Empowered committee meeting held on 30.03.16 to discuss 7th CPC issues

Meeting held with postal unions
"A meeting with Cabinet Secretary Sri. P. K. Sinha was held at Cabinet Secretariat Committee Room, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on 30.03.2016. All Members of empowered committee i.e. Secretaries of Various Departments were present in the meeting. Department of Post was represented by Sri. Ashutosh Tripathi, Member (Personal), Sri Shailendra Dashora, DDG (Estt) Ms. Manju Pandey, DDG (Personal) & Ms. Anju Nigam DDG (SR) from NFPE Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General NFPE & General Secretary P3, Com. Giriraj Singh, President NFPE & General Secretary, R3 & Com. R. Seethalakshmi, Dy. Secretary General, NFPE & General Secretary P4 from FNPO, Com. D. Theagrajan, Secretary General, FNPO & General Secretary R3, Com. T. N. Rahate, President FNPO & General Secretary P4 and from BPEF. Com. S. K. Sinha, General Secretary Postal Accounts Association participated. We presented our views in support of each and every demand submitted by NFPE & FNPO in memorandum to Pay Commission and Empowered Committee and implementation cell. We demanded upgraded scales for each cadre of Department. The meeting was held in a very congenial atmosphere. "
Courtesy : PALEGACY

Meeting held with railway Unions

Sub: Brief of the 4^th meeting of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries(ECoS) held on  30.03.2016 to discuss the recommendations of the VII CPC

The 4^th meeting of the Empowered Committee of the Secretaries(ECoS) was held today under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India, to discuss the recommendations of the VII CPC.

The meeting was held in a cordial manner on the general issues related to VII CPC, viz.   Minimum Wage, Multiplying Factor, NPS, Minimum three cadre promotions, Allowances & Advances, Child Care Leave to Women Employees, MACPS, etc. etc.

Apart from this, we represented the arduous conditions under which railway employees are working and how many railwaymen are sacrificing their lives for smooth running of the Indian Railways and tried to prove that we are more important even to the Defence of the country.

We also discussed various issues where justified approach has not been done, particularly reg. Running Staff(one additional pay scale), Technicians(merger of Technician Gr. II with G. I in GP Rs.2800) and Technical Supervisors, Group `B’ status to Supervisory Staff, parity field staff with the Ministry Staff and other categorical problems. 

Member Staff, Railway Board, was also present during the presentation made by the federations.Chairman, Railway Board, is also a member of the Empowered Committee along with other Secretaries of the Government of India.

Source : AIRF

Extended Bank hours for conducting Govt. Business on 31st March, 2016

In view of closing of the current financial year and to facilitate the tax-payers in payment of taxes, the Reserve Bank of India has issued instructions vide notification RBI/2015-16/342 dated March 17, 2016 directing all agency banks to keep the counters of their designated branches conducting government business open till 8.00 p.m. on March 31, 2016. All electronic transactions would however, continue till midnight of March 31, 2016. 

Civil Service officers present memorandum to Dr Jitendra Singh on 7th CPC report

A delegation of Civil Service officers representing the “Confederation of Civil Service Associations” called on the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here and sought his intervention for implementing the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) report, so as to address their long standing grievance of discrimination vis-a-vis certain other All-India Services. 

Declaration of assets under Lokpal to be submitted by 15.04.2016

Declaration of Assets and Liabilities by public servants under section 44 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 —filing of Returns by public servants on or before 15thApril, 2016 - regarding 

"The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even number dated 11 th October, 2015 on the subject mentioned above whereby it was informed that the last date of furnishing of information relating to assets and liabilities by public servants under section 44 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 was extended upto 15.04.2016. "

In this regard, it is stated that there shall be no further extension of the aforesaid last date i.e. 15.04.2016.
Click here for the O.M. dated   28.03.2016

7th Pay Commission : Next meeting on 30th March

As per information available with us, Next meeting with Empowered Committee under Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary will be held on 30.03.2016 at Cabinet Secretariat, Committee Room, Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.

Defence ministry to take up case of armed forces’ status

With a nod from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at a high-level meeting on Tuesday to be categorical in the issues of status, pay and allowances of the Armed Forces personnel, the Defence Ministry is drafting a note for the empowered committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary on the 7th Central Pay Commission report to keep them above all other arms of the government.

Sources said Parrikar was in agreement with eight “key issues” raised by the three Service chiefs — Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Admiral Robin Dhowan and Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag. Since the Armed Forces cannot directly petition to the empowered committee, the ministry was asked to rush to it with a formal note before the government notifies acceptance of the Pay Commission recommendations.

Income Tax / Central Excise /Customs Inspectors unhappy with pay commission recommendation

Finance Ministry Inspectors Furious over 7th Pay Commission Recommendation – The agitated inspectors claim that they will be drawing less salary than inspectors attached to other ministries.

On an average the Inspectors of various departments of finance ministry bring revenue to the Government to the tune of around 7000 crores in a year.

The Inspectors attached to the finance ministry are not happy with the 7th pay commission recommendations, however they are more furious that their voice has not been listened by their higher officials and by the empowered Committee of Secretaries as well. The agitated inspectors claim that since independence this will be the first time they will be drawing less salary than inspectors attached to other ministries, thanks to the 7th pay commission, they say.

Himachal Pradesh grants 6% D.A with effect from 01.07.15

Himachal Pradesh grants 6% D.A. for employees and pensioners with effect from 01.07.2015. While the arrears form 01.07.2015 to 29.02.2016 will be paid in cash in one installment to pensioners / family pensioners, it will be credited to the GPF Account for the serving employees. Interest on this amount will accrue from 01.04.2016 only.
With this hike total D.A. payable stands at 119% of Basic pay with effect from 01.07.2015.
Click here for the order for employees
Click here for the order for pensioners
News Update : Mr Naresh Thakur
Also read : Another 6% D.A. for Central Employees from 01.01.2016

Central employees get 6% D.A. as holi gift

Release of additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners due from 1.1.2016 

New Delhi, Mar 23 (PTI) On the eve of Holi festival, the government today hiked dearness allowance (DA) by 6 per cent, benefiting over 1 crore central government employees and pensioners.

Ambedkar Birthday (14th April) declared as central holiday throughout the country

"It has been decided to declare Thursday, the 14th April 2016, as a Closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India."
Click here for the order

Haryana made provision for pay hike in budget

The Haryana government employees have a reason to cheer. State finance minister Captain Abhimanyu, who presented his budget proposals for 2016-17 on Monday, announced that the government planned to raise the salaries and allowances of its employees after the Union government took a call on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. The commission has already submitted its report to the Centre.

No SC/ST quotas for govt job promotions: Supreme Court

No SC/ST quotas for govt job promotions: Supreme Court 

The Supreme Court has ruled that scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribe (ST) members can not claim quota as a right in government job promotions. This move was taken while rejecting a PIL seeking direction to the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government to grant reservation in promotion.

In the landmark verdict, the apex court on March 11 said that the states were not constitutionally obliged to give preferential treatment to any community in promotion.

Interest rate slashed in small savings, GPF likely to hit soon

Savings Deposit	Rate of Interest w.e.f 01.04.2016  to 31.03.2016 4.0	Rate of Interest w.e.f 01.04.2016 to 30.06.2016 4.0
1 Year Time Deposit	8.4	7.1
2 Year Time Deposit	8.4	7.2
3 Year Time Deposit	8.4	7.4
5 Year Time Deposit	8.5	7.9
5 Year Recurring Deposit	8.4	7.4
5 Year Senior Citizens Savings Deposit	9.3	8.6
5 Year Monthly IncomeAccount scheme	8.4	7.8
5 Year National Savings Certificate	8.5	8.1
Public Provident Fund Scheme	8.7	8.1
Kisan Vikas Patra	8.7	7.8 (Will Mature in 110 Months)
Download the O.M. As the Intgerest rate of GPF  for Central employees generally remain  at par with PPF, it is most likely to be reduced to 8.1% in 16-17.

7th CPC notification after state polls

There is good news in the offing for the central government employees who are waiting for the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission. Reportedly, notification for the 'increment proposal' will be issued after States Assembly polls.

Sources say that as model code of conduct is in place till May 21, Government will be able to issue notification in the month of June only.
Basic pay is likely to be revised with effect from 01.01.16 but allowances may have prospective effect only (likely to be paid with effect from July1, 2016) , as per sources

Five per cent DA hike for Tripura employees

Ahead of the budget session of the Tripura assembly, the state government on Tuesday announced an additional five percent dearness allowance (DA) for its 209,000 employees and pension holders.

"Despite the state government's financial crunch, it has released additional five percent of DA for the employees and pensioners," state Finance Minister Tapan Chakraborty said after a cabinet meeting chaired by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

To provide the DA, the additional annual spending from the government exchequer would be Rs.162.5 crore.
"Over 209,000 government employees and pensioners would get the new instalments of DA from this month," the minister said.

Employees of public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies will also benefit from it.

OROP : First installment of arrears released, Revised pension from March'16 onwards

New Delhi, Mar 14 (PTI) The government today announced that it has credited revised pensionary benefits along with arrears under One Rank-One Pension (OROP) scheme to more than 2 lakh pensioners drawing service and disability pensions.

As to the more than 1.46 lakh family pensioners, the government will credit the new benefits by the end of this month, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Central employees may have to dress in Khadi on friday

Friday dressing may have a new meaning for government employees - wearing khadi to work.

The government is considering a plea from the Khadi & Village Industries Commission to appeal to employees to wear clothes made from the hand-spun fabric at least once a week as part of a plan to boost khadi production and benefit small weavers across the country.

"We are discussing this with the government and we will make an appeal. Employees can wear it to work on just one day," KVIC chairman VK Saxena told TOI, when contacted. Sources in the government said the entire exercise would be voluntary but the idea is to increase sales. "Even if everyone buys one khadi garment, imagine the rise in sales," said an officer. The central government currently has around 35 lakh employees, which does not include the railways and defence personnel.

Jaitley rolls back proposal to tax provident fund

New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI) In the face of all round attack, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today completely rolled back the controversial proposal to tax the employees' provident fund (EPF) at the time of withdrawal.

Taking the first opportunity available, he made a suo motu statement in the Lok Sabha in which he also announced withdrawal of imposing monetary limit for contribution of employers to provident and superannuation fund of Rs 1.5 lakh for taking tax benefit.

Jaitley, however, left untouched the proposal tax exempt 40 per cent of National Pension Scheme and services provided by EPFO to employees.

"In view of the representations received, the government would like to do comprehensive review of this proposal and therefore I withdraw the proposals in para 138 and 139 on my budget speech. The proposal of 40 per cent exemption given to NPS subscribers at the time of withdrawal remains," the Minister said.
Click here for full details

Central employees postpone proposed strike in April

Following is the letter to Cabinet Secretary from National Joint Council of Action

"Kindly refer to the NJCA letter dated 10^th December 2015 conveying you the decision of the National Joint Council of Action to go on indefinite strike in  pursuance of the Charter of demands submitted there-with, if no settlement through bilateral discussions is brought about.

     I am also to invite your kind attention to the discussion the Empowered Committee of Secretaries chaired by you with Standing Committee of NC of JCM on 1^st March 2016 where-in while summing up the discussions on the charter of demands you assured that a fair consideration would be given on all demands raised by the Staff Side. It was also stated by you that reasonable time should be given to the Government since the issues concern inter departmental consultations.

    The NJCA in its meeting held on 7^th March 2016 considered the request made by you. To give space for negotiated settlement on the charter of demands raised by the Staff Side it has been decided to defer the commencement of the indefinite strike to 11^th July 2016 and to serve the strike notice on 9^th June 2016, if the desired settlement through bilateral discussions is not brought about.

            It is requested that in the intervening period the Government may hold meaningful negotiation with the Staff Side, JCM so that a settlement could be reached on the Charter of demands raised by the staff side, in the interest of industrial harmony."

Rs 70,000 crore allocated for 7th pay commission in Budget 2016

As much as Rs 70,000 crore has been provisioned in the Union Budget 2016-17 for implementation of Seventh Pay Commission for government employees, a top finance ministry official said.

While the Budget did not provide an explicit overall provision number, the government had said the 7th Pay Commission hike has been built in as interim allocation for different ministries and Budget numbers were credible.

Implementation of the pay commission report in toto is to cost the government Rs 1.02 lakh crore.

Betterment in pay without cutting existing facilities awaits for central staff

After dropping enough hint that Government is all set to implement the recommendations of Seventh Pay Commission soon, here is yet another good news for central government employees. According to Finance Ministry sources, Government won't be making any changes in the existing advances and facilities, enjoyed by Central government employees. Pay commission had suggested abolition of many privileges and facilities including risk allowance, small family allowance, festival advance and motor cycle advance etc in its recommendations.

Govt. reconsidering taxability of Provident Fund

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to "explore ways to review" the new Budget proposal to tax Employees' Provident Fund or EPF withdrawals, sources have told NDTV. In his budget, Mr Jaitley had proposed that after April 1, 2016, 60 per cent of the amount deposited in the EPF account of the employee will be taxable at the time of withdrawal, while 40 per cent will be tax free. Earlier, the entire EPF deposit was tax free at the time of withdrawal if the employee has completed five years of continuous service. Following criticism from people affected, the opposition, trade unions and even RSS affiliates, the Finance Minister had at a meeting of NDA lawmakers last Tuesday explained the proposal and had said that any decision on a reversal would be taken by the Prime Minister. 

Task Force To Rationalise Central Government Staff

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted a five-member task force to rationalise central government staff and ensure their maximum optimisation.

The task force will be headed by Establishment Officer and Additional Secretary in Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Rajiv Kumar and it will submit its report next month, officials said today. The prime minister has approved the proposal to constitute a task force to examine the issues of rationalisation and optimisation of human resource in various ministries to align them with financial resources and focus areas of the government, they said.

Meeting with Cabinet Secretary on 1st March

No commitment from official side so far.

Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary has held first round of discussion with JCM National Council  Standing Committee members on strike Charter of demands on 1^st March 2016. Staff Side explained the justification of each and every demand  and conveyed the large scale resentment among the Central Government Employees to the Cabinet Secretary . Cabinet Secretary has not made any commitment on any demand. He informed that this is only a preliminary interaction with the Staff Side. 

Com. M. Raghavaiyya Leader Staff Side, Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra Secretary Staff Side and other Standing Committee members attended. 

Confederation was represented by Coms. KKN Kutty , M. Krishnan & M.S. Raja . 

Meeting commenced at 0645 P.M. & ended at 0845 P.M. 

Also Read : Actual provision for pay hike in budget

How much did actually FM make provision for pay hike ?

ll it the impact of the 7th central pay commission recommendations. The 35 lakh central staff across 56 government departments, including the Railways but excluding defence, have been provided a fat allowances bill of Rs 88,932 crore in the Budget, almost as much as the total pay bill of Rs 90,598 crore.

According to the budget estimates of 2016-17, the total pay bill has increased by Rs 28,300 crore to Rs 90,598 crore in the next financial year as compared to Rs 62,230 crore in 2015-16. The allowances bill has gone up by Rs 37,000 crore, taking the amount to Rs 88,932 crore in next fiscal.

Govt. rejects demand for extra bonus as per revised bonus act.

As the calculation ceiling has been revised for the PLB as well as Ad-hoc Bonus, Govt. employees were expecting arrear of bonus for the year 2014-15.
Demand has been raised by the staff side. But Govt. denied the demand as per the following letter.