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.