STANDING COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL COUNCIL (JCM) MEETING

National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees
NFAEE
Regn.No.17/9615
Recognised by DAE vide DAE OM No. 8/1/2007 – IR&W/95 dated 13th June 2007
JCM Office, Brindavan, Anusaktinagar, Mumbai 400 094
Website: www.nfaeehq.blogspot.com
Email address: nfaee@yahoo.com

Ref. No: nfaee/sg/08/30 17.03.2008


Dear Comrades,

The Standing Committee of the National council (JCM) washeld on 7th March 2008. Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers prepared a note on the issues discussed in the Standing Committee which is given below:

With regards

Comradely yours



(Jayaraj.K.V)
Secretary General

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS.
Manishinath Bhawan, A/2/95 Rajouri Garden, New Delhi. 110 027
Phone: 011 2510 5324, Mobile: 0 9811048303
Website: www.confederationhq.blogspot.com
E-mail: confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

D/11/3/2008 Dated: 8th March 2008

Dear Comrade,

The Standing Committee of the National Council met on 7th March 2008. The meeting was presided over by the Secretary, Personnel, Shri S. Misra. The meeting discussed the left out items in the agenda of the 14th December 2007 meeting. In the initial remarks made by the Staff Side, the following issues were raised.

1. The non-holding of the meeting of the National Council and Standing periodically as per the provisions of the constitution of the JCM and demanding the intimation of the date for the next meeting of the National Council.
2. Grant of revised bonus on the basis of the enhanced ceiling limit.
3. Final view of the Government on the implementation of the Board of Arbitration Awards.
4. The discontinuance of the practice of referring the non-arbitrable items for the further negotiation with the Committee of Ministers
5. Arbitrary and unilateral reference of the anomaly committee items to the 6th Pay Commission which has deprived the staff side to present their case before the commission
6. Amendment to the terms of reference of the 6th Pay Commission without any intimation to the Staff Side.
7. The delay in the grant of recognition for several organizations that had made applications for verification and reverification
8. The impending strikes action by the CGHS Employees Association and the requirement of the Government's intervention and negotiation to avert the strike.
9. The delay in taking decision in respect of the risk allowance for the employees of the new ordnance factories.
10. The necessity to take an immediate decision in the matter of removing the ceiling on compassionate appointment in the light of the detailed note submitted by the Staff Side.
11. The reduction affected in the rates of impatient treatment and consequent denial of hospitalization for the CGHS beneficiaries.

The response was as under:-

(a)Meeting of the National Council will be held soon
(b)The discontent of the employees in the matter of denial of enhanced bonus has been brought to the notice of the Govt. and the same is being considered.
(c) The crux of the discussion between the official and staff side on the implementation of the arbitration awards have been placed before the Cabinet Secretary for taking a final view. No further discussion with the staff side is contemplated.
(d)The Pay Commission has assured the Govt. to submit their report within the time schedule i.e. before 6th April, 2008
(e)Steps have been taken to expedite grant of recognition to the Service Associations. The Staff Side will give a list of organizations, which has completed all formalities and awaiting recognition for the effective monitoring of the DOPT
(f) The Chairman asked the Health Ministry to hold discussions with the representatives of the All India CGHS Association and if necessary with the Staff Side with a view to avert the strike action. The reduction in the rates were effected on the basis of the grouping of cities which have been reviewed and city-wise rates have been notified in respect of seventeen stations and in respect of the rest, the notification would be issued soon. The Health Ministry officials informed that action has been taken against the hospital for the unfortunate death of an beneficiary officer (who was not hospitalized and treated for kidney failure) at Chennai. Some of the Staff Side members will be meeting the Health Ministry officials on 10th of 11th and assurance has been held out for a meeting with the Health Secretary very soon.
(g)The risk allowance issue concerning Defence employees stands referred to the Department of Expenditure. The DOE was asked to dispose of the issue in the light of the requirement that the new ordnance factory employees must not be denied the benefit of risk allowance when the other are being given on the basis of the approved 41 risk factors.
(h)The Chairman apprehended that the 6th CPC might not take cognizance of the reference made to them on the anomaly issues.
(i) The Chairman assured that whatever procedure had been adopted in the past in the case of non arbitrable items would continue to be followed.
(j) The detailed Note given by the Staff Side in the matter of compassionate appointments is said to be under consideration to remove the discrimination between the Railway employees and others. . The Staff Side said that they would furnish the number of pending applications department wise soon.

Agenda items:

The outcome of discussion on the left over agenda items in brief is as under:
1 Increase in the incentive bonus to workshop staff on merger of DA
The Railway Ministry will give their decision very soon
2 Revised rates of subscription and insurance cover under CGIS
Decision will be taken within three month.
3 Remote locality allowance to Mussorie
MOF was asked to consider this demands on the basis of the discussion held in the meeting on line with Shimla
4 Conveyance allowance.
Await the 6th CPC recommendation
5 Natural calamity advance
Amendment to GFR 247 is awaiting decision of the Cabinet Secretary
6 5th CPC anomaly
Please see the remark at (h) above
7 Grant of ACP for canteen employees
Decision of the CAT has been implemented.
8 Fresh option for pension benefit. Canteen employees
CAT decision has been implemented.
9 Benevolent fund
Fresh note submitted by the Staff Side. This would be considered and decision communicated in a month's time.
10 Increase in the fixed medical allowance.
Not agreed to
11 Ex-gratia for SRPF retirees
The order having been quashed by the Court, the DOE will take a decision in the matter quickly.
12 Commutation of pension to retirees against whom disciplinary proceedings are pending.
The matter is being examined.
13 Family pension for widowed stepmother.
Disagreement will be recorded.
14 Relaxation in pension rules to take into account the notional fixation benefit
This will be considered.
15 Training period to be treated as Pension.
Orders issued. The proviso in the order will be redrafted.
16 Second ACP to Junior Accounts and Auditors
Disagreement will be recorded
17Compassionate Appointments
Please see remarks at (j) above.
18 Stepping up of the pay of senior on par with the juniors who were granted ACP
The High Court judgment in the matter will be examined.
19 Counting of full service rendered as casual labour for pension
This would be examined in the light of the discussion.
20 Protecting the benefits of temporary status employees on regularization.
Agreed to.
21 The reversion to lower post as a penalty should only for a specified period
The clarification to the effect that such reduction can be for an unlimited period of time will be reconsidered.
22 Regularization of casual employees employed after 1993
Instructions will be reiterated to implement the Supreme Court judgment for one time regularization of those who rendered 10 years of service. In respect of other, the suggestion of the staff side to introduce a "deemed temporary status" position will be considered.
23 Change of fixation of pay on unanticipated development or change in rules
Clarificatory orders will be issued within a fortnight delegating the powers to the concerned Ministry/Department.
24 H.Qrs allowance to Group C and D. employees.
The staff side to give a detailed note.
25 Fixation of pay on promotion- exercise of option.
The suggestion of staff side that the option should be obtained after intimating the relative benefit was accepted.
26 Revision of rates of Educational Assistance
Await 6th CPC recommendation.
27 Night duty allowance to Chowkidar
Staff Side has submitted the note
28 Implementation of pending awards.
Please see remark (c) above. In respect of higher pay scales to Audit and Accounts cadres, the staff side offered that the revision may be effected notionally from 1.1.86 and actual payment effected from. 1.1.2006.The Official side has noted this offer.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,
Sd/
K.K.N.Kutty.
Secretary General.

OUT COME OF NE OF CONFEDERATION OF CG EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENTEMPLOYEES AND WORKERS
A/2/95 Rajouri Garden, New Delhi. 110 027
Phone: 011 2510 5324
Website: confederationhq.blogspot.com

e.mail: confederation06@yahoo.co.in

No.D.11/02 /08 Dated: 04-03-2008

Dear Comrade,

The extended meeting of the National Executive of the Confederation was held at Mumbai on 2nd and 3rd March,2008. The CoC Mumbai had made excellent arrangement for the boarding and lodging of the members attending the meeting. The Confederation CHQ takes the opportunity to place its gratitude and thanks to the CoC Mumbai and the volunteers who made all out efforts for the smooth conduct of the meeting. The decisions taken at the meeting are enumerated below:

Agenda Item No.1: Review of 30th October, 07 strike

The meeting considered the report presented both in writing and orally by the State CoCs and the Chief executives of the affiliates. On review, it came to the conclusion that serious efforts had been undertaken by all concerned with the result that the strike on 30th October, 2007 elicited great support and participation of large number of CGEs despite the non-participation by Railways and Defence organizations. The meeting also identified the weak areas arisen mostly due to the non-formation of co-ordination Committees. The meeting decided to approach the leadership of CGHS, CPWD and Passport Organizations once again to reiterate the necessity of partaking in the united movement in the background of their non-serving of Strike notice on 30/10/2007. The meeting unanimously resolved to appeal all affiliates and CoCs to extend solidarity and support actions to the CGHS employees who have decided to go on indefinite strike action from 11-03-2008.
The Customs and Central Excise Gr.D and Ministerial employees have decided to organize a day’s strike on 20rd March, 2008 in pursuance of their legitimate demands. All units of confederation will organize solidarity action on that date to support the struggles of Central Excise and Customs employees.

The meeting after hearing the representatives of the Maritime College employees unions decided to adopt the following resolution and extend full support to their struggles against the privatization of these prestigious educational institutions of the country.

This extended meeting of the National Executive of the Confederation held on 2nd and 3rd March, 2008 at Mumbai expresses dissatisfaction over the delay in the formation of maritime university in three cities viz., Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai as promised by the Govt. in the floor of Parliament in acceptance of the demand of the people at large of these states and especially of the employees and workers of various maritime institutions in the country. The meeting notes with disappointment that no budgetary proposal to give effect to the said assurance has been made by the Finance Minister.

The meeting notes that dubious methods have been employed by the Government to lower the states of the existing institutions by handing over its governance to nominated contractors forcing the employees to launch agitational programmes demanding setting up of maritime university immediately to protect this prestigious educational institution from privatization. The meeting extends support to the struggling employees of maritime colleges and resolves to stand by them.

Agenda Item No.2: Pay Commission related issues and future course of action:

The three resolutions adopted after discussions in the meeting are appended hereunder:

Copy of Resolutions

1. The extended meeting of the National Executive of the Confederation of CGEs and Workers held at Mumbai on 2nd and 3rd March, 2008 considered the Budget proposals of the UPA Govt, presented to Parliament on 29th February, 2008. It came to the unanimous and inescapable conclusion that the proposals in general will accentuate the ever widening gap between the haves and have-nots. Except to write off the loans of farmers, which no doubt is a welcome step even though belatedly, there is nothing to alleviate the suffering millions in the country whose standard of living had been deteriorating ever since the neo-liberal economic policies were ushered in as panacea to revitalize the stagnant economy. It is however a mystery as to how the Rs.65,000 Crores for write off was computed and as to how it would be accounted for. Regrettably it is noted that the Finance Minister has not chosen to widen the institutional lending to farmers which alone would have freed them from the clutches of unscrupulous money lenders and put an end to the agony of driving them to commit suicide.

The meeting noted that despite an annual growth rate of 8% engineered by the largesse extended to the rich entrepreneur class, the Indian traditional manufacturing and agricultural sectors which provide large scale employment have not been able to make any significant gains. The increased budgetary allocation to educational and health sectors touted as an impressive endeavour to address to the social sector regeneration is only a mirage in the light of the uncontained high voltage inflation. The working class especially in the unorganized sector who constitute the largest chunk of the working population in the country has been totally left out from any of the welfare schemes of the Govt making them the soft target for further exploitation of the bourgeoning corporate sector. The meeting also notes with dismay that the Finance Minister has not chosen to make any provision for an eventual financial liability that might arise from the 6th CPC recommendation giving room for a legitimate apprehension in the minds of the CGEs of the remote possibility of having a reasonable wage settlement in the ensuing financial year.

The meeting has therefore decided to revitalize the movement of the CGEs to fight against the neo-liberal economic policies of the Govt. along with other segments of the working class to ensure that further pauperization of the poor section of the people of the country is halted.

2. This extended meeting of the National Executive of the Confederation of CG employees and Workers held at Mumbai on 2nd and 3rd March, 2008, after detailed deliberations decided that:

a) There should be no compromise as to the date of effect of the 6th CPC i.e., it must be 01.01.2006.
b) The minimum wage should not be less than the need based minimum wage computed on the basis of the norms fixed by the 15th ILC including Dr.Aekhroyd formula.
c) That the minimum rate of increment should be 5% as demanded by the Staff side in its memorandum on common issues;
d) That point to point fixation should be the methodology to fix pay in the revised scales of pay;
e) That the revised rates of allowances should also be admissible w.e.f. 01.01.2006;
f) That the Performance related pay system being divisive and a tool for exploitation is not acceptable and should be rejected, if recommended;
g) That no departure from the existing statutory Pension scheme should be allowed and the new contributory pension scheme introduced for employees recruited on or after 1.1.04 should be withdrawn;
h) That there should be no privatization of health care system(CGHS, CSMA etc) and the proposed introduction of Medicare insurance scheme should not be in replacement of the existing scheme. Instead the existing CGHS should be strengthened and all pensioners be covered by either CSMA Rules or CGHS.

The meeting has also decided to reiterate its vehement opposition to all measures of downsizing, corporatisation, contracturisation, privatization, off loading/outsourcing and to fight against any such retrograde recommendations of the 6th CPC.

The meeting further resolved that if no settlement is brought about through bilateral discussions and negotiations on the above stated issues, all the Central Government organizations should be mobilized for struggles including indefinite strike action.

The meeting apprehended that the recommendations of 6th CPC shall fall short of the employees’ expectations and has decided to call upon the entirety of CG employees and their organizations to organize massive protest, rallies, and demonstrations etc on the date following the day the recommendations of the 6th CPC are made known.

3. The extended meeting of the National Executive of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees’ and Workers held at Mumbai on 2nd and 3rd March, 2008 resolved to lodge its strong protest over the action of the Government in constituting a non-judicial committee headed by a retired Postal Officer, in violation of earlier written agreement and assurances to appoint a judicial Committee for considering the wage revision of extra-departmental agents of the Postal department.

It is apprehended that the above move of the Govt. is aimed clearly to deny the legitimate aspirations and demands of the Grameen Dak Sevaks. This extended meeting of the Confederation further resolves to demand the Government to:

a) Ensure that the wages of GDS are determined in proportion to what is ultimately decided by the Govt. to the regular civilian employees; and

b) Ensure implementation of new pay scales, allowances etc for GDS with effect from 1.1.06 itself as is the case with the regular employees without any discrimination.

The meeting further resolved to caution the government that any measure to submit retrograde recommendations by the non-judicial GDS committee and the acceptance of the same by the Govt. will result in launching serious programme of action including indefinite strike.

4. The meeting has decided to place on record its strong resentment and opposition to the observation made by the Finance Minister while placing the economic survey to increase the working hours. The meeting decided to fight against the anti-labour policies of the Govt. in unison with the other sections of the working class in the country.

Agenda Items No.3 & 4: Organisational Matters and formation of State CoCs

The meeting decided by mutual consent that the formation of State Committees, wherever not in existence should be set up by 30-04-2008. The meeting has also decided that the subscription dues for the Financial Years 2006-07 and 2007-08 will be cleared both by the affiliates and COCs by 31-03-2008. The rate of subscription is Re.1/- per member per annum in respect of affiliates and the State COCs are to make a lump-sum payment of Rs.5, 000/- per year. The CHQ will intimate the subscription dues in respect of each affiliate and COC within a fortnight computed on the basis of the intimated number of membership.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally

K.K.N.Kutty
Secretary General