18 Friday Jul 2014
Posted in WORLD NEWS
The shooting of the Malaysian Flight MH 17 above Ukraine resulting in the crash and death of all the 298 passengers including crew has shocked the world. Whoever has done this murderous attack has to be condemned by all. The UN should enquire and bring the culprits to book. Such things should not happen in future.
Our heartfelt condolences to the kin and kith of all those who have perished in the crash.
18 Friday Jul 2014
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners
Com.S.K.Vyas, Secretary General, National Co-Ordination Committee of Pensioners Association has intimated that a meeting of the National Executive will be held at D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi at 11.00 PM on 25th July 2014 to discuss about the Memorandum to the VII CPC.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA and Patron NCCPA will attend the meeting.
18 Friday Jul 2014
Posted in PSU
The Supreme Court today decided to hear the appeals filed by both the Management and the Workers unions with regard to the case pending in the Air India -Indian Airlines Merger.
The merger was done without due consultations with the unions, which had strongly protested. Later a lot of struggles took place by certain sections of workers citing discrimination and injustice.
18 Friday Jul 2014
FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110001
——————————————————————
Meeting of the Forum held on 18th July 2014
A meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions /Associations of Non-Executives and Executives was held today, 18th July 2014, at the Local council Room, NTR, Eastern Court, New Delhi. Com. C.Singh, President, presided.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, welcomed all and briefed the meeting about the developments after the last meeting. Further he metioned about the agenda items.
After detailed discussions, the follwing decisions were taken:
1. Master Service Agreement signed on 2nd May 2014 between BSNL and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. on the sharing of towers, BTS,Antennae etc.
The meeting discussed the issue based on the available information. While the agreement may bring some revenue to the BSNL, the entire issue has to be thorughly loked in to including certain doubts raised by the participants. Hence it was decided to meet the management and to have a discussion on the issue.
2. 78.2% IDA fixation for the Pensioners
The Convener explained the present situation that the DOT has intimated to the Dept. of Expenditure their reply to the comments raised by the latter. With regard to the pre-2007 pensioners, a Cabinet Note is necessary. With regard to the post-2007 pensioners, the DOT mentioned that notional fixation could me made on the basis of certain cases settled earlier. On 60:40 ratio regarding pension payment, DOT informed that till 2010, the pension payment has been within 60% of the payment made by BSNL to DOT.
The meeting was of the firm view that no compromise could be made on the full payment of pension from 01-01-2007, when 78.2% IDA fixation became due. The DOT orders have to be suitably amended. In the same way, the Forum should strongly take the case to ensure that the 60:40% condition of payment of pension is cancelled.
These cases should be taken with the DOT and the Communications Minister.
The meeting came to an end with vote of thanks from the chair.
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener.
18 Friday Jul 2014
Posted in Telecom
Shri Rakesh Garg, the newly appointed Secretary, DOT has taken charge on 17th July 2014. He succeeds Shri MF Farooqui, who retired last month.
18 Friday Jul 2014
Posted in PSU
Tags
Union Finance minister Arun Jaitley is fast moving with proposals for massive disinvestment of Central PSUs. it is proposed to sell the shares of ONGC, SAIL, Coal India Ltd.,HAL, Power Finance Corporation, National Hydro-electric Power Corporation, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd. etc. The Finance Ministry expects to get Rs. 43,000 crores.
This government continues the same policy of destroying the PSUs.
17 Thursday Jul 2014
Posted in CG Employees, VII CPC
Given below is a Gist of the Demands raised in the Common Memorandum submitted to VII CPC by the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers on THURSDAY, JULY 17, 2014
7TH CPC COMMON MEMORANDUM – AT A GLANCE
Highlights of the Memorandum submitted on issues common to all Central Government employees to Secretary 7th Pay Commission.
JCM NC has also submitted Interim Memorandum on interim relief and Merger of DA.
1. Pay scales are calculated on the basis of pay drawn pay in pay band + GP + 100% DA by employees as on 01.01.2014.
2. 7th CPC report should be implemented w.e.f. 01-01-2014. In future five year wage revision.
3. Scrap New Pension Scheme and cover all employees under Old Pension and Family Pension Scheme.
4. JCM has proposed minimum wage for MTS (Skilled) Rs.26,000 p.m.
5. Ratio of minimum and maximum wage should be 1:8.
6. General formula for determination of pay scale based on minimum living wage demanded for MTS is pay in PB+GP x 3.7.
7. Annual rate of increment @ 5% of the pay.
8. Fixation of pay on promotion = 2 increments and difference of pay between present and promotional posts (minimum Rs.3000).
9. The pay structure demanded is as under:- (open ended pay scales – Total 14 pay scales)
Existing Proposed (in Rs.)
PB-1, GP Rs. 1800
PB-1, GP Rs. 1900
26,000
PB-1, GP Rs. 2000
PB-1, GP Rs. 2400
33,000
PB-1, GP Rs. 2800
46,000
PB-2, GP Rs. 4200
PB-2, GP Rs. 4600
56,000
PB-2, GP Rs. 4800
74000
PB-2, GP Rs. 5400
78,000
PB-3, GP 5400
88000
PB-3, GP 6600
102000
PB-3, GP 7600
120000
PB-4, GP 8900
148000
P4-4, GP 10000
162000
HAG
193000
Apex Scale
213000
Cabinet Secretary
240000
9 (a) Wages and service conditions of Gramin Dak Sevaks is to be examined by 7th CPC itself.
10. Dearness Allowances on the basis of 12 monthly average of CPI, Payment on 1st Jan and 1st July every year.
11. Overtime Allowances on the basis of total Pay + DA + Full TA.
12 Liabilities of all Government dues of persons died in harness be waived.
13. Transfer Policy – Group `C and `D Staff should not be transferred. DoPT should issue clear cut guideline as per 5th CPC recommendation. Govt. should from a Transfer Policy in each department for transferring on mutual basis on promotion. Any order issued in violation of policy framed be cancelled by head of department on representation.
14. Transport Allowance –
X Classified City
Other Places
Rs. 7500 + DA
Rs. 3750 +DA
The stipulation for TA that the Govt. employee should be on duty in his headquarters for certain number of days during the calendar month should be removed.
15. Deputation Allowance double the rates and should be paid 10% of the pay at same station and 20% of the pay at outside station.
16. Classification of the post should be executive and non-executive instead of present Group A,B.C.
17. Special Pay which was replaced with Special/Allowance by 4th CPC be bring back to curtail pay scales.
18. Scrap downsizing, outsourcing and contracting of govt. jobs.
19. Regularize all casual labour and count their entire service after first two year, as a regular service for pension and all other benefits. They should not be thrown out by engaging contractors workers.
20. The present MACPs Scheme be replaced by giving five promotion after completion of 8,15,21,26 and 30 year of service with benefits of stepping up of pay with junior and also hierarchical pay scales.
21. PLB being bilateral agreement, it should be out of 7th CPC perview.
22. Housing facility:-
(a) To achieve 70% houses in Delhi and 40% in all other towns to take lease accommodation and allot to the govt. employees.
(b) Land and building acquired by it department may be used for constructing houses for govt. employees.
23. House Building Allowance :-
(a) Simplify the procedure of HBA
(b) Entitle to purchase second and used houses
24. Common Category – Equal Pay for similar nature of work be provided.
25. Compassionate appointment – remove ceiling of 5% and give appointment within Three months.
26. Traveling Allowance:-
Category
A1, A Class City
Other Cities
Executive
Rs. 5000 per day + DA
Rs. 3500 per day + DA
Non-Executive
Rs. 4000 per day + DA
Rs. 2500 per day + DA
27. Composite Transfer Grant: –
Executive Class 6000 kg by Goods Train/ Rate per km by road 8 Wheeler Wagon Rs.50+DA(Rs.1 per kg and single container per km)
Non-Executive Class 3000 kg – do – -do-
28. Children Education Allowance should be allowed up to Graduate, Post Graduate, and all Professional Courses. Allow any two children for Children Education Allowance.
29. Fixation of pay on promotion – two increments in feeder grade with minimum benefit of Rs.3000.
30. House Rent Allowance
X Class Cities 60%
Other Classified Cities 40%
Unclassified Locations 20%
31. Compensatory City Allowance.
`X’ Class Cities `Y’ Class Cities
A. Pay up to Rs.50,000 10% 5%
B. Pay above Rs.50,000 6% minimum Rs 5000 3% minimum Rs.2500
32. Patient Care Allowance to all para-medical and staff working in hospitals.
33. All allowances to be increased by three times.
34. NE Region benefits – Payment of Special Duty Allowance @ 37.5% of pay.
35. Training: – Sufficient budget for in-service training.
36. Leave Entitlement
(i) Increase Casual Leave 08 to 12 days & 10 days to 15 days.
(ii) Declare May Day as National Holiday
(iii) In case of Hospital Leave, remove the ceiling of maximum 24 months leave and 120 days full payment and remaining half payment.
(iv) Allow accumulation of 400 days Earned Leave
(v) Allow encashment of 50% leave while in service at the credit after 20 years Qualifying Service.
(vi) National Holiday Allowance (NHA) – Minimum one day salary and eligibility criteria to be removed for all Non Executive Staff.
(vii) Permit encashment of Half Pay Leave.
(viii) Increase Maternity Leave to 240 days to female employees & increase 30 days Paternity Leave to male employees.
37. LTC
(a) Permission to travel by air within and outside the NE Region.
(b) To increase the periodicity once in a two year.
(c) One visit outside country in a lifetime
38. Income Tax:
(i) Allow 30% standard deduction to salaried employees.
(ii) Exempt all allowances.
(iii) Raise the ceiling limit as under:
(a) General – 2 Lakh to 5 Lakh
(b) Sr. Citizen – 2.5 Lakh to 7 Lakh
(c) Sr. Citizen above 80 years of age – 5 Lakh to 10 Lakh
(iv) No Income Tax on pension and family pension and Dearness Relief.
39. (a) Effective grievance handling machinery for all non-executive staff.
(b) Spot settlement
(c) Maintain schedule of three meetings in a year
(d) Department Council be revived at all levels
(e) Arbitration Award be implemented within six month, if not be discussed with Staff Side before rejection for finding out some modified form of agreement.
40. Appoint Arbitrator for shorting all pending anomalies of the 6th CPC.
41. Date of Increment – 1st January and 1st July every year. In case of employees retiring on 31st December and 30th June, they should be given one increment on last day of service, i.e. 31st December and 30th June, and their retirements benefits should be calculated by adding the same.
42. General Insurance: Active Insurance Scheme covering risk upto Rs. 7,50,000/- to Non Executive & Rs. 3,50,000/- to Skilled staff by monthly contribution of Rs. 750/- & Rs. 350/- respectively.
43. Point to point fixation of pay.
44. Extra benefits to Women employees (i) 30% reservation for women.
(ii) Posting of husband and wife at same station.
(iii) One month special rest for chronic disease
(iv) Conversion of Child Care Leave into Family Care Leave
(v) Flexi time
45. Gratuity:
Existing ceiling of 16 ½ months be removed and Gratuity be paid @ half month salary for every year of qualifying service.
Remove ceiling limit of Rs.10 Lakh for Gratuity.
46. Pension:
(i) Pension @ 67% of Last Pay Drawn (LPD) instead of 50% presently.
(ii) Pension after 10 years of qualifying service in case of resignation.
(iii) Increase pension age-based as under:
65 Years – 70% of Las Pay Drawn (LPD)
70 Years – 75% of LPD
75 Years – 80% of LPD
80 Years – 85% of LPD
85 Years – 90% of LPD
90 Years – 100% of LPD
(iv) Parity of pension to retirees before 1.1.2006.
(v) Enhanced family pension should be same in case of death in harness and normal death.
(vi) After 10 years, family pension should be 50% of LPD.
(vii) Family pension to son upto the age of 28 years looking to the recruitment age.
(viii) Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) @ Rs.2500/- per month.
(ix) Extend medical facilities to parents also.
(x) HRA to pensioners.
(xi) Improvement in ex-gratia pension to CPF/SRPF retirees up to 1/3rd of full pension.
(Courtesy : Confederation)
17 Thursday Jul 2014
Posted in WORLD NEWS
New Delhi, July 12: The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
Halt Aggression in Gaza
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the Israeli attack on Gaza. For the past five days, Gaza has been subjected to bombardment from the air and the sea, which is double the intensity of the genocidal attacks it had carried out in 2012. More than a 120 people have been killed including many children as the missiles have targeted residential areas.
There are reports that a ground invasion is imminent, with the Israeli PM Netanyahu arrogantly declaring that Israel would not heed to any international ‘pressure’. With Israeli artillery fire reported near the borders of Lebanon, there is great danger of the aggression spilling over to the entire region. The United States has to rein in its close ally from pursuing this dangerous course of action.
The excuses given by the Israeli government for the attack are tenuous. There can be no justification for this blatant aggression which is in contravention of all established international law.
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) calls upon the government of India to strongly condemn this Israeli aggression on Palestine and demand an immediate cessation of the attack raising it in international fora. The UN Security Council should immediately intervene to halt the attack and end hostilities and work towards a solution that has denied the Palestinians their legitimate fundamental right for a homeland for 66 years.
17 Thursday Jul 2014
Posted in TU News - International, WFTU
GENEVA, ILO, SWITZERLAND, UN
A seminar was organized in Geneva, Switzerland on Saturday July 12th, by the WFTU Geneva Office on the topic of the ILO and UN policies, the role of the WFTU and the action plan for the improvement of its presence in the International Organizations.
The seminar was attended by young trade unionists and militants inspired by the WFTU strategy and positions and willing to become active in its work under the coordination of the Geneva Office.
With enthusiasm and responsibility the decision was taken to revitalize the work of the WFTU Antenna in Switzerland.
17 Thursday Jul 2014
Tags
The meeting of the Joint Action Committee of the Non-Executive Unions in BSNL was held on 17th July at the BSNLMS Office presided by Com.K.Jayaprakash, General Secretary, FNTO. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS BSNLEU and Convener, JAC reported about the discussion with the BSNL Management on 27th June on the 30 Point Charter of Demands. All the comrades participated in the discussion. The members were unhappy that the management was negative and the issues are not settled. After detailed discussion, it was decided to resort to agitational programmes for achievement of the genuine demands. As the first step, it was decided to observe 7th August 2014 as Demands Day, by organising Badge Campaign on the day and also conducting Lunch hour demonstration. It was specially stressed that all the unions should make massive campaign on the demands in the meanwhile and organise the Demands Day with massive participation.
The next meeting of the JAC will be held on 11th August 2014.
Let us make massive preparation to make the DEMANDS DAY a great success.
