Finance Minister Promises 'Minimum Pay' 7th Pay Commission Hikes

Finance Minister Promises 'Minimum Pay' 7th Pay Commission Hikes

New Delhi: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has promised to consider to hike the minimum pay of central government employees beyond Rs 18,000, a day after the cabinet cleared 7th Pay Commission award for its employees.

Central government employees have been demanding hike in minimum pay since November 19, when 7th Pay Commission headed by Justice A K Mathur submitted its report to Jaitley.

The Finance Minister said he was not ‘rigid’ on the issue and the government will try to rectify some of employees’ demands including minimum pay.

Jaitley met with representatives of central government employees unions at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s house for two hours till 11pm on Thursday night.

Jaitley, Rajnath Singh and Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu attended the meeting and assured unions leaders of central government employees that their demand would be looked into.

“The minimum pay of central government employees Rs 18,000 was made on recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. But government will consider hiking it after discussions with all stakeholders,” he said in the meeting.

“Three ministers called us and we met them at Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s house late on Thursday for almost two hours. We have been assured that the minimum pay issue is going to be referred to one of two committees that the government is setting up to rectify any anomalies in the pay commission recommendation implementation,” Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary of the National Joint Council Action (NJCA), a confederation of several central government employees’ unions, told reporters after the meeting.

The council claims a membership of 3.3 million, including the central government employees – Railways, Defence, Postal, Income Tax, Central Customs and Central Excise etc.

NJCA already have rejected Modi government’s overall 23.5 percent pay hike bonanza based on 7th Pay Commission recommendations and would go on indefinite strike from 6 am, 11 July.

They have been demanding Rs 26,000 as minimum pay instead of Rs 18,000 approved by the government based on the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations.

Mishra also said the Home Minister assured them that “their interaction with us has the blessings of PM Narendra Modi”.

“On minimum pay, we are for a negotiated settlement and it seems there is some consideration at the highest level,” he added.

The increasing the minimum pay will change the salary fitment factor. If the minimum pay is hiked from Rs.18,000 to even Rs.20,000, the fitment factor will be higher than the 2.57 times approved by the government based on the pay commission recommendations.

If the 2.57 fitment formula is tinkered with, then salary and pension in general for all central government employees will go up.

NJCA wrote to all central government employees unions that “government has proposed to refer the issue of minimum pay and fitment factor to a committee for reconsideration. The NJCA will await communication in this regard from the government”.

It said that it will meet on 6 July again to decide on the proposed indefinite strike from July 11.

Source : tkbsen.in

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BPMS has decided that all the affiliated Unions will support the indefinite strike from 11th July 2016

BPMS has decided that all the affiliated Unions will support the indefinite strike from 11th July 2016

Ref : BPMS / CIRCULAR / 17th TC / 07

Dated : 30th Jun 2016

To,
The Office Bearers & CEC Members BPMS
President / Secretary of Unions
Affiliated to BPMS

Sub :- AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME ON 7TH CPC

Dear Brothers & Sisters,
Sadar Namaskar.

1. As we are aware that after a long deliberation between the stake holders and the Departments/Ministries, concerned Secretaries had submitted their recommendations on the 7th CPC to the Empowered Committee and after considering it, the Central Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of the 7th CPC on 29th June 2016 ignoring the submissions of this Federation.

2. The Govt has not enhanced the Minimum Pay from Rs 18000/- to 24000/-, Multiplying Factor from 2.57 to 3.42, rate of increment from 3% to 5%, non-merging of any of the pay scale of Group ‘C’, non-resolving the issue of MACP etc.

3. This has caused discontentment amongst the employees. It has to be kept in the mind that the then Defence & Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and MoS of PMO Dr. Jitendra Singh had assured the delegation of BPMS/BMS to resolve the above issues in favour of the employees. But now the Govt has reneged to its promises.

4. In this situation, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, Govt Employees National Confederation & BPMS have decided to observe an agitational programme with immediate effect till 08th July 2016. In this agitational programme, Gate Meetings, Slogan shouting, Dharna, Procession, March, Demonstration at Main Gate etc will be organized as per feasibility. On the last day (08.07.2016) unions will submit a memorandum to respective Head of Departments & local Hon’ble Member of Parliament addressed to Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with a copy to BPMS.

5. Further, Shri Shiv Gopal Mishra, Convener, NJCA has requested to BPMS vide his letter (No NJC/2016/07th CPC dated 07.06.2016) to support in the proposed indefinite strike commencing from 11th July 2016. This Federation has considered the same and decided that all the affiliated Unions will support the indefinite strike from 11th July 2016.

We hope for full support and cooperation to give a great success to the programme.

With regards.

Brotherly yours,
(M P Singh)
General Secretary

Source: www.bpms.org.in

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NFIR clarified that there is no change on Indefinite Strike decision of NJCA

NFIR clarified that there is no change on Indefinite Strike decision of NJCA

NFIR
National Federation of Indian Railways
3, Chelmasford Road, New Delhi – 110 055

No.IV/NJCA/(N)/20l4/Part II

Dated: 02/07/2016

The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Brother,

Sub: Charter of Demands – Indefinite Strike from 11th July 2016-reg

Ref: (i) NFIR’s letter No.II/95/Part lX dated 30/06/2016
(ii) GS/NFIR’s letter No.IV/NCJA (N)/2014/Part II dated 01st July 2016

It has since been learnt from some of our cadres that reports appeared in the Media (Thiruvananthapuram etc.) that a union/Federation has withdrawn from the strike decision. This report is not only false but also misleading. It is reiterated that the NJCA in its meeting held at New Delhi on July 1, 2016 has decided to meet on 06th July 2016 at New Delhi for taking appropriate decision.

It is hereby clarified that there is no change on Indefinite Strike decision of NJCA.

Yours fraternally,
sd/-
(Dr.M.Raghavaiah)
General Secretary

Source: NFIR

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Status of HRA and TA in 7th CPC Salary

Status of HRA and TA in 7th CPC Salary

The Government has decided to Constitute a committee to examine the 7th CPC Allowances. We cannot assume anything about the rates of Allowances until the Committee submit its report on Allowances.

Mainly the HRA and TA are one of the Main component of Salary.

 So the government employees are disheartened by the Government decision to take time to decide on these allowances.

Already it has been reported that 7th CPC will be implemented in a staggered manner.

Now it is clear that, if the 7th Pay Commission come into force with immediate effect after publication of Gazette Notification, the HRA and TA will be paid at Sixth CPC rates in pre revised Scale. It means the amount of HRA and TA paid in Sixth CPC will continue for next few months. The Central staffs will be paid all the allowances in pre revised Scale up to the Committee decides on Allowances. It will take more than four months for Government to decide on HRA and TA.

So actual increase on account of 7th pay commission implementation will be 14.29 percent over Sixth CPC Basic + 125% DA. The increase in Basic Pay only will be reflecting in 7th CPC salary .

Nobody can say that 7th CPC gives 23.45% increase in Pay and Allowance for CG employees at least for some time.

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Charter of demands – Indefinite Strike from 11th July 2016-reg

NFIR

National Federation of Indian Railwaymen

3, CHELMSFORD ROAD, NEW DELHI – 110 055

Affiliated to :
Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)
International Transport Workers’ Federation (lTF)
No. IV/NJCA (N)/2014/Part II

Dated: 1st July 2016

Brother,
Sub: Charter of demands – Indefinite Strike from 11th July 2016-reg
Ref: NFIR’s letter No. II/95/Parth IX dated 30/06/2016

In continuation of communication dated 30/06/2016, it is to inform that as a result of General Secretary NFIR’s discussion with Shri Suresh Prabhu, Hon’ble MR at 15:30 hrs., on 30/06/2016 on the Charter of Demands in general and major demands i.e. minimum wage’ multiplier factor in particular Hon’ble MR has assured to approach Hon’ble Prime Minister. Pursuant to the efforts of GS/NIFIR, the CRB telephoned Shri Raghavaiah at 18:45 hrs., on 30/06/2016 that the Federations have been invited to meet Hon,ble Finance Minister at the residence of Shri Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister at 21:30 hrs, on 30/06/2016. Accordingly the undersigned reached the residence of Union Home Minister and participated in the discussions. Besides Hon’ble Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely, Shri Suresh Prabhu Hon’ble MR and Shri Manoj sinha Hon’ble MoSR were present during discussions. union Home Minister

Shri Rajnath Singh also participated in the discussions After 90 minutes discussions, it has been emerged that the “Minimum Wage” issue will be referred to the Committee to examine and give report. In view of this development, the NJCA met this date (1st July 2016) and having taken stock of the situation has decided to meet again on 06th July 2016 for taking appropriate decision. In the meanwhile, efforts will be made for obtaining written  communication as a follow up to the meeting held at the residence of Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh on 30th June 2016. A copv of letter dated 01st July 2016 issued by NJCA Convener is enclosed.

DA/As above

Yours fraternallY,
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)

General Secretary

File No. II/95/Part IX.

NJCA
National Joint Council of Action
4, State Entry Road New Delhi – 110055

Dated: July 1 ,2016

Dear Comrades!
We are to inform you that the NJCA had a discussion with the Government of India yesterday, i.e. 30.06.2016 over certain demands contained in our Charter of Demands.

ln the meeting, following ministers were present:-

Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Home Minister
Shri Arun Jaitley, Hon’ble Finance Minister
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu, Hon’ble Railway Minister
Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble MoSR 

on behalf of the NJCA, the following participated in the discussion:-

Shri Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convener NJCA
Shri M. Raghavaiah, Chairman NJCA
Shri K.K.N. Kutty, Member NJCA
Shri C. Srikumar, Member NJCA

The government has proposed to refer the issue of Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula to a Committee for reconsideration.

The NJCA will await communication in this regard from the government.

The NIJCA will again meet on 6th July at 11:00, hrs-, in JCM office. 13-c Ferozshah Road. Nqw Delhi, for taking appropriate decision

With Fraternal Greetings!

Comradely yours,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Convener
NFIR India

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Scheme not be extended beyond September 30 : Revenue Secretary

Scheme not be extended beyond September 30 : Revenue Secretary

The Government has assured complete confidentiality to those declaring their income under the Income Declaration Scheme 2016. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai today, the Revenue Secretary, Government of India Shri Hasmukh Adhia said “no source will be asked and no further proceedings will be initiated against those availing of the opportunity to declare their hitherto undisclosed income under the scheme”. Shri Adhia also reassured that the information contained in the declaration will not be shared with any other law enforcement agency.

The Income Declaration Scheme (IDS) 2016, which was announced by the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley in the Union Budget 2016-17, opened from June 1. The IDS provides a four month compliance window up to September 30, to people with undisclosed income in the country to come clean by paying tax, penalty and surcharge of 45 per cent of fair market value latest by November 30, 2016.

Shri Adhia made it amply clear that this is a one time opportunity and the window will not be extended beyond the four month period , ending on September 30. He said this is a last chance for people to declare their unaccounted income, following which, the Income Tax Department would initiate its own action.
The Secretary informed that the Government has received many requests and suggestions with respect to the scheme including a demand to extend the deadline for paying tax and a provision to pay tax in instalments. “These suggestions are being examined by the government and an appropriate decision would be taken in due course of time” Shri Adhia added.

To a query on whether undisclosed income can be passed on as current income and tax paid at a lower 33% rate, the Revenue Secretary replied that it would amount to false verification and the assessee would be required to explain the source of income.

Shri Adhia said that the Central Board of Direct Taxes, CBDT has posted a fresh set of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) on the disclosure scheme on its website www.incometaxindia.gov.in He said CBDT has also launched a massive outreach programme to create awareness about the scheme.

Replying to a query on Indian black money in the Swiss banks, Shri Adhia said India and Switzerland have agreed to conclude a pact on automatic exchange of information by the end of this year. Once the agreement is signed, it will enable India to receive all financial information about its residents, including bank accounts and balances, dividends and interest income from Switzerland from 2018.

PIB

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Extension of time limit for taking central excise registration of an establishment by a jeweller

Extension of time limit for taking central excise registration of an establishment by a jeweller

The Central Government today announced that the time limit for taking central excise registration of an establishment by a jeweller is being extended up to 31.07.2016.

The liability for payment of central excise duty will be with effect from 1st March, 2016. However, assessee jewellers may make payment of excise duty for the months of March, 2016; April 2016 and May, 2016 along with the payment of excise duty for the month of June, 2016 upto the extended date of 31.07.2016.

PIB

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