CUT IN INTEREST RATE FOR SMALL SAVINGS SCHEMES

NFPE WRITES TO THE HON`BLE MOC

National Federation of Postal Employees

1^st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001

Phone: 011.23092771                                              e-mail: nfpehq@gmail.com

       Mob: 9868819295/9810853981                    website:http://www.nfpe.blogspot.com

     PF-35(SB)-2016                                                                    Dated: 21^stMarch, 2016

T0

            Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad

            Hon`ble Minister of Communications & IT,

            Government of India,

            New Delhi-110 001

Sub:   Cut in interest rate for small savings schemes.

Respected Sir,

            As you  are aware that the Government of India, Ministry of Fiancé, Department of Economic Affairs (Budget Division) vide F.No.1/04/2016-NSII dated 18^th March -2016 has  issued orders to cut the interest rates for Small  Savings Schemes which  will adversely affect the  poor people and customers in  Post Offices.

            Already due to CBS related problems thousands and thousands customers have closed their accounts in Post Offices. Further this cut in small savings schemes like, NSC, KVP, PPF,MIS, Sr. Citizen Savings Schemes and Sukanya Samriddhi Yojna will force them to invest their money in some other schemes.

            It is therefore requested to kindly utilize your good office and convince the Finance Ministry to exempt Small Savings Schemes in Post Offices from interest cut to protect interests of common man.

            With regards,

                        Yours faithfully,

(R.N. Parashar)

Secretary General

It may take some time to decide on 7th CPC Recommendations : Empowered Committee

Minutes Of The 2nd Meeting Of Empowered Committee Of Secretaries (E-CoS)

Venue: Committee Room, Cabinet Secretariat, Rashtrapati BhawanDate of Meeting: Thursday, the 1 st March, 2016Time of Meeting: 6:45 PM

Members of E-CoS present

1 Cabinet Secretary

2. Chairman, Railway Board

3. Home Secretary

4 Defence Secretary

5 Secretary, D/o Science & Technology

6. Secretary, D/o Personnel & Training

7. Secretary, M/o Health & Family-Welfare

8. Secretary, D/o Pension and Pensioner’s Welfare

9. Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat

10. Secretary, D/o Posts

1 1 . Deputy Comptroller and Auditor General

Secretariat for E-CoS:

1. Jöint Secretary, Implementation Cell, D/o Expenditure

2. Director, Implementation Cell, D/o Expenditure

Representatives of JCM (Staff-side):

1 . Shri Shiv Gopal Mishra

2. Shri M. Raghavaiah

3. Shri Rakhal Das Gupta

4. Shri Ch. Sankara Rao

5. Shri J.R. Bhosle

6. Shri Guman Singh

7. Shri R.P. Bhatnagar

8. Shri K.S. Murty

9. Shri K.K.N. Kutty

10. Shri C. Srikumar

11 . Shri R. Srinivasan

12. Shri M. Krishnan

13. Shri M.s. Raja

Subject: Implementation of the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission — 2nd meeting of the E-CoS

A meeting of the Empowered Committee of Secretaries (E-CoS) was held on 1 st March, 2016 in the Cabinet Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary to discuss issues raised by Staff„side of JCM

2. Welcoming the members of E-CoS and JCM Staffrside, Cabinet Secretary observed that the meeting had been called to take a note of concerns of Stäff-$ide of JCM regarding recommendations of the 7th CPC and invited the members Of Staff-side of JCM to share their views on the recommendations.

3. Opening the discussion, representative of Staff-side of JCM expressed gratitude to Cabinet Secretary for inviting them for interaction regarding the recommendations of the 7th CPC and requested that more frequent interactions of JCM may be held to resolve outstanding issues across the table. It was expressed that 7th CPC has recommended a meager increase of 14% in the minimum pay as against increase ranging up to 54% during previous Pay Commissions. It was further stated that the recommendations on minimum pay, allowances, advances etc. will cause difficulty to employees. Representative of Staff-side informed that they have already submitted a charter of demands to the Cabinet Secretary bringing out the issues. These have also been discussed in the meeting of JS (IC) with Staff-side of JCM held on 19.02.2016.

4. Major concerns expressed by JCM Staff-side were as under:

The minimum pay of Rs. 18000/- p.m. recommended by the Commission is on lower side and needs to be revised upward by taking into account the prices of commodities as on 01.07.2015 and appropriately factoring in for social obligations & housing.

(ii) New Pension Scheme should be done away with. Persons governed by the NPS are deprived of Family Pension and do not have provision of provident fund. As a result they are at a disadvantageous position as compared to the persons governed by the old system.

(iii) Recommendations on allowances need to be properly examined before taking a decision.

(iv) Fixed Medical Allowance should be increased from existing Rs. 500 p.m. to Rs. 2000 p.m. as majority of cities are not covered under CGI-IS and people residing outside the CGHS covered area are unable to meet their medical needs with meager amount of Rs. 500 p.m.

(v) Recommendation regarding withdrawal of non•interest bearing advances may not be accepted.

(vi) Outsourcing of services should be discouraged as the contract workers are being exploited by contractors and at the game time the service delivery is being compromised due to inefficiency and lack of accountability of low aid contractual staff.

(vii) Enhancement in contribution towards Group Insurance Scheme, is not justified as this would reduce the actual increase in take home salary considerably. If the rates are to be raised, the Government should bear the insurance premium

(viii) The recommendation regarding grant of only 80% of salary for the second year of Child Care Leave need not be accepted as this would deter women from availing of CCL, which was introduced as a welfare measure.

(ix) Annual increments be granted @ 5% instead of existing 3% and increments may be granted on two dates viz., 1 st of January and 1 st of July of every year as in the present system of grant of increment on 1 st July of every year, employees joining/promoted after 1 st January, who do not complete 6 months services as on 1 st July, have to wait for up to 18 months for grant of increment.

(x) The Commission’s recommendation of downgrading the Assistants of Central Secretariat for bringing in parity with their counterparts in the field offices is not appropriate.

(xi) Recommendation regarding PRIS need not be accepted as no scientific mechanism has been devised to assess the performance of employees and the same could e courage favoritism.

5. Issues regarding financ al upgradation under MACPS in promotional hierarchy without grading stipulation. grant of two increments on promotion introduction of Productivity Linked Bonus, treating Grameen Dak Sevak as Government employees, removal of pap of 5% on compassionate appointment 8i full pay and allowances In case of Work Related Illness and Injury Leave improving promotional avenues for technical and supervisory staff etc. were also raised by members of JCM.

6. During the discussion, representatives of JCM also suggested that the Nodal Officers nominated by various Ministries/Departments may hold interactions with recognized Staff Associations and other stakeholders under their purview so as to identify issues specific to those Ministries/Departments for redressal.

7. After hearing the participants, Cabinet Secretary observed that the deliberations have helped E-CoS in understanding the major concerns of the Staff-side and said that all issues have been taken note of. He assured that fair consideration will be given to all points brought out by JCM before taking a final view. He further stated that the E-CoS needs to examine the Report of the Commission in entirety as well as the issues raised by JCM in consultation with all other stakeholders. As such, it may take some time to take a final call on the recommendations of the Commission.

8. Cabinet Secretary also advised the members of E-CoS to hold interactions with their Staff Associations and other stakeholders under their purview preferably within a week.

9. Meeting ended with vote of thanks to the chair.

Source :  Indwf.blogspot.in

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING VERIFICATION OF SANCHAY POST DATA BEFORE AND AFTER MIGRATION TO CBS—ORDER NO. 25-06/2012-FS-CBS ( PT- ) ISSUED BY DIRECTOR ( CBS ) NEW DELHI.

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING VERIFICATION OF SANCHAY POST DATA BEFORE AND AFTER MIGRATION TO CBS—ORDER NO. 25-06/2012-FS-CBS

( PT- ) ISSUED BY DIRECTOR ( CBS ) NEW DELHI.

CBS ROLL OUT STATISTICAL DETAILS OF OFFICES MIGRATED AS ON 10.3.2016 ALL OVER INDIA 

BULLETIN NO. 5

NO SIGNAL FOR TOMORROW'S BETTERMENT – STANDBY FOR STRUGGLE TO SAFE FUTURE

PJCA CIRCULAR

POSTAL JOINT COUNCIL OF ACTION

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES

FEDERATION OF NATIONAL POSTAL ORGANISATIONS

No.PF-PJCA/2016                                                                     Dated: 08^thMarch, 2016

CIRCULAR

To

            All General Secretaries /Federation Office Bearers

            All Circle/Divisional & Branch Secretaries of NFPE & FNPO

Comrades,

            The National Joint Council of Action (Railway,Defence, Confederation & Postal) Meeting was held on 07.03.2016 at NC –JCM Office -13-C- Firozshah Road New Delhi.

            The NJCA discussed in detail  the situation arisen  after  the declaration of  State Assembly  election in  5 States as the  election  Code of conduct  has  come in to effect.

            The NJCA also reviewed the discussion in the meeting of Empowered Committee   of Secretaries  headed by Cabinet Secretary  on 1^st March -2016 wherein  the Cabinet Secretary  had requested  for some more time to arrive at conclusion on the Charter of demands  raised by the NJCA.

            The meeting  has reached to the conclusion  that it will not be feasible to conduct  strike  during  election  period  and  remain stic  to the  date of strike as 11^th  April-2016.

            Considering the fact that as per Section 22 of Industrial Dispute Act 1947 with regard to the validity of the strike notice which is not more than six weeks from the date of serving the strike notice. It was also decided that issues of serving strike notice and strike date should be reconsidered.

            Keeping in view all the above facts the NJCA took the following decisions unanimously:

1.         The Indefinite Strike shall commence from 06 a.m.  on 11.07.2016 (11^th      July,2016).

2.         The Strike Notice will be served on 09^th June, 2016.

3.         Massive demonstrations should be held in all work place on 11^thMarch-2016 in support   of strike Charter of demands.

4.         The decision of NJCA would be communicated to Cabinet Secretary.

The campaign programme of All India leaders as declared earlier is postponed.

            Fresh Campaign programme will be given later.

            With fraternal greetings.

Yours Comradely

                                                                               

(D. Theagarajan)                                                                                            (R.N. Parashar)

Secretary General  FNPO                                                                         Secretary General

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR

Dated – 08.03.2016

1. NJCA INDEFINITE STRIKE DATE AND STRIKE NOTICE SERVING DATE POSTPONED TO 11^TH JULY 2016 & 09^TH JUNE 2016

NJCA  meeting held at JCM (NC) staffside office on 07^th March 2016, after detailed deliberations has decided to postpone the indefinite strike date of 11^th April 2016 and strike notice serving date of 11^th March 2016 to 11^th July 2016 and 09^th June 2016 respectively. The following are the reasons which necessitated the change in dates.

a)      While summing up the discussion on Charter of demands held on 1^stMarch 2016 by Empowered Committee of Secretaries (ECoS) with JCM National Council Standing Committee members, Cabinet Secretary has stated that reasonable time should be given to the Government for a fair consideration of all the demands raised in the Charter of demands, since the issues concern inter-departmental consultations.

b)      After declaration of the Election schedule in five State Assemblies, the Election Code of Conduct has come into effect. Further there will be polling on 11^th April 2016 (strike commencement date) in West Bengal and Assam.

c)      As per Section 22 of Industrial Disputes Act 1947 with regard to the validity of strike notice is not more than six weeks from the date of serving the strike notice. Even if we give strike notice on 11^th March 2016, for commencement of indefinite strike after the election dates (ie 20^th May 2016), the six weeks period will be over by that time and we have to serve fresh strike notice again.

Considering all the above aspects, the meeting took the following decisions:-

1.      The indefinite strike shall commence from 6am on 11^th July 2016.

2.      Strike notice would be served on 09^th June 2016.

3.      Massive demonstration shall be held in all workplace on 11^th March 2016 in support of the charter of demands and strike decision.

4.      The decision of the NJCA would be communicated to the Cabinet Secretary.

5.      Detailed mobilization programmes would be given later on.

Copy of the NJCA Circular dated 07^th March 2016 and letter addressed to Cabinet Secretary dated 07-03-2016 are enclosed herewith.

In view of the above decisions, the state C-O-C level joint meeting of office bearers / committee members of C-O-Cs and affiliated organizations of Confederation scheduled earlier will be rescheduled after NJCA mobilisation programme is finalised. Department-wise campaign and mobilisation on charter of demands (Common demands plus Department specific demands) shall continue.

2. CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS DECIDES TO HOLD NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS IN NEW DELHI ON 30^TH MARCH 2016

The Central Trade Unions in their meeting held on 27^th January 2016, besides deciding to stage All India Protest Day on 10^th March 2016, also decided to hold National Convention of Workers towards the end of March in New Delhi to discuss and decide on next courseof action programme against the anti-people and anti-labour policies by the Govt. The convention will now be held on 30^th March 2016 at Mavalankar Hall, New Delhi. The convention will commence at 10.30 am on 30^th March 2016.

All C-O-Cs and affiliated organisations of Confederation are requested to make the 10^th March 2016 All India Protest Day a grand success jointly with other Central Trade Unions. Regarding National Convention on 30^thMarfch 2016 the C-O-Cs in and around Delhi are requested to ensure maximum participation of Central Govt Employees in the Convention. National Secretariat members of Confederation, who are available in Delhi shall also attend the Convention.

Copy of the joint statement issued by Central Trade Unions is enclosed herewith.

3. WFTU- TRADE UNION INTERNATIONAL – PUBLIC AND ALLIED SERVICES -  WORLD DAY OF STRUGGLE AGAINST PRIVATISATION ON 4^TH APRIL 2016

The Trade Union International Public and Allied Services – World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has given a call to observe 4^th April 2016 as “World Day of Struggle against Privatisation”, focusing mainly on the following issues:-

1.      To demand modern, efficient, quality, universal and free public services, to answer the real needs of the workers and people, against their outsourcing or privatization, refusing its use for the accumulation of profits by the oligarchy.

2.      To demand the repeal of all rules affecting the rights of Public Administration workers in the countries where they are imposed.

3.      To demand improvements in the working and living conditions of the Public Administration workers, namely better wages and work times compatible with their personal and family life.

4.      The end precariousness of employment contracts and have guarantees of stability in public employment to ensure the independence from Capitalist Governments, either in the central, regional and local administrations and in the State – owned business sectors

5.      To exercise the right of Trade Union freedom (association, meetings, demonstration, participation etc) in all workplaces and the right to negotiation and collective bargaining.

6.      To implement social policies that answers the interest of the people and workers for a fairer distribution of wealth, with the rejection of charitable social policies.

7.      For the rejection of all neo-liberal policies and austerity that in various parts of the world seek to destroy the labour and social rights of workers and people.

8.      To struggle for peace and internationalist solidarity against war, militarism, aggression, interference and blockades that undermine the interests of the wokers and people – in defence of national sovereignty, for the people to freely decide their destiny.

Confederation National Secretariat call upon all C-O-Cs and Affiliated organizations to observe 4^th April 2016 as “World Day of Struggle against Privatisation” along with All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) and Bank / Insurance Associations and Federations.

Fraternally yours

M. Krishnan

Secretary General

Confederation of Central Govt

Employees & Workers

Government to digitise 1.3 lakh rural post offices by March 2017

The government plans to digitise nearly 1.3 lakh rural post offices by March 2017, IT and telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told Parliament on Friday. 

The government has approved Rs 4,909 crore for modernisation of 1.55 lakh post offices including 1.29 lakh post offices in rural areas, called Gramin Dak Sewak post offices. The modernisation process will include setting up centralised data centres and disaster recovery centres, networking of all post offices. 

The budget also includes training postmen who will be given solar powered hand held devices, connected to data centers via SIMs, which will give rural consumers access to financial remittances and saving accounts through biometric scanning apart from other identification tools. 

Telecommunication Consultant India Limited ( TCIL) will provide the handheld devices alongside RICOH India Limited, and also ensure connectivity, while Infosys will be the Rural System Integrator, the minister said in Parliament. 

The devices will also offer core banking solution through a mobile app, which ties into the Postal Department's future plan of introducing payment bank services. Core banking solution has been rolled out in 18,231 Post Offices, which is now the largest, surpassing State Bank of India. 

About 23.81 crores postal saving bank accounts have been digitised, including 80,000 in rural areas. All the 25,297 departmental post offices in the country have been computerized while data centre was started in Navi Mumbai in April 2013, and disaster recovery centre has been functioning in Mysuru since May last year.

Source :The Economic Times