DEFERRING OF THE INDEFINITE STRIKE – CLARIFICATIONS
M. Krishnan, Secretary General,
Confederation of C. G. Employees & Workers
Dear Comrades,
We are in receipt of messages and emails from our grass root leaders and workers conveying their concerns over the decision of NJCA to defer the indefinite strike. Comments are circulated in other social medias like whats app etc. also. As it is not practically possible to reply to all the queries and comments, to put the record straight, we are clarifying below the common points raised by most of our comrades and well-wishers. We sincerely thank all those leaders, comrades and well-wishers, who have conveyed (and still conveying) their views, opinions, criticisms and concerns to the confederation CHQ.
1. CONVEYING THE DEFERMENT OF THE STRIKE EVEN BEFORE THE NJCA FORMALLY ANNOUNCED IT:
NJCA has taken serious note of this incident and shall take precautionary measures in future.
2. WHETHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CABINET DECISION ON 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE DELAYED FURTHER FOR FOUR MONTHS
The question of keeping in abeyance the implementation of the Cabinet decision on 29th June 2016 regarding 7th CPC recommendations, till the High Level Committee submits its report to Govt, was discussed in the NJCA meeting. It is decided that NJCA should not demand it, as the employees may be put to hardship, especially those who are in the verge of retirement. Com Shiv Gopal Misra, Convenor, NJCA has confirmed from the Finance Ministry that Govt notification on 7th CPC recommendations is under process and it will be issued shortly, payment may be made from August salary.
3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EMPOWERED COMMITTEE CONSTITUTED EARLIER AND THE NEW HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE?
The new High Level Committee is the product of the discussion held by Group of Ministers including Home Minister, Finance Minister and Railway Minister with NJCA leaders after announcement of the Cabinet decision, in the wake of an impending indefinite strike. Govt is compelled to appoint the new Committee, as the decision taken by the Govt on the proposals submitted by the Empowered Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary (details of proposals of ECoS is not known to staff side) is not acceptable to the NJCA. Hence the new Committee shall be to reconsider the decision of the Govt. especially regarding minimum wage and fitment formula. Inspite of the assurance of the Groups of Ministers that the Committee is being constituted to reconsider the Govt. decision, if the Govt. again reject our demand, the NJCA have to reconsider its stand and deferred strike shall be revived.
4. POSITION REGARDING ALLOWANCES
All allowances including HRA, transport allowance, fixed medical allowance to pensioners etc. are referred to a committee headed by Finance Secretary. Committee shall submit its report within four months. Pending final decision based on the report of the Committee, all existing allowances to be paid as per the existing rates in existing pay structure. Govt. may try to deny arrears of revised rate of allowances by implementing it from prospective date as in the past. This issue will be further discussed by the NJCA with the proposed Committee.
5. WE WOULD HAVE GOT A BETTER SETTLEMENT IF NJCA HAS GONE AHEAD WITH THE INDEFINITE STRIKE
All of us are aware that NJCA is not a monolithic, composite organization. It is a united forum of independent organisations. Each Federation has its own identity and individuality and take decision as per the direction of the managing bodies of each organization. Hence different views may emerge in the NJCA, but final decision is taken by consensus. If each organization stick on to its own stand and others to follow it, there is no question of consensus and NJCA will not exist.
With all its inherent weakness and limitations, the NJCA has successfully challenged the NDA Govt’s stand that there is no negotiation with the staff side on the 7th CPC recommendations. Govt. thought that once the Cabinet decision is announced unilaterally, followed by unleashing of well-orchestrated media propaganda that big bonanza is given for Central Govt. Employees, the NJCA will be forced to withdraw its indefinite strike decision. But the calculation of the Govt went wrong. NJCA took a firm stand that unless and until the retrograde recommendations especially minimum wage and fitment formula is modified, there is no question of withdrawing the strike. All the Federations are firm on this demand which ultimately compelled the Hon’ble Prime Minister to intervene. (NJCA has written to Hon’ble Prime Minister for intervention even before the Cabinet decision, but the Govt. ignored the NJCA’s appeal at that time). As per the direction of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Hon’ble Home Minister Sri Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Sri Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Sri Suresh Prabhu discussed the main issues raised in the Charter of demands with NJCA leaders, and assured that Govt. will appoint a High Level Committee to reconsider the decision of the Govt., especially on minimum pay and fitment formula. This assurance was given with the approval of Hon’ble Prime Minster.
Inspite of it, the NJCA has not deferred the strike and insisted written confirmation of the assurance regarding constitution of High Level Committee. Again Hon’ble Home Minister Sri Rajnath Singh called the NJCA leaders and reiterated the earlier assurances and informed that the Finance Minister will issue a press statement confirming the assurance given to NJCA. Only after receipt of the copy of the press statement issued by the Finance Ministry, NJCA has deferred the strike till the finalization of the report of High Level Committee.
As the Hon’ble Prime Minister of our country has intervened and as three Cabinet Ministers of Govt. of India discussed the demands with NJCA leaders and gave assurance that the demands, especially minimum pay and fitment formula will be reconsidered, and as the Home Minister has again reiterated the assurances to NJCA leaders and Finance Minster has issued press statement confirming the constitution of High Level Committee, the NJCA felt that before embarking upon an indefinite strike which is the last weapon in the hands of the workers, we should give time to the Govt. to implement the Minister’s assurances given as per the direction of the Prime Minister and honour its commitment given to NJCA leaders. NJCA taking a stand that we don’t believe the Ministers and their assurance and shall go ahead with the strike, may not be taken in good spirit by the general public and the media. In case the Govt. backs out from its assurances, the NJCA has got every right to revive the deferred indefinite strike.
Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convenor, NJCA has made it clear in the circular issued on 7th July 2016, which reads as follows: –
“Though there is positive assurance from the Govt. of India, but all of you will not take rest and assume counseling the cadre and ground staff that they should remain in full preparedness, because if there will not be SATISFACTORY OUTCOME, we will be having no alternative except to agitate the issues again.”
6. WHAT ABOUT PARITY IN PENSION? WILL IT BE IMPLEMENTED AS THERE IS A CLAUSE IN THE GOVT DECISION THAT THE PROPOSED COMMITTEE WILL EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OPTION No I, ie PARITY IN PENSION TO PAST PENSIONERS
This issue was raised before the Group of Minister by Com. K. K. N. Kutty, who is also the Secretary General of NCCPA (National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Associations). It was pointed out to the Finance Minister that even though the Govt. has decided to accept 7th CPC recommendation to have two options to pensioners, it is qualified with the words “subject to feasibility.” The Finance Minister categorically assured the delegation that the Govt. has accepted the recommendations in toto and the Pension Department has only been asked to sort out the difficulties in implementation of the Option-No-I, if any.
7. WHAT ABOUT DEMANDS OF THE GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS, AS NJCA IS MORE CONCERNED WITH MINIMUM PAY FITMENT FORMULA ONLY
Any increase in the minimum pay and fitment formula for departmental employees (MTS, Postman & PA) will be extended to Gramin Dak Sevaks also proportionately as the GDS Pay Scales are decided based on the pay scales of corresponding category of departmental employees. So, the demand to increase minimum pay and fitment formula of MTS, Postman and PA is equally important for GDS also.
As regards, civil servant status the NJCA has raised this demand before the Govt and 7th CPC. Even though the 7th CPC Chairman, Retired Justice Ashok Kumar Mathur has informed the JCM staff side leaders he will not consider the GDS case as they are not included in the terms of reference of the Commission, the Chairman gave a very damaging recommendation to the Govt. that GDS are not Civil Servants but they are part – time employees and Extra-departmental agents. He further stated that all the GDS are having another main independent income from another source and GDS job is only a side-business. NJCA leaders have raised the issue of GDS before the Cabinet Secretary’s Committee and also before the Group of Ministers. We shall again raise the issue before the proposed high level committee also. Govt. has constituted a separate committee for GDS under the Chairmanship of Retired Postal Board Member Sri Kamalesh Chandra. NFPE, AIPEU-GDS and Confederation has submitted detailed memorandum before the Committee and Secretary General NFPE Com. R. N Parashar, General Secretary AIPEU-GDS Com, P. Panduranga Rao along with other leaders has given evidence before the GDS Committee demanding Civil Servant status. The GDS committee will submit its report before December 2016. Further NFPE and AIPEU-GDS has filed a case in the Supreme Court for grant of Civil Servant status. Supreme Court has transferred the case to Delhi High Court which in turn transferred it to Principal Bench of Central Administrative Tribunal, Delhi. The final argument of the case will take place on 25th July 2016. NJCA, Confederation, NFPE and AIPEU – GDS are jointly trying their level best to get justice to three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal Department. If the GDS Committee report is against the GDS, then definitely NJCA and Confederation will be fully supporting the agitational programmes of NFPE & AIPEU-GDS including indefinite strike.
The main hurdle is the policy of the NDA Govt. as the Communication Minister of NDA Govt. has rejected our demand for grant of Civil Servant status to GDS.
M. KRISHNAN
Secretary General,
Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers
Email: [email protected]
Mob: 09447068125
Source: Confederation
The deferment of strike is a huge mistake, what do the unions leaders think, Govt. will issue notifications again and again for revised pay scales. This move will leak the pressure that was mounting earlier on the Govt. & Public, who think the Govt machinery is running automatically. If no Govt emp works why to keep them on jobs or recruit them. Just throw all of them out of the offices. A lot of money of the exchequer will be saved………Alas, we lost the chance to show both Govt. and public who the actually runs the machinery of this country.
With my sympathies to all having similar opinions.
RAVICHANDER says
THE NJCA SHOULD NOT HAVE RETREATED FROM THE PROPOSED INDEFINITE STRIKE. THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS. IT HAS AGREED FOR INCREASE OF 14.22% ON BASIC AND D.A. BUT NOT ON HRA AND T.A.
THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT APPEAR TO REDUCE HRA PERCENTAGE FROM 24%, 16% AND 8% TO STILL LOWER LEVEL AND AT THE SAME TIME SAVE HRA ARREARS AS 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS ON HRA FETCHES SUBSTANTIAL HIKE FROM THE EXISTING HRA AMOUNT(MORE THAN 100% INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT AMOUNT OF HRA).
IF THE INTENTION OF THE GOVERNMENT IS GOOD, IT SHOULD HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE 7TH CPC RECOMMENDATIONS IN TOTO SO THAT ATLEAST THE EMPLOYEES WOULD HAVE GOT 23.55 PERCENT INCREASE INCLUDING HRA AND T.A. FROM THE JULY SALARY AND THEN FORMED A COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO THE GRIEVANCES.
FURTHER THE EMPOWERED COMMITTEE OF SECRETARIES HAVE ALMOST TAKEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS TO SUBMIT ITS REPORT AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS. WHY THE ORIGINAL REPORT OF THE ECOS NOT MADE PUBLIC AS IN THE CASE OF 7TH CPC REPORT WHICH WAS INSTANTLY PUBLISHED, THE MOMENT IT WAS SUBMITTED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE 7TH CPC TO THE GOVERNMENT?
WHAT IS THE NEED FOR ONE MORE HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE. ARE THE MEMBERS OF THE ECOS WHO WERE I.A.S. OFFICERS IN THE RANK OF SECRETARY ARE NOT IN HIGH LEVEL?. WHO IS ABOVE THE I.A.S. OFFICERS IN INDIA WHO ARE TO BE CONSIDERED AT HIGH LEVEL. IT IS THE SAME GROUP OF SECRETARIES WHO ARE GOING TO SIT ONCE AGAIN FOR MORE THAN 4 MONTHS, JUST TO BRAINWASH THE EMPLOYEES IN CONNIVANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND KEEP ON DELAYING THE IMPLEMENTATION. WHAT IS THERE TO REVIEW FOR 4 MONTHS. EVERYTHING IS A KNOWN ISSUE. IT SHOULD NOT TAKE MORE THAN 4 DAYS TO GIVE THEIR RECOMMENDATION FOR INCREASING THE PAY AND ALLOWANCES AS DEMANDED BY THE EMPLOYEES FEDERATIONS.
AFTER 4 MONTHS WHEN THAT REPORT ALSO IS NOT SATISFACTORY TO THE EMPLOYEES, GOVERNMENT MAY FORM ONE MORE HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE TO SUBMIT ITS REPORT IN ANOTHER 4 OR 6 MONTHS TIME AND THIS TACTICS SHALL GO ON.
THEREFORE THE NJCA AND ALL THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FEDERATIONS SHOULD INTENSIFY ITS PROTEST TO MAKE THE GOVERNMENT AGREE TO THE DEMANDS IMMEDIATELY.
RAVICHANDER RADHAKRISHNAN
As per the yesterdays mail from govtempdiary & 7cpc we were assured that govt would notify early this week & payments would be made this month itself .But today same sources have diseminated that 7cpc payments would be made in Agust .Is it so elaborate process that the govt needs to finalise the matter .already ECoS have submitted report .govt has sidelined this & our union leaders are linient enough to wait .this is highly irresponcible or they may be party to govt to by accepting some benifits for themselves , thereby we are taken for a ride by govt as well as our union leaders .Both the govt & union leaders can not go scotfree by cheating us .
We have gone through your clarification.(As the Hon’ble Prime Minister of our country has intervened and as three Cabinet Ministers of Govt. of India discussed the demands with NJCA leaders and gave assurance that the demands, especially minimum pay and fitment formula will be reconsidered, and as the Home Minister has again reiterated the assurances to NJCA leaders and Finance Minster has issued press statement confirming the constitution of High Level Committee) .But in press release F M told Union leaders requested to consider our demands. F M is A great Advocate. Don’t Rely upon his statement. Definitely Govt Cant fulfil the Demand MIN PAY-26000 EVEN 24000.& FIT FACTOR 3.38 . ALL CG EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE HAPPY IF THE MIN PAY 21000 & FIT FACTOR 3.0 WILL BE ACCEPTED BY THE GOVT. DONT EXPECT MORE WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE /NOT FEASIBLE THAT DEMAND CANT BE FULFILLED. SO SIT WITH THE HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE IN 1 OR 2 SITTING 7 FINALISE WITHIN A WEEK. WHAT NECCESSARY FOR 4 MONTHS. EVERY BODY KNOWS WHAT IS LIABILLITY TO GOVT IF MIN PAY & FIT FACTOR WILL RISE TO ANY POINT. THEN WHY IT IS FIXED 4 MONTHSS.COME WITH CALCULATOR 7 BARGAIN WITH THE COMMITTEE & FINALLISE.THERE IS NO NEED OF FOUR MONTHS AT ALL. IT WILL BE FINALLISED IN ASINGLE SITTING ALSO. THEN WHY GOVT IS PLAYING WITH CG EMPLOYEES THROUGH YOUR CONSENT TO DEFFER THE STRIKE.IT IS ALSO NOW CAN BE SETTLED THE TIME FRAME BY MEETING WITH C O Ministers.