Dearness Allowance) will continue to be paid at existing rates in the existing pay structure. The Committee, constituted vide order dated 22.7.2016, is to submit its report within four months.

(c) & (d): The Committee has been interacting with various stake-holders to discuss their demands and has so far held discussions with National Council (Staff Side), Joint Consultative Machinery, representatives from staff associations and officials from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Home Affairs and Department of Posts. The Committee may also interact with the representatives of some other major Ministries/Departments and stakeholders with whom consultations are yet to be held before finalizing its Report. On submission of the Report, the matter pertaining to allowances will be considered by the Government and appropriate decision will be taken thereafter.