Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2014 – Birthday of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar.

F. No.12/4/2014-JCA-2

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 12th March, 2014.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2014 – Birthday of Dr.B.R. Ambedkar.

It has been decided to declare Monday, the 14th April 2014, as a Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India.

2. The above holiday is also being notified in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881).

3. All Ministries/Departments of Government of India may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned.

Sd/-

(Ashok Kumar)

Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/12_4_2014-JCA-2-12032014.pdf

Central govt. may raise age of retirement from 60 to 62

The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) is likely to take a major decision of increasing the retirement age of Central government employees by two years, from 60 to 62 this week. This would be applicable from March 1.

It would be one of the major decisions to be taken by the Cabinet before the model code of conduct for the general elections kicks in. In the Thursday meeting, the Cabinet is also likely to recommend dates for the elections. These could be notified on March 5.

"The government may clear the increase in age this week," said a source. It is likely to be a part of the terms of reference of the Seventh Pay Commission, expected to file its report in 2017. The panel, however, can recommend an interim relief through the move.

The increase in retirement age would be happening after 15 years. In 1998, it was increased to 60 from 58 following implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission. Experts said it would defer payment of retirement benefits. However, sources confirmed this would not be applicable for employees retiring on February 28.

The cabinet is expected to discuss a proposal to increase the dearness allowance by 10 per cent from January 1, to make it 100 per cent and merge 50 per cent of the increased dearness allowance with basic pay. The terms and conditions of the panel include a proposal to merge 50 per cent of dearness allowance with basic pay.

The move to increase the retirement age may pressure the states to follow. The department of personnel and training was working on the proposal for quite some time. The Budget estimate on the pension outgo for 2014-15 is Rs 80,982 crore, 0.6 per cent of the gross domestic product.

Source:http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/centre-may-raise-age-of-retirement-by-2-years-to-62-114022600007_1.html

Postponement of proposed indefinite strike by Defence Employees Federations…

ALL INDIA DEFENCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION 

INDIAN NATIONAL DEFENCE WORKERS FEDERATION 

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH

Ref:01/AIDEF/INDWF/BPMS/14

Date: 12/02/2014 

Camp: New Delhi

To
The Defence Secretary,
Ministry of Defence,
South Block, New Delhi.

Sub: Deferment/postponement of the proposed indefinite strike.

Ref; 1) Strike Notice No.01/AIDEF/INDWF/BPMS14 Dt; 28/01/2014.
2) VIde MoD ID NO.19(5)/2013/D(JCM) Dtd: 07/02/2014.

Sir,

The representatives of the 3 Federations perused the minutes of the meeting held on 06/02/2014 under the chairmanship of AddI. Secretary(A) with the representatives of recognised Federations of MoD I.e. AIDEF, INDWF, & BPMS in connection with the notice of Indefinite strike from 17/2/2014 by Defence Civilian Employees.

The 3 Federations Convey their gratitude to the MoD for the proactive steps taken to negotiate the demands of the Defence Civilian Employees in a cordial atmosphere and to settle some of the very outstanding issues of the Defence Civilian Employees pending for a long period.

The Federations also place on record the Initiative taken by the Honbie Defence Minister, Defence Secretary, Secretary(Dp) and all the officials in the MoD and Defence Finance in resolving some of the issues which were agitating the minds of the Defence Civilian Workforce and also the assurance given that all out efforts would be taken to settle the issues pending with Defence Finance, DOP&T, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health by holding meetings with them.

The Federations are also confident that the assurances and commitment given in the meeting by the AddI. Secretary(A) and Defence Minister will be implemented In its true spirit. Accordingly after the meeting with the Addl. Secretary the representatives met the Hon ble Defence Minister Shri.A.K.Antony on 06/02/2014 at 15.00 hrs, and appraised him about the discussion taken place in the meeting held with Addi. Secretary and also requested him to consider the following 4 demands at his level.

1) Grant of CSD Canteen facilities to the retired Defence Civilian Employees at par with the Ex-servicemen.

2) To take up the matter with DOP&T and Ministry of Finance for relaxation of the 5% restrictions on grant of Compassionate Appointment.

3) To discuss with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to merge a portion of Dearness Allowance i.e. more than 50% with Basic pay for all purpose, since Dearness Allowance has become 100% as on 01/01/2014.

4) For achieving self reliance, indigenisatlon of Defence production and to avoid scam & corruption in Defence purchase, Government owned Defence industries such as DRDO, Ordnance Factories, DGOA, EME Workshop, Naval & Air Force establishments should be expanded and patronised by the Government.

The Honble Raksha Mantiri assured to consider all the issues raised by us sympathetically.

Considering the above positive approach from the MoD and also the appeal made by the Addl. Secretary(A) to the Federations to withdraw the proposed indefinite Strike’ the Federations have decided to reciprocate the positive approach and goodwill and have decided to defer/postpone the indefinite strike proposed from 17/2/2014 till further review by the Federations depending upon the outcome of the settlement.

We hope that MoD will consider our decision in its true perspective and continue with the dialogue mechanism to solve the problems and to maintain harmonious employer employee relationship.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

C.Srikumar                                           R.Srinivasan                                         Sadhu Singh

Gener& Secretary / AIDF         General Secretary / INDWF           Orgn. Secretary / BPMS For General Secretary

Central Government Employees All India Strike – Confederation report

WELL  DONE  COMRADES !   

CONGRATULATIONS & RED SALUTE !!

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT CONGRATULATES ALL THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES WHO MADE THE  BEGINNING OF THE TWO DAYS STRIKE A MARVELLOUS AND THUNDERING SUCCESS.

THE HISTORIC 48 HOURS NATION WIDE STRIKE COMMENCED AT 00:00 HRS ON 12.02.2014

13 LAKHS  EMPLOYEES  JOINED  THE BIGGEST STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AFTER 1968 ON CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COMMON DEMANDS.

FUNCTIONING OF ALL CENTRAL GOVT. OFFICES (OTHER THAN RAILWAYS & DEFENCE) COMPLETELY PARALYSED AND CAME TO A STANDSTILL.

WARNING AND THREAT OF VICTIMISATION BY THE GOVT COULD NOT DETER THE EMPLOYEES FROM JOINING THE STRIKE.

PENT UP DISCONTENTMENT AND ANGER OF THE EMPLOYEES BURST OUT LIKE A VOLCANO.

EVERYWHERE ENTIRE EMPLOYEES ARE ON STRIKE AND IN MAJORITY OF THE STATES AND DEPARTMENTS IT IS ALMOST NEAR TOTAL.

UPA GOVERNMENT  IS NOT READY TO CONCEDE ANY OF OUR DEMANDS, JUST AS IN THE CASE OF BANK EMPLOYEES.

CONTINUE THE STRIKE ON 13TH FEBRUARY ALSO.

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT WILL MEET ON 18TH FEBRUARY AND DECIDE FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION.

      

                                                              M.KRISHNAN

                                                            Secretary General

                                Confederation Central Govt. Employees and Workers

                                                            Mob: 09447068125

                                                Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

P R E S S     S T A T E M E N T

Dated: 12th February, 2014

  

As per the report received at the Central Head Quarters of the Confederation, near about 13 lakhs Central Government Employees have commenced the two day strike from Midnight of 11th Feb. 2014. For 48 hours. The Strike action will continue upto the midnight of 13th Feb. 2014.  The functioning of the Government in the Postal, Income tax, Civil Accounts, Ground water Board, Botanical Survey of India, and many other organisations have been totally paralysed as in these departments, the offices could not even be opened .   In all other Departments of the Government of India viz. the Printing and Stationery, Indian Audit and Accounts Department, Atomic Energy Commission offices, Custom & Central Excise, Defence Accounts, Indian Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey of India, other Survey of India organisations and offices, Census, the work has been paralysed. 

The strike action became necessary due to the refusal of the Government to finalise the terms of reference of the proposed 7th CPC, grant interim relief and merger of DA with pay, inclusion  of Gramin Dak Sewaks within the purview  of the  Pay Commission and scrapping of NPS  and the settlement of the 15 point charter of demands,  The employees are agitated over the action of the Government in getting the PFRDA enacted in the Parliament  with the support of the BJP which contains the provision to bring in the existing employees and pensioners  also within its ambit.

  

During the last 5 years, Government had been outsourcing various functions to Contractors with the result presently about one third of the workforce of the Government of India is contract labours getting only a pittance of salary.  Lakhs of posts in various Departments of the Government are presently vacant due to the ban on recruitment aggravating the unemployment situation in the country.  

The Government has virtually closed down all channels of discussions with the employees by not convening the meetings of the JCM both at the National and Departmental levels.  There had been no avenue for the employees to air their grievances and seek redressal.  Even the awards of the Board of Arbitration which were in favour of employees were allowed to pend implementation for 15 years and are now being brought before the Parliament for rejection invoking the sovereign authority of the legislature. 

The incessant rise in the prices of essential commodities has eroded the value of wages fixed in 2006 phenomenally.  The price rise over the years between 2006 and 2014 is estimated to be three times, whereas the DA compensation presently is only 90%.  It has become difficult for the employees especially at the lower levels to meet even the basic requirements of a family life.  The agonising situation arising from the apathy of the Government has given rise to anger and desperation, which has been reflected in their total participation in the strike action.

The reports received from the States indicate  that   the strike was total in Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,  Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu,  Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, ’Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, J&K, HP, Rajasthan, U.P. and more than 90% in the rest of the States. 

The National Secretariat of the Confederation is scheduled to meet on 18th Feb. to review and assess the response of the Government.  If the Government continues with its nugatory attitude, the Secretariat will be left with no other alternative but to call upon the employees to go for indefinite strike action before the general election is announced. 

M.KRISHNAN

Secretary General.

Source:http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

RE-STRUCTURING OF CADRE ARTISAN STAFF IN DEFENCE RRS FOR THE POST OF MCM AND CM

RE-STRUCTURING OF CADRE ARTISAN STAFF IN DEFENCE RRS FOR THE POST OF MCM AND CM

Ministry of Defence 
D(Civ-I)

Subject: Restructuring of cadre artisan staff in Defence Establishments in modification of recommendations of 6th CPC – framing of Recruitment Rules for the posts of Master Craftsman (MCM) and Chargeman both in the same GP of Rs.4200/-

Consequent upon the restructuring of the Artisan Cadre vide MoD letter of even number dated the 14.06.2010 framing of RRs for the posts of Master Craftaman and Chargeman could not be finalized as DOP&T has objection to promotion of MCM as Chargeman in the same GP of Rs.4200/-. Moreover, Ministry of Finance has also not agreed to grant of increment to MCM on their promotion in the same GP of Rs.4200/- to the post of Chargemen.

2. To overcome the situation as explained in paragraph I above, one of the model proposed for promotions of artisan staff cadre is indicated below :

Skilled Grade (PB-I, GP Rs.1900)
↓
Highly Skilled Grade – II (PB-1, GP Rs.2400)	→	(7 years as HS-II through LDCE)	→	Chargeman (PB-2, GP Rs.4200)
↓				↓
Highly Skilled Grade-I (PB-1, GP Rs.2800)	→	(4 years as HS-I through LDCE)	→	Chargeman (PB-2, GP Rs.4200)
↓				↓
Master Craftsman (PB-2, GP Rs.4200)				Chargeman (PB-2, GP Rs.4200)
↓				↓
→		(on eligibility basis) (Foreman / JWM) (PB-2, GP Rs.4600)		←

3. As per the above model the following is proposed :
(i) HS-II (GP Rs.2400/-) shall be able to move as HS-I (GP Rs.2800/-) under normal promotion norms. One completion of 7 years of service HS-II shall be eligible for the post of Chargeman on the basis of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE).

(ii) HS-I (GP Rs.2800/-) shall be able to move as Master Craftsman (GP Rs.4200/-) under normal promotion norms. One completion of 4 years of service HS-I shall be eligible for the post of Chargeman on the basis of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LDCE).

(iii) Both Master Craftsman and Chargeman shall be able to move as Foreman / JWM (PB-2, Rs.4600/-) as the case may be on eligibility basis.

4. All concerned are requested to furnish their comments on the above proposed model of RRs for the posts of Master Craftsman and Chargeman with the approval of competent authority by 7th February 2014 positively.

Sd/-
(M.S.Sharma)
Under Secretary (Civ-I & II)

Source-INDWF

Strike Ballot on pending demands-17th and 18th January, 2014.

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Raliwaymen
3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI -110055
Affiliated to:
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)

No. II/95/Pt.V

Dated: 23/12/2013

The General Secretaries
of affiliated Unions of NFIR

Brother,

Sub: Strike Ballot on pending demands-17th and 18th January, 2014.

While enclosing copies resolutions passed in the 27th National Convention of NFIR, held at Visakhapatnam from December 10th to 12th, 2013, the affiliates are advised that as per resolution, strike ballot should be organised on 17th & 18th January 2014 on pending demands, for eliciting the opinion of Railway Employees.

Child Care Leave – No Parent Care Leave for Men Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
RAJYA SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-849
ANSWERED ON-12.12.2013

Countries rank in Global Age Watch Index

849 . SHRI ALOK TIWARI
PRABHAT JHA
KUSUM RAI
ARVIND KUMAR SINGH

(a) whether as per the data of Global Age Watch Index, India ranks at 73rd position in elderly care out of 91 countries sampled; and

Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with general elections to the Legislative Assemblies etc. during 2013.

MOST IMMEDIATE

F.No.12/12/2013-JCA2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)

North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 26th November, 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with general elections to the Legislative Assemblies etc. during 2013.

   The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the general elections to the Legislative Assemblies of some States, scheduled to be held in 2013, the following guidelines, already issued by DOPT vide OM No.12/99-JCA dated 10th October, 2001,have to be followed for closing of the Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments in the States:-

Loans and Advances by the Central Government – Interest rates and other terms and conditions.

F.No.5(3) – B (PD)/2013 
Government of India 
Ministry of Finance 
Department of Economic Affairs

New Delhi, the 12^th November, 2013

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Loans and Advances by the Central Government  – Interest rates and other terms and conditions.

   Reference this Ministry’s Office Memorandum F.No.5(3) – B (PD) 2012 dated 7^thJanuary, 2013 on the captioned subject.

   2. The lending rates prescribed in the aforesaid Office Memorandum have been reviewed. The revised rates of interest applicable from 1^st April, 2013 are given in the Table below:

Confederation News: ENSURE MASS SCALE PARTICIPATION IN THE 2013 DECEMBER 12TH PARLIAMENT MARCH

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi – 110001
Website: WWW. Confederationhq.blogspot.com
Email: Confederationhq@yahoo.co.in

Ref: CIRCULAR NO. 9

Dated - 13.11.2013

To
All CHQ Officers
All General Secretaries C-O-Cs
All Chief Executives of Affiliated Unions

ENSURE MASS SCALE PARTICIPATION IN THE 2013 DECEMBER 12TH PARLIAMENT MARCH

Dear Comrades,
   Intensive campaign and preparations are in full swing all over the country for making the 2013 December 12th Parliament March organized by all the Central Trade Unions an unforgettable event in the Trade Union history of our country. The rally is organized as a continuation of the united struggle of the working class of India against the neo-liberal policies of the Central Government.

No plan to raise retirement age of Central government employees to 62- Central Government

   The government on Friday made it “very clear” that there is no plan to raise retirement age of Central government employees to 62 years from the existing 60.

   “At present, there is no thinking in the government for increasing the retirement age. That I would like to make it very clear,” minister of state for personnel V Narayanasamy told reporters during a press conference.

   There are about 50 lakh central government employees in various departments across the country.

   Recent media reports had claimed that the ministry of personnel was working on a proposal to increase the age of service by two years as part of government’s plan to defer payouts in the form of pensions and other payments to check fiscal deficit.

Procedures for Resignation from Central Government Services.

Procedures for Resignation from Central Government Services - Ministry of Home Affairs

   There is available only one order about the procedures for resigning from Central Government Services, which was issued on 6th May 1958 by the Ministry of Home Affairs. After that no orders will be issued by the Ministry. We have reproduced the content of the Office Memorandum and given below for your ready reference...

   Copy of O.M. No.39/6/57-Ests.(A) dated the 6th May, 1958 from Shri.P.Sitaraman, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi to all Ministries of the Government of India etc. etc.

Subject:-  Resignation from service-Procedure in respect of -

   Question have been raised from time to time regarding the authority competent to accept a resignation, the circumstances under which resignation should be accepted, the date when a resignation becomes effective, and the authority competent to permit a Government servant to withdraw a resignation which he has already tendered. The following instructions are, therefore, issued for information and guidance of all Ministries:-

Holiday to be observed in Central Government offices during the year 2014.

Office of the CGDA Ulan Batar Road, Palam, Delhi Cantt - 10

No. AN/III/3011/Vol-XXXII

Dated 22.08.2013

(Through CGDA Mail Server)

To
All PCsDA / PCA (Fys) PIFAs
CsDA /CsFA (Fys) / IFAs/RTCs

Subject :- Holiday to be observed in Central Government offices during the year 2014.

   A copy of Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Personnel and Training, New Delhi F. No.12/5/2013-JCA-2 dated 11.07.2013 on the subject mentioned above is enclosed for information, guidance and necessary action.

Central Govt. is at present not considering any move to raise the Retirement age to 62 years.

   There was no such proposal to increase the age for superannuation of central government employees to 62

   Central government employees are in for a disappointment as the Centre is at present not considering any move to raise the retirement age to 62 years.

   A senior official in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, which acts as nodal department for personnel matters, said there was no such proposal to increase the age for superannuation of government employees.

   “There is no proposal to increase the retirement age to 62 from 60 years. The Ministry is not working on any such proposal,” the official said.

   Recent media reports claimed that the Ministry has written to Prime Minister’s Office for raising the retirement age and sought the Union Cabinet’s nod for the purpose.

A News about Increasing Retirement Age to 62 for Central Government Employees.

   The Ministry of Personnel and Training has forwarded a proposal in this regard to the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) :

   The news on retirement age 62 for central government employees  is not ending . One of the news paper in Goa, Oheraldo published a news about increasing retirement age of central government employees. Already we  posted a news about this and many popular news sites like Business standard, The Financial Express have also published a news about the possibility of  increasing retirement age to 62. There is a proverb  ’Where there’s smoke there’s fire’ . Many say that there is some truth behind every rumor. So obviously this rumour about increasing  retirement age  62 for central government employees  also can become a truth. The news published in Oheraldo is given below

    ”A move is afoot to raise the retirement age of over five million central government employees from 60 to 62 years, citing the longer span of life enabling most to be fit to work, though ostensibly it may be keeping an eye on the Delhi Assembly elections due in November to influence over 80 per cent of them living in the capital.

   The Ministry of Personnel and Training has forwarded a proposal in this regard to the Prime Minister’s office (PMO) for inclusion in the agenda of the Cabinet for consideration, after securing consent of various ministries, sources said, claiming that it has an approval of the finance ministry. The decision will help immensely those on the verge of retirement to continue in service for two years.

   The High Court judges already enjoy tenure up to 62 while the retirement age of the Supreme Court judges and the Election Commissioners is 65. The retirement age has also been raised to 62 in case of some key posts. It is already 62 years in case of the employees of the Madhya Pradesh government.

   This will be the third time that the retirement age of the central staff is being raised and it is bound to have the cascading effect on the states coming under pressure from the employees’ associations to follow suit.

   It was raised from 55 to 58 by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962 after the war with China and then to 60 years by the then NDA government in 1998 on the recommendation of the central pay commission.

   The central staff is already quite happy with the government for getting as much as 80 per cent of the basic pay as the dearness allowance, thanks to the last hike of 8 per cent announced in April with retrospective effect from January 1. Just before the polls, they may get yet another DA hike as the pay commission recommendation accepted by the government mandates revision twice a year to match the rise or fall in the consumer price index of the industrial workers”

Source :http://oheraldo.in

Retirement age 62 for central government employees a exclusive review.

Impact of raising retirement age from age 60 to 62

   It has been seen that one of the long time waging demand of raising the retirement age of govt. employees has finally caught afire

   Through the Medias and blogging sites re abound with news that the cabinet would announce news regarding the retirement age yet it has not been finalizes

   Even then it has been come to known that a favorable decision would be put forth regarding this issue due to the oncoming lok sabha and three state assembly elections. In India the retirement ages of most of the state government employees range from 58 to 60. This is low in comparison to the government employees of foreign nation.

   We shall see the effect of raising the retirement age in the following passage

Advantage

   1. If only 7th pay commission would be implemented in the year 2016 those retiring in the year span 2014 -2016 would be greatly benefitted.

   2. Economically the employees would be in better position due to this rise of the age of superannuation

   3. The pension amount and the other beneficiaries would also increase along side

   4. There this chance of imparting fruitful experience to the subordinates or new recruit by those benefitted by rise in retirement age

   5. More over there is chance of getting an additional MACP by the central govt. employees

   6. A good health psychological effect would prevail in their minds due to this boon of rising their retirement age and thus removing their fatigue

Disadvantage

   1. Promotion would be greatly affected due to no retirement in the long span

   2. Unemployment would come in to being due to the increase in retirement age

   3. Output of work would be greatly affected if the retirement age of unhealthy employees would be increased.
 
   This announcement would not be received in praise among those searching for employment in general. Moreover among the retirement employees this decision is receiving a mixed response as some welcome while others detest it.

Source:http://employeesorders.com/2013/06/retirement-age-62-for-central-government-employees-a-exclusive-review/

Central govt. employees’ retirement age to be extended by 2 years to 62.

   The government is planning to extend the retirement age of all central government employees by two years — from the current 60 to 62 years. Sources said that an in-principle decision has been taken in this regard and the department of personnel and training (DoPT) has begun the work to implement the same. A formal announcement to this effect is expected this year itself.

   The last time the government extended the retirement age of central government employees was in 1998. It was also a two-year extension from 58. This was preceded by the implementation of the 5th Pay Commission, which had put severe strain on government’s finances. Subsequently, all state governments followed the Centre’s policy by extending the retirement age by two years. Public sector undertakings followed suit too.

  The decision to extend the retirement age is well-timed both politically and economically.

   The UPA government reckons the move would be a masterstroke. At a time when it is buffeted by several corruption cases, it is felt that the extension of the retirement age will go down well with the middle classes. Economically also, the move makes sense because by deferring payment of lump sum retirement benefits for a large number of employees by two years, the government would be able to manage its finances better.

   “An in-principle decision has been taken to increase the retirement age by two years within this year itself. This would reduce the burden on the fisc from one-time payment of retirement benefits for employees including defence and railways personnel,” an official involved in the discussion said. With the fiscal consolidation high on the government's agenda, this deferment would come handy.

   There’s some flip side too if the retirement age is extended by two years. Those officials empanelled as secretaries and joint secretaries would have to wait longer to actually get the posts. And of course, there is the issue of average age profile of the civil servants being turning north.

   It is also felt that any extension is not being fair with a bulk of people who still look for jobs in the government.

   However, officials point out that at least it prevents an influential section of the bureaucracy to hanker for post-retirement jobs with the government like chairmanship of regulatory bodies or tribunals. “As it is, a sizeable section of senior civil servants work for three to five years after the retirement in some capacity or the other in the government,” said a senior government official. The retirement age of college teachers and judges are also beyond 60.

   As per a study, the future pension outgo for the existing Central and State government employees is estimated at a staggering Rs 1,735,527 crore or 55.88% of GDP at market prices of 2004-05.

Source: www.financialexpress.com

Increase retirement age of government employees to 62.

   On 21st March 2013, there was an unstarred question in Rajya Sabha, about whether there was a proposal to increase the retirement age of Central government employees. The relevant MOS answered there was no such proposal. That’s not quite true, because there is such a proposal floating around and it went to Cabinet sub-committee and an in principle decision to implement was taken by Department of Personnel and Training (DOPT). One should not mix up existence of a proposal with a decision about implementing it. Evidently, a decision has now been taken to increase the age from 60 to 62 years, the last time such an increase took place was in 1998, when there was an increase from 58 to 60 years. Whenever such a decision is taken, debates centre on the big picture. What are arguments for? First, life expectancies are increasing. There is a shortage of good people within government. Let’s tap this expertise. Second, in any case there are extensions in “exceptional circumstances”. But that’s arbitrary and can be shot down by the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC). Why not formalize the system by allowing extensions to everyone? The trouble with this argument is that there will be no finality about 62 either and there will be “exceptional circumstances” beyond 62.

   Third, there should be parity. Professors now retire at 65. High Court judges retire at 62, Supreme Court judges retire at 65. The counter-arguments of the big picture are also obvious. India is a young country, young need employment opportunities. Promotional avenues of existing civil servants get blocked. Often, in the private sector, people retire at 60 and there are extensions, with the qualification that extensions are at consolidated monthly emoluments, with no perks. An increase in retirement age occurs with all perks. Therefore, there are significant fiscal costs. While these big picture arguments and counter-arguments are important, my problem is that such decisions aren’t taken because of logical coherence.

   They are ad hoc decisions, driven by myopic motives. First, increase in retirement age postpones the one-time superannuation burden of severance payments by around Rs 5000 crores. For a government that has drawn up red lines on deficit numbers, that’s a desirable objective, even though it is myopic because it increases fiscal costs on future governments. Second, there’s a clear political cum electoral motive. Outright, if we include Defence, we are talking about 1.5 million Central government employees.

   In a broader sense, we are talking about something like 6 million, excluding State governments and quasi-government, all urban. This is therefore a significant component in that 65 million urban household figure. These two points will also be made when the 62 decision is announced. But the one that bothers me most is a third element, one that is invariably never talked about. Such ad hoc decisions are taken because of specific individuals. There is one particular individual whom government wishes to place in one particular position. Once he is placed there, government wishes him to benefit from increase in retirement age. But to ensure he is placed there, one needs to ensure those who are senior to him get out of the way first. After all, supersession is not desirable. Hence, announce the decision after some people have retired at 60 and exited. This is the way decisions are taken. At one level, there is no point complaining, because we have accepted corruption of institutions and systems as fact of life. But when this 62 decision is announced, as it soon will, let us not pretend there are any big picture considerations involved.

Source:http://blogs.economictimes.indiatimes.com/policypuzzles/entry/increase-in-government-retirement-age-to-62

Demands of Central Government Employees: Question raised in Lok Sabha.

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 6670

ANSWERED ON 08.05.2013

DEMANDS OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

6670 . Shri RAKESH SINGH

   Will the Minister of PERSONNEL,PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-

   (a) whether the Government has considered various demands of the Central Government employees and if so, the details thereof;

   (b) whether the Government has held discussions with the Trade Unions and other organizations before the Nation wide strike;

   (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

    (d) whether the Government proposes to consider the demands in the interest of employees; and

   (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

   Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office. (SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY)

   (a): The Government has in operation a Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) scheme and as per the scheme of JCM, this Department deals with staff side on the National Council (JCM). The JCM scheme is for promoting harmonious relations and of securing the greatest measure of cooperation between the Government, in its capacity as employer and the general body of its employees in matters of common concern and deals with issues and demands raised by the staff side. Regular interactions are held at requisite levels to address the concerns of Government employees.

   (b) & (c): A meeting was convened by Union Minister of Labour & Employment with the representatives of Central Trade Unions (CTUs) on the 13th February, 2013 to discuss the charter of demands and call for all India strike given by the Central Trade Unions on 20th and 21st February, 2013. Subsequently, a Group of Ministers (GoM) held a meeting with the representatives of the major CTUs on 18th February, 2013. The Union representatives were assured that Government is serious on the demands related to working class and taking all possible measures to redress them. An appeal was issued to them to withdraw the strike.

   (d) & (e): Government has taken various measures to address the concerns raised by the trade unions. These relate to huge amount spent on food subsidy to ensure availability of food grains to the poor at very concessional rate through the Public Distribution System, the Food Security Bill to further increase the availability of subsidized food grains to the larger segments of the population. National Employment Policy has been prepared by the Ministry of Labour & Employment to ensure inclusive and equitable growth process, so as to achieve the goal of remunerative and decent employment for all women and men in the labour force. The Government has enacted Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 and has also set up Nation Social Security Fund (NSSF) with a corpus of Rs.1000 crore. National Social Security Board has also been constituted which is advising the Government from time to time on Social Security Schemes. Action to amend the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 is underway wherein it is, inter-alia, proposed that in case where the contract labour perform the same or similar kind of work as the workmen directly appointed by the principal employer, the wage rates, holidays, social security provisions of contract labour shall be the same as are available to the directly appointed workmen on the roll of principal employer. Further, a Bill is being brought before the Parliament to amend the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 to provide a National Floor Level Minimum Wage.

Source: www.rajyasabha.nic.in

Service book of Government Employee can be disclosed under RTI.

   The Service book of Government employee can be disclosed under Right to Information Act 2005

   With the recent decision of Central Information Commission Service book of Government Employee can be disclosed under Right to Information Act 2005. This means a third party can have access to most of the information about the employee career including disciplinary action, his leave, place of posting etc.

   A Service book of Government Employee is maintained for every employee from the date of his first appointment. Every step in official life is recorded in it. All the pensionary benefits are sanctioned mainly on the basis of entries in the Service Book. Hence, it plays a prominent role in timely settlement of pension cases and proper maintenance of Service Book eliminate delay in sanctioning and payment of pensionary benefits.

   The Service book of Government Employee consists of II volumes.

   VOLUME-I: Volume I of the Service Book is meant for recording the bio-data of the employees and various events of his service.

   VOLUME-II: The purpose of Volume-II of the Service Book is to place different types of nominees, declarations, pay fixation memos etc.

   The Service book of Government Employee contains following information of an employee:-

• Appointment and joining
• Grant of increment or withholding of increment
• Grant of Selection Grade
• Crossing of efficiency bar
• Fixation of pay
• Grant of leave
• Deputation/ transfer
• Suspension or interruption in service along with details of the period thereof
• Reinstatement
• Resignation
• Termination of service along with its reasons
• Promotion
• Compulsory / Premature/ Voluntary Retirement
• Removal or dismissal from service
• Reversion
• Reduction in rank or pay along with the precise reasons thereof viz. Whether reduction is on account of inefficiency or reduction in establishment or abolition of the post held by the employee.
• Retirement on superannuation.