Centre may announce 2% DA

New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) In what could bring cheers to 50 lakh central employees and 58 lakh pensioners ahead of Diwali, the Centre is all set to announce 2 per cent dearness allowance to be effective from July 1, 2016.

"The proposal to provide 2 per cent dearness allowance and dearness relief to central government employees and pensioners respectively, is listed on agenda of the Union Cabinet meeting scheduled for tomorrow," a source said.

Dearness allowance and dearness relief is provided to employees and pensioners to neutralise the impact of price rise on their earnings.

Earlier this year the government hiked Dearness Allowance by 6 per cent to 125 per cent of the basic pay. The DA was later merged into the basic pay following implementation of 7th Pay Commission award.

The central government employee unions want that the DA should be increased by 3 per cent and not 2 per cent which is being considered by the centre.

President of Confederation of Central Government Employees K K N Kutty told PTI: "The 12-month average of Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016, works out to be 2.92 per cent. Therefore the unions had pressed for 3 per cent DA. We are not satisfied with this." 

As per the agreed formula, government increases DA on the basis of 12-month average of the retail inflation and does not consider the price rise rate beyond decimal point for deciding the rate of dearness allowance.

THE REPORT SUBMITTED ON OROP

New Delhi:  The one-man judicial committee on One Rank One Pension (OROP) set up by the government today submitted its report to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday.

The Centre had appointed the committee under the Chairmanship of retired Chief Justice of Patna High Court L Narasimha Reddy to look into the anomalies, if any, arising out of implementation of OROP.

The judicial committee had held hearings at around 20 cities and towns across the country and interacted with cross sections of ex-servicemen as well as their associations, a statement by the ministry said.

Confederation Of Central Government Employees & Workers

 

CIRCULAR DATED 26^TH OCTOBER 2016

REVISION OF MINIMUM PAY AND FITMENT FORMULA

2^ND MEETING OF THE GROUP OF SENIOR OFFICERS WITH JCM (NC) STAFF SIDE

                           DISAPPOINTING   

 2^nd Meetings of the Group of Senior Officers (Constituted as per the assurance given by Group of Minister to NJCA) to discuss the grievances arising out of recommendations related to 7^th Central Pay Commission, was held with JCM (NC) staff side on 24.10.2016 at 4 PM. The staff side explained in detail the justification for modification in the minimum pay and fitment formula, which was already explained in the memorandum submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10^th December 2015 and also in the presentation made before Joint Secretary Implementation Cell and Empowered Committee of Secretaries headed by Cabinet Secretary.

From the response of the Senior Officers, it is not clear whether they are mandated to submit a proposal on increasing the Minimum Pay and Fitment formula to Government, as assured by the Group of Ministers on 30^th June 2016. Eventhough, the time frame of four months is almost over, the urgency and seriousness was lacking on the part of the Group of officers. It seems that that Government is adopting a delaying tactics or to deny the assured increase. Perhaps, they may recommend an increase in minimum pay and fitment formula at a later date, but it is quite uncertain.

Confederation National Secretariat after reviewing these developments has decided to intensify the campaign and agitational programmes demanding the Government to honour its assurance given to NJCA leadership and also to settle the 20 point charter of demands. Make the 7^th November 2016 mass dharna programme a grand success. Ensure maximum participation of employees in the 15^th December 2016 massive Parliament March. Get ready for strike.

DISABILITY PENSION REALITY CHECK

The controversy is hence restricted to disability pension and not war injury pension

The statement that the slab system would be beneficial to jawans is not correct as can be made out from the following comparison of slab and percentage system of calculation. In fact, it will only be freak cases which may benefit from it. If there was so much concern about such cases, then the best way out would have been to simply state that the disability element amount would not in any case be less than the slabs, akin to what had been undertaken after the 6th CPC.

I will not blame the political executive for this fiasco but they need to consult experts and stakeholders and be very wary of what is fed to them or put up by lower level bureaucracy.

GOVT ASSURES SOLUTION

Monday, October 24, 2016

Govt assured a solution for Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula Issues

Govt assured a solution for Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula Issues

Govt assured to find a solution to minimum wage and fitment formula issues in the meeting held today between NCJCM with Addl. Secretary (Exp.), Deptt. of Exp., MoF(Govt. of India) to discuss the recommendations of the 7th CPC.

No.NC/JCM/2016

A FACT WELEXPLAINED BY VETERAN JOSEMATHEWS

ALETTER ON DL-33 AND 7TH CPC IMPLEMENTATION BY JOSE MATHEW (NAVY VETERAN)

Respected Cdr pathak Sir,

Of course there are anomalies in both De-linking of 33yrs &7th CPC resolution. WELDON

But as I have mentioned earlier, and elaborated by Cdr Pokar Ram sir, the DL 33 should have been with notional maximum from July 2009 and Sep 20012. 

As far as VII CPC, the GOI /MOD DESW already issued Resolution based on 2.57 multification factor which civilians already got in August 2016. However any enhancement in multification factor ( may be 3 or 2.86 etc) will automatically will pass on to Military Veterns also. So why we should we wait for something on which GOI already issued orders/resolution. My primay question was why we need to involve PCDA on this policy matters.  The primary objective of my original mail was to remove PCDA (which is also a colonial left over) from issuing any implemention order for defence veterns as they are only accountants and not policy makers of Union Of India.

It may also like to bring to your kind attention that, any enhancement based on represenations of service chief's will be applicable only to Option I of VII CPC recommendations. The implementation of option 1 is not covered in the MOD/DESW resolution dated 30 September 2016. So we no need to wait for the out come of  service chief's represention as it will only be effected at least after six months. It may noted that, service personal already got a 10% increase wef 01 Januvary on adhoc basis.

And finally regarding our Service Chief's representation to MOD/PM of India. We donot know what they recommended. But I am sure the following core issues of JCOs and below are not there in their priority list.

a)    Up grading of Havildar grade pay to Rs 4200

As you know well that, a civilian charge hand in Naval Dockyard was equal to Petty Officer (Hav in army). Now the charge hand has already been upgraded to Gazetted status with class B and having Grade pay of 4600. The Petty officer still not even in 4200. So at least the Petty officer grade pay should be enhanced to Rs 4200. It may be noted that, a petty officer with 10 years of service is awarded an equalant graduation certificate by GOI.

b)    Up grading of Naib Subaidar grade pay to Rs 4600

It is is the same case as above. A Chief Petty Officer in Indian Navy was above a civilian Foreman in Naval Dockyard but now foreman in Naval Dock is having a grade pay of 4600. So Chief Petty Officer ( Nb Sub in Army) Grade pay also must have to enhanced to Rs 4600.

c)    Granding X group pay to all ranks from Havidar to Subaida Major

Since you have been in Indian Navy and Commander Ahuja sir who also been in Navy will surely agree with me, that, a POELP (petty officer Electrical Power) is always Section-in-charge of Power of war ships and most of the Petty officers are also section in charges of their respective sections. A POELP is the head of Power section of warship and he controls entire power generation and distribution of the warship in harbour and and sea. He is responsible for defect rectification and periodical/planned preventive maintenance of all the electrical Equipments. You also will agree with me that a POELP retires and immediately joins Merchent Navy as Electrical officer. It is the same with all the branches in Indian Navy. whether it is a Radar Plottor/Torpedo Operator/Radar and Radio/Missile Operator. They are all doing same  technical job than an artificer apprentice IV class is doing. Where as an artificer apprentice IV class who is in X group gets huge amount as additional pay in the sake of having an equ deploma  where as a Petty Office Electrical Power who also have the same qualification with more experience is kept equal in pay to Petty Officer Topazz (Toilet cleaning department). If a toilet cleaning department petty officer can be equated with a Petty Officer Electrical who has more responsibility even than an Artficer apprentice IV Class why he can not be placed in X group. So it is the case with all general branch Petty officer and equ.It may be noted that, irrespective of trades, a petty officer with 10 years of service is awarded an equalant graduation certificate by GOI.

It is mere intresting to see that, even the Military Nursing Officers are paid double MSP than JCOs and Ors who even dont have degree. They never sails on board/never serves even on ships at harbour. They donot have to face any enemy threat still they are paid with Commissionined officers salary and double Military Service Pay

d)    Same Military Service Pay to all ranks

The bullets donot recognaise who is an officer/ who is a sailor. all the challanges as a militry man has to be face by all irrespective of their ranks. Hope you remebering INS Andaman. We lost the ship at Bay of Bangal. it is not only officers but majority was sailor who did supreme sacrfice. When a ship sails out to enemy waters wheteher it is in Pakistan waters/Sri Lankan waters for IPKF operation or for Ops Pawan or Somalia/sudan peace keeping operations all ranks have to face the same threat. So the military service pay should have been equal to all ranks

e)    Increasing of Pension to 70% of the basic pay from 50% 

Restoring the status of Pre 1973. Over the period of time Militery has been down graded and pension was down to 50%  from 70% of the last pay drawn.

Sir, I dont think any of the above geniune points of JCOs and ORs are in Service Chief's recommendation. We only can address it through one to one emails to Hon Raksha Manthriji and MOD or painfully through Judicial remedy. It is very happy to say that, after Ms Damayanti IAS was took over as JSEW, there is a  facelift in addressing vetern issues. Although she transferred out , hope our Rakshmantriji will soon appoint some senior officers who will have a holistic approach to Military veterns.

Thanking you

Jose Mathew

Ex CHELP

DISCRIMINATION IN MSP FOR LOWER RANKS

1 The H’ble Prime Minister(PMOPG/E/2016/0394985)

2) The H’ble Defense Minister

Respected Sirs,

We on behalf of veterans from all over India wish to thank you for implementing OROP even though partially for the time being and hope that the anomalies will be taken care off soon. At the same time we wish to bring to your kind attention regarding the serious grievances of not only veterans but also serving soldiers whom we met recently while they were on leave.

The soldiers informed us that through social media they came to know; there is a proposal to increase of Military Service Pay to JCOs equal to MNS and ORs will be paid half of the amount only. Their curiosity in sharing the news & disappointment were beyond any expression. They have openly expressed their discontentment towards the attitude of their higher bosses in denying justice to PBOR on two main issues. Hard living area allowance and Military Service Pay DISPARITY which they expressed as INJUSTICE when all are serving for the same country & belongs to the same country. The above two major issues beyond any doubts have psychologically affected the morale of JCOs and ORs.  Denial to all was better than reduction of morale of a large section. It was a British Raj policy to grant few additional coins to bosses to suppress the large section in an establishment. In the course of their selfish motive, our top bosses have forgotten the pledge they have taken “I will look after the interest of all those are placed below me above my own interest”

Sirs, you have been to their places and seen the conditions of soldiers mainly ORs who are more exposed to risk due to adverse climatic conditions, insurgency, terrorist operations &  enemy fire.  A soldier is doing duty in the open whether it is plus 50 degree or minus 50 degree climate while his boss is controlling from shelter. Our soldiers have proved their efficiency and valor all the times in repulsing the enemy attack on our boarders & engaging the Pak terrorists which your good self also has openly appreciated many times through Media and in public meetings.

But with above mentioned apathy towards the lower Ranks which constitute the large section of the Armed forces, we along with them feel as a great Injustice done not only to the serving soldiers but also to those who have undergone these situations while in service.

 Respected sirs, we wish to openly request to kindly look into this serious matter because the serving soldier cannot raise their voice since they are trained to be disciplined. But do not forget the fact that they also have families to be looked after like their bosses and one can dedicate with full concentration only when he feels that his family is safe in the hands of nation if life is to be sacrificed for defending the nation. The above two major issues have psychologically affected the morale of JCOs and Ors of the Armed forces.

Hence I request your honor that Military Service Pay and Hard Living area allowance may be paid equal to all the personnel irrespective of Ranks due to the very principle that bullet fired by enemy & adverse climate do not differentiate between men and officers. All are affected equally and not according to the pay they receive.

We do hope that your good office will interfere in this matter and give  Justice to all soldiers including officers, JCO’S & OR’S.

Thanking you.

Yours Faithfully,

MBC MENON

THE CHAIRMAN

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF EX-SERVICEMEN

 

nfoesm@gmail.com

Chinese Ex-servicemenProtests outside Chinese defence ministry at army cuts

 

More than 1,000 protesters have walked and chanted in front of China’s defence ministry, in the latest apparent demonstration by soldiers as the world’s largest standing military modernises and downsizes.
The protesters stood for several hours in front of the Bayi building in central Beijing, home of the Chinese ministry of national defence. Many wore green fatigues bearing the hammer-and-sickle logo of China’s ruling Communist party.
The purpose of their demonstration was unclear. Protesters approached by the Associated Press declined to be interviewed and censors blocked searches on social media about retired soldiers or the defence ministry.
Hundreds of police and plainclothes security officers surrounded the protesters, hemming them in with buses and police vehicles.
While Chinese authorities routinely suppress discussions about the military and soldiers’ issues, one human rights activist, Huang Qi, said veterans had staged more than 50 protests this year. However, demonstrations on such a large scale are rare in the centre of the heavily policed capital.
Two demonstrators said they were veterans who wanted the government to address military pensions, but they did not want to discuss the issue with foreign media. The protesters declined to give their names.
Liu Feiyue, the editor of the Minsheng Guancha website, which monitors civil rights issues, said he had been told by retired soldiers that other ex-soldiers were present.
“They protested because they don’t have a job now after serving a long period of time in the army, some for a dozen years,” Liu said. “They are asking for employment.”
China’s armed forces are undergoing a large-scale modernisation to become a nimble organisation that can better handle conflicts at sea and in the air.
Those measures have gained pace as China builds up its presence in the South China and East China Seas amid territorial disputes, and as relations have soured with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory to be unified with by force if necessary.
Xi Jinping, China’s president, announced last year that the 2.3 million-member People’s Liberation Army would cut 300,000 personnel, but little has been said about the cost or where the surplus troops would go.
Veterans have staged sit-ins and protests for several years over low or absent pensions and an inability to find work outside the military.
It was not clear if anyone was arrested at the protest.