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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

a review

FAQs related to the New Pension Scheme (NPS)


1.            Whether a retiring Government servant is entitled for leave encashment after retirement under the NPS?
 Answer : The benefit of encashment of leave salary is not a part of the retirement benefits admissible under Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972. It is payable in terms of CCS (Leave) Rules which will continue to be applicable to the government servants who join the government service on after 1-1-2004. Therefore, the benefit of encashment of leave salary payable to the governments/to their families on account of retirement/death will be admissible.

2.            Why is it mandatory to use 40% of pension wealth to purchase the annuity at the time of the exit (i.e. after the age of 60 years) from NPS?
 Answer :  This provision has been made in the New Pension Scheme with an intention that the retired government servants should get regular monthly income during their retired life.

3.            Whether any minimum age or minimum service is required to quit from Tier-I?
Answer :  Exit from Tier-I can only take place when an individual leaves Government service.

4.            Whether Dearness Pay is counted as basic pay for recovery of 10% for Tier-I?
 Answer :  As per the New Pension Scheme, the total Dearness Allowance is to be taken into account for working out the contributions to Tier-I. Subsequently, a part of the “Dearness Allowance” has been treated as Dearness Pay. Therefore, this should also be reckoned for the purpose of contributions.

5.            Whether contribution towards Tier-I from arrears of DA is to be deducted?
 Answer :  Yes. Since the contribution is to be worked out at 10% of (Pay+ DP+DA), it needs to be revised whenever there is any change in these elements

6.            Who will calculate the interest PAO or CPAO?
 Answer :  The PAO should calculate the interest.

7.            What happens if an employee gets transferred during the month? Which office will make deduction of Contribution?
 Answer :  As in the case of other recoveries, the recovery of contributions towards New Pension Scheme for the full month (both individual and government) will be made by the office who will draw salary for the maximum period.

8.            Whether NPA payable to medical officers will count towards ‘Pay’ for the purpose of working out contributions to NPS?
 Answer :  Yes. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has clarified vide their O.M. no. A45012/11/97-CHS.V dated 7-4-98 that the Non-Practising Allowance shall count as ‘pay’ for all service benefits. Therefore, this will be taken into account for working out the contribution towards the New Pension Scheme.

9.            Whether a government servant who was already in service prior to 1.1.2004, if appointed in a different post under the Government of India, will be governed by the CCS (Pension) Rules or NPS?
 Answer :   In cases where Government servants apply for posts in the same or other departments and on selection they are asked to render technical resignation, the past services are counted towards pension under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. Since the Government servant had originally joined government service prior to 1-1-2004, he should be covered under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972.

Monday, February 25, 2013

WFTU Greets Working Class of India for Glorious Strike




The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) has congratulated and greet the Indian Working Class for the Historic Strike of 20-21 February 2021. The same is reproduced below:
WORLD FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS
Statement by the General Secretary of the WFTU, George Mavrikos on
the All-Indian General Strike on February 20-21st, 2013
“The Indian working class proved its determination in the struggle for the
labour and social rights with a massive general strike.
Dozens of millions of workers marched under the banners of the WFTU
affiliated class-oriented trade union organization. This is a loud message
to the Indian government and the capitalists and a great lesson for the
international working class.
We denounce with anger the state violence, the oppression of the employers
and the strike-breaking mechanisms that aimed to weaken the united class
response of the workers to the anti-labour policies causing acute problems to
the Indian workers. We honour the martyrs of the struggle who give their lives
for the betterment of the living and working conditions of the working class.
The WFTU once more expresses its support to the demands of the Indian
trade unions.”

Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Unprecedented Historic Strike – Salient points

This strike was historic in many ways as can be seen below:
1. It was a strike for which call was given by all the 11 Central trade Unions in the country.
2. This strike was the biggest since Independence in 1947. More than 12 crore workers participated.
3. Factory workers, agricultural workers, central and state government employees, public sector workers, daily and contract workers – in short workers in all sectors participated in the strike. There was no section which was not a party to the strike.
4. In many states like Kerala, the strike became a virtual bandh. No shops or business concerns opened on these days. It was not by threat, but by their own, they have closed.
5. The demands were the pressing demands of the workers; more, they were directly connected with the issues of the common people like protest against price rise etc.
6. The Independent Federations and All India Unions, which are not affiliated to the 11 Central Trade Unions, also participated in the strike. The entire central and state government employees along with the PSU workers participated.
7. The preparations for the strike started early. After the New Delhi National Convention on 4th September 2012 declared the strike, state level conventions, union wise meetings etc. were held systematically and the demands propagated. Country saw during the last few months one of the biggest campaigns that the country has seen so far.
8. The Central trade Unions kept up its rock-like unity till the last. The compulsions from the government and pressure from the corporates and big business could not make any dent in the unity a of the CTUs. Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy, President, INTUC, despite much pressure from the top congress leaders stood his ground.
9. Even the media and newspapers controlled by the corporates which usually ignores the strikes by the workers could not do so this time. They were compelled to give the news.
10. The statement by the leaders of the central trade unions after the strike, that they will continue the struggle till the demands are met have inspired the workers for sustained struggles.
11. The 2 days strike was really the implementation of the slogan ‘Struggle for Unity, Unity for Struggle and Struggle and Unity for Progress’.
In short, the strike was unprecedented, historic and a mighty action of the workers against the anti-worker policies of the government; and for achieving their own demands.

com.vannamboodiri in his blog
 

MPs criticises Govt.for neglect of workers – Press Report


New Delhi, Feb 22 : Against the backdrop of two-day nationwide strike, the Lok Sabha today saw members attacking the government for its "apathy" towards workers and warning that there could be another agitation if trade unions are not engaged in talks.
The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI), who is also leader of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
He said 44 crore workers, who are the mainstay for production in the country, were not getting appropriate remunerations and the government was neglecting them.
Referring to the two-day strike which ended yesterday, Dasgupta said the trade unions did not want to resort to such actions but were forced by the government.
He attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying that after the trade unions announced the strike he had made an "innocent appeal through press" for talks.
"The Prime Minister offers talks to trade unions through the press," the CPI leader said and questioned if he talks to corporates also through the press.
He said the Prime Minister has formed a committee of four ministers to talk to trade union leaders but in the meeting that took place, Finance Minister P Chidambaram was not present.
"Was it arrogance or apathy," Dasgupta asked. He said Labour Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge also called trade union leaders for talks but he had "nothing to offer".
Dasgupta warned that if the government does not engage with trade unions, there will be another nationwide strike.
CPI(M) leader Basudeb Acharia and JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav associated themselves with Dasgupta.
source: vannamboodiri.com
 

Friday, February 22, 2013

PRESS STATEMENT - confederation

PECTACULAR SUCCESS OF TWO-DAYS STRIKE BY C.G.EMPLOYEES ALONGWITH WORKING CLASS OF INDIA

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS
PRESS STATEMENT
About 8 lakhs Central Government employees took part in the 48 hour (two day) general strike yesterday and today organised by the Indian working class as per the call of the Joint platform of 11 Central Trade Unions of the country. Besides 5 lakh Defence Civilian employees are also reported to have participated in this historic action.

The Strike was total and cent per cent in Income tax and Postal departments. The participation ranged from 60 to 90% in other Government of India organisations except in the Central Secretariat. As per the report, the strike was total in Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Orissa, Bihar Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and 60 to 70% in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and partial in other States.

In Delhi, the Income tax and RMS offices of the Postal Department virtually remained closed. Not a single employee reported for duty in these offices. Many offices of the Civil Accounts and Post offices in Delhi also did not function on these two days.

Many establishments of Printing and Stationery, Indian Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey of India, Medical Depots, Customs, Ground Water Board, ISRO, Directorate of Marketing Inspection, Civil Accounts, Central Public Works Department remained closed throughout the country on both the days.
The National Secretariat of the Confederation places on record its sincere gratitude and appreciation of the efforts undertaken by the State/Branch level leaders to make this historic action of the Indian working class a resounding success by eliciting the total participation of the Central Government employees. The success of the two days strike action will no doubt embolden the employees and workers to chalk out intensified action programme including indefinite strike action to compel the Govt. to rescind the anti-people economic policies pursued since 1991.
K.K.N. Kutty
Secretary General.

Dies non – No Work No Pay



All the Central Government employees those who are participated in the Two Day Strike have been warned by the government through its circular dated 15-02-2013, that leave of any kind will not be sanctioned for them. It is under stood that the absence of two days in strike period will be treated as Dies non
The West Bengal State Government too issued a circular a day before , in which it has been said that no leave will be granted to its employees during the strike, and if they aren’t present in office it will be treated as dies non with no salary admissible if they don’t give a suitable reason and produce proper documents for refraining from turning up for duty.
What is Dies non ?

Dies non: In service terms, “dies non” means a day, which cannot be treated as duty for any purpose. It does not constitute break in service. But the period treated as ‘dies non’ does not qualify as service for pensionary benefits or increment.
As per the Postal Manual Volume III, Central Civil Services (Classification,Control and appeal) rules, 1965, the Absence of officials from duty without proper permission or when on duty in office, they have left the office without proper permission or while in the office, they refused to perform the duties assigned to them is subversive of discipline. In cases of such absence from work, the leave sanctioning authority may order that the days on which work is not performed be treated as dies non, i.e. they will neither count as service nor be construed as break in service. This will be without prejudice to any other action that the competent authorities might take against the persons resorting to such practices

Thursday, February 21, 2013

the press release issued by the Central Trade Unions

Following is the press release issued by the Central Trade Unions on the success of the 20-21 February Strike and congrtulating the workers. Issued by All Central Trade Unions on the First day of General Strike
Strike is total in all sectors by all workers
“All the Central Trade Unions (BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC, SEWA, LPF) hereby congratulate the working people of India for their overwhelming and magnificent response to the united call of two day countrywide general strike that commenced this morning.
Unprecedented response to the call of strike throughout the country much beyond our expectations reflects truly the anger of the people against the persistent increase in the prices of diesel, gas, coal, electricity and other essential goods for the bare need of the common people. It is also a protest against the total inaction of the Government to address the basic problems of the workers arising out of the inflation and slowdown of the economy. All the central trade unions supported by thousands of unaffiliated unions have given a two day strike call on the basis of 10 point demand of the workers as approved in the All India Convention held at Talkatora Stadium on 4th September, 2012. The strike has been totally peaceful. Even then there has been attack on the workers, lathi-charge and indiscriminate arrest. In Noida, there was brutal lathi-charge on a peaceful demonstration causing serious injuries to a number of workers and death to one worker. Even a leader of Haryana Roadways Corporation union affiliated to AITUC has been killed in Ambala Transport Depot by the miscreants to disrupt the strike.
The strike has been all out throughout the country affecting all vital sectors bringing the life to a standstill. Banking system has come to a collapse. Transport sector has responded magnificently except in two States, Delhi and Maharashtra. There has been massive strike in Petroleum sector, telecom, mining, coal, non-coal, defence, power including atomic power projects, port and dock, insurance, Plantation, State Government employees. Post offices have been closed, income tax offices have largely been hit by the strike. Industrial workers all over the country had shut down the production. Public and private industrial centres have been heavily affected.
Unorganised, agriculture, non-agriculture, rural and urban, anganwadi, ASHA workers have participated in lakhs. Contract workers have joined the strike in a magnificent way.
All the States from Arunachal to Gujarat from Kashmir to Kanyakumari everywhere the impact of the strike has been significant. Strike has been significant. Strike has been magnificent in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Kerala, Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. Despite vindictive and victimising threat and attack by the State Govt machinery, in West Bengal, response to strike has been magnificent. There has been strike even in Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. In Goa strike has been inspiring. Even in Meghalaya where election is to be held on 23rd February there has been strike in Shillong.
The central trade unions while congratulating the workers for the strike call upon them to continue the same till tomorrow and build up massive pressure on the Government for a change of policy and peaceful settlement of the 10 point demands.
Right to strike is a constitutional right. No State government has any authority to break the peaceful strike with indiscriminate use of the State machinery. We call upon the Government to realise the gravity of the situation and unparallel anger among the masses and take corrective steps having meaningful dialogue with the trade union.”
The report from all parts of the country on the strike on 21st also confirms the success of the strike. As demanded by the Central TradeUnions, the government should come down, discuss and concede the fully justified demands of the working class.

THE TOTAL UNITY AND PROTEST OF POSTAL & RMS EMPLOYEES


Entire Postal and RMS services came to a standstill
We (NFPE & FNPO) once again extend our warm greetings and congratulations to all Postal and RMS employees who made the two days nationwide strike a thundering success. About 1,50,000 Postal and RMS offices including Branch Post offices remained closed for two days. About more than five lakhs employees including GDS struck work. Though the strike will be over tonight, the struggle against the anti-worker policies will continue. Let us keep this unity and fighting spirit intact.
Unity for Struggle, and struggle for unity
Thank you, Thank you all
M. Krishnan                                                   D. Theagarajan
Secretary General                                           Secretary General
NFPE                                                             FNPO

The Hindu : News / National : Cameron defends not saying sorry for Jallianwala Bagh

The Hindu : News / National : Cameron defends not saying sorry for Jallianwala Bagh

Strike continues for the second day


The 48 hours strike on the first day, 20th February was unprecedented as per the Central trade unions who called for the strike.The strike had its affects through out the country on the first day itself.
The strike is continuing for the second day, 21st February. It is expected that some more workers may join the strike.
The 2 days strike is a strong weapon against the neo-liberal policies that the government is continuing.The struggle will continue !