CIRCLE  UNION  ISSUES  LETTER  TO  THE  CHIEF PMG  Related to CBS issue.

'BLACK  DAY'  OBSERVED  THROUGHOUT  THE  CIRCLE : DO  THE  POLICY-MAKERS  HEAR ??

New generation ---- new wave of protest  :  Com. Anutosh Kirtonia at office with badge on 27.11.2015

Campaign for Black Day in social media

Social media rocks with this poster and exhibits hatred of the Central Govt Employees on 7th CPC

     The above poster is prepared by one of our comrades and went viral in Facebook. Have you done one? Do you have photos of observing 'BLACK  DAY' in your division? 

   Please send us for this blog with your name, designation, office and division. Email us --- aipeup3wb@gmail.com , WhatsApp us ---- 9831209684 (Com. Bijan Chakraborty). 

1-2nd  DECEMBER  2015  STRIKE  DEFERRED

     The Federal Secretariat of NFPE in its meeting dated 26.11.2015 has decided to defer the strike of 1st & 2nd December 2015.

       The Secretariat has elaborately discussed the prevailing situation and noted that as the report of 7th CPC has been submitted and GDS committee has been constituted, it is now required to change the decision of the NDA Govt as a policy, especially when the Finance Ministry has rejected the proposal to include GDS under the purview of 7th CPC for three times. The Secretariat held that in order to bring about a change in the policy, it is the need of the moment to organise a bigger unity among all Central Govt employees, not only a strike by NFPE. The Confederation is also working on this consideration. The observation of NFPE published in the blog is as follows ---

  '' The main demand of NFPE and AIPEU GDS (NFPE) in the charter of demands submitted to Govt and Postal Board is “inclusion of GDS under the purview of 7^th CPC”. NFPE organized series of agitational programmes for the GDS demands including dharnas, hunger fast, GDS Parliament March, Parliament March under the banner of Postal JCA (NFPE & FNPO), one day strike on 12^th December 2012 and 48 hours strike on 12^th & 13^th February 2014. Due to our agitational programmes the Postal Board was compelled to submit the proposal for inclusion of GDS under 7^th CPC to Finance Ministry with favourable recommendations. But the Finance Ministry rejected the proposal three times and it is in this background NFPE & AIPEU GDS (NFPE) decided to go for two days strike on December 1^st & 2^nd demanding the Govt to include GDS under the 7^th Pay Commission.

Even though the Govt refused to include the GDS under the 7^th CPC, the 7^th CPC has suo moto examined the main demand of the GDS ie., treating them as Civil Servants and extending them all the benefits of the departmental employees, ofcourse proportionately. It is most unfortunate that the Pay Commission headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice as Chairman, has considered our demand and categorically stated that Gramin Dak Sevaks are holders of Civil Posts but outside the regular civil service and hence can not be treated at par with other civilian employees. After this observation of the Seventh CPC even if the GDS are included in the 7^th CPC they are not going to get a fair deal. This has compelled us to modify the demand placed by us before the Govt in the charter of demands.

NFPE, from the very beginning has opposed the appointment of an Officer Committee for GDS and NFPE & AIPEU GDS (NFPE) has tried their best to prevent appointment of an Officer Committee and compelled the department to make effort for inclusion of GDS under 7^th CPC itself. But now NDA Govt rejected our demand and has unilaterally appointed GDS Committee with a retired Postal Board Member as Chairman and cheated three lakh GDS employees. From our past experiences we know that the retired officers of the Postal Department will never do justice to the Gramin Dak Sevaks.

In view of the fact that 7^th CPC has rejected our demand for Civil Servant status and also the Govt has unilaterally imposed the officer committee on GDS, the Federal Secretariat felt that it is not appropriate to go for an immediate strike with the demands raised by us in the charter of demands, i.e., inclusion of GDS under 7^th CPC. Now GDS can get justice only if NDA Govt take a policy decision to regularize the services of GDS treating them as Civil Servants. Federal Secretariat is fully aware that we can not expect such a decision without the change in the policy of the Government towards GDS. To make a change in the policy decision of the Govt., a bigger mobilization and strike of all postal employees including GDS with the active support and solidarity of other central Govt employees under the banner of Confederation of Central Govt Employees and workers and also the JCM National Council Staffside organizations is required.

The Federal Secretariat decided to explore all possibilities and wider consultations for such a united struggle. The Federal Secretariat felt that to pave way for wider consultations, the independent strike call of NFPE & AIPEU GDS (NFPE) need to be deferred and all likeminded organizations are to be brought under a common platform. Accordingly Federal Secretariat unanimously decided to defer the proposed two days strike scheduled to be held on 1^st & 2^nd December 2015.

The Secretary General and all General Secretaries of NFPE shall sit on two days hunger fast in front of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi on 1^st & 2^nd December 2015 expressing our strong protest to the Govt and also demanding regularization of Gramin Dak Sevaks by granting them civil servant status with all consequential benefits of regular employees.

The Federal Secretariat, while saluting the grass root level workers for their intensive campaign and preparation for the strike, calls upon them to organize one day hunger fast infront of all CPMG / PMG and Divisional Offices throughout the country on 11^th December 2015 to ventilate our anger, resentment and strong protest against the callous and inhuman attitude of the NDA Govt towards three lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks who are the backbone of the Postal Department catering to the needs of the rural population of this country in postal sector."

       So, the strike stands deferred, and the following program has been given instead ----

• Hunger-Fast will be observed at Dak Bhawan by Secretary General and all General Secretaries of NFPE on 1st & 2nd December 2015.
• One-day hunger-fast on 11th December 2015 will be observed at all Circle Headquarters (Yogayog Bhavan in our Circle), Regional Offices (Siliguri R.O. here) and Offices of all Divisional/Unit Heads.

           All organisers in West Bengal Circle are requested to ensure suitable preparation for unprecedented success of the program of 11.12.2015.  

STRIKE ON DECEMBER 1st & 2nd , 2015 DEFERRED

DECEMBER 1st & 2nd , 2015 STRIKE DEFERRED

SECRETARY GENERAL AND ALL GENERAL SECRETARIES OF NFPE & AIPEU GDS (NFPE) WILL SIT ON TWO DAYS HUNGER FAST INFRONT OF DAK BHAWAN, NEW DELHI ON 1^st & 2^nd DECEMBER 2015.

ONE DAY MASS HUNGER FAST IN FRONT OF ALL CPMG / PMG & DIVISIONAL OFFICES ON 11^th DECEMBER 2015.

FOR MORE DETAILS - www.nfpe.blogspot.in

COMRADES ---- TODAY  IS  NFPTE'S  BIRTHDAY

    24th November, 1954 ...... A proposal was accepted by 9 (nine) All India Organisations and Federations to form 'ONE UNION IN ONE INDUSTRY' .......

AND

   'National Federation of Post & Telegraph Employees Union'  was born. Com. Bhupendranath Ghosh (Dada Ghosh) was elected as the first Secretary General.

         Today is the 61st anniversary of the Federation Day.

This poster has been prepared by Com. Arijit Chowdhury, P.A. (Sys Admin.), Jhargram H.O., Midnapore Divn. on this glorious day.  

This poster has been prepared by Com. Adhir Das, Asst. Circle Secretary, Group-C.

CIRCLE  UNION  SALUTES  SACRIFICES  OF  ALL  OUR  LEADERS  OF  ALL  GENERATIONS.  WE  ARE  PROUD  OF  CARRYING  YOUR  FLAG  ONWARDS. 

BADGE  FOR  BLACK  DAY  ON  27.11.2015

RECOMMENDATIONS  OF  7th  CPC  (CONTINUED -- 3rd  PART)

OBSERVE  'BLACK  DAY'  ON  27  NOVEMBER 2015  AGAINST  THE  RETROGRADE  RECOMMENDATIONS  OF  7th  CPC ---- CALL  OF  JCM STAFF SIDE (NATIONAL COUNCIL)

   Comrades, in two earlier posts in this blog we have given briefs of pay/pension related issues and cadre related recommendations and observations. Already our Federation, Confederation and NCJCM have reacted strongly against this worst-ever pay commission. 

    Please jump into action for massive gathering on 27.11.15 to hold BLACK DAY and wear black badge (prepare in your division/unit). For explaining and campaigning among all postal employees irrespective of membership, we now present some talking points, which will throw some light on the reality.

TALKING  POINTS 

1. The primary concern of this Pay Commission was to reduce financial pressure on Central Govt. In para 2.1.16 and 2.1.19 of the report, the 7thCPC proudly announced how their recommendation might exert  pressure on Central Govt even less than 6th CPC. They took pride in noting that while the PAP-GDP ratio of 6th CPC was 0.77, that of 7th CPC recommendation is 0.65. [Full form of PAP=Pay-Allowance-Pension, GDP=Gross Domestic Product].

2. US Federal Govt seemed to be an ideal for the 7th CPC. In a comparison in para 3.28 & 3.33, the CPC has cited that in 2012, the number of non-postal civilian worker under US Fed. Govt. was 21.30 lakh, while in India in 2014 it was 17.96 lakh. Thus, Govt employee per lakh population in USA & India is 668 & 139 respectively (USA is 2.8 times larger in size than India, but only one-fourth population of India).        Our 7th CPC identified this disparity, but did not recommend our Central Govt to open appointment for unemployed youth in full throttle. Even the 6th CPC was bold and advised the then Govt to appoint youngsters in place of aging bureaucracy (6th CPC report para 6.3.10).

3. The 7th CPC has found that entry level pays of lowest level Govt employee and highest level employee (Secretary to the Govt of Indua) 'is not appropriate' (para 5.1.40, 5.1.41). They seemed to be satisfied that their recommendation would make this appropriate by making the Compression Ratio 1: 3.12.

        But in reality, they have hidden the fact that what this CPC has recommended, would make the ratio between minimum and maximum pay 1: 13.8 (lowest pay Rs.18000/-, highest pay Rs.2,25000/- for Secretary level officers and Rs.2,50,000/- for Cabinet Secretary).

4.  Public is misled by statements of increase of 23.5% increase, while the increase actually is 14.29%, which is approximately equal to two D.As only.  

5.  Instead of removing anomalies of MACP, 7th CPC has recommended to make MACP harder. Benchmark recommended is 'very good' from existing 'good'. Introduction of examination or mandatory training is advised. 

6. We are not even entitled to annual increment (as low as 3%) smoothly. After 20 years of service, 'non-performers' will be identified. They will get no increment and may quit the job on VRS scheme. The administration will be at their free-will to identify such employees to satisfy their grudge. And we know our administration and their sense of rationality.

7. Many advances are recommended to be abolished. This not only covers Festival Advance or Family Planning Allowance, please note carefully, LTC Advance, Transfer TA Advance, TA (for tour or training) Advance will also be abolished, only final bill will be accepted for sanctioning for these items.

8. The recommended minimum pay is Rs.18000/-with no D.A. from 01.01.2016. Presently it is Rs.7000+D.A.Rs.8750/- (considering 125% D.A. from January 2016)=Rs.15750/-. So, the increase is only Rs.2250/-. Moreover, the deduction for Group Insurance (CGEGIS) has been proposed to be Rs.1500/-, New Pension Scheme deduction will be Rs.1800/- (10% of pay) or GPF deduction 6%. So, the actual increase for lowest level employees is very very low.

9. The Child Care Leave has been proposed to be allowed with 80% salary for the 2nd 365 days term. While any civilised society should feel proud in extending such benefits to mothers for nurturing our future citizens ideally, the 7th CPC curtailed the benefit and commented in para 9.2.9 that it is a 'liberal measure unmatched anywhere else' as if it is a charity without justification. The mindset behind this does not need clarification.

10.Upgradation of pay has been recommended to many officers in various departments/Ministries including our Inspector (Posts) cadre. But from the clerical level downwards, consideration was withdrawn. In case of our department, no benefit has been extended cadres below IPO. Even no justification/argument is noted by the 7th CPC behind such rejection.

11. The 7th CPC has admitted the fact that over the period of 10 years house rent increases. So, in order to enable Govt employees support house rent from their salary, it should be increased. But instead of increasing the rate of our HRA straightway, the CPC has taken few steps back and reduced the slab to 8, 16 & 24 %. Naturally, even though it increases when DA reaches 50% & 100%, the actual increase remains low as we start lower.

12. The offensive comments of the 7th CPC on the GDS cadre has already been given in our earlier post. While denying any benefit to them, the CPC has tried to pave way to keep GDS distant from our departmental cadres even more by proposing to separate wage head.

   We shall publish a brief of observation/recommendation the 7th CPC has made on Contractual Employment in Central Govt Department/Ministries.

     Comrades, please carry on organising and uniting our employees to protest such derogatory recommendations. Only movement of extreme intensity can halt the Govt from implementing them. Prepare for the battle.

RECOMMENDATIONS  OF  7th  CPC  (CONTINUED)

    In continuation with our earlier post in this blog on salary and pension-related items, we are now presenting the observation and recommendations of the CPC on different cadres of our department. Comrades may please note the level of extreme apathy with which the case of Gramin Dak Sevaks are rejected and arguments are concocted.

  Tomorrow we shall publish some interesting features of the 7th CPC report and some analysis.   

Postmasters Cadre :

·         No clear recommendation for appearing in IP exam. Recommended to allow to appear for 25% posts of Sr PM, along with remaining 75% by IPs.

Inspector Posts Cadre :

·         Recommended one step higher pay band each for IP 4200 to 4600, ASPO 4600 to 4800, SPOs 4800 to 5400.

PA Cadre :

·         Demand was to elevate entry level qualification to graduation and grade pay to 4200. Turned down saying ‘no justification’. No explanation or argument behind the decision.

PA(SBCO) :

·         Demand was GP 4200 as they are more identical with audit staff, not Postal Assistants. It is turned down. No cash handling allowance is considered.

Postman Cadre :

·         Demand of initial GP 2000 to 2800 turned down.

PO-RMS Accountant Cadre :

·         Demand was for new cadre. No observation recorded as it is related to cadre restructuring  which is beyond jurisdiction of this CPC. Replacement of Pay Level is suggested for unorganized accountants in various Central Govt Departments.

System Administrators and Marketing Executives :

·         Demand of separate cadre has been turned down on the argument that 5^th & 6^th CPC did not see any reason to form separate cadre and likewise, this CPC also does not see any justification for separate cadre for them.

Postal Dispensaries :

·         This CPC agrees with recommendation of 6^th CPC and suggests immediate merger of remaining 33 Postal Dispensaries in 10 Postal Circles with CGHS and include all Postal employees and pensioners under the coverage of CGHS.

Gramin Dak Sevaks :

·         The 7^th CPC is self-contradictory in defining the position of GDS. In para 3.10 and 3.11, the 7^th CPC has broadly agreed with 3^rd CPC and defined Central Govt employees are ‘all persons in the civil services of the Central Govt or holding Civil Posts under that Govt and paid salaries out of consolidated fund of India’.

                          As per this definition, GDS officials also qualify to be Central Govt employee. But possibly, the 7^th CPC has constraint not to deny the stand of Central Govt in rejecting claim of GDS officials to include under this CPC. So, in para 11.8.50, the CPC has quoted Supreme Court’s order that GD Sevaks are holder of ‘Civil Posts’ but not Civilian Posts. On this argument the CPC has denied any comment on them. Thus, in defining status of GDS employees, this CPC has contradicted itself in these paras.

·         The effort of deprivation does not end here. In para 3.70, the Commission has recommended that as GD Sevaks are not reckoned as Central Govt personnel, their pay & allowances should not be given from head ‘Salaries’ and a distinct separate head should be created by Department of Posts’ budget and accounts. This is a straightway effort to push the demand of GDS status away further and set the Govt free from liability.

RECOMMENDATIONS  OF  7th  CPC  :  SALIENT  POINTS  RELATED  TO  PAY & ALLOWANCES,  ADVANCE,  PENSION

   Most significant recommendations on the above items are given below. There will be some more points on different cadre related issued and other items which will follow shortly.

PAY

Ø  The uniform Fitment formula is 2.57. Effect from 01.01.2016.

Ø  Annual increment remains 3%.

Ø  To emphasize on the culture of performance, the Commission has recommended that all the non-performers in the system should be phased out after 20 years. The Commission has recommended that Performance Related Pay should be introduced in the government and that all Bonus payments should necessarily be linked with productivity.

Ø  The Commission has reached the minimum pay as Rs.18000/- from 01.01.2016 after some calculations having 15^th ILC norms at its core (JCM staff side demanded Rs.26000/-). It is 2.57 times of the minimum wage (Rs.7000/-) fixed by the Govt on 6^th CPC’s recomm. Hence all other levels are multiplied by 2.57.

Ø  Running Pay Band with Grade Pay has been proposed to be substituted by Pay Matrix with Pay Level (1 to 18).

Ø  Demand of increasing frequency of MACP is turned down and it will continue to take place after 10/20/30 years of service. But benchmark is proposed to be made ‘very good’ from present ‘good’. More stringent criteria or passing deptl examination or mandatory training before granting MACP is proposed for consideration of Govt.

Ø  Withholding annual increment for non-performers after 20 years of service is proposed, but not as a punishment, as an ‘efficiency bar’. Otherwise they may quit service with terms and conditions of VRS.

Ø  The Commission, after its interaction with the authorities of Australia and New Zealand feels that India should also have a permanent Remuneration Authority that should review the pay structure in future.

Allowances

    Out of 196 allowances, 52 proposed to be abolished. Another 36 is subsumed in some new proposed allowances.

Ø  Cash Handling Allowance is proposed to be abolished.

Ø  Cycle Allowance, Funeral Allowance abolished.

Ø  D.A. status quo.

Ø  Hard Area Allowance, retained and rationalized.

Ø  HRA, LTC, mobile phone, newspaper retained and rationalized.

Ø  OTA abolished, OSA not included in report.

Ø  SB Allowance abolished.

Ø  Sunderban Allowance --- Abolished as a separate allowance. Subsumed in Tough Location Allowance-III. To be paid as per Cell R3H3 of the newly proposed Risk and Hardship Matrix.

Ø  Transfer TA, Transport Allowance retained, rationalized.

Ø  Treasury Allowance abolished.

Ø  Uniform & Washing Allowance abolished as separate allowance, Subsumed in new Dress Allowance (Rs.5000/- per year to be credited in July).

Ø  FPA abolished.

HRA

·         Recommended to be revised to 24, 16, 8 % now respectively for X, Y and Z class cities. After DA reaches 50% it will become 27, 18, 9%. After DA reaches 100% it will become 30, 20, 10%.

CEA :

·         CEA is proposed Rs.2250/- p.m. When DA increases by 50%, it will increase by 25%.

·         Hostel subsidy Rs.6750/- p.m. (ceiling). When DA increases by 50%, it will increase by 25%.

·         Reimbursement once in a year after completion of financial year.

ADVANCE 

·        All interest-free advances are proposed to be abolished. This covers Cycle Adv, Festival Adv, Transfer TA Adv, LTC Adv, TA Adv, Advance of Medical Treatment etc.

·         Car/Scooter Adv abolished.

·         Computer Adv--- 50000/- or lower whichever is least maximum for 5 times in service life.

·         HBA --- 34 times of basic pay / Rs.25 lakh / Actual price whichever is less.

LEAVE :

·         CL same.

·         CCL with 100%  salary for 1^st 365 days, 80% of salary for next 365 days.

·         CCL for single male parent is recommended.

·         Commuted leave same.

·         EL – no change for us.

·         EOL, HPL, LND, Maternity, Paternity, Study Leave, Gazetted, Restricted Holiday same.

·         Spl CL --- not categorical, but restriction is suggested on purpose and number of days.

CGEGIS :

·         Monthly deduction and insurance amount increased.

·         Savings Fund to Insurance Fund ratio is recommended to make 75:25 from present 70:30.

GPF :

·         Status quo.

CGHS / Health Benefits to Employees / Pensioners

·         Introduction of new Health Insurance Scheme has been strongly recommended. Till then, for pensioners beyond CGHS area, it is suggested that CGHS should empanel all hospitals empanelled under CS(MA) Rules.

·         Remaining 33 Postal Dispensaries are proposed to be merged with CGHS.

·         Other Health Care Schemes in various Central Govt Dept be merged in one single new scheme.

Persons with disabilities :

·         All existing facilities retained, some are made better.

·         Suitable building architecture for easy access is suggested.

·         Setting up a Welfare Committee in each Ministry is recommended.

Pension & Retirement Benefits :

·         No increase in rate of pension/family pension.

·         Ceiling of gratuity be made Rs.20 lakh from existing Rs.10 lakh. It will increase by 25% whenever DA rises by 50%. In case of death gratuity, new slab is introduced.

·         No increase in Fixed Medical Allowance.

Training :

·         The Commission has noted that training is a ‘low priority area’ suffering from lack of fund. Recommended 2.5% of salary budget for training through creating separate budget head.

THE  SALIENT  POINTS  OF  THE  SEVENTH  CENTRAL  PAY  COMMISSION  IS  COMING  UP  SHORTLY

7th  CENTRAL  PAY  COMMISSION

     The 7th Pay Commission has announced that it will submit its report to the Govt tomorrow, the 19.11.2015, at 7-30 P.M. 

   The Commission was appointed on 28.02.2014 having Justice Shri Ashok Kr. Mathur as Chairman. It is submitting the report approximately after 21 months. Already several rumours and news are floating in the air assessing the increase of wage, a variety of pay-calculators are also available. As of now, nothing can be confirmed. 

  We suggest comrades to be watchful and not participate in such discussions, let us rather remain cautious and organisationally prepared for the attacks and blows which may come through this Pay Commission. Please do not let our comrades get carried away with the CPC news and concentrate our focus on the strike on 1-2 December 2015. 

COME  ON  COMRADES,  LET  US  PREPARE  POSTERS  AIMED  TOWARDS  STRIKE  CAMPAIGNING

      Comrades, another significant struggle in the shape of strike on 1-2 December 2015 is ahead of us. We are already in full course of preparations. Let us recollect that these strikes are one of the main reasons that we still have regular recruitments in our department for youngsters, settlements of many justified demands and stop victimisations. It is the apathy and reluctance of the administration towards the pain of the staff that compels us to declare strike program, it is not a regular trade union practice or our natural choice. 

  Circle Union now calls upon all comrades, especially our young comrades, to please come forward preparing new posters on this strike and its demands in English, Bengali and Hindi, and share the poster in facebook with Comrade Adhir Das (https://www.facebook.com/adhir.das.35).

   We shall display selected posters with names in the blog of the Circle Union for all comrades across India. Please make your poster brief, attractive and appealing for the cause of the toiling postal employees.

SERVING  STRIKE  INTIMATION :  PLEASE  OBSERVE  THE  FOLLOWING  SCHEDULE

   The strike notice for 1st-2nd December 2015 has already been served by All India Leaderships of NFPE as well as the Federation itself on 6th Nov at Postal Directorate. West Bengal Circle Unions (NFPE) will serve the strike intimation to the Circle Head on 18th November 2015 from a massive gathering at the C.O. All Divisions (Postal/RMS/MMS) in Kolkata will participate the program at C.O. mobilising maximum numbers of staff at lunch hours.

  All Divisions and Units except in Kolkata will also serve the strike intimation to respective Divn/Unit Heads on the same day, i.e., 18th November 2015. The Divisions in Kolkata will serve it on 20th Nov '15 as they will attend the program of Yogayog Bhawan on 18th.

  The intimation letter should be addressed by name to the Divl/Unit Head with the following suggested text and signed by all Divl Secretaries including GDS(NFPE):

    'This is for your information that as per the call of NFPE and its affiliated organisations and notice served by the Secretary General, NFPE as well as the General Secretaries of affiliates to the DG (Posts) on 06.11.2015 under no. PF-JCA-12-2015, our organisation will participate in the nationwide postal strike on 1st-2nd December 2015. The copy of the notice and strike charter of demands are enclosed for ready reference.'  

   Copy of Strike notice and demands served by NFPE :

    

CHARTER OF DEMANDS

(i)        Include GDS in 7^th CPC for wage revision and other service related       matters.

(ii)       Implement cadre Restructuring proposals in all cadres including Postal          Accounts      & MMS.

(iii)      Fill up all vacant posts in all cadres of Department of Posts (i.e. PA, SA,          Postmen, Mail Guard, Mail Man, GDS Mail Man, MMS Driver & other staff in         MMS, PA       CO, PA SBCO, Postal Accounts, Civil & Electrical         Wing Staff, as          per actual sanctioned       strength.

(iv)      Stop all types of harassment in the name of implementation of various            new    services and schemes and Trade Union Victimization.