HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018

2017 - OUR EXPERIENCE 

TRUST OF EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS BETRAYED
AND THEIR HOPES ENDED IN DESPAIR 

2018 - OUR PLEDGE

“THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE”

M. Krishnan

Secretary General, Confederation

                   Seventh Central Pay Commission Chairman, Justice (Retired) Ashok Kumar Mathur in his foreword to 7th CPC Report has quoted the following lines in the case of Bhupendra Nath Hazarika and another Versus State of Assam & others wherein the Supreme Court of India has observed as follows:

                   “It should always be borne in mind that legitimate aspirations of the employees are not guillotined and a situation is not created where hopes end in despair.  Hope for every one is gloriously precious and that a model employer should not convert it to be deceitful and treacherous.....  A sense of calm sensibility and concerned sincerity should be reflected at every step.  An atmosphere of trust has to prevail and when the employees are absolutely sure that their trust shall not be betrayed and they shall be treated with dignified fairness, then only the concept of good governance can be concretized.  We say no more.”

                   We don’t know whether the powers-that-be at the helm of affairs of the Central Government has ever read the above observations of the Apex Court quoted by 7th CPC.  Fact remains - BJP-led NDA Government has guillotined the legitimate aspirations of the Central Government employees and pensioners and created a situation wherein their gloriously precious hopes ended in despair.  The Government converted their hopes to be deceitful and treacherous.  The stand taken by the Government is devoid of calm sensibility and concerned sincerity.  Trust of the 32 lakhs employees and 33 lakhs pensioners is betrayed and their expectations of fair treatment from Government has been proved wrong.

Who gave the hopes and who betrayed:

                   In the wake of indefinite strike call given by National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) of Central Govt. Employees from 11th July 2016, in the crucial meeting held in the night of 30th June 2016, solemn assurance was given by none other than the topmost Cabinet Ministers of NDA Government Sri. Rajnath Singh, Home Minister, Sri. Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister and Shri. Suresh Prabhu, then Railway Minister.  It was told that Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modiji has directed the group of Ministers to hold discussion with NJCA leaders.  Group of Ministers gave categorical assurance that minimum pay and fitment formula will be increased and for that purpose a High Level Committee will be constituted.  Again on 6th July 2016 Sri. Rajnath Singh, Home Minister, reiterated the assurance and Finance Ministry issued a press statement confirming the assurance.  Leaders and employees trusted the words of the Senior Cabinet Ministers.  Eighteen (18) months are over.  No High Level Committee is constituted.  No hike in minimum pay and fitment formula is granted.

Delaying tactics and then denial:

                   From the very begining of coming to power, the NDA Govt. has adopted a tactics of “delay and then deny” the legitimate aspirations of the Central Govt. Employees and Pensioners.  Pay Commission was granted four months extension.  Empowered Committee took seven months and pay scales were implemented without any change after seven months delay from the date of submission of 7th CPC report. Allowance Committee took one year and finally arrears of HRA and other allowances for eighteen months are denied.  Pension Option-I Committee was appointed to deny the one and the only favourable recommendations of the 7th CPC for Pensioners.  NPS Committee made it clear that withdrawl of NPS or guaranteeing minimum pension (50% of the last pay drawn) are not under its purview.  Anomaly Committee informed the JCM Staff side that 80% of the items submitted by staff side including increase in minimum pay and fitment formula will not constitute an anomaly and hence will not come under the purview of the Anomaly Committee.  Regarding implementation of the positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee on Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) also almost eleven (11) months are over after the submission of the report to Govt. on 24-11-2016.  The brutal exploitation of casual and contract workers is increasing day by day.  Eventhough Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) is not regular promotion, instead of seniority-cum-fitness Government imposed more stringent conditions to deny the promotions to thousands of employees.

Wage, Job, Social Security and Trade Union rights under attack:

                   Not only the legitimate pay and allowances of the Central Govt. employees are denied, their job security is also under attack due to the neo-liberal policies pursued aggressively by the NDA Government. Many work done by Railway Employees are outsourced and privatised and now leasing out of Railway stations and Railway Land to private corporates under PPP model is under progress. Decision has been taken by Government to outsource and privatise Defence production and related activities like Research, Maintenance and services etc. and to permit 100% FDI in Defence industry.  200 products being manufactured by the Ordinance factories are ordered to be handed over to private corporates.  Small Svings Schemes which was the monopoly of the Postal Department is outsourced to private banks and orders for outsorucing of booking and delivery of registered and speed post article is also issued.  Out of 17 Govt. of India Printing Presses 12 presses are ordered to be closed as per Cabinet decision.  Many other small departments are also facing the attack of outsourcing, privatisation and closure.

                   Orders are issued by Govt. threatening serious disciplinary action against employees who participate in dharnas, demonstrations and strikes.  JCM National Council meeting was not held for the last seven years.  Most of the Departmental Councils are not functioning. Chief Executives of recognised Associations are harassed and vindictively transferred and recognition and trade union facilities to the Associations are withdrawn.  Results of the membership verification under the Recognition Rules are not being declared and even verification process under check-off system is stopped half-way.

                   NPS has become “No-Pension System” as many of the employees who retired after 10 to 12 years are getting monthly annuity pension (from  Insurance Company) less than Rs.2,000/- only whereas the minimum pension for 10 years service under the old pension scheme is now Rs.9,000/-.  Government is not ready to heed the demand of the staff side to withdraw Contributory Pension Scheme and guarantee minimum pension (50% of the last pay drawn) to all under Contributory Pension Scheme.  The observations of the 7th CPC that - “almost the whole lot of Government employees appointed on or after 01-01-2004 are unhappy with the New Pension System.  Government should take a call and look into their grievances”remains in paper.  Thus the social security of the employees is facing greatest threat from Government.

‘Tough time never last, but tough people do’

                   No doubt the entire working class along with Central Government employees are passing through a tough period.  Their life and livelihood are under attack.  And at the same time resistance movement against the policy offensives are gaining momentum.  Entire Trade Unions (barring BMS) has organised three days “Maha Dharna” at New Delhi in which lakhs of workers participated.  BMS was also compelled to organise a separate protest programme against the retrogade policies of the Narendra Modi Government.  Central Government employees under the banner of Confederation conducted series of agitational programmes like Parliament March, One day strike, Mass dharna in front of Finance Minister’s Office, Human Chain, Burning of HRA Orders, District level dharnas, State level dharnas etc. demanding settlement of  21 point charter of demands submitted  to Government.  Coming days will witness more sectoral struggles and joint struggles leading to indefinite strike.

No alternative for struggle:

                   Thus the struggles of the Working Class which was hitherto defensive in nature, is becoming more and more offensive.  We have to intensify our struggle during 2018 for our survival.  Let us remember and tell our friends in the Central Govt. Employees movement who are waiting peacefully and endesslyhoping for justice from NDA Government -

                   “Organise if you want real living wages, organise if you want to have your working hours reduced, organise if you desire better treatment from your superior officers, organise if you want that the authorities should consult and consider your opinion on all administrative measures affecting you. Petitions, memorandums and supplications will count for nothing, so long as you do not organise yourselves in a manner to convice the Government that you will no longer stand nonsense.”

                   Let us march forward with full commitment and determination. 

                   Ultimate victory shall be ours.

If  it weren’t for the Union

Our union’s story is there to be seen,

We’ve won many victories and we’ve suffered defeats,

But as I turn through the pages and look back through time,

There’s one single question stands out in my mind -

Today we may prosper, today we live free,

But if it weren’t for the union, where would we be?

From it’s humble beginnings our union has grown,

So no working person need struggle alone.

But no gain that’s been made has been made without cost,

And together we’ll see that no gain’s ever lost;

Take a look at those countries where workers aren’t free-

If it weren’t for the union, where would we be?

Would you choose to go back, working twelve hours a day,

Would you choose to toil more and a pittance be paid?

Will you stand in the union against the new right,

or do you think on your own you can withstand their might?

The answer is written in our history,

If it weren’t for the union, where would we be?

They say we’ve got problems, and the unions they blame,

Well, Franco and Pinochet they said the same.

If our union they weaken, if our union they break,

Then where’s our defence from becoming enslaved?

So would you choose bondage above liberty?

And if it weren’t for the union, where would we be?

It’s our union, our union that defends our rights,

But our union is as strong as our will is to fight,

For the union is you and the union is me,

So stand up and stand by our union.

                                                 - Peter Hicks and Geoff Francis.

CLARIFICATION ON FAMILY PENSION ADMISSIBLE TO NPS EMPLOYEES ON THEIR DEATH ATTRIBUTABLE TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM NORMAL FAMILY PENSION.

 PENSIONERS DAY BEING OBSERVED TODAY- 17.12.2017

It was on 17.12.1982 that Shri.D.S.Nakara registered a great victory for the cause of Pensioners at the Apex Court. Justice Chandrachud delivered the milestone judgment that pensioners as a class shall not be discriminated and that pension is not a bounty or dole given out by employer at his mercy!

NCCPA has given a call to celebrate 17th December 2017 as Pensioners Day and to project the following as desired goals and future roadmap:

1) To win Option No.1 of 7th CPC recommendation by our continued struggles;
2) To win appropriate modifications in 12.05.2017 option number  3 orders;
3) To win justice for Pre-2006 and Pre-2016 Pensioners;
4) To abolish NPS for Central and State Government employees and PSU employees; and
5) To protect Social Security and Pension.

NCCPA has called upon all Central, State Government and Public Sector Pensioners Organisations all over India to join with NCCPA affiliates and observe the day befittingly in all Districts / Divisions.

DRAFT RECRUITMENT RULES OF MTS, POSTMAN, MAIL GUARDS, POSTAL ASSISTANTS/SORTING ASSISTANTS

Click here to view - Recruitment Rules Draft

NOTIFICATION REGARDING DEPUTATION/FOREIGN SERVICE OF REGULAR EMPLOYEES OF DOP AND ENGAGEMENT OF GDS TO IPPB:

Click here to view - Advertisement for deputation from DoP  
Click here to view - Notification - Deputation to IPPB

STEPS TO UPDATE MOBILE NUMBER, E-MAIL, AADHAAR NUMBERS IN CGHS DATABASE (Click here to the View)

WE SALUTE COM KG BOSE, THE BEACON LIGHT OF THE TRADE UNION MOVEMENT, ON HIS 43rd DEATH ANNIVERSARY.  

IMPORTANT SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT – MACP SHOULD BE GIVEN EFFECT FROM 01-01-2016

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CBDT EXTENDS DATE FOR LINKING OF AADHAAR WITH PAN(Click here to the view)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING IN TIME BOUND MANNER UNDER CCS(CCA) RULES, 1965

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AIPAEA CIRCULAR No 7

(M) G.S. 07752829874

09453439561

All India Postal Accounts Employees Association

(Central Headquarters)

(Affiliated to National Federation of Postal Employees)

13-B, New Mahavir Nagar, DAO Flats, New Delhi – 110018

E-mail:aipaea2009@gmail.com Blog: www.aipaea09.blogspot.com

S. Santosh Kumar                                                                                          S. B. Yadav

President                                                                                                      General Secretary

No. AIPAEA/CHQ/Circular/7/2017                                                     Dated 05-12-2017

The Central Working Committee meeting of AIPAEA was held at Guwahati from 15.11.2017 to 16.11.2017. Reception committee held the CWC meeting in a very grand manner, within a short notice. A Galaxy of leaders attended the CWC meeting Com. M. Krishnan, S G Confederation, Com. R. N. Parashar S. G. NFPE & G. S. of P-3, Com Giri Raj Singh President NFPE & GS R-3, Com. T. Satyanarayana Ex. GS, AIPAEA, Com. A.P. Sastry Ex President AIPAEA and all Circle Secretaries of NFPE Assam circle attended the CWC. The Director of Accounts (Postal) Guwahati also graced the occasion. All units except Ambala, Bhopal, Cuttack, Delhi, Jammu and Kapoorthala attended the CWC meeting. Three delegates from the youngest unit Shillong also attended the CWC.

          The meeting was started by flag hoisting. Com. D.K. Debnath, Chairmen of the reception committee, hoisted national flag, NFPE Flag was hoisted by president Com. Giri Raj Singh, President NFPE and Com. A. P. Sastry, Ex-President of AIPAEA hoisted the AIPAEA flag. Offering of floral tributes to Martyrs followed the flag hoisting. Reception Committee felicitated all the leaders/guests by presenting bougets & moments. Chairman of the reception Committee, Com. D. K. Debnath delivered the welcome address.

Comrade M. Krishnan, Secretary General of CCGE&W inaugurated the inaugural cum open session of the CWC meeting. In his address com. Krishnan elaborately explained the developments since the appointment of 7th CPC till date and the present status of the seven committee’s constituted by the government to look into the issues of Central Government employees after implementation of 7th CPC. He told that the government has backed out from the promise given to the NJCA by G.O.M. in the meeting held on 30.06.2016 & 06.07.2016. All the committees are only an eye-wash and the genuine demands of the Central Government employees, like minimum wage, increase in fitment formula, option-I of pension, removal of Benchmark of MACPs, etc are not adhered to by the government. Even the employees have been deprived of their due arrears on account of allowances for 18 months as the allowances at revised rates were implemented from 01.07.2017. He told that the Confederation has a history of struggles and conducted a series of agitational programme’s after a day’s strike of 16.03.2017 on 21 point charter of demands, latest being ‘Mahapadao’ in front of Parliament from 09.11.2017 to 11.11.2017, along-with 10 Central Trade Unions. He appealed to the house to be ready for more struggles in near future to achieve our demands.

Com Giri Raj Singh, President NFPE & GS R-III extended his warm greetings to the CWC and assured every help from the Federation. He said that NFPE is a militant organization and will be in frontline of any struggle in fact, is leading the Confederation’s agitational calls/struggles. He commanded the functioning of the AIPAEA and assured all corporation from his organization, he praised the reception committee for their good arrangements.

                       

Com. R.N. Parashar Secretary General, NFPE & GS P-III in his address lauded the reception committee for their very good arrangements. He extended warm Greetings on behalf of his organization as well as personal behalf to the CWC and wished that CWC be a grand success. He informed the house that one day’s strike on 23.08.2017 by NFPE was successful and on 15 point charter of demand, NFPE has given a three phased programme of agitation purely on the departmental issues (1) Two days relay fast at Divisional level on 28.11.2017 & 29.11.2017 (2) One day Dharna at Circle level on 20.12.2017 & (3) five days Dharna at New Delhi from 12.02.2018 to 16.02.2018, He appealed to the house to make the agitational programmes of NFPE a grand success.

Dr. Jane Prasad, Director of Accounts (Postal), Guwahati and Shillong, addressed the house and threw light on the prospective changes that are going to come in the department after digitalization and implementation of CSI and appealed every individual official to give the best of his capacity. She told that the employees should not only be fast workers, but also smart workers. She assured all co-operation from administration and wished the CWC to be a grand success.

         

          In the post lunch session, the delegate session wads commenced, Com. T. S. N. Ex. General Secretary AIPAEA, inaugurated the delegate session. In his address, he spoke at length on the issue of victimization, specially trade union victimization, he told that Com. Panda’s victimization is not a personal case, but it is a direct attack on trade union functioning and should be resisted with all might. We should co-ordinate with NFPE and Confederation. As NFPE is a mighty organization should carry along all the smaller units with it. He cautioned the house to be vigilant on our issues like CSI, RR of AAO cadre and cadre-re-structuring. He praised the reception committee and thanked them for holding the CWC in such a splendid manner. He extended his best wishes for the success of the CWC meeting.   

Com. A. P. Sastry, Ex. President of AIPAEA also addressed the august house. He extended his best wishes for the success of the CWC and assured his continued full support to the Association in future also. He thanked the reception committee for their hospitality and fine arrangement. He recalled the formation years of AIPAEA and told how due to continued struggles; we have achieved many of our demands, and appealed to the house to be ready for the same in future also. One minute’s silence was observed to pay homage to martyrs. The General Secretary placed his report in the house for discussion, deliberation and approval of the house. The report was an exhaustive report covering national and international issues, activities of the association during last seven months and its future course of action.

         

          In the unit reporting all the Circle Secretaries reflected the issues faced in their unit, their membership, remittance of quota, participation in 23^th August strike. Almost the problems faced by the units were common in nature, all the units were facing acute shortage of staff in all cadres, inadequate provision of infra-structure, provision of training, threat of decentralization of PAO after implementation of CSI, finalization of RR of AAO with 40% SCF cadre-restructure and execution of Rule 38 transfer cases. Bengaluru, Nagpur, Guwahati & Hyderabad raised the issue of implementation of CSI in their office and other problems. Hyderabad, Patna, Trivandrum, Ahmedabad raised the issue of provision of adequate buildings/space. Guwahati, Shillong, Trivandrum & Lucknow units raised the issue of Rule 38 transfers. These three units requested to go for special recruitment for the Assam, NE & Trivandrum Circles to fill the vacant posts as a onetime measure. As reported by the units the August 23 strike was an average strike, and all units assured that in future there would be improvement. Resolution on Rule 38 transfer, finalization of RR of AAO, grant of trade union facilities, sorter/Group-D seniority issue, and to exempt + 2 passed JAs promoted under SCF quota who have attained 45 years age from departmental Confirmatory

Examination.

          The house decided to prepare a document on functioning of CSI at PAOs and the problems faced there of. It was decided that the Bangalore, Hyderabad and Nagpur unit’s Circle Secretaries will meet under the leadership of Com. N. Veeresh and prepare the shortcomings on CSI to be conveyed to the PA Wing. CHQ will bear the expenses of this meeting. Com N. Veeresh will convene the above meeting.

          General Secretary while summing up the discussion gave replies to the queries of the units and placed before the house, the latest updates on various issues faced by the units. He categorically said that the Decentralization of PAO in any form is not acceptable to AIPAEA, he also said that AIPAEA has made its stand clear before Sr. DDG (PAF) and other officers that SCF Quota of 40% should be restored at any cost in the RR of AAO cadre and DE should be restricted to officials of Accounts stream of DOP and DOT only. He appealed the house to be cautious on the issues and assured that association will protect interest of its member at any cost. He appealed to the house to observe the three phases of agitation of NFPE successfully and be ready for future agitational programmes of Confederation.

          The house approved with voice and authorized the General Secretary to prepare the charter of demands and resolutions if any. General Secretary thanked President S. Santosh Kumar for conducting the meeting efficiently, the delegates for co-operating and reception committee for its wonderful arrangements. He also thanked all the leaders of NFPE and SG CCGE&W for accepting his request and attending the CWC meeting. He especially thanked Com. T. Satya narayana and A. P. Sastry, Ex. GS & president for guiding and supporting the CHQ.

          Com. M. Krishnan, S G Confederation suggested that  history of AIPAEA should be compiled and the Job was entrusted to Com.TSN, who readily accepted it.

          The CWC meeting was concluded with vote of thanks, proposed by Com. Subhajit Das, Circle secretary, Guwahati and also General Secretary Reception Committee, he thanked all the Central leaders of NFPE, Confederation and co-ordination committee of Assam, NFPE for accepting his request and attending the CWC meeting.

Comradely Yours,
  

(S.B. Yadav)

General Secretary

GREETINGS TO ALL COMRADES ON THE OCCASION OF MILAD un NABI

 OF MILAD UN NABI

RETENTION OF GENERAL POOL RESIDENTIAL ACCOMMODATION AT LAST PLACE OF POSTING ON TRANSFER TO A NON-FAMILY STATION.(Click here to the View)

News

New Income Tax law simplify tax slabs, lower total amount paid as income tax

 India Today Thu, 23 Nov 8:40 PM IST 

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This comes close on the heels of comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the annual conference of tax officers in September that the Income-tax Act, 1961 was drafted more than 50 years ago and it needs to be redrafted.

The central government's decision to set up a seven-member committee to overhaul Direct Tax Code (DTC) - shelved by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in 2015 citing "most provisions were either incorporated or done away with" - may simplify the taxation slabs and reduce rates. The final DTC would also likely benefit the tax payers by increasing the exemption limit to Rs 5 lakh. Though the taxable amount may go up due to removal of all or most of the exemptions, the reduced tax rates are expected to actually bring down the total amount paid as income tax.

The direct taxes have been in force in the country since 1961. The latest decision comes close on the heels of comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the annual conference of tax officers in September that the Income-tax Act, 1961, was drafted more than 50 years ago and it needed to be redrafted.

"Accordingly, in order to review the Act and to draft a new direct tax law in consonance with economic needs of the country, the Government has constituted a task force," a finance ministry statement said on the formation of the new task force.

The task force is headed by Arbind Modi, Member (legislation), CBDT. Arvind Subramanian, Chief Economic Adviser, will be a permanent special invitee in the Task Force. Other members of the of the task force include Girish Ahuja, practicing chartered accountant and non-official Director of State Bank of India; Rajiv Memani, Chairman & Regional Managing Partner of E&Y; Mukesh Patel, Practicing Tax Advocate, Ahmedabad; Mansi Kedia, Consultant, ICRIER, and G C Srivastava, retired IRS (1971 Batch) and Advocate. The task force would draft direct tax laws in line with tax laws prevalent in other countries, incorporating international best practices, and keeping in mind the economic needs of the country. The task force would submit its report to the government within six months.

The Modi government, since assuming power in 2014, has already implemented general anti-avoidance rules GAAR. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also promised in 2016 to lower corporate tax rate to 25 per cent during the course of 5 years. As of now, individual taxpayers with an annual income up to Rs 2.5 lakh are exempt from paying income tax.

This would not be the first attempt to change the Income Tax Act in the country. Back in 2009, the incumbent UPA government had come up with the Direct Tax Code to make tax legislations easier to comprehend for individual as well as corporate taxpayers. Later the Direct Taxes Code (DTC) Bill was tabled before the Parliament back in 2010. The Bill had suggested that annual income up to Rs 2 lakh should be exempted from income tax. Apart from this, the DTC Bill proposed levying 10 per cent income tax on annual income between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh, 20 per cent on annual income from Rs 5-10 lakh. The Bill mandated that 30 per cent income tax should be levied from taxpayers with annual income above Rs 10 lakh. Similarly, it suggested that domestic companies should pay income tax at a rate of 30 per cent of their business income. The DTC Bill, however, lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha.

(With PTI inputs)