Brief of the Meeting with Government on Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor

No.NC/JCM/2016 Dated: August 30, 2016
All Constituents of
National Council(JCM)
Dear Comrades!

Sub: Brief of the meeting held today between the Government of India and the NCJCM (Staff Side)

The Government of India has constituted a committee, under the Chairmanship of Addl. Secretary(Exp.) with J.S.(Pers.), JS(Estt.) and JS(Imp.) as members, to deal with the pending issues of our memorandum, submitted to the Empowered Committee, of which prominent are Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor.

The first meeting of the said committee with the NCJCM Staff Side was held today, i.e. 30th August, 2016, which remained almost introductory. Apart from the Official Side members, Shri M. Raghaviah, Shri M.S. Raja and I myself(from the Staff Side JCM) attended the said meeting.

We raised vehemently the issues of Minimum Wage and Multiplying Factor and made them very clear that; the VII CPC has accepted Dr. Aykroyd Formula for fixing Minimum Wage, but has not implemented the said formula in full sense, so, that is not acceptable to the Staff Side(NCJCM), therefore, Minimum Wage from Rs.18000 must be enhanced and accordingly Fitment Formula should also be changed.

It was agreed by the committee that, since we are again meeting on 1st September, 2016 with the Committee on Allowances, the next meeting of the said committee will be fixed in consultation with the Staff Side(JCM).

Thereafter, we also met the Cabinet Secretary(Government of India) and there also we shown our anguish about the inordinate delay in resolving those issues which were agreed to. The Cabinet Secretary said that, orders for the gratuity have been issued for the NPS covered employees, and orders for the PLB and arrears have also been issued. Many of the issues raised by the Staff Side(NCJCM) have been accepted and implemented and the remaining issues would also be pursued and settled.

The bonus ceiling of monthly emoluments for the central government employees ha s been increased to Rs.7000 with effect from 01-04-2014. Though it was implemented to the industrial workers from 2014-15 government had refused to extend the same to the central government employees despite strong demand by the unions. However, now, the government has issued the orders in the wake of the General Strike on 2 September, 2016 in which the central government employees also participate.

Bonus Ceiling Increase Extended to CG Staff From 1.4.2014

No.7/4/2014-E-IIIA
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Expenditure)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 29th August, 2016

Office Memorandum

Subject: Grant of Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) and non-productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc bonus) in case of Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-15 – enhancement of the calculation ceiling- Regarding.

The undersigned is directed to invite attention to this Ministry’s 0M No.7/24/2007/E-lll.A dated regarding grant of non-productivity Linked Bonus (Ad-hoc Bonus) to the Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-2015, whereby the calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of ad-hoc bonus was monthly emoluments of Rs.3500. The Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) in case of Central Government employees working under certain Ministries/Departments, where such PLB was in operation in 2014-15, was also paid by the respective Ministries/Departments for the accounting year 2014-15 based on the concurrence of this Ministry with the calculation ceiling at monthly emoluments of Rs. 3500.

2. The question of enhancement of the calculation ceiling for the purpose of payment of PLB and non-PLB (ad-hoc bonus), as the case may be, to the Central Government employees has been considered and the President is pleased to decide that the calculation ceiling of monthly emoluments for the purpose of payment of PLB and ad-hoc bonus, as the case may be, shall be revised to Rs.7000 w.e.f. 01.04.2014, i.e., for the accounting year 2014-15.

3. Accordingly, the PLB or ad-hoc bonus, as the case may be, as already paid to the eligible Central Government employees for the accounting year 2014-15 in terms of the above 0M dated 16.10.2015 pertaining to ad-hoc bonus and the respective sanctions issued by the concerned Ministries/Departments in respect of PLB under the respective schemes in operation during 2014-15 based on the specific concurrence of this Ministry, shall be re-worked out based on the calculation ceiling of monthly emoluments of Rs.7000 instead of Rs.3500.

4. While re-working out payment of PLB or ad-hoc orders, as the case may be, under these orders for the accounting year 2014-15, all the other terms and conditions under which the payment was made shall remain unchanged.

5. In respect of their application to the employees working in the Indian Audit and Accounts Departments, these orders are issued in consultation with the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

6. Hindi version of this order will follow.

sd/-
(Amar Nath Singh)

COM.C.M.N.NAMBEESAN, VETERAN LEADER AND ONE OF THE FOUNDER MEMBERS OF  NFPTE HAS PASSED AWAY ON 28-08-2016. HE WAS 94 AND THE END CAME AT KOZHIKODE AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS. HE HAS PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN ORGANISING NFPTE IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. AFTER HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE PMG OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM HE WAS SETTLED AT PAYYANNUR.

COM.V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI, ADVISOR PAID LAST RESPECTS AND ATTENDED THE FUNERAL.

AIBDPA PAYS RESPECTFUL HOMAGE TO THE DEPARTED LEADER.

A well attended Spl GB was held with observance of victory day at the aegis of AIBDPA Purulia District at Purulia Telephone Exchange on 28th August. Com L.K Bag District Secretary AIBDPA placed the welcome speech explaining the purpose of holding the meeting. Coms Narsingh Paswan and Tarapada Panda President BSNLEU and DS CMU,respectively, delivered speeches. The prime speaker Pijush Chakraborty Actg. Circle Secretary explained the efforts of the movement to achieve the 78.2% IDA and withdrawal of 60:40 condition, 2nd September strike and situation prevailing in the country and abroad. Com Ganesh Gupta Vice President presided over the meeting..

Reception Committee has been formed for the successful conduct of the 4th Circle Conference of Kerala to be held on 1,2 November, 2016 at Thrissur. The meeting of representatives of various service and pensioners organisations  held at Post & BSNL Co-Operative Society Hall, Thrissur on 29-08-2016 was inaugurated by Com.K.Radhakrishnan, Former Speaker of Kerala Legislature and District Secretary, CPI(M), Thrissur. He exposed the anti people policies of the NDA government and highlighted the alterate policies being implemented by the LDF government in Kerala through the welfare measures to the poor and needy. He also assured all the help to hold the two days confernce in Thrissur. Com.R.Aravindakshan Nair, CHQ Treasurer and Circle President presided. Com. K.G. Jayaraj, General Secretary delivered a special address covering formation of AIBDPA,its vision and growth, struggles,achievements and the importance of the Kerala Circle Conference. Com.N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary welcoming the gathering appealed for wholehearted co-operation of all the organisations to conduct the conference in a befitting manner. A host of leaders including Coms. V.Sreekumar (Confederation), K.Saharajan Nair (CGPA), V.A.Mohanan (AIPRPA), M.K.Balakrishnan (CITU), P.R.Sankaranarayanan (BSNLEU) Vijaya Devi (KSSPU) addressed and assured the co-operation.

An extensive reception committee with Com.Ajitha Jayarajan (Mayor, Thrissur Municipal Corporation) as Chair-Person, Com.S.K.Gopalan (Circle Organising Secretary) Working Chairman, Com. P.M.Gopalakrishnan (District Secretary) General Convenor and Com. C.Sadanandan (Circle Vice President) Joint General Convenor were elected unanimously.

Com.P.M.Gopalakrishnan proposed vote of thanks.

Thuthukudi District Confernce in Tamil Nadu Circle has been held in a befitting manner on 28-08-2016. Com.T.K.Sreenivasan, District Presdent controlled the proceedings. Com.S.Mohandoss, CHQ Vice President & Circle President inaugurated the conference narrating the recent developments including the achievement of 78.2& IDA, Annulment of 60:40 , implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations unilaterally by the central government, 2 September General Strike. Com.C.K.Narasimhan, Circle Secretary delivered the key note address and focussed on organisational issues. Coms.Jayamurukan, District Secretary, BSNLEU and Com, Ayyasamy, District Secretary, AIBDPA,Virudhunagar addressed the conference. Com.K.Kandasamy welcomed and Com. P.Ayya Pillai proposed vote of thanks.

Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.T. Subramonian (President), Com.P.Ramar (District Secretary) and Com, K.Ganesan (Treasurer).

The Area Convention of Mavelikara in Alappuzha was held on 27-08-2016 with good participation of pensioners to celebrate the victory of 78.2% IDA merger and annulment of 60:40 condition. Com.N.Guruprasad, Circle Secretary inaugurated with a detailed speech. Com.K.P.Kesavan Nair , District President presided. Com.P.Sasidharan, Area Secretary welcomed and Com.P.Surendran , District Secretary addressed.

Dear Comrades,

The working class in the country under the auspices of the central trade unions and independent federations are all set to launch another showdown on 2 September, 2016 against the anti-people and anti-worker policies of the central government. The demands put forward by the central trade unions are nothing new but the same for the strike conducted on 2nd September, 2015, including stringent measures to control the price rise, strict enforcement of labour laws, no disinvestment of PSUs, minimum wage of Rs.18,000 and pension for all.

The independent federations including Confederation and BSNLEU,  while endorsing the demands of the central trade unions have included their important demands also.

AIBDPA, as per its declared policy, stands committed to support this countrywide general strike as in the past.

Therefore, as intimated earlier, all AIBDPA units are requested to extend wholehearted support to the strike and also organize solidarity programs wherever possible jointly with other pensioners organisations or independently. 

The strike is going to be the biggest in the history of our country and a turning point for the working class in their onward march. So, Comrades, let us be proud to be part of this uprising of the workers and the toiling masses. The absolute victory shall be of the workers and the people.

Com. K. Vasudevan , District Secretary, Palakad has sent the report of completion of area conferences in Palakad as follows.

SHORNUR:  Area conference was held on 27-07-2016 with good participation under the presidentship of Com. K. Sivanandan. Com. K.Vasudevan, District Secretary inaugurated. Coms. P.Vasudevan, K.Venugopalan and K.Vijayakumar (BSNLEU) addressed. Office bearers were elected unanimously with Com.K.Venugopalan (President) and Com.P.K.Ramachandran (Area Secretary)

CHITTOOR: Com.K.Gangadharan presided over the area conference held on 04-08-2016. Veteran Leader and Circle Patron, Com.V.Kesavan inaugurated and Coms.K.Vasudevan, District Secretary and M.Kuppusamy (BSNLEU) addressed. Coms.K.Gangadharan and K.P.Jayaraman were elected President and Area Secretary,respectively.

OTTAPPALAM:  Com.K.Vasudevan inaugurated the conference on 10-08-2016.  Com.Com.P.K.Damodaran was in the chair. Com.K.Gopinath (BSNLEU) addressed.The newly elected office bearers are Com.E.Bhaskaran (President) and Com. K.Sankaranarayanan (Area Secretary)

ALATHUR : Com.C.Kunju presided over the conference held on 13-08-2016. Com. V.Vijayan (BSNLEU) inaugurated and Coms.K.Vasudevan, District Secretary and N. Sethumadhavan, District President addressed.Coms. C.Kunju and V.Subramonian were elected President and Secretary.

PALAKKAD : Area conference held on 17-08-2016 was inaugurated by Com.N.Radhakrishnan Nair, Secretary, Sangeetha Nataka Academy. Com. S.Shamsudeen presided and Coms. P.R.Parameswaran, District Secreatry, BSNLEU, N.Sethumadhavan and K. Vasudevan, District President and Secretary respectively addressed. Office Bearers with Com. S. Shamsudeen (President) and K. Mani (Secretary) were elected unanimously. Com.V. Visalakshy proposed vote of thanks.

MANNARKAD : Com.E.P.Unnikannan, Assistant Circle Secretary inaugurated the area conference held on 20-08-2016. Com. K. Gopalan presided and Com. K. Vasudevan, District Secretary addressed. Coms. P.P.Krishnan and K.Sivaraman were elected President and Secretary respectively.

Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market,
New De1hi-110 003, Dated the 26 August, 2016.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject : Extension of benefits of ‘Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity’ to the Central Government employees covered by new Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System) — regarding.

The undersigned is directed to say that the pension of the Government servants appointed on or after 1.1.2004 is regulated by the new Defined Contribution Pension System (known as National Pension System), notified by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) vide their OM No.5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003. Orders were issued for payment of gratuity on provisional basis in respect of employees covered under National Pension System on their retirement from Government service on invalidation or death in service, vide this Department’s OM No.38/41/2006-P&PW(A) dated 5.5.2009.

2. The issue of grant of gratuity in respect government employees covered by the National Pension System has been under consideration of the Government. It has been decided that the government employees covered by National Pension System shall eligible for benefit of ‘Retirement gratuity and Death gratuity’ on the same terms and conditions, as are applicable to employees covered by Central Civil Service (Pension) Rule,1972.
3. These orders issue with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their I.D. Note No.1(4)/EV/2006-II dated 29.07.2016.
4. In their application to the persons belonging to the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
5. These orders will be applicable to those Central Civil Government employees who joined Government service on or after 1.1.2004 and are covered by National Pension System and will take effect from the same date i.e. 1.1_2004.

sd/-
(Harjit Singh)
Director (Pension Policy)