Saturday, 6 August 2016

CHANGE OF ROLE OF SBCO IN THE BACKDROP OF IMPLEMENTATION OF CBS - ANNEXURE TO SB ORDER 14/2015 ADDENDUM-II 
ANNEXURE TO SB ORDER 14/2015 ADDENDUM-II
Role of SBCO in CBS environment. 
In the CBS Environment, following procedure will be followed by Post Offices and SBCO Officials for Transactions happened in CBS Post Offices:-



1.        General                            
         
1.1 As and when SOs are migrated to CBS, staff working in SOSB Branch should be reduced and re-deployed either at POSB Counters or at CPC or in the SBCO Branch for assistance in physical voucher checking.
1.2 Supervisor  SBCO  will  identify  one  SBCO  PA  who  will  take  vouchers  bundles  with consolidation from Sub Account and tally totals shown in consolidation with amount shown in SO Daily Account and SO Summary.
1.3 Handling of Agent Commission Schedules and ACG-17 by SBCO will be discontinued.ACG-17 will be preserved alongwith Agent Commission Report/schedule in the Accounts Branch of HPO and sent to PAO alongwith other schedules.
1.4 In case of RD deposits accepted through MPKBY Agents, only two copies of Agent LOT is to be taken from the agent alongwith pay-in-slip and ACG-17. One copy of Agent LOT will be kept in the office guard file and second copy Agent schedule (LOT) should be attached with the pay-in-slip and placed at the end of RD Voucher Bundle.ACG-17 is to be attached with the Agent Commission Report/schedule and sent to Accounts Branch of HO.
1.5 Account  Opening  Form  (SB-3/AOF)  where  KYC  documents  are  attached  will  not  be transferred to SBCO alongwith Account Closure Voucher. APM/SPM should record on the closed vouchers that “ SB-3/AOF retained with KYC documents”. In case of any SB-3 or AOF with whom KYC documents are not attached (subsequently opened accounts), SB-3 or AOF is to be attached with the closed voucher and sent to SBCO. SBSO branch of HOs will send all SB-3 of SOs (migrated to CBS) to the respective SOs. In case of Accounts closed at the Post Office other than the one where account was opened, Account Transfer Form collected by the Post Office at the time of closure should be attached with the closure voucher.
1.6 In case of any adjustment if required in interest, Postmaster/Sub Postmaster will write error book and raise the issue to Head Postmaster who will raise the issue with Supervisor SBCO. In case of any adjustment related to pre-migration period, Head Postmaster will raise the issue with Divisional Head with copy of error book  who will after necessary inquiry (if required), approve adjustment and send letter to SBCO Supervisor.
1.7 Postmaster/APM/SPM will be held personally responsible for all transactions happened in the Finacle Office Accounts in the post office. They should be vigilant while verifying thetransactions to see the Office Account Number used by the User.



2.        Change in procedure of Sealing of Vouchers and LOT by CBS Post Offices



2.1 Post Office staff will write name of Scheme and TRAN ID in red ink on the right hand side of the voucher.
2.2 One deposit slip and one withdrawal slip will be prepared for auto-credit of MIS/SCSS/TD to Savings and Savings to RD.
2.3 One deposit slip will be prepared for the total of each type of Agent commission credited into savings accounts supported by consolidated list of commission paid.
2.4 One withdrawal slip will be prepared by SPM/APM for the POSB Cheque clearing amount ( based on the clearing amount intimated to Clearing House/HO) and print out of cheque’s images should be attached to it.
2.5 At the closing of counter hours, all vouchers should be sorted scheme-wise and TRAN ID wise. Vouchers should be tallied with LOT shown in the system by Counter PA and Supervisor.
2.6 A consolidation of the scheme should be generated and printed by all CBS post offices. Where laser printers are not available, while executing command in HFINRPT, user has to select “XLS” instead of “PDF”  (which is shown by default) in the field “Output File Name”. Then report can be printed on Dot Matrix printer.
2.7 All vouchers including closed vouchers are to be sealed alongwith print out of consolidation. One copy of consolidation (scheme-wise) is to be preserved in post office in guard file to be maintained scheme-wise and date-wise. APM/SPM will sign the consolidation and write the amount in words and figures alongwith No. of Deposit/Withdrawal vouchers included in the bundle. If any manual correction is made, it should be supported by copy of error book (one copy to be attached with voucher, one copy with office copy of consolidation and one copy to be sent to Divisional Office.



3.        Overview of  work of SBCO



S. No.
Present nature of Work
After implementation of CBS
Postal Manual of SB Control
1
Receipt of Returns                   
1           Will  be  discontinued.  SBCO  PA  will receive Vouchers and Consolidations of SOs directly from Sub Account and APM (SB) HO Counter for HO
Rule -3
2
Checking List of
Transactions [SB -60/76]
Will remain continued as at present. SBCO has to carry out prescribed checks of vouchers and LOT (to be viewed from Finacle) if there  is  any  discrepancy,  print  out  of LOT may be taken and objection should be raised.
Rule – 4
3
Un-posted Items 
                      Not applicable                                          
Rule – 6
4
  Register of Non-cash transactions
SB-62 [a]/85 [a]
                      Not applicable                                          
Rule – 7
5
Register of Office wise [SB-
63/RD85] Balances.
                      Not applicable                                          
Rule – 8 & 10
6
Consolidated Journal of all the Schemes *
Has  to  be  separately  prepared  for CBS Post Offices (if all SOs are not migrated) by SBCO for the purpose of tallying  totals  of  SOs  with  SO Summary and HO with HO Summary. Total amount has to be added below Consolidated Journal of Sanchaya Post received from SOSB and tallied with HO Cash Book.
Rule – 9 *
7
i) General check of vouchers

ii) Checking of Vouchers with System Generated LOTs
i) Will be carried out as prescribed in Para 5.
ii) Will be carried out as prescribed in Para 5 for the following type of vouchers:-
(a) All Closure vouchers of all schemes.
(b)  All RD & PPF Loan disbursement vouchers.
(c)   All vouchers of Savings, PPF and SSA of the amount of Rs.20000/- and above for LSG and above offices and all vouchers of Savings, PPF and SSA in respect of other offices irrespective of any amount.
d)   All new accounts opened vouchers for the amount of Rs.5 lakh and above.
Rule – 11

Rule-15
8
Checking of Non-cash
cash
Transactions
Not applicable                                          
Rule – 12

9
Revival of Accounts pre
01.01.2003
Not applicable                                          
Rule – 12 [3]
10
Objection Register 
Will remain continued without any change.
Rule – 13
11
Reporting of Minus balance     
Not applicable                                          
Rule – 13 [2]
12
Verification of binder balances
Not applicable                                          
Rule – 14
13
Checking of Annual Interest     
Not applicable                                           
Rule – 16
14
Preparation of Interest cum
Silent Accounts *
Report taken from Finacle is to be compiled and Only summary will be required to be sent to DAP.
Rule – 16*
14.a
Annual Listing balances
RD/MIS/TD/SCSS
Not applicable.                                         
Rule – 38
15
Silent Account Revival
Procedure
Not applicable                                          
Rule – 17 (3)
16
Un-used Cheque Foils             
Continued as it is.                                    
Rule – 18
17
Un-deliverable & spoilt Pass books
Continued as it is.                                    
Rule – 19
18
Statistical Register                   
Only non financial part will be continued.
Rule – 20
19
Custody and preservation of records
Continued as it is (without LOT).             
Rule – 25
20
Monthly progress Report          
Not applicable.                                         
Rule -  26
21
Checking of Agents
Commission bill
Not applicable
22
Submission of returns to AO
& DAP *
Only Statistical Register (non financial) and Interest Summary will be continued. *
Rule - 40
*This will be discontinued once CSI and FSI both are rolled out in all Post Offices.



4             Mode of handling of work



1
Receipt of Vouchers                                
Physical
2
Checking List of Transactions                  
In system& print out is to be taken only if there is any objection.
3
Consolidated Journal*                              
In MS Excel.*
4
General check of vouchers & checking of vouchers
Manual & In system
5
Objection Register                                   
Manual
6
Reporting of Minus balance                     
Not applicable
7
Verification of office wise balances         
Not applicable
8
Checking of Annual Interest                    
Not applicable
9
Preparation of Interest statement*           
Only grand summary will be prepared manually/MS Excel (not in system) *
10
Annual Listing balances
RD/MIS/TD/SCSS
Not applicable
11
Un-used Cheque Foils                             
Manual
12
Un-deliverable & spoilt Pass books         
Manual
13
Statistical Register*                                  
Manual/MS Excel*
14
Custody and preservation of records       
Manual
15
Monthly progress Report                         
Not applicable
16
Checking of Agents Commission bill       
Not applicable
17
Submission of returns to DAP *               
Manual/MS Excel*
*This will be discontinued once CSI and FSI both are rolled out in all Post Offices.



5.        Duties of SBCO PA/Supervisor



5.1   Examination of scheme-wise consolidation received from HO and SOs.
5.2   General Check of vouchers, checking of vouchers with LOTs viewed from Finacle MIS server and checking the daily/progressive totals in the Cash Book.
5.3   Writing of Objections and maintenance of Objection Registers.
5.4   Entries of Interest Adjustments in Finacle and maintenance of Interest Adjustment Register.
5.5   Unused Cheque Foils.
5.6   Undelivered/Spoiled Passbooks.
5.7   Maintenance of Statistical Registers (non financial)
5.8   Submission of Returns
5.9   Requisition of Vouchers for Inquiry.
5.10 Safe Custody of Keys.
5.11 Preservation of Record.
5.12 To maintain Nominal Roll(MS-12) in computerized form in respect of SBCO staff.     
5.13 Any other work which may be entrusted by the Supervisor/Divisional Head/AO(ICO) and through any subsequent order issued from time to time.
5.1        Examination of scheme-wise consolidation received from HO and SOs.
5.1.1     SBCO PA
·         The designated Postal Assistant SBCO will receive Scheme-wise sealed and stitched Voucher Bundles with Consolidation placed at the top from Sub Account PA. He will generate fresh consolidation of each scheme from Finacle Production Server (HFINRPT) and compare the print out received from SOs with the system generated consolidation. Both the consolidations should be tallied with the SO Daily Account and SO Summary. Voucher Bundle of HO will be received from APM(SB) of HO Counter and amount shown in the consolidation should be tallied with the fresh consolidation generated from Finacle production Server (HFINRPT) and HO Summary.  If there is any discrepancy in both the consolidations with SO Daily Account/Summary and the same is not supported by copy of error book  or  special report, it should immediately report to Supervisor SBCO. All Voucher Bundles of each scheme will be handed over to Supervisor SBCO. It is mandatory that consolidation report should be generated from Finacle production system for reconciliation.
5.1.2   SBCO Supervisor
·          SBCO Supervisor   will examine the voucher bundles and verify that the Scheme-wise Consolidation bears signatures and designation stamp of the Supervisor (APM)/Sub Postmaster and number of vouchers written on the consolidation are tallied with number of vouchers attached with the bundle. He will countersign each consolidation and mark to   concerned  SBCO  PA  as  per  workload  and  availability  of  staff.  In  case  of  any shortcoming, he will write objection and send copy of objection to the Postmaster. Supervisor SBCO will send immediate report on the difference between consolidation sent by SO or HO and generated from the system by SBCO PA as well as SO Daily Account and SO/HO Summary to Postmaster/Divisional Head and Vigilance branch of Regional/Circle office.


5.2        General Check of vouchers, checking of vouchers with LOTs viewed from Finacle MIS server and checking the daily/ progressive totals in the Cash Book. Following checks should be exercised:-
5.2.1     SBCO Supervisor
Supervisor SBCO, before handing over consolidation and voucher bundle to SBCO PA, should prepare consolidation in MSEXCEL*  for  each scheme for  CBS Offices.  He  can  download consolidation from Finacle (in MSEXCEL)* by selecting SOL SET ID as input criteria and remove the data of SOs from where vouchers are not received on that day and add data of those SOs from where vouchers are received but these are not in the excel (due to transit). He will struck total and if all SOs and HO are in CBS, the total will be tallied with the Cash Book and progressive totals will be entered manually. If all offices are not in CBS, totals of CBS Offices should be manually entered at the end of Sanchay Post Consolidation at the end and totals are to  be tallied with cash book as usual.(where there is  no transit,  consolidation  can be generated from Finacle by entering set id as input criteria.)
*Once CSI and FSI are rolled out all over India, this activity will be discontinued.
5.2.2   SBCO PA
a) On receipt of Voucher Bundle and Consolidation, SBCO PA will carry out general check of vouchers for all the vouchers in the bundle. Following checks should be carried out as part of general check:-:-
(i)        The entries in the vouchers are complete and there are no suspicious erasures and alterations.
(ii)       The date stamp of the office has been affixed on the voucher.
(iii)       The application for withdrawal bears the signature of the depositor.
(iv)      The warrant of payment bears the signature of the Postmaster in token of having authorized the payment.
(v)       There is acquaintance of the depositor or his messenger on the warrant of payment in token of having received the amount.
(vi)      The identification of the depositor, wherever taken, is in proper form and witness has written full name and address on the Form.
(vii)      In the case of illiterate depositor, the thumb impression has been attested on both the sides of the voucher.
(viii)    Scheme name and Tran ID is written on each voucher.

b) SBCO PA will login to MIS server and generate LOT. Following checks should be carried out for the vouchers prescribed to be checked with system generated LOT:-
(i)     Whether the amount written on the Account Opening Form (AOF), Pay-in-Slip, Warrant of Payment of SB-7 or SB-7A or Account Closure Form by the post office and the depositor agrees with that shown in the system generated List Of Transactions (viewed from Finacle MIS server).

(ii)  Account number written by the depositor on the voucher tallies with the account number shown in the system generated LOT.

(iii) Transaction date  displayed at the top of LOT and Value date shown in LOT against the transaction is same and if there isa difference in both, it is supported by proper error extract or approval of competent authority (except in case of deposits through cheques of other banks). If there is any difference of more than 3 days (in other than clearing) and more than 7 days in (clearing) transactions, full transaction should be checked in Finacle through HTI and objection should be raised if required. While sending copy of the objection to Postmaster of HPO, print out of LOT/Screen Shot of HTI should be taken and attached.

(iv)      That in case of withdrawal exceeding Rs. 5000/- the signature of the depositor on the withdrawal form has been attested by two postal officials  except in Single Handed Offices (list of Single Handed offices to be taken from the Divisional Head by Supervisor SBCO).

(v)       In case of transactions by cheque, the rules relating to cheques have been observed. In case of CTS clearing, image of the cheque should be treated equivalent to the hard copy of the cheques.

SBCO PA will place his/her full signature on each voucher checked with system generated LOT. No voucher checking register should be maintained separately.

c) Supervisor SBCO (wherever posted/available) will carry out same checks as mentioned in (b) above for 5% of the vouchers (to be selected from transactions of greater than Rs.50,000/-) checked by every SBCO PA and countersign in full on these vouchers in token of having exercised prescribed checks.
5.3.       Writing of Objections and maintenance of Objection Registers.
5.3.1   Any irregularity noticed will be entered in clear and concise words in the Objection Register and copy of objection should be sent to Postmaster of HPO supported by printed copy of LOT/Finacle screen.
5.3.2   If the irregularity relating to a transaction is such as would affect its validity e.g., if there is erasure or overwriting or the depositor's acquaintance is wanting, the amount involved should be placed under objection. Vouchers once received by the Control Organization should not be given back to the Head Office.
5.3.3   Every irregularity should be brought to the notice of the Postmaster for necessary action.
5.3.4   Supervisor SBCO will write to Head of Postal division in case of those objections where inquiry is required and those which are not settled within 30 days.
5.4       Entries   of   Interest   Adjustments   in   Finacle   and   maintenance   of   Interest Adjustment Register.
5.4.1   Supervisor SBCO will maintain Interest Adjustment Register manually and execute Interest Adjustments in Finacle through HIARM menu after getting approval from the competent authority.
5.4.2   Details  of  interest  adjustments  will  be  communicated  to  PAO  (DAP)  with  copy  to AO(ICO) on monthly basis.
5.5      Unused Cheque Foils
5.5.1   If the depositor of the cheque account closes his account or ceases to avail of the cheque facilities, the Postmaster will take over from him the cheque book containing unused  cheques.  Counter  Supervisor  will  cancel  each  cheque  under  his  dated signatures and designation stamp.
5.5.2   At the close of the day the Postmaster will transfer the partly used cheque books to the Control Organization duly entered in the voucher list.
5.5.3   The Supervisor SBCO will verify that all unused cheque foils have been cancelled by Counter Supervisor and keep them in his personal custody. In case of any missing cancellation, Supervisor will cancel the cheque under his own signatures.
5.5.4   The Control Organization will enter the particulars of unused cheques in a manuscript register in the following form after noting the date of receipt on the top. The serial number of the register will be in an annual series starting from No. 1 in April.
5.5.5   These cheque leaves should be destroyed during inspection of AO(ICO) in his presence.
5.6  Undelivered/Spoiled Passbooks/Will Follow items
5.6.1   As and when a fresh pass book is issued in lieu of a spoilt one, spoilt pass book will be transferred by the Head Office to the Control Organization duly entered in the Savings Bank voucher list.
5.6.2    The  Control  Organization  will  enter  the  particulars  of  the  spoilt  pass  books  in  a manuscript register in the following form.
5.6.3   The Serial No. in the register will be in an annual series starting from No. 1 in April. The pass books will be kept in an almirah in the personal custody of the Supervisor
5.6.4   If for any reason, a voucher does not accompany the list/of transactions, the remark "will follow" must have been noted by the head office against the relevant entry.
5.6.5   In case such a remark has not been noted by the head office, the official should bring this to the notice of the Postmaster immediately without damaging the seal on the bundle of vouchers.
5.6.6   An  entry should  also  be  made  in  the  "Register  of  vouchers  not  received"  in  form prescribed (Annexure 3 of Rule 4 of Postal Manual of SB Control) and the Serial number of the entry in the register should be noted against the relevant account number in the list of transactions .
5.7      Statistical Registers (Non Financial)
5.7.1   The Supervisor/PA Supervisor Control Organization, at the end of each month will generate Statistical report with HO SOL Set ID (non financial) from Finacle MIS server. If all Post Offices under HO are on CBS, copy of the report should be sent to PAO and AO(ICO) and if some offices are in CBS, totals of this report should be added while sending Statistical Report to PAO(DAP).
5.7.2    Note:- Non- financial means statistical information of number of accounts and number of transactions etc.



5.8      Submission of Returns*



Sl. No.
Particular of return
Office to which due
Due date
Copy of the statistical
register (non financial if all Post Offices in CBS)
Postal Accounts
Office
By the 10th of the following month
Report of Silent
Accounts
( to be taken from Finacle Application)
PAO
                                  By the 10th of the following month
Annual Interest
Summary
PAO & AO(ICO)                     
In the month of April.

* Once CSI Data Warehousing solution will be in place and DAPs/AO(ICO) are also online, these reports need not to be sent by SBCO as these reports can be viewed  on line byDAP/AO(ICO).
5.9      Requisition of Vouchers for Inquiry
5.9.1   May be given to the Divisional Supdt/Postmaster under receipt.
5.9.2   Requisition be signed personally by the Divisional Supdt/Postmaster.
5.9.3   If any voucher is required for investigation by the police, the police should send the application to the Head of the Postal Circle.
5.9.4    keeping an a nested copy of the voucher in its place, the voucher should be delivered to the Police authorities after getting the copy of the voucher attested by the officer concerned.
5.9.5   The voucher/document should be sent by insured post when it cannot be conveniently transferred by hand under receipt.
5.9.6   Record of the vouchers given be maintained in a separate register and case pursued by the C.O. to obtain back the voucher/document.
5.9.7   When the voucher/document is received back, it is kept in its proper place by the in charge SBCO The requisition slip and the attested copy will be removed and kept in a separate file. The bundle will be again resealed.
5.9.8   The vouchers/documents required to be preserved in connection with fraud cases will be made over to the Divisional Supdt till the finalization of case and need not be preserved by the SBCO.
Note:- It is not open to Postmasters, Inspectors, etc. to see in person or to call back any record or document except on a written requisition. Whenever any voucher or document is required by these officers, the same may be obtained on a written requisition only.
5.10    Safe custody of Keys,
5.10.1 The duplicate keys of steel almirahs, etc. supplied to S.B.C.O. will be kept by the A.O.ICO(SB) in his personal custody.
5.10.2 The Supervisor SBCO will send all the duplicate keys by parcel post registered and insured for Rs. 100 to the A.O.ICO(SB) after entering  their number in a list to be prepared in triplicate.
5.10.3  When  the  original  key  is  lost  by  the  SBCO  the  matter  will  be  reported  to  the A.O.ICO(SB) who will authorize the issue of duplicate key. The A.O. will make necessary entries in the register and attest them.
5.10.4 The duplicate key will be sent by parcel post registered and insured for Rs.100.

5.11                Preservation of Record
(i)   Vouchers with Consolidation           -         5  YEARS
(ii)   Consolidated Journal                       -         1 YEAR
(iii)  Undeliverable Passbooks                -         1  YEAR
(iv)  Statistical Register                           -         3 YEARS
(v)  Objection Register                       -       2 Years after settlement of all objections.
(vi)  Interest Adjustment Register           -          5 Years.
5.12   To maintain Nominal Roll(MS-12) in computerized form in respect of SBCO staff.
Supervisor SBCO shall maintain Nominal Roll in respect of SBCO staff in computerized form in the format of MS-12 which will be checked by all visiting/Inspection Authorities during visit/Inspection

Tuesday, 2 August 2016

INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED FOR SMOOTH FUNCTIONING OF POSB OPERATIONS AND PREVENTION OF FRAUDS IN CBS POST OFFICES BY DIRECTORATE.


Saturday, 23 July 2016

Circle Working Committee Meeting on 13.8.2016  &  A Seminar on “Finacle Software in Post Office Savings Bank and formation of India Post Payment Bank with role of SBCO” will be organized by AIPSBCOEA, West Bengal Circle of AIPSBCOEA  at 11 hours on 14.8.2016.

Notice copy & An Invitation letter to all SBCO Staff  for attend the Said Seminar to make it a grand success.  







Saturday, 9 July 2016

PHOTOS OF SUCCESSFUL CENTRAL CWC MEETING OF AIPSBCOEA  HELD ATUJJAIN ( MP )  FROM 3RD TO 4TH JULY,2016











                                          Com. Giri Raj Singh, President, NFPE
                                       










                               Smt. Preeti Agrawal, Director Postal Services, Indore Region (MP).


                                         Com. Asit Das, Dy. GS AIPSBCOEA

Friday, 8 July 2016

Ministry of Finance
06-July, 2016 20:50 ISTGovernment assures Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government that the issues raised by them relating to the pay scales and other recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission would be considered by a High Level Committee

Representatives of Unions representing employees of the Central Government had met the Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley and the Minister for Railways Sh. Suresh Prabhu in the evening of 30th June, 2016.

They had requested that certain issues raised by them in relation to the pay scales and other recommendations of the Pay Commission be allowed to be raised before a Committee of Secretaries looking into different aspects of grievances of employees in relation to the Pay Commission recommendations.

The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee.
******


DSM
(Release ID :146885)

DATED - 07.07.2016

STRIKE IS DEFERRED, BUT THE STRUGGLE SHALL CONTINUE

Finally, the united struggle of 33 lakhs Central Government Employees under the banner of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) comprising Railways, Defence and Confederation has compelled the totally negative and unwilling NDA Government to negotiate with the staff side leaders. Hon’ble Prime Minister has intervened and directed three Cabinet Minsters viz. Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu to hold discussion with the NJCA Leaders on 30th June 2016. After discussing the demands raised in the Charter of demands, the Ministers assured that a high level committee will be constituted to consider the demands raised by NJCA especially the demand for improving the minimum wage and fitment formula.

As no written communication or minutes regarding the assurances given by Group of Ministers is forthcoming, the NJCA met again and 6th July and decided to go ahead with the strike decision. Again Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh called the NJCA leaders for discussion on 6thJuly and reiterated the assurances already given on 30th June and stated that the Finance Minister will issue a press statement on 6th July itself confirming the assurances given by the Group of Ministers. It was further assured by the Minister that the proposed High level committee will submit its recommendations to Government within a time frame.

Accordingly, the Government issued the press statement and after detailed deliberations the NJCA unanimously decided to defer the indefinite strike till the committee finalizes its report. The press statement of the NJCA and the Government are attached.



(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
Confederation

Mob: 09447068125









7th CPC REPORT & NDA GOVERNMENT

M. Krishnan, Secretary General,
Confederation of C. G. Employees & Workers

Report of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) headed by Retired Supreme Court Justice, Ashok Kumar Mathur was submitted to Government on 19th November 2015 after 21 months. The Union Cabinet announced its decision to implement the recommendations on 29th June 2016. Through the press release circulated to media and the statement of Finance Minister, the Government made a calculated move to create an impression among the public that the Modi Government is magnanimous enough to extend big bonanza to the Central Government employees. Eventhough, immediately after submission of the 7th CPC report, the Joint Council of Action of Central Government Employees (NJCA) representing Railways, Defence and Confederation including Postal had submitted a memorandum to Government demanding modifications of the retrograde recommendations of the 7thCPC, the Government while announcing its decision, rejected all the demands raised by the staff side.

The 7th CPC recommended only Rs.18000/- as minimum pay by arbitrarily modifying and manipulating Dr. Aykroyd’s Need based minimum wage formula on untenable premises and incorrect data. The main demand of the NJCA is to re-compute the minimum wage on the basis of actual commodity prices as on 01.07.2015 and factor Dr. Aykroyd formula stipulated percentage for housing, social obligations and children’s education etc. and to revise the fitment formula and all pay scales on the basis of the so determined minimum wage. The methodology adopted by 7th CPC is irrational, imaginary and even absurd.

The Government’s claim that big increase is given to the employees is totally false. In para 4.2.9 of the report, the 7th CPC has given a table depicting the percentage of increase provided by the successive pay commissions appointed after independence. According to the table, the 2nd CPC has made a paltry increase of 14.2.% (1960), the 3rd CPC gave a rise of 20.6% (1973), the 4th CPC 27.6% (1986), the 5th CPC 31% (1996) and 6thCPC 54% (2006) whereas the average increase granted by 7th CPC is only 14.29% (2016), while the percentage increase had been in ascending order all along, the 7th CPC has sought to reverse that trend. The megre increase recommended and accepted by the Government without any change is the worst ever any pay commission has recommended since 1960. In 1960 five days historic strike of entire Central Government employees took lace demanding modifications of 2nd CPC recommendations.

Another claim of the Government is that it has accepted the recommendations of the 7th CPC to increase the existing salary by 2.57 times !!!. This is a totally misleading propaganda. The existing basic pay of a lowest level employee of the Central Government called Multi-Tasking staff (MTS) is 7000 plus 125% Dearness Allowance as on 01.01.2016. Thus the total salary as on 1st January 2016 is 7000 + 8750 DA = 15750. The Minimum pay recommended by 7th CPC is 18000 i.e; the actual increase in salary is Rs. 2250/- only at the lowest level. The fitment factor of 2.57 is worked out excluding the 125% DA an employee is getting at present. As the next wage revision takes place only after ten years in 2026, the above increase of 2250/- in the salary is megre.

In the past, every time, either before or immediately after the appointment of pay commissions, the employees are granted DA merger, Last time, before appointment of 6th CPC, Government has granted merger of 50% DA in 2004 and the merged DA is treated as Pay for all purposes. This time no DA merger is granted. Suppose, as in the past, the Government has accepted the demand for merger of 50% DA as on 01.01.2011 when DA crossed 50%, the total salary of an employee at the lowest level as on 01.01.2016 will become Rs.18395/- (7000 + 50% DA 3500 = 10500 + remaining 75% DA as on 01.01.2016 Rs.7875 = 18395). Thus it can be seen that even if no pay commission is appointed by Government, simply by granting DA merger alone the lowest level salary will become more than 18000/- which is recommended by 7th CPC after 21 months study and spending crores of rupees for its functioning.

The Government’s press release further claim that the ratio between lowest and highest salary (compression ratio) is 1:3.12. The highest level employees are Cabinet Secretary and Secretaries of various departments. The recommended salary of the Cabinet Secretary is 2,50000. Government deliberately avoided comparison between salary of lowest employee and highest level employee, instead compared with middle level Class-I officer only. Actual ratio between the lowest and highest salary come to 1:14 (18000:2,50000). No other pay commission has recommended such a huge margin.

Other retrograde recommendations of the 7th CPC are as follows:

1.     House Rent Allowance (HRA) rate reduced from 30%, 20% and 10% to 24%, 16% and 8%
2.    52 existing allowances are to be abolished.
3.    All interest-free advances including Festival advance, are to be abolished. Only interest bearing advances to be retained.
4.    Salary for the second year of Child care leave granted to women employees should be reduced to 80%.
5.    For Three Time bound promotions (Assured Carreer Progression) passing examination and other conditions made mandatory.
6.    New Pension Scheme (NPS) shall continue, recommended only some cosmetic changes.
7.    Contractorisation and casual labour System shall be continued.
8.    Outsourcing of Government functions to continue.
9.    Employment of retired personnel to be legalized and panel of experienced retired personnel should be kept ready.
10.  Filling up of vacancies – commission pointed out that there are six lakhs unfilled vacancies in Central Government services, but no recommendations for filling up the vacancies in a time bound manner by special recruitment.
11.   Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks of Postal department – rejected.
12.  Increase in minimum pension percentage, Fixed medical Allowance to Pensioners and increment rate – rejected.

Inspite of several round of country wide agitational programmes conducted by NJCA including massive Parliament March, the NDA Government refused to negotiate the demands with the staff side, but declared unilateral implementation of the recommendations without any modifications. The resentment, anger and protest of the entire Central Government employees increased day-by-day and the NJCA decided to go ahead with indefinite strike from 11th July 2016 and preperations and campaigning for making the strike a thundering success went on in full swing. Modi Government understood that if it still refuse to discuss with the NJCA then from 11th July 6 AM onwards the entire Central Government establishments including Railways, Defence, Postal and other departments. will come to standstill marking the commencement of the biggest strike action of the Central Government employees.

It is in this background the Hon’ble Prime Minister directed three Cabinet Ministers including Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Shri. Suresh Prabhu to hold discussion with the NJCA leaders on 30th January 2016. Major demands in the Charter of demands were discussed with particular reference to Improvement in Minimum wage and fitment formula. Issues relating to parity in pension was also discussed. Finally the Ministers assured that a high level committee will be appointed to consider the issues raised by the NJCA.

As no written minutes or communications is forthcoming from the Government regarding the 30th June discussion and assurances, the NJCA decided to go ahead with the strike. Country wide demonstrations were held daily in front of all offices and at all important centres. On 6th July 2016 when the NJCA meeting was in progress, Hon’ble Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh again invited the NCA Leaers for discussion. The Minister reiterated the earlier assurances and told that Finance Minister will issue a press statement making the Government stand clear on the demands.

Accordingly, the Government issued a press statement on 6th July 2016 in which it is stated that – “The Ministers assured the Union leaders that the issues raised by them would be considered by a High Level Committee.”

Thus, the unite struggle of the entire Central Government Employees compelled the unwilling NDA Government to accept the reality that modification in the 7th CPC recommendations is a must and before arriving at a final conclusion the staff side should be given a fair chance to present and discuss the case with the Government. It was assured that the proposed High Level Committee to be appointed by the Government shall complete its task within a time frame.

Advancement in the wages and service conditions of Central Government Employees can be achieved only through the united struggle of all Central Government employees for which the unity built up under the banner of NJCA is to be maintained and strengthened. Further the neo-liberal policy offensives of the NDA Government in the Central Government Employees Sector including privatisation, outsourcing, downsizing, contractorisation, corporatization, winding up of departments, New Pension Scheme etc. can only be resisted and reverted by building up united movement of the entire employees. Eventhough the strike is deferred, the Central Government employees shall continue its united struggle against the anti-people and anti-labour policies of the NDA Government. We should self-critically analyze the strength and weakness of the NJCA and shall arrive at proper conclusion for taking corrective measures, if necessary, and also for further unity and advancement. The final outcome of the united struggle is, no doubt, one step forward.