Transfer / Postings in STS / JTS of Indian Postal Service (IPoS) Group "A" - Directorate Order dtd 30/06/2021
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Wednesday, 30 June 2021
COVID19: Myth vs. Facts
COVID19: Myth vs. Facts
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID19: Myth vs. Facts
COVID-19 in children is often asymptomatic and seldom requires hospitalization: Dr. V. K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog
Healthy children recovered with mild illness without need for hospitalization as compared to those who either had comorbidities or low immunity: Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director AIIMS, New Delhi
Covaxin trials have been started on children aged between 2 – 18 years: Dr. N. K. Arora, Chairperson of the COVID-19 Working Group of NTAGI
Detailed guidelines on ‘Management of COVID-19 in children (below 18 years)’ issued by Union Health Ministry
Posted On: 30 JUN 2021 3:32PM by PIB Delhi
Government of India has been at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination forms an integral component of the five-point strategy of Government of India to fight the pandemic (including Test, Track, Treat and COVID Appropriate Behaviour).
During the COVID-19 second wave in the country, several questions have been raised in the media regarding higher vulnerability of children to get adversely impacted by COVID-19 during the subsequent waves, if any.
Experts have allayed these fears and apprehensions on several platforms.
Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog at the Union Health Ministry's media briefing on COVID-19 on 1st June 2021 had informed that adequate arrangements are being made in terms of healthcare infrastructure in order to provide effective care and treatment to children who may get infected. He had further said that COVID-19 in children is often asymptomatic and seldom requires hospitalization. However, it is possible that a small percentage of children who get infected may need hospitalization
(https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1723469 )
During the media briefing on COVID-19 held on 8th June 2021, Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi stated that there is no data, either from India or globally, to show that children will be seriously infected in subsequent waves. Giving further clarification on the issue he said that healthy children recovered with mild illness without need for hospitalization while the ones admitted in the hospital due to COVID19 infection during the second wave in India either had co-morbidities or low immunity (https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1725366 )
Dr N K Arora, Chairperson of the COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) had stated on 25th June 2021 that Covaxin trials have been started on children aged between 2 – 18 years and the results for the same will be received by September to October this year. He said that children may catch the infection, but they will not get seriously ill.
(https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1730219 )
Keeping in mind the preparedness that is required to keep the children safe and healthy during subsequent COVID-19 waves, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued guidelines for ‘Management of COVID-19 in children (below 18 years) on 18th June 2021. The document provides detailed guidance on symptoms, various treatments, monitoring and management including Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), advice for using masks etc.
(https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforManagementofCOVID19inCHILDREN18June2021final.pdf )
The Union Health Ministry and various experts have regularly emphasised the need for COVID Appropriate Behaviour (CAB) for children as well as adults to break the chain of transmission of the virus.
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No scientific evidences found linking COVID19 vaccination with infertility in men and women
No scientific evidences found linking COVID19 vaccination with infertility in men and women
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID19 Vaccination: Myths vs. Facts
No scientific evidences found linking COVID19 vaccination with infertility in men and women
COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women
Posted On: 30 JUN 2021 3:27PM by PIB Delhi
There have been media reports expressing concerns regarding infertility due to COVID-19 vaccination amongst population of reproductive age and whether COVID-19 vaccination is safe for lactating women.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has clarified in the FAQs posted on the website (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/FAQsforHCWs&FLWs.pdf) that none of the available vaccines affects fertility of either men or women, as all vaccines and their constituents are tested first on animals and later in humans to assess if they have any such side effects. Vaccines are authorized for use only after their safety and efficacy is assured.
Furthermore, in order to curb the prevalent myth regarding infertility due to COVID-19 vaccination, the Government of India has clarified (https://twitter.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1396805590442119175) that there are no scientific evidences suggesting COVID-19 vaccination can cause infertility in men and women. The vaccines have been found to be safe and effective.
In a recent interview, Dr. N. K Arora, Chairperson of COVID-19 Working Group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has countered these fears and allegations. He said that misinformation was also created during the administering of Polio vaccine in India and abroad that children who are getting the vaccine may face infertility in the future. He assured that all vaccines go through intense scientific researches and none of the vaccines have this sort of side-effect.
(https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1730219 )
The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has also recommended the COVID-19 vaccination for all lactating women, terming it as safe with no need to stop or pause breastfeeding before or after the vaccination. (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719925).
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No changes in Interest Rate of Small Savings Schemes ( for the period 01/07/2021 to 30/09/2021)
No changes in Interest Rate of Small Savings Schemes ( for the period 01/07/2021 to 30/09/2021)
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All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) for May, 2021 – Increased 0.5 Points
All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) for May, 2021 – Increased 0.5 Points
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) – May, 2021
Posted On: 30 JUN 2021 5:13PM by PIB Delhi
Key Points
All-India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (2016=100) for May, 2021 increased to 120.6 points compared to 120.1 points for April 2021.
The increase observed in index is mainly due to Food & Fuel items like Rice, Arhar Dal, Masur Dal, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Eggs-Hen, Edible Oil, Apple, Banana, Jamun, Papaya, Potato, Tomato, Brinjal, Cabbage, French Bean, Garlic, Onion, Sugar White, Tea-leaf, Cooking Gas, Kerosene Oil, Petrol, etc. which experienced an increase in prices.
Inflation for May, 2021 went up to 5.24 per cent compared to 5.14 per cent of previous month. Similarly, Food inflation also increased to 5.26 per cent from 4.78 per cent in the previous month.
The All-India CPI-IW for May, 2021 increased by 0.5 points and stood at 120.6 (one hundred twenty and point six). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.42 per cent with respect to previous month compared to an increase of 0.30 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago.
The maximum upward pressure in current index came from Food & Beverages group contributing 0.35 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Arhar Dal, Masur Dal, Fish Fresh, Goat Meat, Eggs-Hen, Edible Oil, Apple, Banana, Jamun, Papaya, Potato, Tomato, Brinjal, Cabbage, French Bean, Garlic, Onion, Sugar White, Tea-leaf, Cooking Gas, Kerosene Oil, Mobile Telephone Charges, Petrol, etc. are responsible for the rise in index. However, this increase was mostly checked by Leechi, Mango, Water Melon, Bitter Gourd, Lady’s Finger, Lemon, Parwal, Torai, Tamarind, etc. putting downward pressure on the index.
At centre level, Coonoor recorded maximum increase of 4.1 points followed by Udham Singh Nagar with 3.6 points. Among others, 4 centres observed an increase between 2 to 2.9 points, 18 centres between 1 to 1.9 points and 41 centres between 0.1 to 0.9 points. On the contrary, Bhilwara recorded a maximum decrease of 1.2 points followed by Amritsar with 1 point. Among others, 17 centres observed a decline between 0.1 to 0.9 points. Rest of 4 centres remained stationary.
Year-on-year inflation for the month stood at 5.24 per cent compared to 5.14 per cent for the previous month and 5.10 per cent during the corresponding month an year before. Similarly, Food inflation stood at 5.26 per cent against 4.78 per cent of the previous month and 5.88 per cent during the corresponding month an year ago.
Y-o-Y Inflation based on CPI-IW (Food and General)
All-India Group-wise CPI-IW for April and May, 2021
CPI-IW: Groups Indices
The next issue of CPI-IW for the month of June, 2021 will be released on Friday 30th July, 2021. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureaunew.gov.in.
While releasing the index, Minister of Labour & Employment Shri Santosh Gangwar said that the rise in index will result into increased wages of working Class population by way of increase in dearness allowance payable to them.
Shri Gangwar also said that Increase in wages will provide respite to working class families who have witnessed many hardships during the Lockdown period due to COVID. Shri DPS Negi Director General, Labour Bureau said that the rise in Index during May, 2021 is in line with all other price indices compiled and released by different agencies in the country and Marginal increase in annual inflation has, however, been observed during the month due to increase in prices of Food and Fuel items which is also in line with other price indices.
The Labour Bureau, an attached office of the M/o Labour & Employment, has been compiling Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers every month on the basis of retail prices collected from 317 markets spread over 88 industrially important centres in the country. The index is compiled for 88 centres and All-India and is released on the last working day of succeeding month.
Source: PIB
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Conduct & Disciplinary Rules - 17 : Article from Mr. K.V.Shridharan
Conduct & Disciplinary Rules - 17 : Article from Mr. K.V.Shridharan
Government of India Instructions on Conduct Rules
(A compilation of important Govt orders on Conduct Rules)
Rule 18
30. Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 - Submission of Declaration of Immovable Property Returns by the Government servants - regarding.
The undersigned is directed to refer to the Office Memorandum of even number dated the 26th October, 2015 on the above subject and to say that the Annual Property Returns required to be filed under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 for the year 2015 which is required to be filed by the 31st January, 2016, may be filed in the forms prescribed under the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. It is reiterated that the returns are required to be filed by all the Government servants belonging to Group 'A', 'B', 'C' and erstwhile Group 'D', in terms of Rule 18(4) of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 which empowers the Government to require a Government servant to submit a statement of movable or immovable property as may be specified in the order.
DOPT OM No. 11013/7/2014-Estt.A-III Dated the 5th January, 2016.
31. Rule 18 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964- regarding standard forms for intimation/ permission under the rules and expenditure incurred on repairs or minor construction work in respect of immovable property - regarding.
The undersigned is directed to say that in accordance with the provisions of subrule (2) of the Rule 18 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, all Government servants coming within the purview of these Rules are required to make a report to the prescribed authority before entering into any transaction of immovable property in their own name or in the name of a member of family. If the transaction is with a person having any official dealings with the Government servant, the Govt. servant is required to obtain prior sanction of the prescribed authority. Sub-rule (3), ibid provides that all Govt. servants should give an intimation to the prescribed authority within one month of entering into any transaction of movable property, the value of which exceeds the monetary limits prescribed in that Rule. In case any such transaction is with a person having official dealing with the Government servant, prior sanction of the prescribed authority is necessary. All requests for obtaining prior sanction and making intimation about transactions in immovable and movable property may be made in the enclosed standard Form I and Form II, respectively.
2. Further, this Department's O.M. No. 11013/9/89-Estt.(A) dated 27/11/1990 provides, inter-alia, that where the expenditure incurred on repairs or minor constructions work in respect of any immovable property belonging to a Government servant is estimated to exceed Rs. 10,000/-, intimation to the prescribed authority was necessary. These instructions have been reviewed and in supersession of the said O.M., it has now been decided that in respect of the expenditure incurred on repairs and minor additions to an immovable property by a Government servant, an intimation shall be necessary to be given to the prescribed authority only if the estimate exceeds the limit prescribed in Rule 18(3) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. However, prior sanction of the prescribed authority should be obtained in all cases regardless of amount involved, where the transaction regarding the material purchases or contract for such repairs or minor construction, is with a person with whom the Government servant concerned has official dealings.
3. All Ministries/ Departments/Offices are requested to bring the above guidelines to the notice of all administrative authority under their control.
4. In so far as the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Departments are concerned, this O.M. issues after consultation with Comptroller & Auditor General of India.
DOPT OM No. 11013/2/2018-Estt.A-III Dated the 17th December, 2018.
32. Rule 18 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964- regarding standard forms for intimation/ permission under the rules and expenditure incurred on repairs or minor construction work in respect of immovable property - regarding.
The undersigned is directed to say that in accordance with the provisions of sub - rule (2) of the Rule 18 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964, all Government servants coming within the purview of these Rules are required to make a report to the prescribed authority before entering into any transaction of immovable property in their own name or in the name of a member of family. If the transaction is with a person having any official dealings with the Government servant, the Govt. Servant is required to obtain prior sanction of the prescribed authority. Sub-rule (3), ibid provides that all Govt. servants should give an intimation to the prescribed authority within one month of entering into any transaction of movable property, the value of which exceeds the monetary limits prescribed in that Rule. In case any such transaction is with a person having official dealing with the Government servant, prior sanction of the prescribed authority is necessary. All requests for obtaining prior sanction and making intimation about transactions in immovable and movable property may be made in the enclosed standard Form I and Form H, respectively.
2. Further, this Department's O.M. No. 11013/9/89-Estt.(A) dated 27/11/1990 provides, inter-alia, that where the expenditure incurred on repairs or minor constructions work in respect of any immovable property belonging to a Government Servant is estimated to exceed Rs. 10,000/-, intimation to the prescribed authority was necessary. These instructions have been reviewed and in supersession of the said O.M., it has now been decided that in respect of the expenditure incurred on repairs and minor additions to an immovable property by a Government servant, an intimation shall be necessary to be given to the prescribed authority only if the estimate exceeds the limit prescribed in Rule 18(3) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. However, prior sanction of the prescribed authority should be obtained in all cases regardless of amount involved, where the transaction regarding the material purchases or contract for such repairs or minor construction, is with a person with whom the Government servant concerned has official dealings.
4. All Ministries/ Departments/Offices are requested to bring the above guidelines to the notice of all administrative authority under their control.
5. In so far as the employees of Indian Audit and Accounts Departments are concerned, this O.M. issues after consultation with Comptroller & Auditor General of India.
DOPT OM F. No. 11013/2 /2018-Estt.A-II Dated 1 December, 2018
……… To be continued……
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Conduct & Disciplinary Rules - 16 : Article from Mr. K.V.Shridharan
Conduct & Disciplinary Rules - 16 : Article from Mr. K.V.Shridharan
Government of India Instructions on Conduct Rules
(A compilation of important Govt orders on Conduct Rules)
28. Amendment to CCS (Conduct) Rules 1964 - Intimation about purchase of immovable property - Notification
G.S.R.....................(E).- In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 and clause (5) of article 148 of the Constitution and after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in relation to persons serving in the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the President hereby makes the following rules further to amend the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, namely :-
1. (1) These rules may be called the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Amendment Rules, 2011.
(2) They should come into force on the date of their publication in the Govt. Gazette.
2. In the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, in rule 18,
(a) for sub-rule (3), the following shall be substituted, namely:-
"(3) Where a Government servant enters into a transaction in respect of movable property either in his own name or in the name of the member of his family, he shall, within one month from the date of such property exceeds two months basic pay of the Government servant:
Provided that the previous sanction of the prescribed authority shall be obtained by the Government servant if any such transaction is with a person having official dealings with him".
(b) In Explanation I, in clause (1), in sub-clause (a), for the letters, figures and words "Rs 10,000, or one-sixth of the total annual emoluments received from Government, whichever is less", the words "two months' basic pay of the Government servant, shall be substituted.
(DOPT OM No. 11013/8/2010-Estt.(A) dated 09.05.2011)
29. Intimation by a Government Servant to the prescribed authority about acquiring or disposing of any immovable/movable property either in his/her own name or in the name of any member of his/her family and submission of declarations-reg.
I am directed to refer to above mentioned subject and to say that rules 18(2) & (3) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 have specific provisions for a Government Servant to intimate to his/her prescribed authority about acquiring or disposing of any immovable or movable property either in his/her own name or in the name of any member of his/her family. Further, Rule 18(4) of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 bestows power to the Government or the prescribed authority to direct a Government servant to furnish a full and complete statement of such movable or immovable property held or acquired by him/her or on his/her behalf or by any member of his family including the details of the means by which, or the source from which, property was acquired.
2. The Government of India vide G.I. M.H.A. No. 25/11/68-Ests. (A) dated 05.08.1968 had declared the Heads of Departments as “Prescribed Authorities” for Group ‘A’ officers and it was also mentioned in this circular that the powers exercisable by the Central Government under sub-rules (2) and (3) of Rule 18 shall be exercisable by the Heads of Departments in respect of Group ‘A’ Officers serving under their control subject to the conditions that (a) in relation to the Heads of Departments themselves, the said powers shall continue to be exercised by the Central Government; and (b) all cases of sanction accorded by the said Heads of Departments shall be reported to the Central Government.
3. This order of the Government of India was circulated to all Heads of Circles / Units vide this Directorate’s letter No. 15/15/68-Disc. Dated 23.09.1968 for ensuring action accordingly. Subsequently, vide letter No. 84/3/70-STA-1/Disc. I dated 27.07.1972, this office informed all the Heads of Circles/Units that powers have been delegated to them to deal with these cases of Group ‘A’ officers serving under their control and, thus, directed them that such cases should no longer be refereed to this Directorate. It was further stated in the ibid communication that all cases of sanction accorded by the Heads of Circles/Units, in their capacity as Heads of Departments in this regard, should be reported to this office. However, despite above instructions, Heads of Circles/Units have been sending cases of immovable/movable property intimation of Group ‘A’ officers working under their control to this office for consideration. Furthermore, some Group ‘A’ officers working in Circles are also directly referring cases of intimation of property and seeking permission/acknowledgment from Directorate, which is avoidable too. The Circles/Units are only required to report to this office the sanction accorded by them in all such cases of Group ‘A’ officers.
4. In case of officers of the Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ on deputation to other Ministries/Departments including Army Postal Service (for Addl. DG APS only), they are required to send through their respective Ministries/Departments such immovable/movable property related application for approval/intimation to this Department for consideration of the Competent Authority.
5. I am directed to refer to this Directorate’s earlier communications No. 20-1/2014-SPG in the recent past in respect of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, under which the Government has notified the Public Servants (Furnishing of Information and Annual Return of Assets and Liabilities and the limits for Exemption of Assets in Filing Returns) Rules, 2014. These Rules mandate that “Every public servant shall file declarations, information or return, as the case may be regarding his assets and liabilities as on the 31st day of March every year to the Competent Authority, on or before the 31st day of July of that year. Here, the definition of public servant covers all Central Government servants (Group A, B and C). Therefore, all Central Government servants are required to file the declaration.”
6. Keeping in view the above instructions of the Government of India, it has been decided that :
(i) Immovable/movable property related transaction/intimation of Higher Administrative Grade (HAG) and above rank officers will continue to be sent to the Postal Directorate (SPG Section of Personnel Division) for intimation/sanction to/of the Competent Authority.
(ii) In case of the officers of the rank of Senior Administrative Grade (SAG), Junior Administrative Grade (JAG) including NFSG, Senior Time Scale (STS) and Junior Time Scale of Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ officers viz. Sr./Manager in MMS etc., the Heads of Circles/Chief General Managers/ Director, RAK NPA Ghaziabad, as the case may be, will acknowledge/accept the immovable/movable property related communications reported by the aforesaid Group ‘A’ officers serving under their control and also accord necessary sanction, wherever required under Rule 18 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Henc, such cases should not be referred to this Directorate. Similar action shall be taken in case of Group ‘B’ & ‘C’ staff by their respective authority in the Circle/Unit.
(iii) Chief Postmasters General will also exercise the above power in case of such Group ‘A’ officers working in Postal Training Centre located in their Circle. Similar action shall be taken in case of Group ‘B’ & ‘C’ staff by the Director of Postal Training Centre concerned.
(iv) All IPoS Group ‘A’ & Postal Service Group ‘B’ officers working in Postal Directorate (excluding BD&M and PLI Directorates) will send their intimation/sanction applications on immovable/movable property to Personnel Division (SPG Section) os Postal Directorate for consideration of the Competent Authority. Other Group ‘B’ officers (viz. ASPs and IPs) and Group ‘C’ (viz. Postal/Sorting Assistants) officials of Postal side working in Directorate will send such intimation to SPB-II or SPB-I Section of Personnel Division as the case may be.
(v) Heads of Circles/Chief General Managers/Director, RAK NPA Ghaziabad, as the case may be, will report to Postal Directorate (SPG Section of Personnel Division) all the cases of sanction accorded by him/her in respect of immovable/movable property related transaction of Group ‘a’ officers serving within their jurisdiction during the entire financial year (1st April to 31st March) along with the annual declarations, information or return regarding their assets and liabilities ending on 31st March, as per the revised time-frame, latest by 15th August of the year. This will be an annual due document.
(vi) All Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’ officers on deputation to other Ministries/Departments including Army Postal Service (for Addl. DG APS only) will send through their respective Ministries/Departments such immovable/movable property related application for approval/intimation to this Department for consideration of the Competent Authority. Further, they will also send their annual declarations, information or return regarding their assets and liabilities ending on 31st March, as per the revised time-frame, latest by 15th August of that year. All IPoS Group ‘A’ officers working in APS will submit their declarations to the Postal Directorate (SPG Section of Personnel Division) as per above time-frame.
(vii) Directorate/Prescribed Controlling Authority of an officer/official reserves the right to direct a Government servant to furnish, within a period specified in the order, a full and complete statement of such immovable/movable property held or acquired by him/her or on his/her behalf or by any member of his/her family as may be specified in the order including the details of the means by which, or the source from which, immovable/movable property was acquired.
7. It is requested to bring the above instructions to the notice of all Government Servants and ensure strict compliance.
(DG (P) No.20-15/2014-SPG dated 05.11.2014)
.……… To be continued……
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What about the assurances for revision of minimum wage?
What about the assurances for revision of minimum wage?
What about the assurances for revision of minimum wage?
Courtesy : The Pioneer , Dated 30.06.2021
What about the assurances for revision of minimum wage?
Author : BRURUHASPATI SAMAL
The Central Government has declared unilateral implementation of the recommendations of 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) without any modifications through a Cabinet decision on June 29, 2016. This was done, despite repeated correspondences with the Prime Minister, Cabinet Secretary and Secretary DoPT and several rounds of country wide agitational programmes including serving of notice to go for nationwide indefinite strike.
The employees have expressed their serious resentment for wrong interpretation and implementation of Dr Aykroyd Formula approved by the Supreme Court of India to determine the minimum need-based wage which was fixed by the CPC at Rs 18,000 instead of Rs 26,000 as demanded.
In addition, abolition of 52 allowances, merger of 36 allowances with Pay, decrease in percentage of the house rent allowance, no change in annual increment / financial upgradations / casual and maternity leave even after a gap of ten years, 20% decrease in pay in the 2nd year of Child Care leave etc. were some of the negative recommendations of the 7th CPC.
The CPC also ignored the demands of the staff side for revision of minimum wage at 3.7 multiplying factor, 5% annual increment, 5 promotions during the entire service career of an employee etc and above all the understanding in between the staff side and Secretary, DoPT for implementation of the recommendations from 01.01.2014.
Moreover, both the CPC and the Government avoided the demands of as many as 3 lakh Gramin Dak Sewaks and lakhs of casual and contract workers working in the Central Government establishment. However, due to the strong protest by NJCA, the then Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, as per direction of the Prime Minister held discussions with the NJCA leaders on June 30, 2016 in the presence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
The National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), is a united forum of more than 120 independent organizations comprising Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers along with Railway and Defence Federations.
After hours of discussions on the demands with particular reference to revision in minimum wage and Fitment Formula, the group of Cabinet Ministers, without any written minutes or communications just verbally assured that a high-level committee would be appointed to consider the issues raised by the NJCA which prompted the NJCA to go for nationwide Indefinite Strike from July 11, 2016 as notified earlier. Country wide demonstrations were held daily in front of all offices and at all important centres.
On July 6, 2016 when the NJCA meeting was in progress on the preparations of the proposed nationwide strike, the then Home Minister Rajnath Singh again invited the NJCA leaders for discussion in the presence of Finance, Railway and Communication Ministers.
After hours of discussion with 17 staff representatives of the NJCA, the group of Ministers reiterated the earlier assurances of the Government basing on which the proposed indefinite strike commencing July 11, 2016 was deferred. However, while answering to the Unstarred Question No. 1170 put in this regard in Rajya Sabha, the then Union Finance Minister (State) P Radhakrishnan replied on March 6, 2018 in contradiction to the written assurances of a group of Cabinet Ministers.
He said, “The minimum pay of Rs 18,000 pm and fitment factor of 2.57 are based on the specific recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission in the light of the relevant factors taken into account by it. Therefore, no change therein is at present under consideration”. In the meantime, more than 5 years have passed. No action has yet been taken either to constitute the proposed committee nor to have a negotiation with the staff side representatives.
The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has already gone twice for one-day nationwide strike on January 8, 2020 and November 26, 2020 reminding the Central Government of the the discussions and assurances of June 30, 2016 and July 6, 2016 along with demand for 5 years wage revision like banks, insurance and PSUs. But adding salt to the injury, the Central Government has frozen the Dearness Allowance of the employees for 18 months from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 on the plea of Covid-19 pandemic management which is a strong kick of gross injustice on the bread and butter of the employees who are now working in tandem with the Government, administration and the people of the country to fight against Corona. If the written assurances are not kept and DA is not restored immediately, the Confederation and NJCA may once again take a strong decision to go for nationwide agitation culminating to indefinite strike.
(The writer is all India organising general secretary, National Federation of Postal Employees-P-III)
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MHA Order Dt. 29.6.2021 for containment of Covid 19
MHA Order Dt. 29.6.2021 for containment of Covid 19
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