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.
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.
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.
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 !!
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
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).
