Grant of Transport Allowance to Railway employees on the basis of revised classification of cities/towns/localities – AIRF

Grant of Transport Allowance to Railway employees on the basis of revised classification of cities/towns/localities – AIRF

All India Railwaymen’s Federation
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055

No.AIRF/97(li)

Dated: August 10, 2015

The Secretary(E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Grant of Transport Allowance to Railway employees on the basis of revised classification of cities/towns/localities

Ref.: MoF, Deptt. of Exp.’s letter No.21(2)/2015-E.II(B) dated 06.08.2015

Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure(Government of India) vide above cited letter(photocopy enclosed for ready reference) has communicated revised classification of cities, towns and localities for the purpose of grant of Transport Allowance at higher rates to the Central Government Employees.

The Board are, therefore, requested to implement the orders of the Ministry of Finance in the Railways also, so that Railway employees can also avail this benefit from April 2015.

An early action in the matter shall be highly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary

Source: AIRF

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Bonus Issue – Report on detailed discussions and conclusions of 46th ILC

Bonus Issue – Report on detailed discussions and conclusions of 46th ILC 

Removal of Conditions on payment Ceiling eligibility Limits, Decisions to pay Minimum Bonus without linking to loss when the performance indicator satisfy grant of bonus- The major conclusions emanating from the discussions in the committee are as follows:

The Conference committee on amendment of Bonus Act – Removal of Conditions on Payment Ceiling, Eligibility Limits. Decisions to pay Minimum Bonus without linking to loss when the performance indicator satisfy grant of bonus constituted to discuss the Agenda item No. 3 of 46th session of the Indian Labour Conference met under the chairmanship of Captain Abhimanyu, Minister of Labour, Govt. of Haryana. Shri Om Prakash Mittal, General Secretary, Laghu Udyog Bharti (LUB) and Ms. Meenakshi Gupta and Mr. B.B. Mallick, Joint Secretary, MoLE respectively were the Vice-Cheirman and Member Secretary of the Committee. The Committee had the representation of all the stake-holders (Workers’ Group, Employers’ Group and State Government).

2. At the very outset, the chairman of the committee welcomed all the representatives. He observed that the issue of bonus has been pending for long.

He expressed the hope that all the partners would understand and appreciate the position of each other and give recommendations keeping in the view the larger national interest. The Vice-Chairman also welcomed all the Members. Thereafter, the Member Secretary introduced the subject. The agenda has following 3 issues:-

(i) Removal of calculation ceiling;
(ii) Removal of Eligibility Limit; and
(iii) Decisions to pay Minimum Bonus without Linking to loss when the performance indicator satisfy grant of bonus.

3. It was mentioned that last revision in the limits (Calculation Ceiling – Rs. 3500 and Eligibility Limit-RS. 10,000) was done in 2007 based on the recommendations of the 41st ILC.

4. The committee had very intense detailed discussions on all the aspects of the Agenda Item no. 3.

(i) The Trade Unions were of the view that all the ceilings under the payment of Bonus Act. 1965 i.e. eligibility ceiling, calculation ceiling and maximum percent of bonus payable need to be removed. They further expressed that they would like to reiterate the stand taken by them in the tripartite meeting held on 20 October, 2014.

(ii) The Employers, representatives were of the view that total removal of various ceilings may lead to spurt in industrial relation issues. They observed that while making any change in the payment of Bonus Act, 1965 productivity of the workers and paying capacity of the employers have to be taken into account. They further observed that they are not in favour of indexation of cost of living for the purpose of ceiling and bonus calculation. The term ‘Employee’ should be substituted by the term ‘workman’ as defined under the industrial disputes Act. The present system of prescribing limits both for eligibility and calculation should be retained.

(iii) The State Government representatives were of the view that minimum, limit of bonus (8.33%) may continue. Regarding limits with regard to calculation and payment ceiling it was stated that they had no comments to offer. They further observed that distinction between statutory bonus and productivity linked bonus is quite relevant in this regard.

(iv) The State Government representatives also suggested that the central Government may consider notifying the limits for eligibility of bonus and calculation of bonus through and administrative process based on tripartite mechanism rather then legislative process every time. Appropriate amendment to the payment of Bonus Act, 1965 may have to be carried out accordingly.

Labour laws Amendments proposed/ done by central or State Governments Conclusions of the committee are as follows:-

1. The committee reiterates historical role of tripartite mechanism functioning in the country before any enactment/ amendment of labour laws.

2. Any labour law amendments/ enactment should take into account three purpose namely:

(i) justify and welfare of workers;
(ii) Sustainability of enterprises and job creation; and
(iii) Industrial peace.

3. The labour laws need to be relooked and updated in a time bound manner.

4. Committee recommends that the overall exercise of the labour law amendments should be discussed in the tripartite forum and the broad and specific proposals should also be discussed in tripartite meetings.

Recommendations of committee on “Employment and Employment Generation” of 46 the Indian Labour conference (ILC) are as follows:-

1. The committee noted that the recommendations of 43rd to 45th ILC on Employment & Employability need to be fully implemented.

2. Recognising the employment potential in micro and small industry, especially in rural areas, an effective single-window system be established to promoted agro-based and micro & small industries with facility like concessional finance etc. A system for centralized marketing of products manufactured by these industries can also be developed.

3. Enhance the outlays and threshold for public employment generation programmes in both rural and urban areas.

4. Fill up vacant posts in Central Government, State Governments and Public Sector Undertakings in a time bound manner.

5. Reiterate the necessity for publishing quarterly employment and unemployment data.

6. With Central and State Government moving to on-line systems for employment exchanges there is a need for capacity building of Employment Exchanges officers for their revised roles under National Career Service (NCS). Need for integration of Central and State IT initiatives to avoid duplication.

7. Utilization of idle capacity in Vocational and Educational Institutions and closed/ sick industry for demand responsive training.

8. Enhance and expand areas for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) with effective assessment.

9. Enhance number and improve quality of assessors for vocational training and consider including ITI faculty for assessments.

10. To identify labour-intensive industries and new areas where jobs can be created like renewable energy and reusable resources etc. and providing employment liked training.

11. Evolve strategies for increasing female workforce participation in both public and private employment.

Source: PIB News

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Preparation of list of Government servants due to retire along with their Aadhaar numbers and incorporation of Aadhaar number in PPO Booklet

Preparation of list of Government servants due to retire along with their Aadhaar numbers and incorporation of Aadhaar number in PPO Booklet: CPAO's OM

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE

CENTRAL PENSION ACCOUNTING OFFICE

TRIKOOT-II, BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE,

NEW DELHI-110066

PHONES : 26174596, 26174456, 26174438

CPAO/Tech/Jeevan Pramaan/2015-16/515 to 662.

10.07.2015

Office Memorandum

Subject:- Preparation of list of Government servants due to retire along with their Aadhaar numbers and incorporation of Aadhaar number in PPO Booklet.

1. As a part of Digital India initiatives, Digital Life Certification (DLC) of the pensioner has been made an option for submission of life certificate by the pensioner in the month of November each year. As the role of Aadhaar has become vital, a column for Aadhaar has already been provided in the Pension Payment Order booklet. Accordingly, all Heads of Offices have to ensure that wherever available same is provided to their Pay & Accounts Offices alongwith pension papers of the retiring government servants. In this regard, a provision has also been made in CAM-52 (PPO Booklet) by adding the following columns after existing column no.5.

6. Permanent Account Number for Income Tax (PAN)
7. Aadhaar No. (if Available)
8. Mobile No. (if Available)
9. E-Mail ID (if Available)

 

2. The seeding of Aadhaar with pensioners’ PPO number and their bank accounts is being closely monitored by Prime Minister Office. While this information is being regularly collected by CPAO from banks, the processing of fresh pension cases alongwith Aadhaar number is a very important requirement for expediting seeding of Aadhaar number by banks with PPO number & bank account and smooth implementation of submission of DLCs by pensioners in the month of November.

3. Further, attention is invited to Rule 56 of CCS (Pension) Rules which provides that:-

“(1) Every Head of Department shall have a list prepared every three months, that is, on the 1st January, 1st April, 1st July and 1st October each year, of all Government servants who are due to retire within the next twelve to fifteen months of that date.

 

(2) A copy of every such list shall be supplied to the Accounts Officer concerned not later than 31st January, 30th April, 31st July or 31st October, as the case may be, of that year.”

4. To avoid any delay in finalizing the pension cases all Heads of Offices should have first-hand information of the Aadhaar number while preparing the list of retiring government officials as per the provision of Rule 56 of CCS (Pension) Rules and should provide the same to the Accounts Officer concerned not later than 31st January, 30th April, 31st July or 31st October of that year.

 

5. In has been observed that during the month of June, 2015; out of 3101fresh PPOs (Pension Payment Orders), only in 220 cases Aadhaar numbers have been indicated. All Pr. CCAs/CCAs/ AGs are once again requested to ensure that all fresh PPOs are sent to CPAO with Aadhaar numbers wherever available and quarterly list of would be retirees as mentioned in para 3 & 4 above also mention Aadhaar numbers wherever available.

(Subhash Chandra)

Controller of Accounts

Source: http://cpao.nic.in/pdf/cpao_tech_jeevan_praman_2015-16.pdf

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CGHS has empanelled 750 Health Care Organizations all over the country

CGHS has empanelled 750 Health Care Organizations all over the country

While answering to a unstarred question No.695 in Lok Sabha on 27th Feb 2015, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri.Jagat Prakash Nadda said there is no CGHS rates for implant then that implant is reimbursed as per AIIMS/GB Pant Hospital rates. However, if a benefi- ciary opts for a specific brand of implant, he/she shall have to give a written under- taking to bear the difference between the cost of that specific brand and the pres- cribed ceiling rate.

The detailed reply is reproduced and given below for your ready reference…

“The total number of CGHS beneficiaries in the country as on date are 36,67,795.

The CGHS has empanelled 750 Health Care Organizations all over the country. 

As per reports received from the field, Grants Medical Foundation Pune has restricted the cashless facilities to serious/emergency cases only. Another hospitals in Ranchi ‘Shree Jagannath Hospital and Research Centre’, which was empanelled recently on 17/11/2014 has stopped this facility.

The reason for pendency of payment of hospital bills is insufficient balance of funds available with UTI-ITSL (Bill Clearing Agency) CGHS recoups funds to UTI-ITSL. There was delay in recoupment due to technical reasons. However, efforts are being made to recoup the funds to UTI-ITSL to avoid pendency.

In addition, through internal adjustment, additional funds are being allocated to Pune & Ranchi to clear the pending bills.

CGHS fixes rates for various treatment procedures and investigations through tender process and rates were last notified on 01.11.2014 for Delhi/NCR and on 17.11.2014 for CGHS cities outside Delhi/NCR. AS per the Memorandum of Agreement signed by empanelled hospital with CGHS at the time of their empanelment they are expected to charge as per CGHS package rates only.

CGHS has fixed up ceiling rates for certain implants without specifying any brand name. If there is no CGHS rates for implant then that implant is reimbursed as per AIIMS/GB Pant Hospital rates. However, if a benefi- ciary opts for a specific brand of implant, he/she shall have to give a written under- taking to bear the difference between the cost of that specific brand and the prescribed ceiling rate”.

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Awareness Programme Under Pensioners’ Portal

Awareness Programme Under Pensioners’ Portal

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

21-January, 2015

The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is implementing a web based mission mode project on pensions namely Pensioner’s Portal under the National e-Governance Plan. The Department has also started initiative called SANKALP for channelizing the experience and skill of Pensioners towards meaningful social activities.

The Department is proposing to conduct the next such Awareness Programme for Pensioners in Aizwal, Mizoram at Assam Rifles Cinema Hall on February 05,2015. The meeting will be chaired by Secretary (P,AR&PG).

The basic objective of the project is to facilitate redressal of Pensioners’ Grievances as also to provide information and guidance to pensioners on various pension and retirement related matters. User Ministries/Departments, Pensioners, Banks, Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO), Post Offices etc. are the stakeholders in this venture aimed at welfare of the Pensioners.

With a view to providing know how about the operational aspects of this Portal and the Grievances Redressal Mechanism in particular, the Department of Pensions is conducting Awareness Programmes at different locations in the country.

Source: PIB

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Expected DA from Jan 2015 – AICPIN for the month of September 2014

Expected DA from Jan 2015 – AICPIN for the month of September 2014

No.5/1/2014- CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

‘CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-171004:
Dated the 31st October, 2014

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – September, 2014

The All-India CPI-IW for September, 2014 remained stationary at 253 (two hundred and fifty three). On 1-month percentage change, it remained stalic between August, 2014 and September, 2014 when compared with the rise of 0.42 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The largest downward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (-) 1.04 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Fish Fresh, Poultry (Chicken), Chitlies Green, Ginger, Onion, Tomato, Brinal, French Beans, Lady’s Finger, Apple, Sugar, Medicine (Allopathie), Petrol, etc. are responsible for the decrease in index.

However, this decrease was restricted to sore extent by Rice, Wheat Atta, Arhar Dal, Potato, Cauliflower, Tea (Readymade), Snack Saltish, Bidi, Cigarette, Electricity Charges, Cinema Charges, Toilet Soap, Tailoring charges. etc.. putting upward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 6.30 per cent tbr September, 2014 as compared to 6.75 per cent for the previous month and 10.70 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 6.46 per cent against 7.63 per cent of the previous month and 13.36 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Goa reported a decrease of 10 points followed by Nagpur (5 points). Among others, 4 points fall was observed in 6 centres, 3 points in 4 centres, 2 points in 9 centres and 1 point in 19 centres. On the contrary, Tripura recorded the maximum increase of 6 points followed by Lucknow & Jalpaiguri (4 points each) and Rourkela & Rangapara-Tezpur (3 points each). Among others, 2 points rise was registered in 8 centres and 1 point in 12 centres. Rest of the 13 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 37 centres are above and other 41 centres’ indices are below national average.

The next index of CPI-IW fut the month of October, 2014 will be released on Friday, 28 November. 2014.
The sanie will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in

sd/-
(S.S.NEGI)
Director

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AICPIN for the Month of October 2014 – Labour Bureau Press Release

Press Release has been published by Labour Bureau today regarding the statistics of Consumer Price Index, particularly for the calculation of Dearness allowance issued to the employees working under Central Government…

No. 5/1/2014- CPI
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT
LABOUR BUREAU

‘CLEREMONT’, SHIMLA-17l004
DATED: the 28th November, 2014

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – October, 2014

The All-India CPI-1W for October, 2014 remained stationary at 253 (twohundred and fifty three). On 1-month percentage change. it remained static between September, 2014 and October, 2014 when compared with the rise of 1.26 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The largest upward pressure to the change in current index came from Miscellaneous group contributing (+) 0.28 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Arhar Dal, Potato. Green Coriander Leaves, Lemon, Guava, Tea (Readymade). Snack Saltish, Cigarette. Firewood, Primary & Secondary School Fee, Private Tuition Fee, Toilet Soap, Tailoring Charges. etc. are responsible
for the increase in index. However, this increase was restricted to some extent by Coconut Oil, Onion. Apple. Banana. Cauliflower, Gowar Phali, Tomato. Sugar, Medicine (Allopathie). Petrol. etc.. putting downward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-1W stood at 4.98 per cent for October, 2014 as compared to 6.30 per cent for the previous month and 11.06 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly the Food inflation stood at 4.48 per cent against 6.46 per cent of the previous month and 15.02 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Munger Jamalpur reported an increase of 12 points followed by Goa (11 points), Srinagar (7 points), Giridih and Sholapur (5 points each) and Coonoor (4 points). Among others, 3 points rise was observed in 10 centres, 2 points in 9 centres and 1 point in 5 centres. On the contrary, Chhindwara recorded a decrease of 5 points. Among others, 3 points fall was registered in 5 centres, 2 points in 5 centres and 1 point in 16 centres. Rest of the 21 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 37 centres are above and other 41 centres’ indices are below national average.

The next index of CPI-IW for the month of November, 2014 will be released on Wednesday, 31 December, 2014. The same will also be available on the office website www .Iabourbureau.gov. in.

S.S.NEGI
DIRECTOR

Download: AICPIN for Oct 2014

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MACP on Promotial Hierarchy - Organisational/Financial support to defend the SLP

MACP on Promotial Hierarchy - Organisational/Financial support to defend the SLP

MACP ON PROMOTIONAL HIERARCHY- ORGANISATIONAL/ FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO DEFEND THE SLP-REGARDING

The extended meeting of the Steering Committee of MACP on Promotional Hierarchy held on 15/11/2014 has decided to write letters to all Gazetted Non Gazetted Employees’ Federations/Associations of all Ministries, seeking organizational/financial support in defence of the SLP against granting of MACP on promotional hierarchy, filed by the Central Government.

But we could not reach several of the Staff Associations/Federations, face MACP problems due to non availability of proper contact address/e-mail id/telephone number.

A letter inviting all Officers/Staff Associations who are not in contact of this steering committee is given below: All Federations/Associations are requested to send their contact address/telephone number/e-mail id etc immediately so that their name may also be incorporated in the list of steering committee. All Associations/readers are requested to co-operate.

-TKR Pillai
Convener
Mob No. 09425372172
e-mail: aiams08@gmail.com


STEERING COMMITTEE-
MACP ON PROMOTIONAL HIERARCHY
C/o All India CPWD Engineers Association,
Room No. B-003, Indra Prastha Bhawan,
ITO, New Delhi, dated 23/11/2014
e-mail: pillai_tkr@rediffmail.com,aiams08@gmail.com

To,

            The President/General Secretary,
            All India Officers/Staff Associations affected with MACP

    Sub:    Defeating the illogical and anti employee MACP scheme in the Supreme Court- seeking co operation of the all Federations/Associations-regarding.


Dear sir,

You are aware that various benches of the Central Administrative Tribunals and High courts pronounced verdicts in favour of financial upgradation under MACP Scheme on Promotional hierarchy on the petitions of Central Government Employees in various Departments. In the Principle Bench of CAT itself, more than half dozen cases have been decided in favour of granting financial upgradation under MACP Scheme on promotional hierarchy. But the Government of India has not implemented these orders citing one or other reasons. Moreover, Government has filed 4 SLPs against these verdicts in respect of the applicants, namely, Shri V Mohanan Nair of CAT Ernakulam, Shri Babu Ram, Smt Reeta Devi and Shri Dhirender Singh of CAT Chandigarh, at Supreme Court. Since the outcome of the SLP filed will affect all Central Government Employees, a steering committee consisting of representatives of Gazetted/Non Gazetted Staff of various Departments of Government of India was constituted on 25/09/2014. Thereafter two meetings of the steering committee were held on 27th September and 2nd October 2014 in which decision for intervening in the SLP filed in the Supreme Court was taken.

In order to expand the activities of the steering committee, an extended meeting of the committee was convened at Indra Prastha Bhawan, New Delhi on 15/11/2014 in which 55 persons representing 30 Associations of various Ministries participated. Moreover, around 10 Associations whose representatives who had not participated in the meeting have assured to abide the decision taken in the meeting, copy of the minutes is posted elsewhere in this web site.

While addressing the meeting Shri SK Vyas, Advisor, Confederation has suggested that MACP is a matter covering all Central Government Employees and as such it will be better if National JCM (Staff side)becomes an intervener of the case and the meeting has accepted the suggestion. Shri Vyas has further suggested that all the Unions/Associations including Unions in the Railways, Defense, Postal and Income tax, Audit & Accounts Association should be asked to give contribution to meet the legal and other expenses of the case. Accordingly, the meeting decided to send letters to all major Federations/Associations as well the Secretary JCM (Staff Side).

According to Supreme Court web site posting, the SLP of Shri Mohanan Nair is listed for hearing on 08th January 2015 and all the other three SLPs have been connected with this case. The extended meeting of the steering committee unanimously decided to engage lawyers to intervene in the SLP.The committee has decided to collect Rs. 15 lakhs to meet the immediate expenses in connection with intervention in the case etc. It was also decided to prepare a list of Federations/Associations from whom the contribution has to be collected.

In view of the above, this steering committee seeks your support both organizationally and financially to strengthen the united efforts to get a favourable verdict from the Supreme Court through legal means.

I, on behalf of the Steering Committee, request you to kindly extend your helping hand so that we may be able to defeat the illogical and anti employee MACP scheme in Supreme Court.
Please send a two line letter in confirmation of receipt of this letter.

Yours Sincerely

(TKR Pillai)
Convener
Mob: 09425372172

Source: http://aiamshq.blogspot.in/2014/11/macp-on-promotional-hierarchy-financial.html

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