Home . Recommendations for Rly Ministry
►Discussion
of the Staff Side(NC/JCM) with the Empowered Committee of Secretaries on 17.5.2008
►
Standing Committee Meeting of
NC/JCM – Discussion on the issues arising out of VI CPC report
►
Joint Memerandum submitted by the Federations
►Recommendation of the VI CPC for
compassionate ground appointment and
replacement of the scale of Pharmacists of the
Indian Railways
►Notice
for the Standing Committee Meeting of AIRF
►
Constitution of a Committee to review the
report of the
Sixth Central Pay
Commission for AIRF
►Com
Umraomal Purohit wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for the
modification required to be made to the report of the 6th CPC
►Minutes of the Standing Committee
Meeting of AIRF held on 16.4.2008 in AIRF office
►Highlights
of the recommendations of VIth CPC →
http://india.gov.in/govt/paycommission.php#
►JCM/NC
discussed with the VI CPC from 16th -18th April, 2007
►
Observed
All India Protest Day on 11th April'2007
►Oral
evidnce before VIth CPC held in Kolkata on February
6th- 7th,2007
►
Discussion on the Memorandum
on 16th January in Mumbai
► Notification on VIth CPC
► MEMORANDUM ON
THE ISSUE OF INTERIM RELIEF
►
Reply to the questionnaires sent to the VIth CPC
►
Memorandum Submitted by JCM
► Pay Scales proposed by AIRF to VIth CPC
►
Memorandum submitted by AIRF to VIth CPC
Copy of the Memoranda submitted by the AIRF and NC/JCM on the Proposed Pay Scales & Designations of Railway Employees, Proposed Pay Scales for the Central Government Employees and Retirement and other Pensionary Benefits can be obtained from the office of All India Railwaymen's Federation, 4 State Entry Road, New Delhi by making a payment of Rs.100/-.
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Discussion of the Staff Side(NC/JCM) with the Empowered Committee of Secretaries on the recommendations of VI CPC held on 17.5.2008
In continuation of the meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council(JCM) held on 7.5.2008, a meeting was held today i.e. on 17.5.2008 between the Staff Side(NC/JCM) and the Empowered Committee of Secretaries on the recommendations of VI CPC.
The discussion was centered around on the issues raised by the Secretary(Staff Side) NC/JCM in the memorandum dated 8.4.2008 submitted to the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India(minimum wage, exclusion of 12% i.e. effect of Dearness Pay, calculation of need-based minimum wage, fitment formula, rate of increment, transport allowance, fixation of pay on promotion, allowances and benefits withdrawn such as Hospital Patient Care Allowance/Patient Care Allowance, Special Duty Allowance of N.E. region, daily allowance on tour, promotion-ACP Scheme, inappropriate rationalization, pension, appointment of fast track committee, anomalies committee, Grameen Dak Sewaks). The Staff Side also raised the pay scales of Technicians, Technical Supervisors, Pharmacists, etc. etc. The discussion also covered various shortcomings in the New Pension Scheme, promotion and increment.
Speaking on the Railways, it was impressed upon by the Cabinet Secretary that the Railways run round the clock in all whethers as also in difficult and isolated areas away from the towns and cities. Recently, numbers of railway employees were killed in the N.E. region. The railwaymen are exposed to terrorist attacks because they maintain the lifeline of the Nation.
It was also brought to the notice of the Committee by the AIRF that while VI CPC conceded that the Railwaymen deserve higher scales of pay, keeping in view their peculiar work and performance, the Pay Commission thought that it would not be possible to give better scales of pay to the Railwaymen because they are also Civil Servants.
It was also pointed out that the Pay Commission has done a good job in recommending the Military Service Pay and keeping in view the strategic service conditions of the Railwaymen, they deserve Railway Service Pay.
Secretary, Staff Side Com. Umraomal Purohit, led the delegation and Coms. Rakhal Das Gupta and Ch. Shankara Rao also participated in the discussion besides Com. J.P. Chaubey.
Finally, it was pointed out by the Staff Side that in the past whenever meetings were held with the Cabinet Secretary some decisions were taken and therefore, Central Government employees expect governments decision in this meeting also. The Cabinet Secretary responded that he has taken notice of all the issues raised by the Staff Side and there would be internal discussion with the Railway Ministry and other ministries. Thereafter, there would be discussion in a joint meeting of the Staff Side and Official Side.
The discussion was meaningful, even though no conclusion could be arrived on our demands. We expect several rounds of discussion at various levels and it would take time before the Government takes decision on our demands/suggestions.
Standing Committee Meeting of NC/JCM – Discussion on the issues arising out of VI CPC report
Meeting of the Standing Committee of National Council(JCM) was held today, i.e. on 7th May, 2008 in North Block, New Delhi under the chairmanship of Secretary(P) to discuss the issues arising out of the report of the VI CPC, when the Secretary(Expenditure) and officials from other ministries and departments were present, including Railway Ministry.
AIRF was represented by its President, Com. Umraomal Purohit, General Secretary, Com. J.P. Chaubey and Asstt. General Secretaries, Coms. Rakhal Das Gupta and Ch. Sankara Rao. Others who were present in the meeting were Coms. S.K. Vyas, K.K.N. Kutty, Sri Kumar, M. Raghaviah, Guman Singh, R.P. Bhatnagar, K.S. Murthy and others.
After welcome address of the Chairman, Com. Purohit, while explaining the Staff Side’s point of view, pointed out that 12% D.A. had not been taken into account. He explained that such a thing had never been heard of before. What one was getting before the implementation of the VI CPC, has to be taken into account and therefore. 12% should be reflected in all scales. Then the next issue, calculation of need based minimum wage, was discussed and mistakes in its calculation were explained.
Mr. Purohit also pointed out that no proper multiplying factor had been used, which had distorted the pay bands. Regarding the bottom scale of Rs.2750-4400, it was explained that it ought to have been Rs.3050-4590 in view of the qualification in the decision of the V CPC.
He further stated that minimum wage should be fixed, taking Rs.3050-4590, as minimum pay in V CPC terms and then it should be computed taking into account D.A. factor of 12%(less calculated) by the VI CPC, ignoring the impact of 50% D.P. and also taking into account need based minimum wage as calculated by the NC/JCM.
The discussion centered on fitment formula, rate of increment, transport allowance, fixation of pay on promotion, allowances and benefits withdrawn, special duty allowance of N.E. region, daily allowance on tour, promotion-ACP Scheme, inappropriate rationalization, pension fast track committee, anomalies, Grameen Dak Sewaks.
The Staff Side suggested that a Fast Track Committee should be constituted to decide certain urgent issues like those of Master Craftsman and Pharmacist as also Anomalies Committee for large number of vacancies.
The discussion lasted for five hours.
It was clarified by the Chairman that all group D employees would be promoted to group C and there would be financial upgradation in their status but they will have to do the same work. They will be promoted w.e.f. 1.1.206 and arrears will be paid to them from 1.1.2006.
AIRF, in its memorandum, had stated that since multi-skilling has been introduced in the Railways, all group D employees are doing all sorts of jobs. Therefore, their pay scales should be upgraded. It also stressed that these employees should be placed in the equivalent scale of pay of Rs.3050-4590.
Secretary(P) stated that the Cabinet Secretary was very keen to resolve all the issues and added that the concerns of the Staff Side would be placed before the Committee of Secretaries headed by the Cabinet Secretary and then there might be interaction with the Staff Side formally or informally, as need arises to sort out the matters, before June 2008.
Before concluding, Com. Purohit raised the issue of Senior Supervisors in the Railways and urged that those who are in the scale of Rs.7450-11500 should be placed in Group B post, to which Finance Secretary readily agreed and asked the representatives from the Railway Board (Mr. A.K. Nigam, Adviser IR) that the Railway may do that she has no objection.
Minutes of the Standing Committee Meeting of AIRF held on 16.4.2008 in AIRF office
The Standing Committee of AIRF met on 16th April, 2008 in AIRF office from 11:30 hrs. and the following were present in the meeting:-
(i) Shri Umraomal Purohit, President, AIRF (ii) Shri K.L. Gupta, Working President, AIRF
(iii) Shri J.P. Chaubey, General Secretary, AIRF (iv) Shri Rakhal Das Gupta, Asstt. General Secretary, AIRF
(v) Shri S.G. Mishra, Asstt. General Secretary, AIRF (vi) Shri N. Kanniah, Asstt. General Secretary, AIRF
(vii) Shri Ch. Shankara Rao, Asstt. General Secretary, AIRF (viii) Shri Salil Lawrence, Asstt. General Secretary, AIRF
(ix) Shri V. Uthirapathi, Asstt. General Secretary, AIRF (x) Shri A.M. D’cruz, Asstt. General Secretary, AIRF
(xi) Shri C.A. Rajasridhar, Vice President, AIRF (xii) Shri M.N. Bajpayee, Vice President, AIRF
(xiii) Shri V.P.R. Pillai, Vice President, AIRF (xiv) Shri U.C. Tyagi, Vice President, AIRF
(xv) Shri J.R. Bhosale, Treasurer, AIRF (xvi) Shri S.N.C. Ramakrishnamacharyulu, Zonal Secretary, AIRF/SCRMU
(xvii) Shri L.N. Pathak, WCM/AIRF/NRMU(NR) (xviii) Shri S.K. Bose, WCM/AIRF/NRMU(CR)
Com. Umraomal Purohit, President, AIRF, was in the chair. The President welcomed the members of the Standing Committee of AIRF and explained that immediately after the report of the VI CPC was submitted and uploaded on the website of the Finance Ministry/VI CPC, General Secretary, AIRF met the Railway Minister and explained him that dissatisfaction was prevailing among the railway employees on the VI CPC report. Lower paid employees are greatly aggrieved, the General Secretary told to him. Railway Minister also responded and said that he was equally concerned with the report and he would raise the matter in the Cabinet meeting.
The President further stated that the report of the VI CPC is neither rejectable nor acceptable but the pay scales need corrections/modifications. He stated that the General Secretary, AIRF met the Railway Minister and the President and General Secretary, AIRF also attended full Board meeting on 3.4.2008, along with the representatives of other federations, when a Committee consisting of one representative from each of the five federations was formed under the chairmanship of Adviser(Staff), Railway Board. General Secretary, AIRF was also in the Committee.
He further stated that a joint representation of four federations, viz. AIRF, NFIR, AIRPFA, IRPOF, was submitted to the Adviser(Staff), Railway Board on 10.4.2008.
He also stated that he had continuous interaction with the Pay Commission and the Pay Commission has issued clarification in respect of Group `D’ employees. It has been clarified that those Group `D’ employees who are not possessing prescribed qualifications will be retrained for a period of six months. Thereafter, they would also be upgraded with full seniority w.e.f. 01.01.2006 with arrear.
As far as PLB and Running Allowance are concerned, these are left with the Administrative Ministry, according to the aforesaid clarification. He further stated that the recommendations of the VI CPC on these issues were only observations and not the recommendations. A 12-members Empowered Committee of Secretaries, headed by the Cabinet Secretary, has been constituted for processing the report of the VI CPC.
He also stated that the Staff Side, National Council(JCM) also submitted its memorandum to the Cabinet Secretary, who is also Chairman of the National Council(JCM), on 8.4.2008 and circulated to all Constituent of the NC/JCM(Staff Side) and further by AIRF to its affiliates on 9.4.2008.
The General Secretary, AIRF, while speaking, informed the meeting that “All India Protest Week - 7th to 12th April, 2008” was observed by all the affiliated unions of AIRF with massive participation of workers in compliance with the call of AIRF’s 83rd Annual Convention, held in Secunderabad from 21-23 February, 2008.
He further stated that immediately after submission of the report of the VI CPC, which was put on the website of the Finance Ministry/VI CPC on 24.3.2008; it was circulated to the affiliated unions by the AIRF office.
He also stated that he met the M.R. and apprised him of the prevailing resentment and dissatisfaction among the railway employees all over the country and they are demanding improvement in the recommendations of the VI CPC. The M.R. also agreed that the report was heavily loaded in favour of high-ups and unsatisfactory for the lower grade employees. He assured him that he would take up the matter in the meeting of the Union Cabinet.
The General Secretary also informed the meeting that the Union Cabinet met on 11th April, 2008, when Hon’ble Railway Minister led other ministers in opposing the recommendations of the VI CPC. He was supported by the Defence Minister and Home Minister. The Prime Minister is reported to have said that the report of the VI CPC was not the last word. The Union Cabinet gave approval for setting up of Empowered Committee of Secretaries, headed by Cabinet Secretary, for processing of the report of the VI CPC.
According to information, the Empower Committee will mainly function as a Screening Committee for recommendations and the final recommendations of the Empowered Committee would be submitted for approval of the Cabinet, the General Secretary said.
The General Secretary, informed the meeting that after the meeting of the Union Cabinet, on 3.4.2008 Chairman, Railway Board, invited all the five federations to discuss the recommendations of the VI CPC and also to submit a joint memorandum of all the five federations on the adverse recommendations of the VI CPC, against which railway employees are agitating.
The General Secretary informed that after the meeting of the full Board and all the five federations, a joint memorandum was submitted by the four federations, viz. AIRF, NFIR, AIRPFA, IRPOF, to the Adviser(Staff), Railway Board on 10.4.2008, copy of which was circulated to the affiliated unions. Now this would come up for discussion in the full Board meeting.
He stated that the since the President, AIRF has already briefed you on all other aspects of the VI CPC, there is no need to repeat these issues. The General Secretary stated that he expects that after the government takes a view, there would be discussion in the Standing Committee Meeting of National Council(JCM), when response of the government would be known and the Staff Side, National Council(JCM) would be able to decide its attitude towards government’s decision on the Departmental and National memoranda. Thereafter, he would also convene meeting of the Standing Committee to review the situation, if required.
The General Secretary stated that the Standing Committee of Staff Side, National Council(JCM) will meet on 25.4.2008. By this time, it is expected that the response of the government on our memorandum would be available.
In regard to outsourcing/privatization/contractorisation, surrender of posts etc. there is no change in the position and these activities are being persuaded by the Railway Ministry, the General Secretary stated. He however, informed the meeting that the conferences of the representatives of the staff of the Printing Presses, S&T Workshops, IT Centres of the Indian Railways held in New Delhi from 10-12 March, 2008 were highly successful with sizeable representation in these conferences. He also stated that the representatives of each of these groups had also discussion with the Railway Board.
Subsequently, there was a meeting with the Railway Board(Member Mechanical) on 8.4.2008 on the issue of closure of printing presses on the basis of Work Study Report of 2006(AIRF’s PNM item No.40/2006) when the Member Mechanical assured that decision to close down the printing presses would be revoked after the approval of full Board and there would be further discussion with the federation on the future set up of the printing presses. The General Secretary added that the response from the Railway Board on the S&T Workshop, Mettuguda, Secunderabad and formation of IT cadre were favourable and there would be a meeting between the Federations and the Railway Board(Financial Commissioner) on 22.4.2008.
He also stated that new Member Electrical, Railway Board, had assured him that the S&T Workshop, Mettuguda, Secunderabad, would not be closed.
The General Secretary expected that the affiliated unions would continue to take action to mobilize the workers so that pressure is built up for a favourable response on the government on the issues which we have been placed for discussion with the Government by the National Council(JCM) and AIRF.
Thereafter, certain issues were discussed in some detail in which members of the Standing Committee participated.
Finally, it was decided that the Committee, which has already been constituted by the AIRF, would meet to go into the issues which needed consideration of the government and were not covered in the memoranda submitted by the AIRF and the Staff Side, National Council(JCM).
Difference of PLB for the year 2006-07
The General Secretary stated that a Committee consisting of the Railway Minister, Labour Minister and Finance Minister has been constituted with the Railway Minister as the Convener of the Committee to decide on our demand for the payment of difference of PLB for the year 2006-07 and he has already impressed upon the Railway Minister for an early decision.
Recognition of the federations
On the issue of recognition of the federations, the General Secretary stated that AIRF has already written to the Railway Board that AIRF has secured recognition on 15 railway zones out of 16 railway zones while NFIR could secure recognition only in 9 railway zones out of 16 railway zones. This should be kept in view while deciding the issue of recognition of the federations. He further stated that he has already informed the Railway Minister that the Railway Board have been evading and avoiding their decision on the subject. AIRF has also written to the Railway Board that it would not attend any meeting with the Railway Board unless and until decision on the recognition of the federations was taken by the Railway Board.
AIRF’s 84th Annual Conference
The General Secretary requested the affiliated unions of the new railway zones to host the 84th Annual Conference of AIRF, but none of them agreed for the same. Finally, it was decided that the union in turn will host the next Annual Conference of AIRF and after scrutiny of records, it was found that Northern Railwaymen’s Union was in turn for hosting AIRF’s 84th Annual Conference and the union was asked to make preparation for the Conference.
The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
The modification required to be made to the report of the 6th CPC
Umraomal Purohit, Secretary, National Council (JCM)
Staff side wrote to the Chairman, National Council (JCM) & Cabinet Secretary,
Government
of India with a copy to
Secretary, DOP&T and Secretary
(Expenditure ) on 8th April, 2008 for the modification
required to be made to the report
of the 6th CPC
1. A.The minimum wage
The computation of minimum wage of the 6th CPC is not acceptable for the following reasons in brief..
i.
Prices applied for various
commodities (included in the basket) is the wholesale price as increased by 20%
which is not the
norms prescribed by the 15 ILC;
ii.
The exclusion of 25% for
meeting expenditure connected with social obligation like marriage, education of
children, recreational
needs etc. is on the untenable grounds.
iii.
The exclusion of 10% for the
housing requirement (on the ground that HRA is given separately) is not correct
as HRA is not a
full reimbursement of the expenses incurred by the employee.
If these corrections are carried out the need based minimum wage will be what is computed by the staff side.
B. Even
as per the formulation adopted by the 5th CPC the minimum wage works
out to Rs.7400 i.e. by application of the percentage increase
of the net national product which comes to 56.2%
C. The Commission, without assigning any
reason has rejected the demand of the staff side for parity in the minimum wage
with what is
obtaining in certain specified public sector undertakings.
D. For
the above reasons, the minimum wage need to be worked out afresh and the same
reflected in all the pay bands appropriately by
applying the resultant multiplification factor as was done by the 5th
CPC.
2. Fitment formula
Rejection of point to point fixation, (which is
normally adopted by the PSUs in their wage revisions as fitment formula) is for
no sound reasons.
There is no 40% hike as propagated by the Commission.. By withdrawing the
benefit of merger of DA the actual rise is between 15 to 28% .
Our demand in this connection is as under:-
(a) The merged portion of the DA should be taken into account to arrive at the revised basic pay and Grade Pay in each case.
(b)
Since quite a number of pay scales
have been merged together (especially in Gr.B & C cadres)the senior employees
who were in
higher scales of pay and who have put in large number of years of service
progressively get reduced benefits.
(c)
Taking these two factors into
account we suggest that the fitment formula as suggested by the Commission may
be amended to incorporate
the following:
“ subject to the condition that the pay and grade pay so fixed is not less than 2.625 times of the pre revised basic pay.”
` The
multiplication factor of 2.625 is the same as is applied in the case of the
entry grade pay band and grade pay in the case of
Gr.A officers. This clause will make good the loss of benefit one might suffer
due to the exclusion of the DP from the computation
process of fitment formula.
3. Rate of increment.
(a) The rate of increment suggested by the CPC is to be raised to 3.5% for the following reasons:
(i) The 2.5% is below the existing rate of increment in many grades.
(ii)
Due to the compounding factor, over
a period of ten years, this might rise to 4.5% still less than the prevailing
rate
of increment in the PSUs which is 5% and above.
(b)
The condition prescribed i.e. to
have a minimum six months for applying the uniform date of increment must be
done away with,
as it is only to be applied in the initial year.
4. Transport allowance.
The recommendation of the Commission is to
subsume the CCA in the Transport allowance and raise the existing Transport
allowance by 4 times. This has reduced the proportionate benefit to certain
grades and categories of employees.
We make the following suggestions:
(a) Since the CCA has been subsumed in this allowance, no condition should be imposed for the grant of this allowance.
(b) Taking into account that some of the
employees might get reduced benefit from the across the board rise at the rate
of 4 times,
the following rates may be applied.
|
Employees drawing grade pay |
A-1/A class cities |
Others. |
|
Rs.5400 and above. |
Rs. 3200 + DA |
Rs. 2400 + DA |
|
Rs. 4200 – 4800 |
Rs. 2400 + DA |
Rs. 1800 + DA |
|
Rs. Below Rs. 4200 |
Rs. 1600 + DA |
Rs. 1200 + DA |
(i)
5. Fixation of pay on Promotion
In the present scheme of things, wherein many
grades have been merged under one single Pay band, promotion will not bring
about any
significant rise in emoluments. The benefit will be very insignificant in the
case of promotion from one grade to another where the grade pay
is one and the same. In that case the one increment benefit will be less than
even what is obtaining today. We suggest to incorporate the following
clause to take care of this situation.
“the pay plus grade pay so fixed on promotion
shall not be less than 10% of pay plus grade pay the individual was drawing in
the
feeder cadre.”
6. Allowances and benefits withdrawn.
Certain allowances and benefits have been
withdrawn to be replaced with a new scheme. The New scheme will have to be
formulated
on the basis of discussion/agreement in the National/Departmental Council as the
case may. Till such agreement is reached, the old scheme
of allowances and benefits will continue to be operated relating to the revised
basic pay and grade pay.
7. Special duty allowance of North Eastern Region.
We hope that the SDA will now become available
for all employees working in the North Eastern Region. However, we feel that
it is likely that
the phraseology employed in detailing the scheme is capable of
misinterpretation giving room for further discrimination amongst the employees
posted in N.E. Region. This may therefore, be appropriately clarified to
mean that the employees and officers working in North Eastern
Region is entitled to draw this allowance .
8. Daily allowance on tour:
The rates of daily allowance which
include the following elements, viz. food, conveyance and accommodation
suggested by the Commission
to the officers other than Gr. A is extremely meager and would not go to meet
the expenditure involved. We suggest the following amendment .
The rates prescribed for grade pay of Rs. 4200 to 4800 and below Rs. 4200 may be replaced with the following.
|
Rs. 4200 to 4800 |
Reimbursement of hotel accommodation of upto
Rs. 1000 per day . reimbursement of travel charges |
|
Below Rs. 4200 |
Reimbursement of hotel accommodation of upto
Rs. 700 per day . reimbursement of travel charges upto |
9. Promotion. ACP Scheme.
The scheme should be improved to provide three promotion at the intervals of ten, twenty and twenty five years of service.
10. Inappropriate rationalization.
There is a great deal of resentment over the
rationalization of the scales of pay of S9 to S.12. The grievances in this
regard must be addressed
by appropriate decisions.
11. Pension.
The Staff Side appreciates the acceptance of some of its suggestions for improving the pension of the old pensioners by the Commission. However, we feel the following amendment is needed in the case of pensioners.
(a) The minimum pension must be the minimum of the PB.1 with grade pay..
(b) The 5th CPC suggestion to refix the pension on the basis of the notional pay as on 1.1.1996 is to be implemented. The pension entitlement has to be worked out on that basis. The new commutation table to be applied only prospectively.
(c) The restoration of commuted value of pension should be on completion of 12 years
12. Fast track Committee
There are cases like the Master Craftsmen, where
the existing pay scales have been reduced to a lower scale. To consider these
types of
cases, a fast track committee may be set up.
13. Anomalies.
There are certain anomalies arising from the
disturbance of vertical and horizontal relativities etc. For quick and time
bound disposal of these
anomalies a Joint Committee of the National Council JCM with the participation
of the Secretaries of all concerned Ministries should be constituted.
14. Grameen Dak Sewaks.
Grameen Dak Sewaks are employed by the Postal Department. They constitute the largest segment of the workforce of the Postal organization. We suggest that the pay, allowance, pension and other benefits in their case should be proportionately what is suggested to the regular civilian employees. Since the Group D Cadres have been abolished, they may be promoted/absorbed/regularized in Group C cadres in the same manner provided for matriculate/non matriculate regular Group D employees.
Sub: Notice for the Standing Committee Meeting of AIRF
Notice is hereby issued that the Standing Committee of AIRF, consisting of AIRF’s Office Bearer and General Secretaries of AIRF’s affiliated unions, will meet on 16th April, 2008 from 11:00 hrs. in the office of All India Railwaymen’s Federation, 4 State Entry Road, New Delhi, to discuss various issues and progress on the demands and also to finalize our approach to the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission.
Constitution of a Committee to review the report of the Sixth Central Pay Commission for AIRF
A Committee, consisting of S/Shri Rakhal Das Gupta, S.G. Mishra, C.A. Rajasridhar, J.R. Bhosale and L.N. Pathak, is constituted to study the recommendations of the VI CPC and submit their report to formulate the stand of AIRF and subsequent submission to the Government after discussion of AIRF’s President and General.
The Committee can meet after hearing the view of the members of the Standing Committee of AIRF in the meeting of Standing Committee of AIRF scheduled to be held on 16th April, 2008 in the office of AIRF.
The Committee may also co-opt other members who are considered to be useful in the matter.
Sub: Discussion with the VI CPC on Interim Relief on 16th April,2007
Standing Committee of Staff Side NC/JCM met the VI CPC on 16-18 April, 2007 for oral evidence.
On 16.4.2007, discussion with VI CPC started from 12:00 hrs and lasted at 14:30 hrs. The demand for the recommendation on Interim Relief from 1.1.2006 was a subject matter of discussion. The Pay Commission was not inclined to make recommendation for Interim Relief and stated that there was no justification for the payment of any Interim Relief to Central Government employees and the Pay Commission stated that they want to give a single package report as soon as possible by the end of this year or by January 2008.
The Staff Side stated that they are not actually asking for Interim Relief and since successive Pay Commission has used this word to bridge the gap between prevailing wages and proposed wage hike, therefore, the Staff Side was prepared to modify this demand and suggested that ad hoc increase should be made in the wages so that it should be possible for the government to organize payment of entire amount in two installments; one during this year and the next in the next financial year, i.e. after submission of final report.
The Staff Side also pointed out that the Pay Commission should keep this point in view while making their recommendations. The Pay Commission during discussion in bringing their point home and said that there was no need to make two recommendations i.e. one for ad hoc increase and the other for final payment.
Attention of the Pay Commission was also drawn to the fact that the employees who are retiring and will retire before the submission of the report of the VI CPC will suffer loss in their pension/family pension emoluments. The Staff Side stated that those who have already retired or retiring should be given pensionery benefits w.e.f. 1.1.2006.
It was expected by the employees all over the country that the VI
CPC should submit its
recommendation during this year, as there are also expecting payment of I.R. at
the earliest. Finally, the Pay Commission appreciated Staff Side point of view
and agreed to give it consideration. Final decision however, rests with the Pay
Commission, which we cannot anticipate it.
The issue, Minimum Wage also came up for discussion and discussion
remained inconclusive.
Please do not believe on any rumour, if somebody says that the Pay
Commission has agreed for the payment of ad hoc wage increase or Interim Relief.
There are people who always misguide the public, reason known to them.
Reg: Discussion of the Staff Side with the VI CPC held on 2nd day, i.e. on 17.4.2007
You are already in receipt of JCM(Staff Side) memorandum submitted to the VI
CPC.
“Background”, explained in Chapter
I of the memorandum, was briefly discussed.
There was prolonged discussion on “Employment under the Central Government” (Chapter II of the memorandum), especially with reference to downsizing of the Central Government employees and not filling up of vacancies. The Pay Commission took note of these.
Chapter III, “State of the Economy and Financial Resources of the Government”, was fully discussed and it was explained to the Pay Commission that the economy of our country, according to the Finance Minister and his statement made in the Parliament, is sound.
It was also highlighted that the Prime Minister, while announcing his intention to appoint the VI CPC in a press conference, had stated that the recommendation of the V CPC should not any repercussion on the national and international market and there was enough money to meet the demands of the Central Government employees. The Pay Commission appreciated our arguments.
“Principle of Determination of Pay”, contained in Chapter IV of the memorandum, was discussed and a minimum pay of Rs.10,000 was fully justified by various quotations and statistics.
The norms laid down by the 15 ILC were also discussed.
Questions asked by the Pay Commission were also replied.
According to us, our explanation was appreciated by the Pay Commission.
“Proposed Pay Structure”, contained in Chapter V of the memorandum, was discussed and the Staff Side stated that they want open ended pay scales with 5% annual increment.
The members of the Pay Commission stated that maximum salary of the Civil Servants cannot exceed rupees one lakh p.m., which is drawn by the President of India. Our demand for tax-free pay was not accepted by the VI CPC.
Chapter VI
Dearness Allowance – The Pay Commission stated that the Central Government employees are already getting 100% neutralization, therefore, there was no room for further improvement.
Other Allowances, such as HRA, City Compensatory Allowance, Special Compensatory Allowance, Project Allowance, Training Allowance, Risk Allowance, Night Duty Allowance, Travelling Allowance, Transport Allowance, Leave Travel Concession, Special Pay, Deputation(Duty Allowance), Scheme for Educational Assistance, Conveyance Allowance, Overtime Allowance, Income Tax on Salaries and Pension, etc. etc. were discussed. The Pay Commission gave us patience hearing on these issues.
Demand of women employees, contained in Chapter VII of the memorandum, were also discussed and the Pay Commission fully appreciated our arguments.
There was prolonged discussion on “Special Duty Allowance for N.E. Region”, contained in Chapter VIII of the memorandum and the Pay Commission assured us to give their full consideration.
Demand for the improvement in Housing Facilities, Medical Facilities, Fixation of Pay with two increments on Promotion instead of existing one, Fixation of Pay in the Revised Scales(Chapter IX of the memorandum), point to point fixation in new pay scale was reiterated and the recommendation of the V CPC was fully explained to the Pay Commission and the Pay Commission appreciated our argument.
Classification of the Posts was discussed while the Pay Commission appreciated that existing classification of posts A, B, C & D should continue. There should not be further bifurcation of group `B’ posts, i.e. group `B’ gazetted and non-gazetted. The Pay Commission took note of this.
Reg: Staff Side evidence before the VI CPC, held on 18.4.2007, in the matter of pension and other retirement benefits
At the outset,
the matter of New Contributory Pension Scheme was raised by Com. Umraomal Purohit, Secretary (Staff
Side), National Council (JCM).
The Chairman,
Sixth Central Pay Commission said that since the matter of Contributory Pension Scheme does not come within
the Terms of Reference of the Sixth Pay Commission, discussion in the matter would not serve any purpose.
Then the matters
of Pension Scheme, DCRG, etc. etc. were discussed.
1. The Staff Side
demanded that Special Pay and Deputation Pay should be treated as Pay for the purpose.
2. After lots of
deliberations, the Pay Commission inclined to pay 50% Pay as Pension in the case of retirement after
serving
for 15 years. The Staff Side stated that the pay should be determined on the
basis of 10 months’ average or
last
pay, whichever is higher.
The Chairman
said that 10 months’ average pay, as existed today, should continue. The
situation arise due to retirement
within 9
months of the report would be covered in the report and there would be no
anomaly.
3. The Staff Side
demanded that the Pay Commission should consider grant of 60% as Pension for the service rendered
beyond 30
years.
4. The Staff Side
also submitted that the existing limit of 50% Family Pension should be increased
up to 10 years in the
case of
death during harness.
5. In respect of
DCRG, the Staff Side urged the Pay Commission that the provision of Gratuity Act should be made
applicable for Central Government employees, but the Pay Commission declined on
it since this was a matter of
provisions of Gratuity Act and Pay Commission could not interfere in the
provision of the existing Act.
6. The Staff Side
demanded that 20 months’ Pay as Gratuity should be paid, as generally, with the increase in the
superannuation age, people retire after serving over 40 years.
7. The Staff Side
urged the Pay Commission that the existing ceiling of DCRG should be removed.
8. The Staff Side
said that presently, after 15 years full commutation value is restored, as such
at least after 20 years of
retirement, 10% additional pension should be granted.
9. The Staff Side
urged that Casual Labour required temporary status and subsequently absorbed
their full service period
after acquiring
temporary status should be taken into account for the purpose of Pensionery benefits.
All India Protest Day -
11.4.2007
No action appears to have been taken by the Railway Board on
the D.O. letter No.AIRF/ MPP(112) dated 14.3.2007 of the General Secretary, AIRF,
which was addressed to the Member Staff, Railway Board and a copy of the same
was given to the Chairman, Railway Board. Despite that, surrender of posts is
continuing in the Railways. Therefore, there is a need of massive mobilisation
to oppose surrender of posts on all over the Indian Railways.
The question of Interim Relief is also hanging fire and VI CPC has given no consideration so far to the memorandum submitted by the JCM on 9.11.2007 and AIRF on 16.11.2007 for the payment of Interim Relief and also despite discussion with the Pay Commission on 16.1.2007 in Mumbai by the AIRF leadership.
In consultation with the Office Bearers and General Secretaries of the affiliated unions, it has been decided that 11th April, 2007 should be observed as “All India Protest Day”, demanding stoppage of surrender of posts and sanction of Interim Relief to Railwaymen and other Central Government employees.
AIRF is confident that all the affiliates will take these issues very seriously and send separate telegram/fax/email to the Chairman, Railway Board for stopping surrendering of posts in the Railways and the Member Secretary, VI CPC for sanction of Interim Relief to Railwaymen and other Central Government employees on the following email/fax:-
1. The Chairman, Railway Board
- Email –
crb@rb.railnet.gov.in, Fax - 23381453
2. The Member Secretary, VI CPC, New Delhi - Email -
sixth.cpc@nic.in, Fax - 26890681
Report on the oral evidence of AIRF before the VI CPC, held on 6-7.2.2007 in Kolkata(SER)
Oral evidence of AIRF before the VI CPC started in Kolkata on 6th February, 2007 and concluded on 7th February, 2007. The internal meeting of AIRF was held on 5th and 6th February in J.M. Biswas Bhawan, Garden Reach, Kolkata(S.E. Railway).
In all the 5 groups, viz. (i) Loco and Traffic Running staff, (ii) Technicians of various departments, (iii) Technical Supervisors etc., (iv) Signal, Telecommunication, Electrical & Mechanical departments’ staff, (v) Transportation/Operating Staff, the following representatives participated in the meeting and thereafter they appeared before the VI CPC for oral evidence:-
06.02.2007
1. On behalf of Loco and Traffic Running Staff (i)
Coms. Salil Lawrence/Sr. Pass. Guard/ Sr.DOM/NGP/SECR, (ii) N. Haridasan/Loco
Pilot/DRM CST/CR, (iii) P. Ganesan/ Motorman/ CCC/MMC/MAS/SR, (iv) Nagbhushan/Motorman/CCG/DRM
BCT/WR participated in the oral evidence before the VI CPC. The delegation was
led by Com. Rakhal Das Gupta/AGS/AIRF.
The Commission heard with rapt attention, the problems of the
Loco and Traffic Running Staff. The discussion lasted for 45 minutes.
2. Technicians of various departments, including
Bride, Tie Temping and Printing Press, of the Indian Railways also participated
in the oral evidence before the VI CPC in which (i) Coms. A.M. D’cruz/C&W
Tech.-I/UBL/SWR, (ii) S.K. Bose/Tech. II/CWM/MTN/CR, (iii) N. Srinivasan/Tech.
Gr-I/SSE/ AC/DLX/CEWE/PER/SR, (iv) Prakash Morwal, MCF(DSL)/ABR/ DRM (E)/AII/NWR
participated. The delegation was led by Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra/AGS/ AIRF.
07.02.2007
1. Technical Supervisors of all departments, including Bridge and Track
Machine Organisation, participated in the oral evidence before the VI CPC and on
their behalf (i) Coms. S.G. Mishra/AGS/AIRF (ii) S.K. Gupta/SSE(P.Way) under
AEN/SWM/KTT/WCR, (iii) R.N. Roy/S.E.(Sig.)/Kharagpur/ SER, (iv) Subhendu
Mukherjee, WCM/AIRF participated. The delegation was led by Com. L.N. Pathak/SSE(Mech.
Insp.) under CWM/CB/LKO/NR.
2. The Technicians of the Signal, Telecommunication, Electrical and Mechanical departments also gave oral evidence before the VI CPC. The delegation was led by Com. Rakhal Das Gupta/AGS/AIRF. Other members of the delegation were (i) Coms. T.J. Jose/SSE/ELS/ LGD/SCR, (ii) Amit Kumar Ghosh/Tech.-I/Ele./Ranaghat/ER, (iii) K.Ramesh Babu/SSE(C&W)/ ECoR/VSKP, (iv) B.L. Misra/SM/Bhusawal/CR
3. Transportation(Operating) staff of all the
categories gave oral evidence before the VI CPC under the leadership of Com. J.R.
Bhosale/Treasurer/AIRF. Other members of the delegation were (i) Coms. N.K.
Gupta/SM/BIM/DRM/BCT/WR, (ii) Arun Gupta/Dy. Controller/ Ajmer/NWR, (iii) Bibhas
Jorder/SSM/Alipurduar Jn./NFR, (iv) K.G.P. Singh/YM/Jamalpur/ER (v) S.
Raghunathan/SM-I/Chennai Bench/SR.
The Pay Commission gave patient hearing.
The GS/AIRF had briefed each delegation in J.M.
Biswas Bhawan, Garden Reach, Kolkata before they were sent for oral evidence
before the VI CPC.
Next oral evidence will take place in March 2007 at Chennai and
thereafter at Bangalore in April 2007.
The Pay Commission will meet the Standing
Committee of NC/JCM in New Delhi in the month of April 2007.
Top
All India Railwaymen’s Federation, established in the year 1924,
represents all Group `C’ and `D’ Railway employees all over the Indian Railways
with its affiliated unions in the 16 Railway Zones and 6 Production Units, viz.
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works, Chittaranjan, Integral Coach Factory, Chennai,
Diesel Locomotive Works, Varanasi, Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Diesel Loco
Modernisation Works, Patiala, Rail Wheel Factory, Bangalore, Metro Railway,
Kolkata, Research, Designs & Standards Organisation, Lucknow.
AIRF is recognised by the Railway Ministry and holds regular
bilateral negotiation with the Railway Ministry. Permanent Negotiating Machinery
has been established in the Railways in the year 1951 through a bilateral
negotiation between Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan, the then President, AIRF and
Gopalaswami Aiyanger, the then Minister for Railways.
Joint Consultative Machinery was set up in the year 1966 after countrywide strike of the Central Government employees in the year 1960. Departmental Council(JCM) have been set up ministry wise and at the apex level negotiation is conducted through the National Council(JCM). It is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary(Government of India). AIRF is a constituent organisation of NC/JCM.
AIRF participates in the Departmental Council(JCM)(Railways) meetings to discuss and settle matters relating to the service conditions of Railway employees. AIRF also participates in the National Council(JCM) meetings along with other Federations/Unions/Associations of the Central Government employees for discussion and settlement in the matters relating to the service conditions, retirement benefits etc. of the Central Government employees including Railwaymen.
Labour Participation in Management has been introduced in the apex level of the Ministry of Railways in the year 1972 and subsequently extended to the Zonal Railways and Zonal Railway Divisions and Workshop levels in the year 1977.
It would be pertinent to give a brief resume of some of the important past events. Bing aggrieved by the report of the 2nd Central Pay Commission(1957-59), the Central Government employees including Railwaymen went on a countrywide strike in July, 1960. The demand for need based minimum wages as per norms laid down by the 15th Indian Labour Conference, 1957 was subsequently referred to the 3rd Central Pay Commission. The 3rd Central Pay Commission also failed to deliver justice compelling the Railwaymen to launch long 20 days strike in May, 1974. The demand for parity in wages with that of the employees of the Public Sector Undertakings was referred to the 4th Central Pay Commission as well as to the 5th Central Pay Commission.
The wages and other benefits of the Railways and other Central Government employees were far above the wages of the employees working in the Public Sector Undertakings. The wages, allowances and other benefits of the employees of the Public Sector Undertakings are decided through bilateral settlement, periodicity of which is 4 to 5 years. Whereas, the pay scales, allowances and other benefits of the Central Government employees and Railwaymen are revised at an interval of 10 to 15 years by the appointment of Pay Commission. The Central Government employees and Railwaymen demanded before the 4th and 5th Central Pay Commissions for parity in wages with the employees working in the Public Sector Undertakings. Unfortunately, both 4th and 5th Pay Commissions could not deliver justice to the demand for parity in wages. The Railwaymen and other Central Government employees had to decide for an indefinite strike to be commenced from 24th September, 1997. The Government appointed a group of eight Cabinet Ministers’ Committee. Negotiated settlement was arrived at, resulting in upward revision of certain pay scales and revision in fixation formula from 20% to 40%.
These facts are referred to here in order to apprise the Sixth Central Pay Commission in respect of strong feeling of the Central Government employees, including the Railwaymen against the continued denial of justice to them.
The V CPC in its report has recommended as follows:-
Para 171.10
“The
only argument that Government can possibly have against the suggestion is that
the Government will be required to spend more on pay and allowances than it does
now, because of the lag between the need for pay revision and the actual
revision itself. This is a false argument and fails to take into account the
simmering discontent that such a palpably unjust mechanism engenders among its
employees.”
Para 171.11
“It would be in the
fitness of things if the Permanent Pay Body is given a constitutional status and
authority, as is the case with the Finance Commission.”
Para 171.12
“In case for any reason
Government finds itself unable to set up a Permanent Pay Body, it should at
least concede the right of Central Government employees to have a complete pay
revision once in 10 years. This would mean that if the date of implementation of
the Fifth Pay Commission is 1.1.1996, the date of implementation of the Sixth
Pay Commission should be pre-determined as 1.1.2006 irrespective of when the
next Pay Commission is actually appointed.”