D.A. bulletin for Bank and Central Govt. employees

Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers) Base 2001=100 is released by labour bureau. The index rose by by two points and stood at 277 points for the month of June 2016.
Based on the consumer index of June 2016, following hike in D.A is calculated.
35 SLABS INCREASE IN DA PAYABLE TO BANK WORKMEN/OFFICERS from 1stAug’16 to31st Oct’16. 

 DA payable to Bank pensioners will go up by 29 Slabs in next Half Year w.e.f.August’16 to31st January'17.
(Thanks to Mr Mohan P. for calculation)

Central Govt. employees to get D.A. @2% with effect from 1st July 2016 on revised basic pay as per 7th CPC.

Due date of Income Tax return filing extended upto 5th August 2016.    Click here to view details

Central employees to get enhanced pay and arrears together with August salary : Order issued

Central employees will celebrate August 2016 salary as the revised pay with arrears from January to July 2016 will reach their hand very soon. Finmin issued Office Memorandum in this effect. 
Though they have to wait for the incresed allowances as of now, still the payment of arrears will definitely dilute the disappointment a bit.
"The arrears as accruing on account of revised pay consequent upon fixation of pay under CCS(RP) Rules 2016 with effect from 01.01.2016 shall be paid in cash in one installment alongwith the payment of salary for the month of August 2016, after making adjustment on account of GPF and NPS, as applicable."
Click here for the implementation order

Govt. employees will not have to submit asset and liability details under Lokpal as of now

• Deadline for govt employees to declare assets extended
• New Delhi, Jul 28 (PTI) Central government employees and NGOs receiving government funds now need not declare their assets by the deadline of July 31 as Parliament today approved an amendment in the Lokpal Act to extend the timeline.
• Last date extended to 31st December 2016. Click to view DOPT order
  The amendment to Section 44 of the Lokpal Act was approved by voice vote by the Rajya Sabha today, a day after the Lok Sabha did the same.
  
  While moving the bill to amend the Lokpal Act for consideration of the House, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said it is an immediate necessity and the provision will be examined in detail by a Parliamentary Standing Committee which will possibly submit its report before next session of Parliament.

Central employees threatens strike on 2nd Sep

Confederation of Central Govt. employees to serve strike notice on 12th August for strike scheduled on 2nd September 2016.
Beside some general demands for social welfare, the demands regarding central employees are also in the charter.
Demand of the Central Govt. Employees

1. Avoid delay in implementing the assurances given by Group of Ministers to NJCA on 30th June

2016, especially increase in minimum pay and fitment formula. Implement the assurance in a time bound manner.

2. Settle issues raised by the NJCA, regarding modifications of the 7th CPC recommendations, submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10th December 2015.

3. Scrap PFRDA Act and New Pension System (NPS) and grant Pension/Family Pension to all Central

Government employees under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.

4. No privatization, outsourcing, contractorisation of Government functions.

5. (i) Treat Gramin Dak Sevaks as Civil Servants and extend all benefits on pay, pension and allownaces of departmental employees.

(ii) Regularise casual, contract, contingent and daily rated workers and grant equal pay and other benefits.

6. Fill up all vacant posts by special recruitment. Lift ban on creation of new posts.

7. Remove ceiling on compassionate appointments.

8. Extend benefit of Bonus Act amendment 2015 on enhancement of payment ceiling to the Adhoc

bonus/PLB of Central Govt. employees with effect from the financial years 2014-15. Ensure payment of revised bonus before Pooja holidays.

9. Revive JCM functioning at all levels. 

Gazette Notification of 7th CPC

Govt. has notified 7th CPC vide gazette notification dated 25.07.2016. Ministry of Finance likely to issue Office Memorandum today.
Click here for resolutions
Click here for 7th CPC Report
 Salient features are :

With regard to fixation of pay of the employee in the new Pay Matrix as on 1st day of January, 2016, the existing pay (Pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay) in the pre-revised structure as on 31st day of December, 2015 shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.57. The figure so arrived at is to be located in the Level corresponding to employee’s Pay Band and Grade Pay or Pay Scale in the new Pay Matrix. If a Cell identical with the figure so arrived at is available in the appropriate Level, that Cell shall be the revised pay; otherwise the next higher cell in that Level shall be the revised pay of the employee.

After fixation of pay in the appropriate Level as specified in sub-paragraph (2) above, the subsequent increments in the Level shall be at the immediate next Cell in the Level.  

There shall be two dates for grant of increment namely, 1st January and 1st July of every year, instead of existing date of 1st July; provided that an employee shall be entitled to only one annual increment on either one of these two dates depending on the date of appointment, promotion or grant of financial up-gradation.

The recommendations on Allowances (except Dearness Allowance) will be referred to a Committee comprising Finance Secretary and Secretary (Expenditure) as Chairman and Secretaries of Home Affairs, Defence, Health and Family Welfare, Personnel and Training, Posts and Chairman, Railway Board as Members. The Committee will submit its report within a period of four months. Till a final decision on Allowances is taken based on the recommendations of this Committee, all Allowances will continue to be paid at existing rates in  existing pay structure, as if the pay had not been revised with effect from 1st day of January, 2016.

The recommendations of the Commission relating to interest bearing Advances as well as interest free Advances have been accepted with the exception that interest free Advances for Medical Treatment, Travelling Allowance for family of deceased, Travelling Allowance on tour or transfer and Leave Travel Concession shall be retained.

The recommendations of the Commission for increase in rates of monthly contribution towards Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS) for various categories of employees has not been accepted. The existing rates of monthly contribution shall continue. Department of Expenditure and Department of Financial Services will work out a customised group insurance scheme for Central Government employees. 
Download the Gazette Notification 

7th CPC : Notification this week

July salary may be the last as per old scale of pay

It is learnt from reliable sources that the notification of 7th CPC is likely to be issued within a couple of days. As per the cabinet approval, only basic pay will hiked as per the fitment formula accepted by Govt.  Allowances will be paid as per existing rate and arrears will be paid only after the report of the review committee. There is a rumor around the power of corridor about two increments date as 1st January and 1st July of which authenticity could not be verified.
Also read : Govt. not considering to hike multiplication factor
Also read : Highlights of cabinet approval reg 7th CPC

Unions reaction on FM's answer in Parliament - not convincing.

Though Central employees have been very much disappointed regarding FM's answer in Rajya Sabha about consideration of multiplication factor of seventh CPC fitment formula, Union leaders tried to dilute the matter. They tried to justify the answer describing "technicality" and promised to discuss the matter. Secretary, Confederation also warned to revive the deferred strike if Govt. retreat from it promise.
Click here to read what FM actually said

Govt. is not considering to enhance multiplication factor - FM

In a reply to a question asked in Rajya Sabha on 19th July, Finance Minister categorically denied about any consideration of enhancement of multiplication factor as recommended by 7th CPC.
" In view of the multiplication factor having been accepted based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay commission, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government, at present."

7th CPC : New salary from August 2016 ?

As per Report by AIRF on New 7th pay commission salary – On 13.07.2016, Shri.Shiva Gopal Mishra, General Secretary, AIRF (All India Railwaymen Federation) has clarified to the effect that revised 7th Pay Commission recommended Pay will be paid from August salary.
Earlier he announced on 8th July about payment of enhanced salary from July which appears to be totally baseless.
 Still no notification has been issued by the Finance Ministry even after 15 days of cabinet approval.
As per information available, only enhanced basic pay and the existing allowance (as being paid now in old rate) will be paid until the enhancement of allowances are reviewed by the Govt. appointed committee.

Union leaders assured "pay hike not deferred" - Finance Ministry notification soon

Amid confusion among Govt. employees regarding pay hike as per 7th CPC, Confederation of Central Govt. Employee and Workers clarified certain things, most importantly the possibility of deferment of pay hike.
Salient features of the clarification are listed below.

WHETHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CABINET DECISION ON 7^TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE DELAYED FURTHER FOR FOUR MONTHS

The question of keeping in abeyance the implementation of the Cabinet decision on 29^th June 2016 regarding 7^thCPC recommendations, till the High Level Committee submits its report to Govt, was discussed in the NJCA meeting. It is decided that NJCA should not demand it, as the employees may be put to hardship, especially those who are in the verge of retirement. Com Shiv Gopal Misra, Convenor, NJCA has confirmed from the Finance Ministry that Govt notification on 7^th CPC recommendations is under process and it will be issued shortly, payment may be made from August salary.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED EARLIER AND THE NEW HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE?

The new High Level Committee is the product of the discussion held by Group of Ministers including Home Minister, Finance Minister and Railway Minister with NJCA leaders after announcement of the Cabinet decision, in the wake of an impending indefinite strike. Govt is compelled to appoint the new Committee, as the decision taken by the Govt on the proposals submitted by the Empowered Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary (details of proposals of ECoS is not known to staff side) is not acceptable to the NJCA. Hence the new Committee shall be to reconsider the decision of the Govt. especially regarding minimum wage and fitment formula. Inspite of the assurance of the Groups of Ministers that the Committee is being constituted to reconsider the Govt. decision, if the Govt. again reject our demand, the NJCA have to reconsider its stand and deferred strike shall be revived.

POSITION REGARDING ALLOWANCES

All allowances including HRA, transport allowance, fixed medical allowance to pensioners etc. are referred to a committee headed by Finance Secretary. Committee shall submit its report within four months. Pending final decision based on the report of the Committee, all existing allowances to be paid as per the existing rates in existing pay structure. Govt. may try to deny arrears of revised rate of allowances by implementing it from prospective date as in the past. This issue will be further discussed by the NJCA with the proposed Committee.
Read the full clarification in Confederation site

Central employees disappointed with uncertainty over actual implementation

With the recent development about deferment of strike following Govt. press release, central staff are in low mood. They are uncertain about the actual pay hike as well as the date of implementation. Following cabinet nod on 29th July it was expected that new pay will be given with July salary. But after the press release which stated that "Government assures Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government that the issues raised by them relating to the pay scales and other recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission would be considered by a High Level Committee"
ALSO READ : LEADERS ASSURED IMMEDIATE HIKE
(Needless to mention that till date no committee has been formed) 
employees are disappointed as there is no time frame mentioned in the statement. It is also not clear whether the Govt. will pay the increased salary as of now immediately. No notification has been issued by the Finance Ministry so far. Is it an indication that following final decision, pay hike will be kept in abeyance ? Another issue of concern is about allowances. If allowances are not paid in enhanced rate, Govt. employees will certainly loose in term of arrear payment because as per the past instances, arrears of allowances never been paid. It is only paid with prospective effect. 
Employees are now discussing whether union by calling strike and withdrawing later on actually helped Govt. to defer increase and save substantially in it's pay bill ?

Government likely to raise entry-level salary to Rs 20,000

With central government employees rebutting the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations and demanding modifications in the entry level pay and fitment factor, the government on July 6 announced the high level committee to look into the demand of the government employees.

As per media reports, the government may not be able to meet the demand of Rs 26,000 as the minimum salary demanded by the unions, but may agree to increase the minimum salary to Rs 20,000.

The Staff Side of the unions have requested the government that before arriving at a final conclusion, the staff side should be given a fair chance to present and discuss the case with the government.

 The government has assured that the proposed High Level Committee will be appointed by the Government shall complete its task within a time frame.

Source : Zee News

GPF interest rate remains unchanged at 8.1% for July to September quarter

Central Govt. employees' Provident Fund and other similar funds will carry interest @8.1% w.e.f 01st July 2016 to 30th September 2016. The interest rate was same in the last quarter. From this Financial Year (2016-17) Govt. decided to announce interest rate in every three months unlike once in a year previously.
Click here for the Govt. Resolution 

Central employees' "indefinite strike" deferred indefinitely

As expected and widely anticipated, Central unions deferred their indefinite strike scheduled from 11th July 2016. 
Following Govt. assurance in form of a press release that the demands will be considered by a high level committee, leaders came back from warpath.
In the last few days the union leaders were shamelessly pursuing the Govt. to come out with something so that then can back out. It seemed that leaders were more eager to postpone (read as "withdraw") the strike than Government. 
The Press release issued bu central Govt. late in yesterday night is as under :
"Government assures Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government that the issues raised by them relating to the pay scales and other recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission would be considered by a High Level Committee 

Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government had met the Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and the Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh Prabhu in the evening of 30th June, 2016.

They had requested that certain issues raised by them in relation to the pay scales and other recommendations of the Pay Commission be allowed to be raised before a Committee of Secretaries looking into different aspects of grievances of employees in relation to the Pay Commission recommendations.

The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee. "

Still no announcement of any decision on strike, deferment most likely

Update : Strike deferred
"The Honourable Home Minister assured the delegation that the Government will honour the assurances held out to the NJCA leaders on 30^th June, 2016 and accordingly the Honourable Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitly will issue a Press Statement today, with copy to NJCA.

After receipt of the copy of the Press Communique issued by the Honourable Finance Minister, the NJCA will take a final decision."

Click here for the statement issued by NJCA

Unions to decide today regarding indefinite strike

Leaders of National Joint Council of Action, the umbrella organization of central Govt. associations in different Dept.s/ Ministries will sit together to decide future course of action. There is already a call for indefinite strike from 11th July exists but during a meeting on 30th June, central ministers assured leaders about consideration of minimum pay hike and betterment in fitment factor. They promised to refer these matters to any of the committees which will look after certain issues of pay report. But till date no written communication or press release detailing these have been issued. The leaders need to solve these issues before declaring any deferment of strike.
Since the Leaders of NJCA are meeting today (6th July 2016) at 11:00 hrs., in JCM Office at New Delhi, the expectations are at high to know the recent development in implementation of 7th CPC recommendations and of course about Indefinite Strike also.

Eid holiday shifted to 7th July in Delhi

".... it has been decided to shift the Id-ul-Fitr holiday to 7th July, 2016 in place of 6th July, 2016 as notified earlier, for all Central Government administrative offices at Delhi / New Delhi.
 2. For Offices outside Delhi / New Delhi the Employees Coordination Committees or Head of Offices  (where such Committees are not functioning) can decide the date depending upon the decision of the concerned State Government."
Click here to view the Office Memorandum

All Central Govt. offices situated in West Bengal will remain open tomorrow (06/07) and closed on 7th July 2016 on accoubt of Eid-ul-fitr


West Bengal employees will get two days' holiday, both on 6th and 7th of July.  As the holiday on 7th July is declared under N.I. Act, Banks and other financial institutions will also remain closed for two days in this state.
Click here for the order

Central strike from July 11 likely to be deferred, Union is waiting Govt. assurance

The proposed indefinite strike of Central Govt. employees in protest of "negligible increase" of salary may be deferred for some time. National Joint Council of Action, the umbrella body of Central associations will decide the fate of strike on Tuesday. 
"They have fixed the minimum wage at a meagre Rs 18,000 in the 7th Pay Commission. In the last Pay Commission, the basic pay was Rs 7,000. They multiplied it by 2.57 (fitment formula) and came to Rs 18,000. We are demanding 3.68 fitment formula," Shivgopal Mishra, General Secretary, All India Railway Men Federation and Convenor of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), toldIANS.

"As many as 33 lakh government employees, excluding the defence personnel, will go on strike if we do not get some kind of assurance from the government to reconsider the decision. The major contention is on the minimum wage, which we are demanding to be Rs 26,000," KKN Kutty, President of CCGE and general secretary of national coordination committee of pensioners association, told IANS.

"We had a meeting with a group of ministers, including the Home Minister (Rajnath Singh), Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) and Railway Minister (Suresh Prabhu) on the evening of June 30. They said it will be considered and will be referred to some committee," said Mishra.

"We are waiting to hear back on this from the government by July 4 evening or July 5. In our meeting, it was only a verbal commitment. If the government gives us specific details like which committee will review, etc. then we will defer the strike. We have a meeting on July 5 to decide on the strike," Kutty said.

However while the fate of the strike is still unknown, a central government junior staffer on the condition of anonymity told IANS: "I don't think much will come out of the strike. The only thing the government might do is increase the allowances slightly, that's it."

The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the parent body of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, has also expressed its "dissatisfaction" at the 7th Pay Commission's recommendations.

"A huge gap has been created between the minimum and the maximum wage after the government approved the Seventh Pay Commission Report's recommendation," BMS general secretary Virjesh Upadhyay told IANS earlier.

However, BMS is not expected to go on strike as it is not a part of the NJCA.

The Union Cabinet has decided to constitute three separate committees, including one to look into the anomalies likely to arise out of enforcement of the commission's report.

Source : Business Standard

Govt. proposed to reconsider Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula

Latest Update – NJCA has issued a statement on 01.07.2016

Following is the statement released by National Joint Council of Action

"We are to inform you that the NJCA had a discussion with Government of India, i.e. 30.06.2016 over cetain demands contained in our Charter of Demands. In the meeting following Ministers were present:-
Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Home Minister
Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon’ble Finance Minsiter
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Hon’ble Railway Minister
Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble MoSR

On behalf of the NJCA the following participated in the discussion:-

Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convener NJCA
Shri M. Raghavaiah, Chairman NJCA
Shri K.K.N. Kutty, Member NJCA
Shri C.Srikumar, Member NJCA

The government has proposed to refer the issue of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula to a committee for reconsideration.

The NJCA will await communication in this regard from the Government.

The NJCA will again meet on 6th July at 11:00 hrs, in JCM office, 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi, for taking appropriate decision."