Thursday, September 30, 2021
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
REVISION OF THE MONETARY LIMITS FOR INVESTIGATIONS IN LOSS AND FRAUD CASES BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF POSTS
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https://utilities.cept.gov.in//dop/pdfbind.ashx?id=5930
Monday, September 27, 2021
Sunday, September 26, 2021
SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL LIFE CERTIFICATE FOR PENSIONERS/FAMILY PENSIONERS LIVING ABROAD
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https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/1_8_2021_PPW_H_7468_23092021TPFp0.pdf
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https://documents.doptcirculars.nic.in/D3/D03ppw/1_9_2021_PPW_H_7472_22092021UF8KK.pdf
Saturday, September 25, 2021
CONFEDERATION CALLS UPON ALL CONSTITUENTS TO EXTEND SOLIDARITY SUPPORT
Central Trade Unions, Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations Support Samyukta Kisan Morcha’s Call For ‘Bharat Bandh’ on 27th Sept. 2021
The Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions, independent sectoral Federations and Associations congratulates the farmers of India who are relentlessly fighting demanding repeal of the three farm laws, withdrawal of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2021 and for legally guaranteed MSP since more than nine months, under the leadership of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM).
The trade unions also express their gratitude for the SKM’s support to the struggle of the working class against the anti-worker labour codes.
The Joint Platform of Trade Unions asserts that this united struggle will continue till the three farm laws and the four labour codes are scrapped and the attempts of the government to sell the country through its privatisation drive and NMP are stopped.
And Independent Sectoral Federations and Associations
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Monday, September 20, 2021
Sunday, September 19, 2021
Article on 19th September strike
Remembering the great one day
strike of 19th September, 1968
I consider it as my solemn duty to be associated with the webinar organised to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs of the great one day strike of Central Government employees that took place on 19th September, 1968. The Government had considered the strike as a rebellion or a revolt against a democratically elected system. Whatever they could do to terrorise, oppress and
subjugate by brutal power, they did – but it could not dent the determination of the employees. 17comrades lost their life in that struggle indicating how the Government of the day had been dastardly in their approach towards the strike of the employees, which happened, having failed to receive a reasonable response from the Government over their just, genuine and indisputable demand for the grant of Minimum wage, which proposition had been accepted by the Government earlier in the tripartite meeting. The name of Pathankot, Bikaner, I.P. Estate in Delhi will always be a painful memory in the annals of that great strike action. Thousands of comrades lost their job. Many were terminated and innumerable comrades were proceeded against. Several comrades were dragged into
criminal cases, which lingered on for years together.
It is through such sacrifices, a great edifice was built . Confederation became the voice of lakhs of Central Government employees. It became the single platform to articulate the demands, negotiate and settle issues. It united all employees and workers of all departments of the Government of India. Confederation became the forum to initiate struggles and carry it to its logical end.
The 1968 one day strike had a great prologue and a much greater epilogue. The 1960 indefinite strike of the Central Government employees and the 1974 strike in which the Railways workers were the predominant participants, are recorded as the bitter struggles of civilian employees of India. No strike had created such a tremendous impact over the society. It compelled the Governments and the employers in general to effect a change in their attitude. The Government set up a permanent negotiating forum called JCM.
The 1968 strike will also be remembered for another historical feat. Kerala was the only State in the country then ruled by a communist Government. It openly defied the directive of the Government of India and refused to take recourse to repressive measures to suppress the movement. The then Chief Minister of Kerala, com. EMS. declared that his government would not take any police action against the striking workers, as he firmly believed that strike is an inalienable right of every worker. Com. EMS was threatened of dismissal of his Government but the rulers at the centre did not dare to do.
The 1960,1968 and 1974 strike actions were not mere pages in the struggle history of our movement but glittering stepping stones cemented by blood and sacrifice of our predecessors. We must on this day, though painfully realise that the basic issue that motivated and enthused the rank and file was the demand for a decent wage system based on the minimum wage formula, which the country had promised to the working class. That demand continues to be our demand unrealised till today basically due to the inability of waging a united struggle of all Central Government employees. Today is the day for us to remind ourselves of that unaccomplished task and take inspiration from the fact that the 1968 strike paved way later for the cost indexation of our wages in the form of Dearness allowance for employees and dearness relief for pensioners.
The post 1968 period witnessed political upheavals of an exponential nature. The declaration of emergency and consequent suspension of all fundamental rights; the losing of power for INC at the centre, the experience of coalition governance, the collapse of the economy, the emergence of communal forces through the spread of hatred; the disappearance of scientific temper from the society; the attack on secularism; the attack on constitutional institutions, capture of State power by creating communal frenzy and above all the intensification of neo liberal economic policies, the corporate ascendancy over governance, the growth of crony capitalism etc. are a few that compels
mention.
Whenever the political power is concentrated on a single party having brute majority in the Parliament, the common man had suffered. The rights are curtailed. Legislations which are clearly anti-people in character would be made without deliberations. Most of the labour welfare legislations presently in the statute book of the country have been withdrawn or replaced. Ever since the new liberal economic policies were ushered in, there had been concerted efforts on the part of the Central Trade Unions to unite and fight. Today barring the BMS, the trade union wing of the ruling party, all Central Trade unions have come together to fight the continuing onslaught. Confederation of CGEs and workers had been and continue to be the partners along with the Central Trade Unions and other
independent Federations in this venture. Innumerable strike actions were organised by the Indian working class since 1991. Confederation was part and parcel in all these struggles. But still, the unity of Central Govt. employees is a mirage. There had been no negotiation worth the name even on a vital issue like wage revision after the 7th CPC recommendations. The Government has refused to make any correction to the blatant mistakes in the computation of minimum wage by the 7th CPC. There had been no consultation when the dearness allowance was freezed and denied in April, 2020 taking advantage of the Covid 19 situation. Never before such arbitrary decision has been taken by the Government in the matter of dearness allowance compensation. The Joint consultative machinery, which was set up with the avowed objective of avoiding the civil servants going on strike has been almost dismantled. Its meetings are not held and no consultation is made on any issue. The
efficacy of our organisation in the face of these onslaughts has undoubtedly dwindled. The unity of the Central Government employees, which gave militancy to the movement in 1968 has disappeared. This is not to say that the Confederation had been complacent or is complacent today. It is only to emphasise that our activities are not sufficient enough.
In 1960s and 1970s, we have been raising the slogans against the monopoly capital. The Indian industrial scene in those days were dominated by two houses, viz. Tatas and Birlas. Today when the entire country is gobbled up by Adani and Ambani, we must painfully realise that it did not figure even in our slogans. 19th September, when we salute our martyrs, when we commemorate that great struggle, when we feel gratified of our achievement of cost indexed wage structure, when we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of our predecessors, it must also be an occasion to ponder over the present state of affairs, make introspection and do things tangible enough to encourage the younger comrades to tread the path of struggles and ensure a better tomorrow .
Observe 53rd Anniversary of Historic One Day Token Strike of 19th September 1968
19th September 2021 is the 53rd anniversary of the historic one day token strike of the central government employees organised on 19th September 1968. The day is being observed throughout the country by the CG employees.
The major demands of the strike were grant of minimum wage, DA according to the cost of living index and merger of DA with pay. All these issues were taken by the unions in the newly formed National Council of Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM), but not only they were denied, but also arbitration was refused despite provision for the same in JCM constitution. No fruitful discussion took place even after serving of strike notice. There was no other go before the unions, but to resort to strike. Government promulgated Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) according to which strikers were liable to be punished with 6 months imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 500. Those who instigated strike were to be punished with one year imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1000.
Lakhs and lakhs of workers went on strike on the day crippling the entire central services, despite ordinance and other black laws. P & T, Railways, Defence, Audit & Accounts, Income tax and other services were severely affected by the strike. It was almost standstill in many essential services.
Tens of Thousands of workers were arrested, jailed and punished. Lakhs of employees were suspended, terminated and charge sheeted. Seventeen employees were either shot dead or beaten to death and became martyrs for the cause of the workers. Such repressive measures were seldom seen earlier. Recognition of the unions was withdrawn.
It was only the Communist government in Kerala with Com.E.M.S.Namboodiripad as Chief Minister, which declared that the state government will not implement the ESMA against the striking workers. There was rumour that the state government may be dismissed, but nothing happened.
The repression and victimisation were condemned by the central trade unions, except INTUC. Heated discussion took place in the Parliament with the Communist and other Left M.P.s strongly raising their voice for vacation of victimisation and acceptance of the demands of the workers. International trade unions declared their solidarity and support to the strike and condemned the victimisation.
The next three years was a period of incessant struggles against victimisation. By about 1971 almost all workers were reinstated. But severe punishments were imposed. Recognition of the unions was restored.
53 years are over after the One Day Token strike of 1968. Those who were participants in the strike are all retired. Some have left us forever. But we remember their courage, unity and steadfastness in going in to the struggle against all odds and refusing to surrender to the repressive measures of the government.
Though it took many more years, the right of DA increase as per increase in cost of living index is established. Some other demands are also achieved, but not the need based minimum wage.
During the Covid pandemic period, Modi government has frozen increased DA and DR for workers and pensioners for long 18 months since January 2020. From July 2021 it is restored, but the arrears continue as frozen. Trade union rights are being curtailed. Hard won labour achievements are being taken way. Pension Revision for BSNL pensioners has not been given. Medical allowances and reimbursement are still to be settled.
Sustained struggles are being waged by Kisans against the anti-kisan laws passed by the government. Central trade unions are on continuous struggles. It is under such circumstances that we are observing the fifty third anniversary of the historic strike of 19th September 1968.
On this day, we salute the martyrs of the 1968 strike and pledge to continue the struggles for the cause of the workers.
Red Salute to the Martyrs of 1968 Strike !
Unity for Struggle, Struggle for Unity!
Saturday, September 18, 2021
Friday, September 17, 2021
Thursday, September 16, 2021
Wednesday, September 15, 2021
DIVORCE DAUGHTER IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR COMPASSIONATE APPOINTMENT IF DIVORCED SUBSEQUENT TO DEATH: SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT
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Source: Supreme Court Judgement PDF
Monday, September 13, 2021
Sunday, September 12, 2021
Friday, September 10, 2021
Happy Ganesh Chaturthihaturthi
ON THE AUSPICIOUS OCCASION OF GANESH CHATURTHI
WARM GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES
************************
गणेश चतुर्थी की मंगलकामनाएं।
Wednesday, September 8, 2021
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Sunday, September 5, 2021
DRAFT LETTER TO BE SENT TO THE FINANCE MINISTER
CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS &
NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE
OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS
E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.
Dated: 4th September, 2021
To
Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman,
Finance Minister,
Government of India,
North Block, New Delhi
Dear Madam,
Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers and the Nationl Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Association, representing the Central Government employees of the country and the Pensioners submit the following issues for your kind consideration and favourable response.
1. The Dearness allowance and Dearness Relief arrears.
In the wake of the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic, in April, 2020, the Government decided not to release the DA/DR instalment that had become due on 1.1.2020 as also those that might become due on 1.7.2020 and 1.1.2021. The payment was deferred upto July, 2021. Accordingly, the allowance and relief that had become due had been restored in July, 2021. However, the arrears pertaining to 18 months have been held back or rather impounded. We submit that the decision of the Govt. to impound the arrears was sans any legal or moral ground. The employees and Pensioners, as you are aware, had responded to the Government’s appeal and had contributed one day’s salary/ pension to enable the Government to reach out to the covid affected people with financial assistance. The employees and Pensioners expected that the Government would give back the arrears . The Government is also aware of the fact that a similar order of the Government of Andhra Pradesh was subjected to judicial scrutiny by the A.P. High Court and the Court had come to the conclusion that the said decision of the A.P. Government was untenable. It may be pertinent to point out in this connection that quite a number of employees and pensioners were affected by the Covid virus and had undergone treatment costing lakhs of rupees. The release of the impounded arrears would be a great relief to the employees and pensioners.
2. Covid pandemic related problems.
(a) Death compensation: As mentioned earlier, number of employees and pensioners
died due to the covid some at Hospitals and others at home. Despite providing treatment costing lakhs of rupees, they could not be saved. Their family is in distress now. The entire savings have been eaten up for the treatment. Most of them suffer a debt burden of an unimaginable dimension. We know that in bigger Government department, a welfare fund is in operation. But in small department no such contingency fund exist. It is our request that the Government decides to help these unfortunate families by way of a compensation grant of not less than 15 lakhs.
(b) Reimbursement of hospital bills. The affected persons had to be admitted to the hospitals. In emergency cases, the employees and pensioners were taken to the nearby private hospitals. The Government as per the extant rules reimburse the expenses only when the employee/pensioner is admitted to a CGHS recognised hospitals. There are very few CGHS empanelled hospitals in the country. Majority of them do not provide treatment for covid. The employees and pensioners with meagre salary are not capable of paying the huge hospitalisation bills. We request that orders may be issued to reimburse the bills of the private hospitals irrespective of the fact whether they are recognised or not, raised in connection with the covid treatment.
(c) To provide vaccination facility in CGHS wellness centres/clinics/dispensaries.
Presently vaccination facility is not provided for in CGHS clinics/dispensaries. These clinics provide out-patient treatment to the Central Government employees/pensioners. Now that the lock out has been lifted, the employees are to attend offices and they must have priority in vaccination. The deficiency of vaccine is felt all over the country. The primary health centres and State Government/Local body run hospitals, experience huge rush and it takes hours to get vaccinated. There is also inordinate delay in getting the slots even after registration. It is, therefore, requested that the CGHS clinics/Dispensaries and wellness centres be made vaccination centres for CG employees/ pensioners.
(d) Compassionate appointments. Need for removing the ceiling. In 1990s, the Government imposed a ceiling on compassionate appointments in all Departments except the Railways. This was said to be to abide by a directive of the Supreme Court. However, no such directive in specific terms had ever been made by the Supreme Court. Despite the repeated plea made by the staff side in the forum of JCM, the DOPT stuck to their position. There are departments, where not a single case of death in harness occur in a particular . year. But in the subsequent year, there might have been a few cases. The ceiling of 5% of the vacancies is highly illogical and untenable too. But still it continued. The covid period has taken away a number of lives of the employees. Their family is in distress. The very scheme was conceived to provide relief to the suffering family members While it must go only to deserving candidates, this can never be the way to ensure that. In any case it has now become very necessary that the ceiling must be removed to ensure that the deserving wards of the employees who died in harness are given livelihood. We request that orders removing the ceiling may kindly be issued without further loss of time.
(e) Health insurance coverage for the pensioners residing in non CGHS areas.
Presently the pensioners who are residing in non-CGHS areas have no health scheme when they fall ill seriously. The paltry sum of FMA will not even meet the OPD requirements Oft repeated representation from this section of pensioners have gone to deaf ears. The Government feels that the expenditure would be enormous. The successive Pay Commissions have recommended for the health insurance scheme, which is yet to be considered by the Government. They feel highly discriminated sin as much as their erstwhile colleagues are able to treatment from recognised private hospitals. Insurance scheme, they know, may only be a poor substitute for the CGHS. But it is high time that the Government to take serious note of the issue and evolve a scheme. The Pensioners in the non CGHS areas had been the worst sufferers during the covid period.
3. Revise the pension entitlement of BSNL Pensioners and restore medical facilities.
(a).The pension revision of the absorbed BSNL Pensioners was due from 01-01-2017. The last pension revision was granted from 01-01-2007 with 30 per cent fitment recommended by the 2nd PRC. The 3rd PRC recommended 15 per cent fitment from 01-01-2017. Unfortunately, the government has not implemented the pension revision, linking it with pay revision in BSNL. The fact remains that the full liability of payment of pension and pensionary benefits to BSNL absorbed pensioners lies with the Government of India according to the agreement reached with the then recognised Federations of the employees and the Central Government and amendment made in the CCS( Pension) Rules, 1972. As such there is no justification for linking pension revision with wage revision of BSNL employees which is being delayed due to various reasons including bad financial condition.
BSNL Pensioners were absorbed from Department of Telecommunications during the formation of BSNL with effect from 01-10-2000 and their counterparts , Central Government pensioners have got the pension revision from 01-01-2016 as per the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission.
Huge loss in Pension and pensionary benefits are being incurred by these section of BSNL Pensioners due to the denial of pension revision.
Further, the minimum pension and family pension of BSNL absorbed pensioners continue to be Rs.3,500 whereas they are entitled to draw Rs.9.000 once the pension is revised at par with Central government pensioners.
(b). Denial of medical benefits to BSNL Pensioners.
BSNL pensioners are covered under BSNL- Medical Reimbursement Scheme. (MRS) at par with the employees. But the retirees are not being paid the medical allowance in lieu of outdoor treatment from 01-04-2018. In the case of medical bills, both indoor and outdoor are pending from 01-04-2019. Naturally, the aged and ailing retirees are put in distress even without considering the pandemic situation. BSNL management is adopting a negative rather arrogant stand with the lame excuse of lack of funds.
4. Revision of Pension and medical facilities of Punjab National Bank employees;
The Indian Bank Association has commenced discussion with the Bank employees representatives to effect revision of the existing pension scheme. The employees are no doubt the future pensioners and they have an important stake in those discussions. However, Pension is the entitlement of the Pensioners. To exclude from the ambit of negotiation is totally an unjustified action. There are huge amounts accumulated in the pension fund of the Banks and these contributions have come from the present day pensioners when they were employees. We request you to kindly direct the IBA to hold discussions with the Punjab National Bank Pensioners Association and reach settlement with them
Medical facilities.
The Bank employees do not have a common health care scheme. The present health insurance scheme is highly discriminatory. In the case of the employees, the Banks take the responsibility of making over the premia due from them whereas the Pensioners are to remit the premium from their own meagre pension. It must be the responsibility of the IBA to make the premium payment in the case of pensioners too. After all the insurance scheme benefits more the Banks rather than the pensioners. This apart, there is discrimination also in the matter of the coverage of the scheme. While family members and dependents are entitled in the case of the employees, the benefit is denied to the pensioners. We request that the Banks and especially the IBA may be asked to hold discussions and bring about uniformity in the scheme both in respect of entitlement and contribution as also parity with the working employees.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully,
K.K.N. Kutty/ R.N. Parasar
Secretary General, Secretary General
NCCPA. & Confederation of CGE&W
RESOLUTION:
TO BE MOVED AND PASSED AT THE DHARNA MEETING.
This meeting of the Central Government employees and pensioners being held at the Dharna venue at …………………expresses its concern over the non settlement of certain important issues by the Governments. These issues have been brought to the notice of the Government on several occasions by the representatives of the Confederation and NCCPA.
The meeting appeals to the Government to take note of the serious discontent of the employees and pensioners over the non settlement of these issues and direct the concerned to bring in an amicably satisfactory settlement on these issues with out further loss of time.
1. Release the impounded DA/DR arrears.
2. Grant:
(a) death compensation for those who died due to covid;
(b) reimburse the hospital bills of covid patients;
© Vaccine facility at all CGHS wellness/clinic/dispensary centres
(d) remove the ceiling on compassionate appointments
(e) Health insurance scheme for pensioners who stay outside the purview of the CGHS;
3. Revise the Pension entitlement of BSNL Pensioners and restore their medl. Facilities
4 Revise the pension entitlement of PNB pensioners and grant uniform medical facilities to them.
FORMAT OF E MAIL TO BE SENT BY EACH INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE AND PENSIONER TO THE FINANCE MINISTER on email fm@gov.in
Dear Madam,
Kindly refer to the joint letter of the Confederation of CGE&W and National co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Association dated 4th September, 2021. I shall be grateful if you will kindly cause discussions thereon with a view to reach a settlement.
With greetings
Yours faithfully,
Name & designation
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