Demands for DA Merger & Interim Relief strengthen – NC JCM Staff Side emergency meeting on October 12

Demands for DA Merger & Interim Relief strengthen Once again…NC JCM Staff Side emergency meeting on October 12

National Council JCM Staff Side meeting will be held on 12th October 2014 to discuss and finalise future course of action on major demands of DA Merger, Interim Relief and Date of effect of 7th CPC.

The responsibility of Trade Unions and Federations is to ensure that the demands and anticipation of the employees are fulfilled. Demands for DA Merger are being raised for more than 3 years now, ever since Dearness Allowance crossed 50% (01.01.2011).

Previously, when Dearness Allowance crossed 50%, on April 1, 2004 it was added to the basic pay, during the Fifth Pay Commission.

All over the country, employees are demanding that DA be added to the basic pay once again in 6th CPC which is crossed 50%. Sensing this, all the Central Government Employees Federations and Unions began negotiating with the Government in various levels. When the Centre refused, a number of protests were held across the nation. Confederation successfully conducted a 2-day long total strike including for this demand.

Despite the fact that the demand occupied prominent position in a number of protests, there was an expectation that decision in this regard would be made during the final cabinet meeting of the previous government, which was held on February 28, 2014. Most of the Employees Federations had withdrawn their protests, trusting the assurance of the then government. But when no such announcement was made, there was an immense sense of disappointment.

Then there were expectations that the new government at the Centre would fulfil this demand. There are no signs of the important demands being granted.

In order to draw the attention of the Government to their demands, the National Council JCM (Staff Side) is going to meet on 12.10.2014. The meeting assumes prominence because all the National Council JCM Staff Side members are going to participate in it. Merger of Dearness Allowance, Payment of Interim Relief, and Declaration of 01.01.2014 as the date of effect of the recommendations of the 7th CPC are the important demands of the meeting. Plan of action will also be drawn on how to make the Centre accept these demands.