UFBU Circular on the outcome of the Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014

UFBU Circular on the outcome of the Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014

Bipartite Talks with IBA – UFBU gives strike call

TEXT OF UFBU CIRCULAR

Further to the last round of meeting held on 17th instant, another round of bipartite meeting was held with the IBA today (26.9.2014). IBA was represented by Shri Rajeev Rishi (CMD Central Bank of India), Chairman of the Negotiating Committee along with other members of the Negotiating Committee. UFBU was represented by all its constituent unions.

In today’s meeting there was a detailed discussion on our demand for 100% reimbursement of hospitalisation expenses incurred by the employees/officers and their family members and the group mediclaim scheme offered by the IBA in response thereto. We explained our various apprehensions about the implementation of the scheme and hassle-free reimbursement of claims thereunder. We reiterated that employees/officers should not be required to deal directly with the insurance company or their Third Party Administrators. IBA has agreed and accordingly clarified that even though employees would be covered by the mediclaim scheme, they would continue to submit their claims to the management as hitherto and the reimbursement would be made by the Banks with the improved benefits of the scheme accruing to the employees. IBA also agreed to incorporate the suggestions submitted by the UFBU while finalising the scheme. Hence a broad in-principle consensus was mutually agreed upon and the final scheme would be worked out accordingly on the above lines.

We also raised the following issues during the discussions today:

Pension related matters i.e. 100% DA on pension for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees, improvement in family pension, provision for periodical updation of pension

Introduction of 5 days banking / 5 days working

Regulated working hours for officers

After discussion, IBA informed that they are inclined to favorably consider the demand of 100% DA on pension for pre-Nov. 2002 retirees. IBA further informed that cost aspect on improvement in family pension is being worked out and they would soon take a decision on the same. IBA responded positively on this issue. As regards updation of pension, IBA informed that in view of the high cost involved, it would be difficult to agree to the same. On our insistence, IBA agreed that any viable and affordable proposition from the UFBU in this regard would be examined.

As regards 5 day banking / 5 day working, IBA regretted their inability to accept our demand in the present situation. From UFBU, we insisted on this issue and hence IBA agreed that if a detailed note is submitted to them with the requisite logic and rationale, they would apply their mind afresh on this issue.

On the issue of regulated working hours for officers, IBA was not inclined to agree to the same. However, on drawing their attention to the note submitted by the Officers Organisation, IBA agreed to study the same and react subsequently.

From the IBA, they wanted to know our views and reactions on introduction of cost to company method as well as fixed and variable pay concepts. From UFBU we have reiterated our standpoint that the same are not acceptable to us. IBA also insisted for limiting the wage revision discussions upto scale III officers instead of upto scale VII which was also declined by us.

On the vital issue of improvement in the offer of IBA over 11%, despite our indication that we would be flexible in our demand, depending on improvements in other areas, IBA has conveyed that they are unable to improve their offer unless UFBU scale down further in its demand considering the financial constraints of the banks. We categorically informed IBA that UFBU would be reasonable and flexible in its approach provided the same is reciprocated by the IBA on the issues raised by us and insisted on IBA to improve their offer to take the negotiations forward. However, IBA was adamant in their stand and did not improve their offer and stuck to their earlier offer of 11%. UFBU expressed its unhappiness over the rigid stand of IBA on improvement.

In the UFBU meeting held subsequently, representatives of all the constituent unions expressed their dissatisfaction and condemned the lackadaisical approach and adamant attitude of IBA and unanimously decided to undertake agitational programmes to press our demands and to expedite the settlement. After deliberations, it was decided to observe One day Protest Strike preceded by the following action programmes:

10.10.2014 – BLACK BADGE WEARING
17.10.2014 – COUNTRY WIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS
Between 18.10.2014 and 31.10.2014 – ONE DAY DHARNA AT ALL STATE CAPITALS (Date shall be decided by the State Unit of UFBU)

COUNTRY WIDE ONE DAY PROTEST STRIKE

It was also decided that the one day protest strike shall be followed by intermittent and relay strikes as well as indefinite strike. Detailed circular on the date of one day protest strike and other agitation programmes will be issued in due course.

Source: AIBEA

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Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014 – AIBOC

Bipartite Talks with IBA on 26.9.2014 – AIBOC

We have received the reaction from many of you on the outcome of the meeting with IBA. Our Confederation expressed its clear view in the UFBU meeting held on 26th September, 2014, that we want quick and sustained agitational programme against the apathy of IBA and the Government on our just and reasonable demands.

We also suggested that our strike call should be for 13th and/or 14th October preceded by programmes like no late sitting, not coming on Sundays and Holidays, Badge wearing, relay hunger strikes, rallies and demonstrations. Undersigned offered the challenge to hold a rally/demonstration on 27th September, 2014 itself at Delhi. However, the above programme only could be decided by the UFBU.

We call upon our members to be in preparedness for any call of the UFBU/organization. 

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No Holiday on October 2 for Central Government Employees

No Holiday on October 2 for Central Government Employees


Cabinet Secretary Ajith Seth has asked the Central Government employees to come to office on October 2, which happens to be the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, and a national holiday, and tidy up the office premises. A circular to this effect will be sent to all the Central Government offices soon.

As part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachh Bharat’ (Clean India) mission, all Central Government employees have been asked to report on duty on October 2, and take a pledge of cleanliness. The circular has already been sent to the secretaries of various departments.

Cabinet Secretary Ajith Seth explained, “During his Independence Day speech on August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission. He is all set to begin the campaign on October 2.
As part of the campaign, all Central Government employees are to attend the office on October 2 to take the pledge of cleanliness. Prior to the campaign, all concerned Central Government officials have been intimated to clean up the office premises.

Seth has said that all the Central Government departments will have to participate without fail in the ‘Swachh Bharat’ mission.

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Action taken on Reimbursement of Medical Expenses with FMA @ Rs. 100/- per month – BPMS

Action taken on Reimbursement of Medical Expenses with FMA @ Rs. 100/- per month

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH

Ministry of Defence
D(Civ-II) Section

Subject: Reimbursement of medical claim pertaining to in-patient treatment to the Defencc Civilians who are getting Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA).

The proposal for (Reimbursement of medical claim pertaining to in-patient treatment to the Defence Civilians who are getting Fixed Medical Allowance) was taken up by the Ministry of Defence with Ministry of health & Family Welfare.

2. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare vide their ID No 14025/9/2011-MS dated 14th August, 2014 has proposed that ‘FMA being granted to CS(MA) beneficiaries be stopped and they should be governed by the provisions of CS(MA) Rules, 1944 under which medical reimbursement for outdoor treatment as well as indoor treatment is permissible as per the rules”.

3. It has been stated by the M/o H&FW that stopping of FMA for serving employees in question, will facilitate their family in getting comprehensive medical care under CS(MA) Rules, 1944 including outdoor and indoor treatment., even in emergency conditions. Accordingly. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has sought comments of this Ministry so that the anomaly in the matter can be removed at the earliest.

4. All lower formations/Employees Federations/Associations are therefore requested to furnish their comments to this Ministry within 15 days i.e. by 24.09.2014 for processing the matter further by this Ministry with the M/o H&FW.

sd/-
(Gurdeep Singh)
Under Secretary

Source: BPMS

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Grant of extension beyond the age of retirement to Central Government Employees – Dopt Orders

Grant of extension beyond the age of retirement to Central Government Employees – Dopt Orders

ACC is the competent authority to decide the cases of extension in service beyond the age of superannuation – Dopt issued orders regarding the extension of service after retirement of  Central Government employees…

Most Immediate

F.No.22/35/2011-EO (SM.II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
(Office of the Establishment Officer)

North Block, New Delhi
24th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Sub: Grant of extension/re-employment to Central Government servants beyond the age of superannuation

 Attention of all the Ministries/Departments is invited to the Government of India(Transaction of Business) Rules which prescribe that the ACC is the competent authority to decide the cases of extension in service beyond the age of superannuation. Attention is also invited to DoPT’s OM. No. 26012/6/2002-Estt, (A) dated 09.12.2002 on the subject mentioned above laying down instructions/criteria for grant of extension in service to the categories of personnel referred in proviso to F.R. 56(d). The ACC has observed that in sorne of the cases, the Departments are not taking timely action to reconstitute the Departmental Peer Review Committee (DPRC) and are unilaterally extending the service of the officers beyond the age of superannuation without first obtaining approval of the ACC.

2. It has also been observed that Ministries/Departments often submit proposals late to the EO Division as a result of which submission of cases for consideration of the ACC also gets delayed.

3. In view of the above, all the Scientific Ministries/Departments are hereby advised to take timely action for constitution of the DPRC for considering the cases for extension of service of specialists in medical or scientific fields, beyond the normal date of superannuation and ensure that proposals seeking approval of the ACC be invariably submitted at least two months in advance of the date of superannuation.

4. It is also reiterated that in absence of specific approval of ACC towards extension of his services beyond the date of superannuation, an officer should stand retired on his date of superannuation and under no circumstances should the Ministry/Department concerned extend his services beyond superannuation unilaterally without the approval & ACC

sd/-

(Anand Madhukar)

Director (ACC)

Source: www.persmin.gov.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02eod/22_35_2011-EOSM-II-26092014.pdf]

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Relaxation to travel by air to visit J&K, NER and A&N for further two years on LTC – Dopt Order

Relaxation to travel by air to visit J&K, NER and A&N for further two years on LTC – Dopt Order

No. 31011/3/2014-Estt.(A-IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training

North Block, New Delhi-110 001
Dated: 26th September, 2014

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Central Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 1988 — Relaxation to travel by air to visit NER and A&N.

The undersigned is directed to say that in relaxation to CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, it has been decided by the Government to permit Government servants to travel by air to North East Region (NER) , Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (A&N) as per the following scheme

(i) All eligible Government servants may avail LTC to visit any place in NER/ A&N against the conversion of one block of their Home Town LTC. Fresh Recruits are also eligible for this benefit against conversion of one of the three Home Towns in a block of four years applicable to them.
(ii) Government servants entitled to travel by air can avail this LTC from their Headquarters in Economy class.
(iii) Government servants not entitled to travel by air may be permitted to travel by air in Economy class in the following sectors:

a. Between Kolkata/ Guwahati and any place in NER
b. Between Kolkata/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar and Port Blair.
c. Between Delhi / Amritsar and any place in J&K

Journey for these non-entitled employees from their Headquarters up to Kolkata/ Guwahati/ Chennai/ Bhubaneswar / Delhi / Amritsar will have to be undertaken as per their entitlement.
(iv) Air travel is to be performed by Air India in Economy Class only and at LTC-80 fare or less.
(v) Air travel by non-entitled officers on the sectors mentioned in item (iii) above may be permitted while availing LTC to any place in India (4 year Block) also.
(vi) Air Tickets 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.

2. These orders shall be in operation for a period of two years from the date of issue of this O.M.

3. 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 staff serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

sd/-
(B. Bandyopadhyay)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
Ph. (011) 23040341

Source: www.persmin.nic.in
[http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_3_2014-Estt.A-IV-26092014.pdf]

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LTC Entitlements of new recruit employees in Central Government services

LTC Entitlements of new recruit employees in Central Government services…

We have some important information collected from various sources for the employees who are newly appointed in Central Government services. The clairifications are given as the type of ‘question and answers’ for easy understanding of CCS LTC Rules…


Question 1. What are the LTC entitlements of a Fresh Recruit?
Answer: Fresh recruits to the Central Government are allowed to travel to their home town along with their families on three occasions in a block of four years and to any place in India on the fourth occasion. This facility shall be available to the fresh recruits only for the first two blocks of four years applicable after joining the Government for the first time.


Question 2. How are the two blocks of four years applied to the Fresh Recruit?
Answer: The first two blocks of four years shall apply with reference to the initial date of joining the Government service even though the Govt. servant may change the job within the Government subsequently. However, as per Rule 7 of CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, the LTC entitlement of a fresh recruit will be calculated calendar year wise with effect from the date of completion of one year of regular service.


Question 3. Are the LTC blocks of four years in respect of Fresh Recruits same as the regular blocks like 2010-13, 2014-17?
Answer: No. The first two blocks of four years of fresh recruits will be personal to them.
On completion of eight years of LTC, they will be treated at par with other regular LTC beneficiaries as per the prescribed blocks like 2014-17, 2018-21 etc.


Question 4. If a fresh recruit does not avail LTC facility in a particular year, can he/ she avail it in the next year?
No. Carryover of LTC to the next year is not allowed in case of a fresh recruit as he is already entitled to every year LTC. Hence, if a fresh recruit does not avail of the LTC facility in any year, his LTC will deem to have lapsed with the end of that year.


Question 5. How will the LTC entitlements of a Fresh Recruit be exercised after the completion of eight years of service?
Answer: (a) After the completion of eight years of service, when the next LTC cycle of fresh recruit coincides with the beginning of the second two year block (eg. 2016-17) of the running four year block (2014-17), he will be eligible only for ‘Home Town’ LTC if he/she has availed ‘Any Place in India’ LTC in the eighth year. Cases, where the new LTC cycle of fresh recruit coincides with the second year of the running two year block (ex. 2017 of 2016-2017), he will not be eligible for LTC in that year. Refer illustrations 1 & 3 for further explanation.

(b) At the end of the eighth year of LTC, when the new LTC cycle of a fresh recruit
coincides with the beginning of a regular four year block, his entitlement in the
regular block will be exercised as per the usual LTC Rules. Refer illustration 2.

Question 6. How will the LTC entitlement computed in case of a fresh recruit joining the service on 30 December of any year?
Answer: A fresh recruit who joins the Government service on 31 51December of any year, will be eligible for LTC w.e.f. 31 stDecember of next year. Since, 31 51December is the last date of a calendar year, his first occasion of LTC ends with that year.
Hence, he may avail his first Home Town LTC on the last day of that year. From next year onwards he would be eligible for the remaining seven LTCs. Refer illustration 3.

Question 7. How will the entitlements of a fresh recruit be computed who has joined the Govt. service before 01.09.2008? 
Answer: A fresh recruit who has joined Government service before 01.09.2008 (i.e before the introduction of this scheme) and has not completed his first eight years of service as on 01.09.2008 will be eligible for this concession for the remaining
time-period till the completion of first eight years of his/ her service. Refer illustration 4.

Question 8. Can a fresh recruit whose Home Town and Headquarters are same, avail LTC to Home Town?
Answer: No. A fresh recruit whose Home Town and Headquarters are same, cannot avail LTC to Home Town. He may avail LTC to any place in India on the fourth and eighth occasion only. As per Rule 8 of CCS (LTC) Rules, 1988, LTC to Home Town shall be admissible irrespective of the distance between the Headquarters of the Govt. servant and his Home Town which implies that Headquarters and Home Town should be at different places.

Illustrations

Illustration 1:
An employee joins the Government service on I s’ September, 2008. As per the CCS (LTC) Rules, he will become eligible for LTC with effect from 1 st September, 2009 (i.e. after the completion of one year of regular service). His entitlement for Home Town / All India would be as under:
Year of LTC Type of LTC LTC Occasion
01.09.2008 —31.08.2009 Nil —
01.09.2009 — 31.12.2009 Home Town
01.01.2010 — 31.12.2010 Home Town 2nd
01.01.2011 — 31.12.2011 Home Town 3rd
01.01.2012 — 31.12.2012 Any Place in India 4m
01.01.2013 — 31.12.2013 Home Town 5th
01.01.2014 731.12.2014 Home Town 6th
01.01.2015 — 31.12.2015 Home Town 7th
01.01.2016 — 31.12.2016 Any Place in India 8th
01.01.2017 — 31.12.2017 Nil —
01.01.2018 — 31.12.2021 New LTC Block

Explanations:
(i) After the completion of the first eight years, when the fresh recruit gets into the middle of the running regular block of four calendar years (ex. 2014-2017) where the new LTC cycle of fresh recruit coincides with the second year of the running two year block (ex. 2017 of 2016-2017), he will not be eligible for LTC in that year (i.e. 2017).
(ii) It can be seen from above that LTC entitlement for a fresh recruit is calculated calendar year wise with effect from the date of completion of one year of regular service.

Illustration 2:
An employee joins the Government service on 1? January, 2009. As per the CCS (LTC) Rules, he will become eligible for LTC with effect from 1? January, 2010 (i.e. after the completion of one year of regular service). His entitlement for Home Town / All India LTC would be as under:

Year of LTC Type of LTC LTC Occasion
01.01.2009 — 31.12.2009 Nil —
01.01.2010 — 31.12.2010 Home Town 1?
01.01.2011 — 31.12.2011 Home Town 2nd
01.01.2012 — 31.12.2012 Home Town 3rd
01.01.2013 — 31.12.2013 Any Place in India 4th
01.01.2014 — 31.12.2014 Home Town siii
01.01.2015 — 31.12.2015 Home Town 6th
01.01.2016 — 31.12.2016 Home Town 7iii
01.01.2017 — 31.12.2017 Any Place in India 8th
01.01.2018 — 31.12.2021 New LTC Block —

Explanations:
(i) At the end of the eighth year of LTC, when the new LTC cycle of a fresh recruit coincides with the beginning of a regular four year block, his entitlement in the regular block will be exercised as per the usual LTC Rules.

Illustration 3:
An employee joins the Government service on 31 51 December, 2011. As per the CCS (LTC) Rules, he will become eligible for LTC with effect from 31 stDecember, 2012 (i.e. after completion of one year of regular service). His entitlement for Home Town / All India LTC would be as under:

Year of LTC Type of LTC LTC Occasion
31.01.2011 – 30.12.2012 Nil —
31.12.2012 Home Town 15t
01.01.2013 – 31.12.2013 Home Town 2nd
01.01.2014 – 31.12.2014 Home Town 3rd
01.01.2015 – 31.12.2015 Any Place in India 4m
01.01.2016 – 31.12.2016 Home Town 5th
01.01.2017 – 31.12.2017 Home Town 6th
01.01.2018 – 31.12.2018 Home Town 7th
01.01.2019 – 31.12.2019 Any Place in India 8th
01.01.2020 – 31.12.2021 Home Town —
01.01.2022 – 31.12.2025 New LTC Block —

Explanations:
A fresh recruit who joins on 31 st December of any year, will be eligible for LTC w.e.f. 31st December of next year. Since, 31 5t December is the last date of that calendar year, his first occasion of LTC ends with that year. Hence, he may avail his first home town
LTC on that day only (eg. 31 51 December, 2012). Froth next year onwards he will be eligible for the remaining seven LTCs.

After the completion of eight years of service, when the next LTC cycle of fresh recruit coincides with the beginning of the second two year block (eg. 2020-21) of the running four year block (2018-21), he will be eligible only for the ‘Home Town’ LTC in that block if he has av«.Ied of ‘Any Place in India’ LTC in the eighth year. In case, the fresh recruit forgoes his eighth year LTC, then he has a choice to avail either ‘Any Place in India’ or ‘Home Town’ LTC in the following two year block (i.e. in 2020-21).

Illustration 4:
An employee joins the Government service on 10 thMay, 2006. As per the CCS (LTC) Rules, he will become eligible for LTC with effect from 10 thMay, 2007 (i.e. after the completion of one year of regular service). His entitlement for Home Town / All India LTC would be as under:

Year of LTC Type of LTC LTC Occasion
10.05.2006 — 09.05.2007 Nil —
10.05.2007 — 31.12.2007 Home Town/ Any Place in India 1st
01.01.2008 — 31.12.2008 Home Town 2’d
01.01.2009 — 31.12.2009 Home Town 3rd
01.01.2010 — 31.12.2010 Any Place in India 4th
01.01.2011 — 31.12.2011 Home Town 5th
01.01.2012 — 31.12.2012 Home Town 6th
01.01.2013 — 31.12.2013 Home Town 7iii
01.01.2014 — 31.12.2014 Any Place in India 8th
01.01.2015 — 31.12.2015 Nil —
01.01.2016 — 31.12.2017 Home Town

Explanation
A fresh recruit who has joined the Government service before 01.09.2008 (i.e before the introduction of this scheme) and has not completed his first eight years of service as on 01.09.2008 will be eligible for this concession for the remaining time-period till the completion of first eight years of his/ her service.
 

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