West Bengal to provide 3% Dearness Allowance from January 2021

 Announcing a three per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA) from next month for government staff, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said the states coffers would never run dry for its employees, although it was yet to receive dues of Rs 85,000 crore from the Centre.

Banerjee, during her address to members of TMC- affiliated government employees' association at the state secretariat, said dues payable by the Centre to Bengal had been mounting over a period of time under several heads -- UGC grant, GST and funds for COVID-19 battle among others.

"We had not been receiving our financial dues. At least  Rs 8,000 crore is due under GST. Despite financial constraints, we had met the recommendations of all previous pay commissions (Sixth Pay Commission). We will also provide three per cent hike in DA from January 2021," she said.

Banerjee said the exercise will incur an expense of Rs 2,200 crore on the state's exchequer.

"More than Rs 85,000 crore dues are yet to be cleared by the Centre but that will not prevent us from giving our people their dues," she said.

Date further extended for submission of Life Certificate for Central Pensioners

 The last date of submission of Life Certificate for Central Govt. Pensioners has been extended further ,upto 28th February 2021.

Central offices to run with bare minimum staff

 As a preventive measure to contain spread of Covid 19, Central offices to function with bare minimum staff upto 30th November or until further orders.

Officers at the level of Under Secretary and equivalent to attend office on every alternative day and and only skeletal staff below the above rank to be called to office.

The O.M.dated 11.11.2020 is reproduced below.

Diwali bonanza! Bank employees to get 15% salary hike for 2017-22

 In a big boost to over 8 lakh employees in the public, private and foreign banking sector, the Indian Banks' Association has officially signed the 11th Bipartite Settlement under which these employees would get around 15 per cent wage hike for the period starting 2017-22. The bank unions had demanded a 20 per cent hike, while IBA had initially offered a 12.25 per cent hike for the employees. After a series of discussions, the final annual hike of 15 per cent was announced.

The current hike in salaries would lead to an increase of about Rs 7,898 crore in the wage bill of the banking industry. The memorandum regarding the hike in salaries was signed between banks and several banking unions over three months back in July.

The ceiling on pension has also been removed. As per the new agreements, the family of the deceased bank employee would now get Rs 30,000 as pension compared to Rs 11,000 earlier.

The new proposals also list out giving out annual performance-linked incentives to the bank employees, depending on their bank's performance. This PLI scheme will be applicable over and above the salary.

As per the new guidelines, employees of the banks making 15 per cent annual operating profit will get 15 days' worth salary. Similarly, employees of the banks making an operating profit of 10-15 per cent would get 10 days' worth payment.

Gujarat govt announces release of dearness allowance and Diwali bonus

 Gujarat Government has announced the release of dearness allowance and Diwali bonus to its employees. This was announced by the Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel in Gandhinagar last evening. He said that payment of 464 crore rupees pending arrears on account of dearness allowance of three-months period will be released before Diwali. More than five lakh Government employees and over four and half lakh pensioners will get the pending dearness allowance. 

Mr. Patel said that out of total six months pending arrears of dearness allowance, the government has decided to release payment of Rs. 464 crore for three months period ahead of Diwali. He also announced Diwali bonus of upto 3500 rupees  for about 31000 group D government employees ahead of Diwali. The payable amount will be  deposited directly in the bank accounts of the employees. Mr. Patel said that most of the economic activities in the state have resumed and that GST, VAT and other revenues have  improved.

Tamil Nadu reverts to normalcy, 5 days' week from January

 Chennai, Oct 24 (PTI) All government offices in Tamil Nadu would revert to a five-day work week with effect from January 1, 2021, the state government said on Saturday.

A government order dated May 15, 2020, had ordered all its offices to function with 50 per cent strength for six days a week in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Subsequently, they were allowed to function with full strength from September 1.

"The present six-day work week including Saturday be modified and reverted to five-day work week with 100 per cent strength... with effect from January 1, 2021," Chief Secretary K Shanmugam said in an order.

Hefty hike in D.A. for Bank Employees from November 2020

 Bank employees and officers are set to get a hefty increase of 43 slabs D.A. from November 2020.

Total D.A. payable will be 81.80%

D.A. increase :

Sub Staff : Rs 440 to Rs 1100

Clerk      : Rs 545 to Rs 1945

Officer    : Rs 110 to Rs 4050

No change for Pensioners.

Source : AIBEA

22 Years service or 48 years of age ? It may be time to retire in Jammu & Kashmir

 The Jammu and Kashmir administration’s recent notification under SRO 324 to acquire powers to retire government employees at the age of 48 years or after completing 22 years of service is draconian and is against the interests of the lakhs of employees working in the region.

Click here to view the Notification

The notification/SRO aims to keep the employees under pressure which is bound to cause insecurity among them. It would serve as a tool to the government and bureaucrats to suppress their subordinates. A sword of uncertainty has been kept on the heads of employees which can also be exploited by their superiors.

There were already several laws to govern employees and what was the need to issue such draconian laws. The objective of such laws is only to prevent employees' unions from raising their voice against the ‘anti-employee’ policies of the government and the management.

The BJP government has already withdrawn several rights of the workers by suspending labour laws, in several BJP ruled states. The three labour laws passed in the Parliament at the far end of the truncated monsoon session constitute a grave assault on the working class of the country. The Modi government has rammed through these three anti-worker bills by muzzling parliament during the pandemic period.

The Central Government is going ahead with implementation of pro-corporate and anti-working class neo-liberal reforms in an aggressive manner. Large scale outsourcing, ban on creation of posts, non-filling up of about seven lakhs vacancies, move to corporatise various functions of the Government, freezing and impounding of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief, closure or merger of various Central Government establishments, refusal to scrap Contributory Pension Scheme (NPS) or to guarantee 50% of last pay drawn as minimum pension, refusal to modify retrograde recommendations of 7th Pay Commission.

All these measures have deepened the anger and discontentment among the ranks of employees.

Different platforms of trade unions and employees federations in the country have decided to go far general strike on 26 November for their demands. We appeal to the trade union movement of the country to enlist the demand for scraping of this draconian SRO in their demand charter also.

Source : Kashmir News Service

Download Bonus Order for Railway and other central Govt. staff

Central Govt. issued order for all non gazetted central Govt. employees for payment of non productivity linked bonus of 30 days for the Financial Year 2019-20 amounting Rs 6908/-

Click here to download the Govt. Order

Railway declared 78 days' productivity linked bonus for it's non gazetted staff for the Financial year 2019-20 amounting Rs 17,951/-

Click here to download Railway Bonus Order

Bonus for Central Govt. employees

Cabinet approves Productivity Linked Bonus and non-Productivity Linked Bonus for 2019-2020

Posted On: 21 OCT 2020 3:24PM by PIB Delhi

Click here for bonus order

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval to pay Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB)for the year 2019-2020 to 16.97 lakh non-gazetted employees of commercial establishments like Railways, Posts, Defence, EPFO,ESIC,etc.will be benefitted and the financial implication would be Rs.2,791 crore.

Non-PLB or ad-hoc Bonus is given to Non-Gazetted Central Government employees. 13.70 lakh employees would be benefited and Rs.946 crore will be the financial implication for the same.

A total of 30.67 lakh employees would be benefited by the Bonus announcement and total financial implication will be Rs 3,737 crore.

Payment of Bonus to non-gazetted employees for their performance in the preceding year is usually made before Durga Puja/Dussehra season. The Government is announcing the Productivity Linked Bonus (PLB) and ad hoc bonus for its non-gazetted employees to be disbursed immediately.

Clarification on "Cash in lieu of LTC scheme"

There are many queries of Central Govt. employees regarding the new scheme of Govt. where employees can draw cash without making any journey in LTC.

Some of the issues have been clarified in the clarification issued.

Click here for clarification

Central Employees to observe "GRANT BONUS DAY" today

Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers calls upon the entirety of Central Government Employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks to hold protest demonstrations all over India at all centres and also in front of all offices (observing Covid protocol) on 20th October 2020, Tuesday. Railway Federations have also given a similar call for protest demonstrations on 20.10.2020. 

Click here for the circular

Railway unions threat of action if Bonus is not declared within 20th October

 The Railway workers union has threatened of ‘direct action’ if their productivity linked bonus, which is usually paid before the onset of Durga Puja, is not released by October 20.

This was decided in a virtual standing committee meeting of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF) held on Friday.

AIRF general secretary Shiv Gopal Mishra said railwaymen worked 24X7 during the COVID-19 pandemic but the government was ignoring this “legitimate” demand of the railway employees.

“It was decided in the meeting that if orders for payment of productivity linked bonus to railwaymen are not issued by the Railway Ministry by October 20, direct action shall be taken on October 22, 2020,” he said.

The file related to the bonus has been sent by the Railway Board (Ministry of Railways) to the Finance Ministry, which is not clearing it and adopting an indifferent attitude in this regard, Mr. Mishra claimed.

Source : The Hindu

He said the payment used to be made before Durga Puja but this time it has not been done so far, resulting in serious resentment and unrest amongst the railwaymen.

In the meeting, officials also expressed anguish over anti-labour policies of the government and demanded direct action.

The meeting also raised issues regarding the privatisation/outsourcing and corporatisation in the Railways, restoration of the old pension scheme, and releasing of dearness allowance/dearness relief.

The board’s general secretary said that during the meeting, it was also decided to form Save Railway-Save Nation Campaign Committees at all 7,600 railway stations across the country.

He demanded that local rail users and other prominent personalities be involved in the formation of the said committees to create an effective atmosphere to halt the policies of privatisation and corporatisation in the Indian Railways.

Bank Wage Revision : Bipartite talk with officers' associations comes to a standstill

 The bipartite talk between IBA and Officers Associations suddenly derailed yesterday. 

 IBA in the forenoon informed their inability to conclude and ink the joint note pertaining to officers’ wage revision w.e.f. 01.11.2017. The lame reason cited by them was not signing the costing exercise with the Workmen Unions till then.

Aggrieved with the decision, the Officers' Associations immediately went to warpath. They decided to take following industrial actions.

" In this background after the analysis of series of developments it has been decided unanimously to retaliate with agitational programmes in a phased manner. The action programmes chalked out will commence with the following forthwith:

a) Withdrawal of extra cooperation. 

b) Officers should restrict to the allocated work upto 6.00 p.m. only. 

c) Officers should not respond official SMS/ Whatsapp beyond 6 p.m. 

d) Officers are directed not to do any official work on Sundays and holidays viz. attend webinars/ office/ participate any programme related to canvassing of third-party products/ marketing drives/ training programmes/ ‘P’ Review meetings."

Click here for AIBOC Circular

IBA and workmen union differ on special allowance

 In yesterday's meeting with IBA, they proposed a 16.4% hike in special allowance as agreed by officers' association.

Workme unions rejected the offer and demanded 20% increase.

Next meeting fixed on 17th and final agreement may be reached today.

Stay with us for further update.

Bank Bipartite Update by AIBOC

 There will be talks with IBA on financial and non Financial issues on 16th and day after. Most probably the settlement can be signed on 17th or 18th. IBA is planning to release the arrears before 25th this month. 

Regarding 5 day banking, is an open subject and will not appear in the final settlement. Association is trying for that. It needs govt clearance. 

Lets hope positive result.

Central staff and pensioners may get D.A. soon : Media Report

One of the media report claims that Central Govt. is considering seriously to revive the freezed D.A. / D.R for employees and pensioners. Discussions are on and it may be materialized in December, the report says.

Report :

"The Narendra Modi government had in April announced that the Central government employees and pensioners would not get 21 per cent Dearness Allowance, which they would have received from January 1, 2020, as per the 7th Pay Commission recommendation.

The decision was part of the Centre’s efforts to deal with the financial crisis like situation emerged due to the COVID-19 pandemic in March this year.

“…the additional instalment of DA payable to the Central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to the Central government pensioners due from 1st January 2020 shall not be paid,” a government order read.

It further said that the additional instalment of DA and DR due from July 1, 2020 and January 1, 2020 shall not be paid, but both at current rates will continue to be paid.

Though there were rumours that the April order has been withdrawn, the news was later found to be a fake one.

However, the Centre is now mulling to announce the DA and DR for the employees and the pensioners. Discussions are on and it may be materialised in the month of December, said a source on the condition of anonymity.

The government is serious about the allowances for its employees. The pandemic situation has put a burden on both the government and the employees but the duo has so far stood tall, and the situation is currently improving, he added."

Source : Odisha TV

Know the levy payable after bank bipartite and payments of arrears

 It is gathered from different sources that Bank Bipartite between IBA and UFBU is going to be signed on 15th October 2020 with an estimated 15% hike in salary. 

LEVY amount is yet to be finalized by UFBU leaders but is is expected that it would be 2% of the arrears amount.

Click here to know the details

Update on Bank Bipartite : Partial Arrears this month ?

 The revised salary of public sector bank employees are almost finalized and it is believed that the part arrears will be paid by end of October 2020 or before Durga Puja.

It is also to be believed that the draft note of the revised salary as per 11th BPS between IBA and UFBU will be sgned by 15th October 2020 and new salary will be paid by 1st of Nov 2020 after delay of three years. 

The one month salary arears already been paid and will be settled in the final payment. 

Highlights of draft discussion

New Basic looks to be 1.515 times of existing basic. 

--Special Allowance may be 15.50% of new basic. 

--HRA seems unchanged at 7/8/9 % based on area classification. 

--CCA, PQP etc may be fixed at 1.515 times of existing levels. 

--Medical allowance may be fixed at 12,000 from existing 8,000. 

--P.F. deduction will continue at 10% of new basic.  

--14% employer contribution may be okayed for NPS. 

-- NPS Employee contribution kept constant at 10% (Basic pay plus DA)  

--PLI formula same as per MOU. 

Festival Advance and Cash in lieu of LTC with strict condition

 There is very little to cheer about for Central Govt. employees ahead of the festive season. FM announced two package for Govt. employees to boost expenditure and in turn to recover from the economic recession. 

The packages sound good but after issuance of the O.Ms it is clear that Govt. aimed to boost economy more and at the same time lured the employees to make expenditure more that they get out of these packages and eventually may be leaded to a debt trap. 

Let us take the example of Festival Advance. The amount of Rs 10,000 to be disbursed in the form of a debit card and have to buy goods within 31st march. It means the entire amount has to be spent regardless of requirement.  Click to view

The second one is more dangerous - Cash in lieu of LTC. A lump-sum amount .Rs 36,000/20,000/6000 per person of family will be paid in lieu of journey fare and the employee has to make expense of 3 times in goods/service entailing  at least 12% GST.

Click to view

He is also entitled to leave encashment  of 10 day which is normally available with LTC. This amount is also required to be spent totally in the above items or service.

It simply means if an employee claim Rs Rs 24,000  as fare component (assuming a four member family with lowest entitlement) and  Rs 20,000  as leave encashment he has to spend at least Rs 72,000 for the cash in lieu of LTC and Rs 20,000 which he got as leave encashment.

Total Incoming  Rs 44,000 (24,000 + 20,000) while mandatory expense Rs 92,000 !  A good joke indeed !!

Central Govt. doles out Festival Advance, Cash in lieu of LTC to boost economy

 In a desperate move to boost economy and gain the confidence of it's employees centre brings out innovative plans.

Rs 10,000 Interest free advance to all central employees.

Cash in lieu of LTC of which has to be spent in non food GST bearing items within 31st March 2021. Details of this scheme, i.e., amount of cash component is awaited.

Click here to view details and O.M.s

Most important thing to consider that still now Govt. has not issued Bonus Order for it's employees. Will these doles are substituting the bonus ? Govt. employees have reasons to suspect as they had to sacrifice their D.A. for 18 months while their counterparts in Bank and PSU are enjoying the same.

Following is the news related to Advance and Cash in lieu of LTC.

"The government on Monday announced a one-time Rs 10,000 interest-free festival advance to all its officers and employees as part of plans to increase consumer spending to spur demand in the economy.

But as a one-time measure, an interest-free advance will be given to all officers and employees of the central government, she said.

This Rs 10,000 advance will come as a pre-paid Rupay card, which can be availed and spent by March 31, 2021.

The repayment will be in 10 installments, she said, adding that Rs 4,000 crore is likely to be spent on this.

In a bid to stimulate demand in the economy, the government on Monday announced giving out cash vouchers to central government employees this year in lieu of leave travel concession (LTC) fare which could be spent only on buying non-food GST-rated items.

Finance Minister Sitharaman said the employees could buy items that attract 12 per cent or more goods and services tax (GST). These purchases will have to be made in digital mode from GST-registered outlets.

Every four years, central government employees get LTC to any destination to their choice plus one to their hometown.

Since travel is difficult to undertake during the pandemic, the government will pay the entitled fare as cash vouchers which have to be spent by March 31, 2021, she said.

Central government payout on cash-in-lieu-for-LTC will be Rs 5,675 crore, and another Rs 1,900 crore will be payout by central PSUs and public sector banks, Sitharaman said.

The demand infusion because of this would be Rs 19,000 crore, and another Rs 9,000 crore if half of the states follow this guideline, she added."

Source Rediff News

Update of Railway Bonus

 A meeting with AIRF and Minister and CEO of Rail Board took place today

The issues attached herewith have been discussed at length, and the CEO/MR has given positive response in many of the cases, including PLB to Railwaymen.

1. Promotion of staff from GP 1800/- to GP 1900 – Replacement of GP 1800/- with GP 1900.
2. Replacement of GP 4600/- with GP 4800/- (although Railway Ministry agreed, no orders issued till date).

3. Withdrawal of closure decision of five Railway Printing Presses.

4. Payment of PLB (for the year 2019-2020) to Railwaymen.

5. Implementation of accepted recommendations of 7th CPC in the case of following categories of Railway Staff:-
• OT Assistants of Medical Department in Railways.
• Harmonization of the cadre of Laboratory Superintendent of Medical Department in Railways.
• SSO (Accounts) in Railways.

6. Absorption of Course Completed Act Apprentices.
7. Allotment of GP 4600/Pay Level-7 to Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) in Railways.
8. Absorption of Quasi Administrative Units Staff in Railways in GP 1800/Pay Level-1 vacancies.
9. Upgradation of staff of S&T Cadre in Railways.
10. Career growth of Pointsman Category – Decision on EDs Committee Report after due consultation with the Federations.

11. Proposed new Scheme “SALUTE” – needs modification/improvement in consultation with the Federations.
12. Decision to surrender posts, particularly 50% non-safety posts –review RBE No. 48/2020 dated 2nd July, 2020 & ensure consultations.

13. Appointment of wards of safety staff who have been found medically fit prior to 27/10/2017 under LARSGESS – Bombay Division of Western Railway and Bhusawal Division of Central Railway have not yet issued appointment orders despite Railway Board’s instructions.

14. Provision of adequate funds to the Railways for ensuring payment of various incentives and allowances – abnormal delay has been causing agony and frustration among Railway Staff.

15. Covid-19:- Removal of ceiling of maximum 30 days special casual leave and restoration of quarantine leave in Indian Railway Establishment Code Vol. I for Railway Staff. Extension to retain Railway accommodation till 31st March, 2021.

16. Decision for premature retirement of Railway Staff on attaining 50/55 years of age or completion of 30 years of service in Railways should be rescinded.

17. Curtailing 10% posts from DR quota to be filled through LDCE –making it open to all.
18. Railway Board’s letter No.E(P&A)II-2017/20.09/2020 (RBE No.83/2020), regarding Night Duty Allowance, needs to be reviewed and recoveries should be stopped immediately. Matter should be discussed immediately with the Federations, as the railway employees perform unique nature of duties (during 22-06 hours).

LTC by Air to North East, Andaman and J&K extended for two more years

 "The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2018- Estt.A-IV dated 20.09.2018 regarding relaxation to travel by air to visit North East Region, Jammu & Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar and to say that in relaxation to CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, the scheme allowing Government servants to travel by air to North East Region (NER), Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Union Territory of Ladakh and Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) is extended for a further period of two years, w.e.f. 26th September, 2020 till 25th September, 2022 as under:

(i) LTC for visiting NER, J&K, Ladakh and A&N in lieu of a Home Town LTC.
(ii) Facility of air journey to non-entitled Government servants for visiting NER, J&K, Ladakh and A&N.
(iii) Permission to undertake journey to J&K, Ladakh, NER and A&N by private airlines.

2. The above special dispensation is subject to the following terms & conditions:

(i) All eligible Government servants may avail LTC to visit any place in NER/ A&N/ J&K/ Ladakh against the conversion of their one Home Town LTC in a four year block
(ii) Government servants, whose Home Town and Headquarters/ place of posting is the same, are not allowed the conversion.
(iii) Fresh Recruits are allowed conversion of one of the three Home Town LTCs in a block of four years, applicable to them to visit NER/ A&N/ J&K/ Ladakh. They are also allowed one additional conversion of Home Town LTC to visit UT of J&K/ UT of Ladakh in a block of four years.
(iv) Government servants entitled to travel by air may avail this concession from their Headquarters in their entitled class of air by any airlines subject to the maximum fare limit of LTC-80.
(v) Government servants not entitled to travel by air are allowed to travel by air in Economy class by any airlines subject to the maximum fare limit of LTC-80 in the following sectors.

(a) Between Kolkata/Guwahati and any place in NER.
(b) Between Kolkata/ChennaiNisakhapatnam and Port Blair.
(c) Between Delhi/Amritsar and any place in J&K/Ladakh.

Journey for these non-entitled employees from their Headquarters up to Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Visakhapatnam/ Delhi/ Amritsar shall be undertaken as per their entitlement.
(vi) Air travel by Government employees to NER, J&K, Ladakh and A&N as mentioned in para (iv) and (v) above is allowed whether they avail the concession against Anywhere in India LTC or in lieu of the Home Town LTC, as permitted.
(vii) As regards the settlement of LTC cases where a non-entitled Government employee travels directly by air from his Headquarters to the destination in NER/ J&K/ Ladakh/ A&N, the clarification issued vide DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/3/2018- Estt.A-IV dated 20.06.2019 may also be referred to.
(viii) Air tickets are to be purchased directly from the airlines (Booking counters, website of airlines) or by utilizing the service of Authorized Travel Agents viz. ‘M/s Balmer Lawrie & Company’, ‘M/s Ashok Travels & Tours’ and ‘IRCTC’ [to the extent IRCTC is authorized as per DoPT’s O.M. No. 31011/6/2002- Estt.(A) dated 02.12.2009] while undertaking LTC journey. Booking of tickets through other agencies is not permitted and no request for relaxation of rules for booking the tickets through such agencies shall be considered by this Department.

3. Efforts should be made by the Government servants to book air tickets at the cheapest fare possible. All the Ministries/ Departments are advised to bring it to the notice of all their employees that any misuse of LTC will be viewed seriously and the employees will be liable for appropriate action under the rules. In order to keep a check on any kind of misuse of LTC, Ministries/ Departments are advised to randomly get some of the air tickets submitted by the officials verified from the airlines concerned with regard to the actual cost of air travel vis-a-vis the cost indicated on the air tickets submitted by the officials.

4. In their application to the persons belonging to Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders are issued under Article 148(5) of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller & Auditor General of India.

Order

(Courtesy : https://www.govtempdiary.com/) 

West Bengal launches portal for Online Mutual Transfer

The West Bengal government on Wednesday launched a portal through which teachers of state- run and state-aided schools will be able to apply for mutual transfer and the applicant will not require any 'no objection certificate' (NOC) from his/her current institute to make such an appeal.

Click here to log in 

Presently, a teacher needs an NOC from his/her school to apply for mutual transfer. This will simplify the procedure of mutual transfer, Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said while launching the portal.

"A teacher won't have to approach the school where he/she is working for a No Objection Certificate while applying for a mutual transfer via this portal," Mr Chatterjee told reporters.

The applications will be processed in a centralised manner and this will help teachers of primary, secondary and higher secondary schools join in institutes in their home district or neighbouring district, he said.

Central offices to have at least 50% attendance

 In an office Memorandum dated 07th October 2020, DOPT issued instruction regarding attendance of Central Govt. employees.

Salient feature of this instructions are -

1. Under Secretary and above should attend office everyday as before.

2. For others, below the above rank, 50% attendance must be ensured. Head of Dept. may mandate more attendance if required in public interest.

3. The staff should follow staggered timings to avoid overcrowding as

 9 to 5.30 and 10 to 6.30.

4. Persons in the containment zone should be exempted to attend office.

5. Those who are not attending office should work from home and must be available on telephone or other electronic means of communication at all time.

6. Pregnant women and persons with disability shall continue to work from home.

Click here for the O.M.

No order to revoke suspension of D.A. : Centre clarifies

 A viral message claiming that the central government has withdrawn its earlier order to suspend dearness allowance hike is doing the rounds on social media. However, the Centre on Wednesday clarified that no new order has been passed with regards to the suspension of the DA hike.

The government’s Twitter handle, which goes by the name PIB fact check, called out the fake message saying that April’s order has not been withdrawn, though there are several claims around it.

“A headline has been morphed on a request letter written to the finance minister claiming that the Centre has taken back its order in DA cut. This headline is fake. The letter was written in May 2020. Centre has not taken any such decision," the PIB fact check handle tweeted.

XIth Bank Bipartite : Update on discussion dated 17.09.2020

 Cost of wage revision – for workmen : Rs. 3385 cr (Out of the total of Rs. 7898 crores).

Amount allocated for Basic Pay, DA, Spl. Pay, PQP : Rs. 495 crores

For other payslip components : Rs. 2890 crores

Pay Scales: Proposals on revised Pay Scales were discussed and looking to overall cost, it was decided to finetune the same and finalise the payscales. It was agreed that one more stagnation increment would be granted both to clerical and substaff.

DA: 0.07% per slab of 4 points over 6352 points of CPI

Special Pay, PQP, FPP – being revised on the same basis as revision in Basic Pay.

Special Allowance: From our side, we suggested that the existing rate of Special Allowance should be revised substantially upward but within the cost and it was decided to take a final decision in this regard in the next meeting since the same has to be synchronised with officers.

Revision in HRA, Transport Allowance and Medical Aid: After finalising the percentage of Special Allowance , these items would be finalised.

Non financial items: Most of the items as already discussed during the earlier meetings were reiterated and confirmed. Few remaining items will be finalised shortly

SAT directs West Bengal Govt. to settle arrears of D.A. to state employees by 16th December

 The Special Administrative Tribunal of SAT has directed the state Govt. to settle the arrears of D.A. of Govt. employees by December 16. Today was SAT's virtual hearing. Last July, the SAT upheld the 2019 verdict by dismissing the state's review petition in this case.

Accumulated Central D.A./D.R after 1st July 2020

 Everybody knows that Central Govt. has put on hold any increase of D.A./D.R. to central employees and pensioners with retrospective effect from 1st January 2020. Already declared D.A. wef 1st January 2020 was also taken back. The D.A./D.R will not be paid by Govt. upto June 2021 and as per notification issued, the enhance D.A./D.R. will be payable from 1st July 2021 with prospective effect.

So the D.A. is accumulating for the employees and pensioners and all pending D.A. will be paid in the month of July 2021 onwards but  of course without any arrears.

Let us see the percentage of increase in the meanwhile. 

January 2020 : @ 4%

July 2020         @ 3%

A total of 7% is already on hold and two more installments to go.

Following the move of Central Govt. all state Govt.s have also stopped increase in DA/DR for their employees and pensioners silently.

It will not be out of context to mention that Bank and other PSUs are releasing D.A. without any embargo. 

Pay Commission is live again !

 We sincerely apologize to our viewers that due to some unavoidable circumstances, the blog could not be updated for a long period.

A lot of things happened during this period like freezing of DA/DR for central Govt. employees and pensioners, 11th Bipartite took it's final shape and many others.

We assure our viewers that this blog will again serve for the purpose of employees of organized sector as before.

We look forward for the support of our esteemed viewers once again.  

11th BPS Settled on 15% Pay Hike, MOU within 90 Days

The waiting time is finally over for the public sector bankes. Their much needed demand for settling the 11th Bipartite Wage Revision is finally concluded with 15% hike. The MOU between the IBA and UFBU will be signed within 90 days.

The synopsis of the settlement are :

1) 5 day week agreed!
2) 15% wage increase agreed!
3) 47.80% (478 Slabs) DA merger agreed!
4) 2.25% Load Factor on Basic pay agreed!
5) Total increase in Pay @49.80 % agreed!
6) Balance 13% will be distributed in various Allowances agreed!
7) DA rate in future will be @ 0.07 % per slab (now balance of slabs will be 681-478=203 slabs)

Lockdown extended for two more weeks

PRESS RELEASE EXTENSION OF LOCKDOWN FOR A FURTHER PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 4, 2020.

 After a comprehensive review, and in view of the Lockdown measures having led to significant gains in the COVID-19 situation in the country, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India (GoI) issued an Order under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, today, to further extend the Lockdown for a further period of two weeks beyond May 4, 2020. MHA also issued new guidelines to regulate different activities in this period, based on the risk profiling of the districts of the country into Red (hotspot), Green and Orange Zones. The guidelines have permitted considerable relaxations in the districts falling in the Green and Orange Zones. 2. The criteria for identification of districts as Red, Green and Orange Zones have been spelt out in detail in the letter dated April 30, 2020, issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), GoI. The Green Zones will be districts with either zero confirmed cases till date; or, no confirmed case in the last 21 days. The classification of districts as Red Zones will take into account the total number of active cases, doubling rate of confirmed cases, extent of testing and surveillance feedback from the districts. Those districts, which are neither defined as Red nor Green, shall be classified as Orange zones. The classification of districts into Red, Green and Orange Zones will be shared by MoHFW with the States and Union Territories (UTs) on a weekly basis, or earlier, as required. While States and UTs can include additional districts as Red and Orange Zones, they may not lower the classification of a district included by MoHFW in the list of Red or Orange Zones. 2 3. A number of districts of the country have, within their boundaries, one or more Municipal Corporations (MCs). It has been observed that due to higher population density within the MCs, and consequent greater inter-mixing of people, the incidence of COVID-19 within the boundary of the MC(s) is higher than in the rest of the district. In the new guidelines, therefore, it has been provided that such districts will be classified into two Zones, i.e., one Zone for the area under the boundary of the MC(s); and, another for the area falling outside the boundary of the MC(s). If the area outside the boundary of the MC(s) has reported no case for the last 21 days, it will be allowed to be classified as one stage lower than the overall classification of the district as either Red or Orange. Hence, this area will be classified as Orange, in case the district is overall Red; or as Green, in case the district is overall Orange. This classification will enable more economic and other activities in that area of the district, which is relatively less affected by the incidence of COVID-19, while also ensuring that due caution continues to be exercised so that these areas remain free from COVID-19 cases. This dispensation has been made only in respect of districts having Municipal Corporation (s). 4. The most sensitive areas of the country, from the spread of COVID19 point of view, and falling within the Red and Orange Zones, are designated as Containment Zones. These are areas where there is significant risk of spread of the infection. The containment areas would be defined by respective District Administrations, taking into account the total number of active cases, their geographical spread, and the need to have well demarcated perimeters from the enforcement point of view. The local authority shall ensure 100% coverage of Aarogya Setu app among the residents of the Containment Zone. Containment Zones would have intensified surveillance protocols, with contact tracing, house to house 3 surveillance, home/ institutional quarantining of persons based on their risk assessment, and clinical management. Strict perimeter control would need to be ensured, so that there is no movement of people in and out of these Zones, except for medical emergencies, and for maintaining supply of essential goods and services. No other activity is permitted within the Containment Zones. 5. Under the new guidelines, a limited number of activities will remain prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the Zone. These include travel by air, rail, metro and inter-State movement by road; running of schools, colleges, and other educational and training/ coaching institutions; hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants; places of large public gatherings, such as cinema halls, malls, gymnasiums, sports complexes etc; social, political, cultural and other kinds of gatherings; and, religious places/ places of worship for public. However, movement of persons by air, rail and road is allowed for select purposes, and for purposes as permitted by MHA. 6. The new guidelines also prescribe certain measures for well being and safety of persons. Hence, movement of individuals, for all nonessential activities, shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am. Local authorities shall issue orders under appropriate provisions of law, such as prohibitory orders [curfew] under Section 144 of CrPC, for this purpose, and ensure strict compliance. In all zones, persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women, and children below the age of 10 years, shall stay at home, except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes. Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) and Medical clinics shall be permitted to operate in Red, Orange and Green Zones, with social distancing norms and other safety precautions; however, these will not be permitted within the Containment Zones. 4 7. In the Red Zones, outside the Containment Zones, certain activities are prohibited in addition to those prohibited throughout the country. These are: plying of cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws; running of taxis and cab aggregators; intra-district and inter-district plying of buses; and, barber shops, spas and saloons. 8. Certain other activities have been allowed in the Red Zones with restrictions. Movement of individuals and vehicles is allowed only for permitted activities, with a maximum of 2 persons (besides the driver) in four-wheeler vehicles, and with no pillion rider in the case of two-wheelers. Industrial establishments in urban areas, viz., Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), industrial estates and industrial townships with access control have been permitted. The other industrial activities permitted are manufacturing units of essential goods, including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw material and intermediates; production units, which require continuous process, and their supply chain; manufacturing of IT hardware; jute industry with staggered shifts and social distancing; and, manufacturing units of packaging material. Construction activities in urban areas have been limited to in-situ construction (where workers are available on site and no workers are required to be brought in from outside) and construction of renewable energy projects. Shops in urban areas, for non-essential goods, are not allowed in malls, markets and market complexes. However, all standalone (single) shops, neighborhood (colony) shops and shops in residential complexes are permitted to remain open in urban areas, without any distinction of essential and non-essential. ECommerce activities, in the Red Zones, are permitted only in respect of essential goods. Private offices can operate with upto 33% strength as per requirement, with the remaining persons working from home. All 5 Government offices shall function with senior officers of the level of Deputy Secretary and above at full strength, and the remaining staff attending upto 33% as per requirement. However, Defense and Security services, Health and Family Welfare, Police, Prisons, Home Guards, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency Services, Disaster management and related services, National Informatics Centre (NIC), Customs, Food Corporation of India (FCI), National Cadet Corps (NCC), Nehru Yuvak Kendra (NYK) and Municipal services shall function without any restrictions; delivery of public services shall be ensured and necessary staff will be deployed for such purpose. 9. A large number of other activities are allowed in the Red Zones. All industrial and construction activities in rural areas, including MNREGA works, food-processing units and brick-kilns are permitted; besides, in rural areas, without distinction to the nature of goods, all shops, except in shopping malls are permitted. All agriculture activities, e.g., sowing, harvesting, procurement and marketing operations in the agricultural supply chain are permitted. Animal husbandry activities are fully permitted, including inland and marine fisheries. All plantation activities are allowed, including their processing and marketing. All health services (including AYUSH) are to remain functional, including transport of medical personnel and patients through air ambulances. A large part of the financial sector remains open, which includes banks, non-banking finance companies (NBFCs), insurance and capital market activities, and credit co-operative societies. Operation of homes for children, senior citizens, destitutes, women and widows etc.; and operation of Anganwadis has also been permitted. Public utilities, e.g., utilities in power, water, sanitation, waste management, telecommunications and internet will remain open, and courier and postal services will be allowed to operate. 6 10. Most of the commercial and private establishments have been allowed in the Red Zones. These include print and electronic media, IT and IT enabled services, data and call centres, cold storage and warehousing services, private security and facility management services, and services provided by self-employed persons, except for barbers etc., as mentioned earlier. Manufacturing units of essential goods, including drugs, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, their raw material and intermediates; production units, which require continuous process, and their supply chain; Jute industry with staggered shifts and social distancing; and manufacturing of IT hardware and manufacturing units of packaging material will continue to be permitted. 11. In the Orange Zones, in addition to activities permitted in Red Zone, taxis and cab aggregators will be permitted with 1 driver and 1 passenger only. Inter-district movement of individuals and vehicles will be allowed for permitted activities only. Four wheeler vehicles will have maximum two passengers besides the driver and pillion riding will be allowed on twowheelers. 12. In the Green Zones, all activities are permitted except the limited number of activities which are prohibited throughout the country, irrespective of the Zone. However buses can operate with upto 50% seating capacity and bus depots can operate with upto 50% capacity. 13. All goods traffic is to be permitted. No State/ UT shall stop the movement of cargo for cross land-border trade under Treaties with neighbouring countries. No separate pass of any sort is needed for such movement, which is essential for maintaining the supply chain of goods and services across the country during the lockdown period. 14. All other activities will be permitted activities, which are not specifically prohibited, or which are permitted with restrictions in the 7 various Zones, under these guidelines. However, States/ UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, and with the primary objective of keeping the spread of COVID-19 in check, may allow only select activities from out of the permitted activities, with such restrictions as felt necessary. 15. No separate/ fresh permissions will be required from authorities for activities already permitted to operate under the guidelines on Lockdown measures up to May 3, 2020. The Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) issued by MHA will continue to operate such as transit arrangement for foreign national(s) in India; release of quarantine persons; movement of stranded labour within States/ UTs; sign-on and sign-off of Indian seafarers, movement of stranded migrant workers, pilgrims, tourists, students and other persons by road and rail. 16. State/ UT Governments are mandated to strictly enforce the lockdown guidelines and they shall not dilute these guidelines issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in any manner.