Monday, February 16, 2015

Age limit may be raised to 60 years-EPFO

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Retirement fund body Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s trustees in a meeting on Thursday will consider a proposal to raise the age limit from 58 to 60 years for vesting of pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95).

At present, a formal sector worker covered under the EPS-95 can make contributions towards pension scheme till the age of 58 years and can claim pension after that.

The Pension Implementation Committee (PIC) has recommended an increase in the age for vesting pension to 60 years, while suggesting that the Actuary should be asked to develop a model to give incentive to those persons who opt for drawing pension at the age of 60 years.

An actuary analyses financial consequences of risk after studying uncertain future events, particularly of concerns to pension and insurance plans.

Raising the age limit would reduce the deficit in pension fund and would increase the pension benefits of members as there would be two additional years of service, as per the agenda listed for the meeting of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO) apex decision making body the Central Board of Trustees (CBT).

According to a report of the valuer on the scheme, increasing the age limit would reduce the shortfall in the pension fund to the extend of Rs 27,067 crore.

The level of deficit is not a matter of concern, though it is recommended that the EPFO should look into investment returns more carefully and do not increase benefits without consulting Actuary and do sensitivity analysis more frequently, the valuer has suggested. — PTI
Source:http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/age-limit-may-be-raised-to-60-years/42668.html
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Monday, February 9, 2015

Request for Voluntary Retirement from Persons suffering with disability – regarding

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F.No.25012/01/2015-Estt(A.IV)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment A-IV Desk

North Block, New Delhi – 110 001
Dated : 6th February  2015

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject :- Request for Voluntary Retirement from Persons suffering with disability – regarding

The undersigned is directed to say that many Government servants seek voluntary retirement on medical grounds. Sec 47 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 19995 (PWD Act) lays down that no establishment shall dispense with the services of an employee who acquires a disability during the course of service. It is proposed that any Government servant seeking voluntary retirement on medical grounds may be apprised of the above provisions of PWD ACT, in order that he can take a considered decision.

2. A draft of the office memorandum to be issued in this regard is enclosed. Comments/suggestions are invited on the proposal. Comments may kindly be sent to the undersigned by E-mail at dsc@nic.in or by FAX at 011-23093179 by 20-02-2015.

(J.A.Vaidyanathan)
Director(E)
Tel : 23093179

Source-http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/25012_01_2015-Estt.A-IV-06022015.pdf
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Friday, February 6, 2015

UFBU decides to revive the strike programmes – 4 days strike from 25th to 28th Feb 2015

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IBA backtracks from its assurance
Offers a paltry 0.5% increase
UFBU decides to revive the strike programmes
Calls for four days Strike from 25th to 28th February, 2015
Indefinite Strike from 16th March, 2015

In our earlier Circular No.UFBU/2015/44 dated 19-1-2015, we had informed that in the background of the assurance given by IBA towards expeditious wage settlement and considering the positive developments since last conciliation meeting held on 5th January 2015, UFBU had put on hold its call for 4 days’ strike from 21st January 2015.

In this background another round of negotiations between IBA and UFBU was held in Mumbai yesterday (i.e., 3rd February 2015). Subsequent to a general reporting of the discussions held in the meetings of the three Sub-Committees on (i) Employees’ service conditions, (ii) Officers’ service conditions and (iii) revised medical reimbursement scheme, the important issue of further improvement in the wage increase offer came up for discussion. IBA sought the view of UFBU about revising its demand from 19.5% in order to arrive at a final deal. UFBU informed IBA that the wage increase offer needs to be substantially improved by IBA as assured and accordingly UFBU would negotiate further to reach a final accord. Quoting, once again, the strenuous financial performance of various Banks, IBA informed that the banks are not in a position to accept the demand of the UFBU. After prolonged discussions, IBA finally proposed to improve their offer from 12.5% to 13% and expected UFBU to scale down its demand.

Since the increase in offer of 0.5% by IBA was paltry, inadequate and not satisfactory, UFBU met thereafter and decided to revive the strike programmes as under:

9th February 2015 Centralised Demonstrations at all centres
13th February 2015 Centralised Demonstrations at all centres
20th February 2015 Badge Wearing & Demonstrations
23rd February 2015 Press Meet in all State capitals
24th February 2015 Centralised Demonstrations at all centres
25th to 28th February 2015 FOUR DAYS’ ALL INDIA BANK STRIKE
2nd to 14th March 2015 Further preparatory programmes
16th March onwards INDEFINITE STRIKE

Comrades, the sincere and persuasive efforts of UFBU to negotiate a reasonable and mutually acceptable wage increase are being misunderstood by the IBA and the Government as its weakness. With utmost patience, for the past two years, UFBU has been making its best efforts to settle the demands amicably. At every point of time, we have shown our flexibility. But unfortunately, it is not being reciprocated by the IBA.

When the entire workforce in the banking industry is making every effort to implement the various programmes of the Government including the recent Jan Dhan Yojana, when employees and officers are working under lot of stress and maximum difficulty due to manpower shortage and increased volume of work, it is regrettable that the Government is remaining a passive spectator without initiating any steps to find an amicable solution to the genuine expectations of bank employees for a better and reasonable wage revision.

UFBU has been once again pushed to the path of struggle. We call upon all our units and the entire membership to rise as one and plunge into action to implement the programmes successfully.

State-level UFBU meetings should be held immediately to plan out the steps to be initiated for making all the programmes a total success.

Comrades – March ahead with solidarity and unity – Let us exhibit clearly that our united movement brings Success and success alone…..

“WE SHALL FIGHT – WE SHALL FIGHT – TILL WE SUCCEED – WE SHALL FIGHT”

Source: AIBEA
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015

EPFO settles more than One crore claims in the current financial year Employees Pension Fund deficit comes down to 2.5%

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Shri K.K. Jalan, Central P.F. Commissioner while reviewing the performance of EPFO for the month of January, 2015 noted that the organization has settled 11.05 lakh claims. 73% of the claims were settled within 10 days and 93% within 20 days. With this, the total claim settlement for the current financial year 2014-15 stood at 1.08 crore by January end. 91% of these claims were settled within 20 days signifying the organization’s readiness to settle all claims within 20 days as per the new standards to be implemented later on. Also, the organization was able to settle more than 11,000 grievances in the month of January alone.

January also saw the Organisation opening its first Special Corporate Office at Bandra, Mumbai to offer priority service to big and promptly complying establishments. It would be a carved out of the existing Regional Office, but would enjoy a high degree of functional autonomy.

It was also noted that the preliminary report of the Actuary appointed for actuarial valuation of the EPS fund has been received and the same reveals that the deficit has come down drastically and is less than 2.5% of the total liability. Likewise, the Actuarial report of the EDLI Scheme was also received and it was seen that with the available corpus, there can be further additions to the benefits provided under the Scheme for which several options are being mulled by the organization.

With a view to facilitate dissemination of information regarding the various new initiatives taken by EPFO for the benefit of the working class, it has been decided to organize awareness camps for the same especially in industrial areas and residential areas having a concentration of workers. The camps would focus, among others on publicizing UAN and other web based services.

In a major step aimed at improving the speed and transparency of the assessment proceedings under the EPF &MP Act, 1952, it has been directed to send notices for assessment proceedings through e-mail also so that the employer is communicated in a faster and more effective manner.

A special facility has been launched on EPFO’s website in the members’ portal to enable members to identify and trace out their old accounts marked as inoperative. This initiative is expected to empower the members to initiate the process to transfer their past PF accumulations to their current account.

During the month, in the course of the Zonal Addl. CPFCs’ conference, it was decided to focus on certain key areas like special efforts to identify ‘inoperative accounts, introducing digital life certificates for EPS pensioners and system assisted monitoring of compliance, especially with regard to construction and contract workers. It was also decided to introduce Aadhar based Bio-metric attendance system in all the offices of EPFO.

Source:http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=0

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The Secretary, National Council, JCM (Staff Side) writes to the Chairman 7th CPC for meeting:-

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National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi - 110001
Shiva Gopal Mishra,
Secretary

No. NC-JCM-2015/7th CPC
2/2/2015
The Chairman
7th Central Pay Commission,
Chatrapati Shivaji Bhawan
1st Floor, B-14/A,
Qutab Institutional Area
New Delhi 110016
Post Box No. 4599,
Haus Khas P.O.

Respected Sir,
Sub: Holding of Hearings by 7th CPC with members of Standing Committee -National Council (JCM).

A lot of quarries are pouring in JCM Office from grass root workers ,as also from the Constituent Organization in respect of holding Hearings/Oral Evidence by 7th CPC . It may be appreciated that previous 6th CPC had held a detailed oral evidence with Members (Staff Side) of the Standing Committee of NC/JCM continuously for 3 days for better appreciation of the demands put-forth by the Staff Side.

It would, therefore, be highly appreciated if a time schedule is fixed, well in advance, so as to make necessary preparations in this regard.

Yours faithfully
sd/-
(S.G.Mishra)

Source: http://ncjcmstaffside.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/7th-CPC-M_ncjcmstaffside.pdf
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NC JCM staff side demands scheduled meetings of Joint Consultative Machinery for redressal of grievances of 40 Lakhs central government employees.

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National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi - 110001
Shiva Gopal Mishra,
Secretary

No.NC-JCM/2014/DoP&T
Dated: February 2, 2015

Dr. Jitendra Singh,
Hon'ble Minister of State for Prime Minister Office,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions,
(Department of Personnel & Training),
(Government of lndia),
New Delhi

Respected Sir,
Sub: Joint Consultative Machinery(JCM) (Staff Side)

I would like to invite your kind attention towards my earlier letter dated June 30, 2014(photocopy enclosed for your kind perusal), wherein it was represented that the JCM(National level) is responsible for all the common issues of around 40 lakh Central Government Employees, particularly wages, allowances, leave etc. This machinery had become quite ineffective since last half decade. Since last four and half years, meeting of the National Councii(JCM) has not been held, resulting in stoppage of dialogue at the highest level. Decision taken by the Standing Committee on many agenda items has not been implemented, and in many of the government departments, Departmental Council has not been formed or non-existent. Even in these circumstances, you will appreciate that the role of the unions and the federations had been quite cooperative, but how long it will remain, we are not sure.

It is, therefore, requested that, to avoid any industrial unrest, JCM Machinery must be made effective and meetings of the same must be ensured with a yearly calendar. The said scheme should also be made participative to resolve and redress various problems of the Central Government Employees.

For the above, we would like to request you to kindly call a meeting of the Standing Committee of the NC/JCM under your chairmanship to strengthen the JCM Scheme.

With kind regards!
Sincerely yours,

sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Source: http://ncjcmstaffside.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/letter-to-Min-of-State.pdf
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DA FOR BANK EMPLOYEES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY,MARCH AND APRIL 2015

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Indian Banks’ Association
HR & INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

No.CIR/HR&IR/76/D/2014-15/1277

31st January, 2015

All Members of the Association
(Designated Officers)

Dear Sirs,
Dearness Allowance for Workmen and Officer Employees in banks for the months of February, March & April 2015. under IX BPS/Joint Note dt. 27.4.10

The confirmed All India Average Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (Base1960=100) for the quarter ended December 2014 are as follows:-

Oct 2014 – 5774.95
Nov 2014 – 5774.95
Dec 2014 – 5774.95

The average CPI of the above is 5774.95. Consequently, dearness allowance to employees is payable for 734 slabs for the period February, March & April 2015 i.e., an increase of 2 slabs over the Current level.
In terms of clause 7 of the 9th Bipartite Settlement dated 27.04.2010 and clause 3 of the Joint Note dated 27.04.2010, the rate of dearness allowance payable to workmen and officer employees for the months of February, March & April 2015 shall be 110.10% of ‘pay’. While arriving at dearness allowance payable, decimals from third place may please be ignored.
We advise banks to pay the difference between the old and revised salary and allowances to officers on an ad hoc basis, pending amendments to Officers’ Service Regulations.

Yours faithfully,
Sd/-
K S Chauhan
Senior Vice President

Source:http://www.iba.org.in/Documents/Cir_12770001.pdf
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Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964 — Guidelines regarding prevention of sexual harassment of women at the workplace— regarding

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No. 11013/2/2014-Estt (A-III)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
Establishment Division
North Block, New Delhi
Dated February 2, 2015
OFFICE MEMORANDUM 

Subject: Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964 — Guidelines regarding prevention of sexual harassment of women at the workplace— regarding

Following the promulgation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 [SHWW(PPR) Act] and notification of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Rules, 2013 [SHWW(PPR) Rules] on 09.12.2013., the Government has recently, on 19.11.2014, notified the amendments to Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964 and Classification, Control and Appeal Rules, 1965.

The amendments and other salient features of the Act/ Rules was brought to the notice of all concerned vide Office Memorandum of even no. dated 27.11.2014. The amendments to the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1964 and Classification, Control and Appeal Rules, 1965 and the Office Memorandum dated 01.12.2014 are available on the Department’s website.

2. The following guidelines, conveying the decision of the Committee of Secretaries on this subject, were issued vide this Department’s Office Memorandum No. 11013/3/2009-Estt.(A) dated 03.08.2009,
“As regards provisions for protection of women, it was suggested that the complaints committee mechanism provided under Vishakha guidelines relating to sexual harassment should be strictly in accordance with the judgment and steps should be taken to ensure that the committee is effective and functional at all times. It would also be desirable for the Committees to meet once a quarter, even if there is no live case, and review preparedness to fulfil all requirements of the Vishakha judgment in the Department/Ministry/ organization concerned.”

3. As per the guidelines issued vide Office Memorandum dated 21.07.2009, it is also to be ensured that the Complaints Committee shall at all times be in existence and changes in its composition, whenever necessary, should be made promptly and adequately publicized. The composition of the Complaints Committee should also be posted on the websites of the concerned Ministries/Departments/Offices concerned.

4. Vide the Office Memorandum dated 01.12.2014, the attention of the Ministries/Departments was also invited to the reporting requirements mentioned in the SHWW(PPR) Act and SHWW(PPR) Rules.

5. All Ministries/ Departments are requested to please review the progress of implementation of the existing abovementioned guidelines issued in the aftermath of the Vishakha judgment.

6. Attention of all Ministries is invited to Section 22 of the Act relating to including information in Annual Report, and to request that information relating to number of cases filed, if any, and their disposal may be included in the Annual Report of the Ministry / Department.

7. All Ministries / Departments are also requested to furnish an annual return (as on 31 stMarch) in the enclosed proforma to this Department by 30th April every year.

(J.A. Vaidyanathan)
Director (E) 

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/11013_2_2014-Estt.A-III-02022015.pdf
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Merger of DA is just a Distant Mirage

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Merger of DA

               Almost all the Federations adopted the resolution in their Meetings and submitted Memorandum to Central Government and 7th pay commission for merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay. The matter has been raised in Parliament several occasions, but until now the central government, whether it is NDA or UPA – not ready to accept this demand. The central Government always responded with a ready-made answer to this query as “since it has not been recommended by sixth CPC, there is no question of considering to merge the DA with pay”.

When the DA was reached 50%, the federations were not having that much hope that merger of 50% DA would be considered by the then Government. But when the DA was at the verge of reaching 100% Level, they started demanding like anything to consider Merger of DA as General Election for Parliament was due at the time. It seemed that the UPA Government was ready to accept this demand to woo the voters, since the Central and State Government Employees and their family members alone comprise considerable Vote bank. But the UPA government failed to fulfill the central government employee’s hope in its tenure.  The only good thing done to the central government servants by the previous government was constitution of 7th Pay Commission well in advance.

The approach of NDA government towards the central government employees clearly shows that the merger of DA with pay is not going to happen anyway. Because the way this demand has been handled by the Government and 7th Pay Commission shows that it will not be an achievable target for central government employees. The central government and 7th pay commission are not ready to accept or not even give in-principle nod for this Merger of DA proposal. So far the organizations and Unions met with the seventh pay commission, not at all gave any positive inputs to cg employees’ community about the 7th pay commission’s views on the proposal of merger of DA. At the end the demand of Merger of DA is now become an unrealistic expectation. So there is no point to expect that this government would consider this demand favorably.

Source:http://www.gservants.com/2015/02/01/most-of-the-employees-of-defence-finance-and-it-ministries-are-not-marked-their-attendance-in-bas/
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