Confederation Circular Dated 18.11.2019

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS

IST FLOOR, NORTH AVENUE POSTOFFICE BUILDING, NEW DELHI-110001

No. Confdn/NS/2016-19                                                                       Dated-18.11.2019

IMPORTANT CIRCULAR

To

                 1.        All National Secretariat Members (CHQ Office Bearers)

                 2.        All Affiliated organisations

                 3.        All General Secretaries of C-O-Cs.

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT CALLS UPON ENTIRE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

(including Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual/Contract Workers)

TO MOBILIZE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE

2020 JANUARY 8th NATIONWIDE STRIKE

ORGANISE MASS DHARNA AND DEMONSTRATIONS AND RALLIES AT ALL IMPORTANT CENTRES

 AND STATE/DISTRICT/ DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS 

ON 20th DECEMBER, 2019.

*        Strike to be organised on 10 points Charter of demands of Confederation (attached herewith) and also the common demands of workers adopted in the National Convention of Workers.

*        First and most important demand to be emphasized is “SCRAP NPS AND RESTORE OPS”.

*        Each affiliated organisation should independently chalkout intensive campaign programmes to mobilise their entire membership to participate in the strike.  Campaign tour programmes of leaders of each affiliate should be chalked out immediately.  This is most important and urgent.

*        Campaign tour programmes of National Secretariat Members of Confederation will be published shortly.

*        Draft copy of the pamphlet to be distributed among all the Central Government employees will be published in the Confederation website shortly.  C-O-Cs and Affiliates at state/district level to bring out pamphlets in respective vernacular, with additions/modifications if necessary.

*        State C-O-Cs should publish Posters with Confederation Charter of demands.

*        Strike notice along with Charter of demands will be served on 12th December, 2019.

          Confederation Central Headquarters will serve strike notice to Cabinet Secretary.  All Affiliated organisations should serve strike notice to their respective Departmental heads.  Copy of the strike notice should be submitted to all lower level authorities also at State/District/Divisional level with mass demonstrations and gate meetings.

*        Affiliated organisations should send copy of the strike notice served by them to their Departmental heads, to all their lower units and also publish the same in their websites.

*        State/District C-O-Cs should plan their own campaign programmes and mobilization meetings.

*        Confederation Central Headquarters has already written to the Secretary General of Confederation of Central Government Gazetted Officers Organisation (CCGGOO) requesting to participate in the 8th January 2020 strike.

*        Message of the strike and strike demands should reach each and every Central Govt. employee including Gramin Dak Sevaks and Casual, Part-time contingent, daily-rated and Contract Workers.

*        All Affiliates and C-C-Cs should ensure maximum participation of Central Govt. employees in all the campaign and mobilization programmes of Joint Action Council of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations also.

*        As in the past, Government may issue circulars, threatening the employees who participate in the strike.  Ignore all such circulars and join the strike with courage and determination.  Don’t believe in rumours.  All information related to the strike will be published in Confederation website www.confederationhq.blogspot.com  

*        Mass dharna at all important centres and also at State/District/Divisional headquarters may be organised on 20th December 2019, with maximum participation of Central Govt. Employees.

*        Give maximum publicity through local media, social media and websites.  Send photos and reports by whatsapp or Email to Confederation Headquarters.

*        Central Government Pensioners Associations may be requested to particpate in all mobilisation programmes and also to organise solidarity programme on 8th January, 2020.

          Remember, all our existing benefits and rights are achieved through struggles and sacrifices only.  No strike action will go in vain.  No sacrifice will go in vain.  We will fight and we will win.

II.       National Conference of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers:

          As already informed to all in the Circular dated 01-08-2019, the next National Conference of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers will be held at NAGPUR (Maharashtra) on 07-02-2020 and 08-02-2020 (7th & 8th February 2020; Friday and Saturday).  Delegate fee per head is Rs.1,000/- (Rs. One thousand only).  In addition to delegates, visitors are also allowed to attend the Conference on payment of Rs.1,000/- (Rs. One thousand only) per head.

          All Affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs are requested to ensure maximum participation of delegates and visitors in the National Conference, including maximum Lady delegates and visitors.

          Please book the travel tickets of the delegates and visitors well in advance.  Last minute, confirmed tickets will not be available.

          C-O-C, Vidharbha Region, Maharashtra, Nagpur, is hosting the National Conference.  Contact Number: Com: Nilesh D Nasare, General Secretary, C-O-C, Vidarbha Region, Nagpur & All India Organising Secretary, Confederation CHQ, Mob: 09850354898.

          Women’s Sub Committee of the Confederation will be re-constituted in the Conference and New Office Bearers will be elected.

          The names and mobile numbers of leaders, delegates and visitors attending the National Conference may be intimated to the Reception Committee on or before 31-12-2019.  This is required for arranging accommodation.

          C-O-C Mumbai, C-O-C Nagpur and nearby states C-O-Cs may ensure participation of more delegates/visitors/lady comrades.

          Formal notice of the National Conference will be issued shortly.

          Number of Delegates and Quota Remittance:

          Number of eligible delegates of each Affiliated organisation and C-O-C is decided based on the quota remitted.  The National Secretariat meeting of Confederation held at Hyderabad on 19th October 2019, has decided that the subscription/quota dues list of affiliates will be placed in the Comnfederation website by the Financial Secretary shortly and all will be once again asked to pay out the arrears by 20-12-2019.  On the basis of remittances received thereupon, voting rights will be compiled and exhibited in the website.

          Contact number of Com.Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Financial Secretary, Confederation CHQ - 09868520926 and 09013163804.

          All the Affiliated organisations and C-O-Cs are once again requested to remit the subscription/quota dues on or before 20-12-2019 without fail and ensure participation of maximum delegates and visitors in the National Conference.

LET US MEET AT NAGPUR AFTER THE HISTORIC 2020 JANUARY 8th STRIKE.

LET US STRENGTHEN OUR UNITY FURTHER.

UNITY FOR STRUGGLE AND STRUGGLE FOR UNITY.

          Fraternally yours,

          M. Krishnan,

          Secretary General,

          Mob: 09447068125

          Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

         

           10 POINTS CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF CONFEDERATION

1.      Scrap New Contributory Pension scheme (NPS).   Restore Old defined benefit Pension Scheme (OPS) to all employees.  Guarantee 50% of the last pay drawn as Minimum Pension.

2.      Honour assurance given by Group of Ministers (GoM) to NJCA leaders on 30-06-2016.  Increase Minimum Pay and Fitment formula.  Withdraw the proposed move to modify the existing time-tested methodology for calculation of Minimum wage.  Grant HRA arrears from 01-01-2016.  Withdraw “Very Good” bench mark for MACP,  Grant promotional heirarchy and date of effect from 01-01-2006.  Grant Option-I parity recommended by 7th CPC to all Central Govt. Pensioners.  Settle all anomalies arising  out of 7th CPC implementation.

3.      Stop corporatisation/privatisation of Railways, Defence and Postal Departments.  Withdraw closure orders of Govt. of India Printing Presses.  Stop proposed move to close down Salt Department.  Stop closure of Govt. establishments and outsourcing.

4.      Fill up all six lakhs vacant posts in the Central Government Departments in a time bound manner.  Reintroduce Regional Recruitment for Group B & C posts.

5.      (a)     Regularisation of Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant of Civil servant status.  Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee report.

          (b)     Regularise all casual and contract workers including those joined on or after 01-09-1993.

6.      Ensure equal pay for equal work for all.  Remove disparity in pay scales between Central Secretariat staff and similarly placed staff working in field units of various departments.

7.      Implement 7th CPC Wage Revision and Pension revision of remaining Autonomous bodies.  Ensure payment of arrears without further delay.  Grant Bonus to Autonomous body employees pending from 2016-17 onwards.

8.      Remove 5% condition imposed on compassionate appointments.  Grant appointment in all eligible cases.

9.      Grant five time bound promotions to all Group B & C employees. Complete Cadre Review in all departments within a time-frame.

10.    (a)     Withdraw the anti-worker wage/labour codes and other anti-worker Labour reforms.  Stop attack on trade union rights.  Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under the JCM Scheme at all levels.

          (b)     Withdraw the draconian FR 56 (j) and Rule 48 of CCS (Pension Rules 1972.

Aptitude Test for SB/SC branches of Post Offices scheduled to be held on 30.11.2019 stands cancelled

UIDAI Notification on Revised Rates in case of Biometric Updates

Regarding reward scheme to postal employees in connection with Aadhaar works

D O letter of Secy (Posts) to all CPMsG regarding target allotted to Department of Posts during 2019-20

Sanction/Action against Corrupt Officials

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Sanction/Action against Corrupt Officials

Posted On: 20 NOV 2019 2:50PM by PIB Delhi

As per extant provision of law, the investigating agency has to seek sanction for prosecution.  Hence the question of CVC awaiting sanction to prosecute staff/officers does not arise. 

The grant of sanction for prosecution is done in a continuous process, which inter-alia involves scrutiny and analysis of voluminous case records and evidence, consultation with CVC, State Governments and other related agencies. In some cases, court directions/stay may have a bearing on time taken for grant of sanction for prosecution. 

To check delay, the Government has issued guidelines vide Office Memorandum No. 399/33/2006-AVD-III dated 06.11.2006 whereby a time line of three months has been prescribed for grant of sanction for prosecution. Further, Government has also issued procedure for submission of proposals to the competent authority for sanction of prosecution under Single Window System vide Office Memorandum No. 142/04/2012-AVD.I dated 28.07.2014. A high level Committee meets periodically under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Personnel) for scrutiny and review of delayed cases of prosecution for sanction.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

Provisions relating to Reservations

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Provisions relating to Reservations

Posted On: 20 NOV 2019 2:51PM by PIB Delhi

The instructions issued by Government on India under Article 16 (4) and 16 (4A) of the Constitution are, mutatis mutandis, followed by the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Financial Institutions including the Public Sector Banks under the Central Government. Implementation of the reservation provisions are insisted upon as a pre-condition to receive grants-in-aid by the voluntary organizations, autonomous bodies/institutions etc. where:-

(a)    the recipient body employs more than 20 persons on a regular basis and at least 50% of its recurring expenditure is met from grants-in-aid from Central Government; and

(b)     the body is registered society of a cooperative institution and is in receipt of a general purpose annual grants-in-aid of Rs. 2 lakhs and above from the Consolidated Fund of India.

      Ministries/Departments have been directed to include suitable clause in the terms and conditions under which voluntary agencies/organizations etc. are given grants-in-aid by the Government for reservation for SCs/STs/OBCs in the posts and services under such organisations or agencies. It has further being provided that while sanctioning further grants, the progress made in employing SCs/STs/OBCs should be kept in view.

This information was provided by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

NFPE Odisha State CoC writes to NFPE CHQ protesting the proposed revision of Business Hours in Post Offices

No. NFPE – ODI / 08 / 2019

Dated at Bhubaneswar the 20^th November, 2019

To

Com. R N Parashar

Secretary General, NFPE

North Avenue P O Building

New Delhi – 110 001

Sub:- Comments in connection with proposed revision of Business Hours  for Monday to Friday

Ref.- Directorate letter No. 27- 46 / 2015 PO (Pt.), dated 19.11.2019

Respected Comrade,

We would like to invite your attention towards the Directorate letter under reference on the above subject (copy attached) addressed to all Chief Postmasters General with direction to comment by 15.12.2019.

Although the Staff Side has been ignored in this regard, we think it wise to submit our comments to the Directorate through NFPE, CHQ as follows.

1.    Due hurried implementation of I T Modernization Project, 2012 with shortage of man power, inadequate hardware and improper software soon after Project Arrow in 2008, when the staff members are seriously suffering for last 10 years, the Department has not yet been able to bring timely solution to the technical issues so far compelling the entirety of workers especially those who are working in grass root level in operative offices to work for more than 12 hours a day. The concept of fixed duty hours limited to 8 hours a day has already lost its importance. As such, these staff members are already under serious mental and physical pressure. Their social and family relationships have already been affected.  At this moment, the proposed increase in Business Hours in no way will be helpful to increase the productivity but certainly will increase the staff resentment which will no doubt affect the productivity.

2.    (a).  The proposed revision of the Business Hours by 30 minutes with a limitation of 6 hours 30 minutes for S B Counter and 7 hours for POS counter is meaningless while Finacle / SAP remain down / slow for hours together and the poor Counter Assistants become the victim of the public anger.

(b). Secondly, after FSI / CSI with MPCM, all counters are performing financial transactions and thus to allot 30 minutes more to POS counter and 30 minutes less to SB Counters is of no logic since POS counters which have been assigned / overloaded with various products and services also collect cash at par with SB Counters now a days. 

( c ). Thirdly, in addition to collection of cash, generations of reports are also equivalent in both the counters and thus all counters need to be opened with equal business hours in the present scenario of digitization.

(d). In fourth, enhancing the counter transaction hours to 7 hours, it is not at all possible to close and dispatch the bags within the rest one hour with segregation of TD/NTD articles etc as per Due Mail and Sorting List and Mail Motor Schedule. More specifically, this is just next to impossible in case of ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Class Delivery Post Offices practically now running single-handedly in many circles / Divisions. Thus, such staff members will again be de-motivated with additional burden of unnecessary detention till late hours regularly.

3.    The provision of half-an hour lunch break is very much humiliating when it is ordered to avail without stopping the counter operation. While instructing as such, the Department has seriously failed to consider the situations of single-handed post offices. How can it be possible to avail the lunch break with rotation of staff without stopping the counter operation in such POs? The Department needs to modify such impractical orders.

4.    While already a discrimination is continuing in between the operative and administrative staff members in connection with 6 and 5 workings days in a week, enhancement of the Business Hours by 30 minutes for the operative staff will certainly a blot from the blue. First, the Department should pay a positive attention towards our demand for 5 working days in a week for the postal operative staff. The Postal Assistants are not born to suffer. They have also the right to live with dignity and status. The Govt. / Department should stop to do further experiment with this cadre.

Under the circumstances, on behalf of NFPE, Odisha Circle, we strongly oppose the proposed revision of Business Hours from Monday to Friday in the Post Offices. Rather, we would like to suggest for equal Business Hours both for S B and POS counters restricting to 6 hours in toto henceforth under the present environment of FSI and CSI. In addition, we request for mounting more pressure on the Department / Govt. on our demand for 5 working days in a week for the postal operative staff.

Therefore, we would like to request you to take up the case at appropriate level immediately to stop such arbitrary movement of the Department and if found suitable, this may be added to our sectional charter of demands in the forthcoming nationwide general strike on 08.01.2020.

With regards,

Comradely yours,

(Bruhaspati Samal)

Chairman

NFPE, Odisha State CoC

Furnishing adequate payment information by DDOs to claimant after PAO process the payment through PFMS

Proposal for Corporatiation of Ordnance Factories Board - RS - Q&A (19-11-19)

Govt has a proposal to convert ordnance factories into a Public Sector Unit – Minister of State for Defence Shri Shripad Naik on 18.11.2019 in Rajya Sabha

Proposal for Corporatisation of Ordnance Factories Board

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shripad Naik replied to the question in Rajya Sabha today (18th November 2019) about the corporatisation of OFB as follows;

“There is a proposal to convert Ordnance Factories under the OFB into a 100% Government owned public sector unit to provide functional and financial autonomy and managerial flexibility so as to enable the organisation to grow at a faster pace and play a greater role in defence preparedness of the country while also adequately safeguarding the interests of the workers”.

This above information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri M. Shanmugam Rajya Sabha today..

BRIEF REPORT OF XIII WORLD CONGRESS OF TUIPS&A HELD AT LARNACA, CYPRUS ON 16TH& 17TH NOVEMBER- 2019

               The XIII World Congress of the TUI, PS&A was held at Parvolia, Larnaca, Cyprus (Europe) on 16^th and 17^th November, 2019.Altogether 92 delegates from 22 (Twenty Two) countries across the world had participated in the congress. 19 (Nineteen) Women Delegates from different countries were also the part of total number of delegates.

               Following delegates representing confederation of Central Government Employees and workers and All India State Government Employees Federation from India took part in the Congress.

1.    Com. Ram Niwas Parasar, Asstt. Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers.

2.    Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Financial Secretary, Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers.

3.    Com. Subhash Chander Lamba, President, All India State Government Employees Federation.

4.    Com. Chandrappa Raghavan Jose Prakash, All India State Government Employees Federation.

5.    Com. Gopalan Motilal, All India State Government Employees Federation

6.    Com. Thoonikaril Chacko Methew Kutty, All India State Government Employees Federation.

7.    Com. Shiv Pratap Singh, All India State Government Employees Federation

8.    Com. Chandra Sekhar Reddy Nalamaru, All India State Government Employees Federation.

a.    Com. Anbarasu Muthuvijayan, All India State Government Employees Federation.

          The consecutive Sessions of XIII Congress were presided over by a composition of presidium which were headed by Com. Artur Sequeira, President, TUI PS&A.

          The XIII Congress was inaugurated at 10 AM on 16^th November, 2019. The welcome address was offered the General Secretary, Receiption Committee, Cyprus.

          Com. Peirpaolo Leonardi, General Secretary, TUI PS & A had placed the introductory speech in terms of the report circulated on behalf of the Secretariat. In his speech he explained the Global scenario and endeavored to stress the need for building up the united struggle of working class worldwide against privatization and defending the rights of working class. He had also appealed upon the delegates to participate in the deliberation critically so that proper review of the activities could be done and future path of TUI PS & A could be decided in a right direction.

          Following the introductory speech of the Secretary General, 38 (thirty eight) Delegates participated in the discussion representing their respective organizations and countries. On behalf of All India State Government Employees Federation, Com. Subhash Chander Lamba, President, Com. Chandrappa Raghavan Jose Prakash and Com. Chawla Sekhar Reddy Nalamaru addressed the house. Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee, Financial Secretary addressed the houserepresenting the Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers’.

          Com. Ram Niwas Parasar, Asstt. Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & workers and Com. Subhash Chandra Lamba, President, All India State Government Employees Federation were made the members of the presidium during the session that had continued on 17^th November, 2019.

          While endorsing the report, the Delegates who participated in the discussions narrated the challenges facing by the working class of their respective countries and the approaches being adopted by them to fight the challenges. Majority of the speakers expressed their opinion for forging unity among the workers across the world and building up strong resistance against fascism, capitalism, racism, gender discrimination and communalism etc. the incidents of  Privalisation, outsourcing, work shrinkage, unemployment, jobless growth and curtailment of Trade Union rights worldwide were finding prominence in the deliberations of Delegates.

          The delegates from India in specific have appraised the house that totality of working class of the country shall embark on a day’s strike on 8^th January, 2020 opposing the anti-people and anti-worker policies of the present Government. They reported that the country is in recession and National Pension System, Privatization, outsourcing, denial of minimum wage, closure and retrenchments are the major confronting issues for the working class of the country and they are committed to fight the onslaughts. All the speakers have also offered their assurances of implementing the decision of XIII Congress of TUI PS&A. The participants in the deliberations have also stressed that the TUI PS &A needs to be and expended and strengthened further by composing Continent wise regional organizations and adopting the mechanism of democratic centralism.

          Delegates from different organizations and countries have greeted the President and the Secretary General by presenting mementosrepresenting the tradition and culture of their countries and ethos of workers class movements.

          The Indian delegation has also presented two separate mementos to the president and the Secretary General of TUI PS&A.

          After the deliberations by the Delegates were over, Com. Gorge George Mavrikos, General Secretary, WFTU had offered his valuable speech enrichened totally with the guiding principles and road map for the unity and struggle. He had presented an in-depth analysis of the challenges before the working people of the world. He had appreciated that the presentations made by Delegates were truthful and confined with progressive thoughts. Appreciating the reporting’s and proposals of speakers from All India State Government Employees Federation and Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers of India, he greeted the Indian working class who are embarking on a day’s strike on 8^th January, 2020 against the anti-working class and anti-people policies of Government of India. He also stated that; working class of India should not feel isolated in the struggleas WFTU and totality of its membership stand beside Indian working class. Referring to proposal for expansion of the formation of democratic forum of TUI PS&A by forming Continent wise regional platforms and infusing the practice of democratic centralism in decision making, he appreciatedthe proposal. He also informed that Com. Swadesh Deb Roy, who is the Deputy General Secretary of WFTU and TUIS and also the Internal General Co-ordinator from India, has already engaged himself for the task. Com. Mavrikos appraised the house that, more and more organizations and countries are aligning with the WFTUs and TUIS. World Congress of Textile workers and various other cross sectionsof working people are in the pipe line. Further, as per the target set in Durban, the strength of membership of WFTU has reached to 97 Million and it is expected that target of 100 Million would be able to be reached before the next Congress.

          Summing up the discussion Com. Peirpaolo Leonardi, General Secretary had proposed a panel of 14 (fourteen) office bearers and committee members and 4 (four) Financial Committee members. The proposals were unanimously accepted by august House. Com. Artur Sequeira (Portugal) has been re-elected asthe President and Com. Zola Saphetha (Africa) has been elected as the new General Secretary of TUI PS&A for the next term. Com. Sree Kumar, Secretary General, All India State Government Employees Federation and Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers from India have been re-elected as the Deputy Secretary General and one of the Committee members respectively from India.

          After being declared as elected Com. Zola Saphetha, newly elected General Secretary addressed the house. In his brief but inspiring written speech Com. Saphetha re-affirmed that the slogans of “Workers of the world Unite-Workers have nothing to lose but their chain” is still relevant. He further stated that, all workers of the world shall be appealed to join the struggle against privatization. He also proposed that an urgent Secretariat shall be convened in South Africa by March, 2020 to decide about the further approach to be adopted to build up unity to carry forward the struggle to promote the causes of the working class throughout the world.

          The XIII Congress was declared concluded with the decisions that-apart from implementing thedecisions of the XIII Congress, the occasion of 75^th year of the WFTU shall also be celebrated with enthusiasm and seriousness throughout the world.

**********

DoP MTS RECRUITMENT (AMENDMENT) RULES, 2019

Rescheduling of LDCE for promotion to the cadre of PS Group 'B'

Comments in connection with proposed revision of Business Hours for Monday to Friday

Indian Post Office Amendment Rules, 2019 : Discontinuance of Express Parcel