7th Pay Commission Budget 2019 expectations

7th Pay Commission Budget 2019 expectations

Budget 2019

Tomorrow (February 1, 2019) Finance Minister Piyush Goyal present Narendra Modi government's sixth and final Budget. Weeks before General Elections, it is an interim budget. Yet, expectations are rife about big bang announcements in the wake of upcoming elections.

Budget 2019 - Central Government employees have been demanding for long salary hike beyond the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission. The budget is expected to address the fitment factor and minimum pay hike demand. The central government employees have been demanding a hike in the minimum pay scale to Rs 26,000 from the current Rs 18000 along with a fitment factor of 3.68 times from the present 2.57 times.

NPS To OPS - Revert to Old Defined Benefit Pension System - Parliament Q&A on 28.12.2018

National Pension System to Old Pension Scheme

In Parliament on 28th December 2018, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance Shri Shiv Pratap Shukla said that there is no proposal to replace the National Pension System (NPS) with old pension scheme in respect of Central Government employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004.
The detailed report of Questions and Answers are given below for your information…

Lok Sabha Un Starred Question No.2954

(a) Whether the Government is planning to reconsider the Old Pension Scheme on optional basis for Central Government Employees on heavy demand of employee associations across the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) Whether the Government has received any representation from various State Governments and employees' associations in this regard and if so, the details thereof along with the other major changes demanded by the employee associations and the reaction of the Government thereon;
Representations have been received which inter alia also include the demand that the Government may revert to old defined benefit pension system. However, due to rising and unsustainable pension bill and competing claims on the fiscal, there is no proposal to replace the National Pension System (NPS) with old pension scheme in respect of Central Government employees recruited on or after 01.01.2004.

(c) Whether the Government has decided to raise the Government contribution in National Pension System (NPS) to 14 per cent from existing 10 per cent and if so, the details thereof along with the increased financial liabilities of the Government thereon;
Yes, the mandatory contribution by the Central Government for Tier I accounts of its employees covered under NPS has been enhanced from the existing 10% to 14%. The employees' contribution rate would remain at the existing 10%. As informed by the Department of Expenditure, the impact on Government exchequer on account of enhancing the mandatory contribution by the Government for its employees covered under NPS from 10% to 14% is estimated to entail an additional financial impact of Rs. 2840 crores on Central Government in the next immediate financial year (2019 2020).

(d) The details of cases of family pension sanctioned so far to the families of deceased Central Government employees and the payment of compensation made for non-deposit or delayed deposit of contributions under the NPS;
Number of Family Pensioners getting pension through Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) by authorised Bank under National Pension System- Additional Relief (NPS-AR) as on 30.11.2018 is 4,779.

(e) whether the Government has decided to stop pension scheme to all the Government employees including Government/Public Undertakings organization, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
The Government of India vide notification dated 22.12.2003 had introduced the National Pension System (NPS) (earlier known as New Pension Scheme) for its employees and made it mandatory for all new recruits of the Central Government (excluding armed forces) who joined service on or after 01.01.2004. The old defined benefit scheme was withdrawn by the Government for Central Government employees (excluding armed forces) joining service on or after 01.01.2004. There is no proposal to stop the pension scheme for Government employees.

(f) The amount/percentage of the budget consumed every year to pay pensions to employees serving in Government jobs in the country?
As informed by the Department of Expenditure, the details of Budget consumed during 2017-18 to pay pension to pensioners and Budget for financial year 2017-18 are as under:

Budget consumed

HEAD OF ACCOUNTS	AMOUNT (IN CRORES) (PROVISIONAL)
2071 Pension & other retirement benefits	145745.07
3001-101 Indian Railways Pensionary charges	366.85
3002-11 Indian Railways Pensionary charges	1996.97
3003-11 Indian Railways Pensionary charges	21.07
3201-07 Pension-Postal Services	8511.33
Grand Total	156641.29

Budget for the financial year 2017-18 under NPS-AR is as under:

Budget Estimate 2018- 19	Expenditure 2018- 19	Budget Estimate 2017- 18	Expenditure 2017- 18
Rs. 90.20 cr	Rs. 59.71 cr (as on 30.11.2018)	Rs. 66.21 cr	Rs. 65.65 cr

Source: https://loksabha.nic.in/

Admissibility of SPORTS tour package to Lakshadweep Islands on ships operated by its Administration on LTC

Admissibility of SPORTS tour package to Lakshadweep Islands on ships operated by its Administration on LTC

No. AN/XIV/ 19015/Govt. Orders/TA/DA/LTC/Medical/2018

27.11.2018

To,
All PCsDA/CsDA/PCA (Fys)

Sub: Admissibility of SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports) tour package to Lakshadweep Islands on ships operated by Lakshadweep Administration on LTC.

A Copy of Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel and Training) Office Memorandum No. 31011/10/2017-Estt.A-IV dated 11.10.2018 on the above subject is forwarded herewith for your information, guidance and compliance please.

Source: CGDA

Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

No. 1/1/2018-19-CCSCSB
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Personnel & Training
CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES CULTURAL & SPORTS BOARD

Room No. 361, 'B' Wing, 3'd Floor,
Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi-3
Dated : 12.11.2018

CIRCULAR

Subject: Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board has been organizing the Athletic Meet for Central Government employees for the last many years. There were demands from a large number of participants and employees that a similar Athletic events may also be started to their wards to motivate and encourage them.

2. It is, therefore, proposed to organize Athletic Competition for wards of Central Government Employees at Vi nay Marg Sports Complex, Chankyapuri, New Delhi on 02 December 2018 (Sunday) at 9.00 AM. There is NO ENTRY FEE for this competition. The entry should be sent in the prescribed form to the Board's Office latest by 28th November 2018 at Room No. 361 , 'B', Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003 or by email at sportsdopt@gmail.com.

3. The competition will be held in the following categories:-

Age Category	Born between	Events
08-10 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2008 to 30 Nov 2010	60M, Spoon Race
10-12 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2006 to 30 Nov 2008	100M, 200M, Long Jump
12-14 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2004 to 30 Nov 2006	100M, 200M, Long Jump
14-16 Yrs (Boys & Girls)	01 Dec 2002 to 30 Nov 2004	100M, 200M, 400M, Long Jump
Spouse (Men & Women)		100M

4. Wards of the following categories of employees are not eligible for participation in this competition:-

(a) Uniform personnel in Defence Services/Para Military Organisaions/Central Police Organisagion/Police/RPF/CISF/BSFIITBP/NSG etc.
(b) Employees of Autonomous bodies/undertaking/Public Sector Banks/ Corporations even though administratively controlled by the Central Ministries.
(c) Casual/ Daily wages workers.
(d) Employees attached to offices on temporary duty.

5. Decision of the Judges will be final and no appeal against their decision would be entertained.

6. For further queries, Sh. T.K. Rawat (9899232337), Athletic Convener CCSCSB may be contacted.

7. This circular may be given wide publicity.

(Kulbhushan Malhotra)
Secretary (CCSCSB)

Source: DoPT

Grant of Additional House Rent Allowance to CG Employees - Finmin Order 14.8.2018

Grant of Additional House Rent Allowance to CG Employees - Finmin Order 14.8.2018

Grant of additional HRA to the civilian employees of the Central Government serving in the States of North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Ladakh

No.28/1/2017-E.II(B)
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi, dated the 14th August,2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Grant of additional HRA to the civilian employees of the Central Government serving in the States of North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Ladakh.

Consequent upon revision of rates of House Rent Allowance (HRA)/additional HRA w.e.f. 01.07.2017 vide this Department’s O.M. No.2/5/2017-E.ll(B) dated 07/07/2017 and O.M. of even number dated 19.07.2017 respectively, it has been decided to grant additional HRA at old duty station w.e.f. 01.07.2017 to all those Central Government civilian employees who have been transferred to North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Ladakh, prior to 01.07.2017 or after 01.07.2017 and continue to remain posted there after 01.07.2017, as under:-
(i) ln case of civilian employees of Central Government transferred to and posted from a date prior to 01.07.2017 who leave their families behind at the old duty station, the HRA of the old duty station will be calculated on the revised pay drawn on 01.07.2017 with the percentage rates of HRA effective on 01.07.2017 as per 0.M. No. 2/5/2017.E.ll(B) dated 07/07/2017.

(ii) In case of civilian employees of Central Government transferred to and posted from a date on or after 01.07.2017 who leave their families behind at the old duty station, the HRA of the old duty station will be calculated on the revised pay drawn on the date of transfer with the percentage rates of HRA effective on the date of transfer.

2. This is issued with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure)

sd/-
(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India

Source: https://www.doe.gov.in

Schedule for Music and Dance Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

Schedule for Music and Dance Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

F.No. 18/3/2017-18 -CCSCSB

Central Civil Services Cultural & Sports Board

Schedule for Music and Dance Competition for wards of Central Government Employees

Reporting Time and Date	Event Categories	Venue
*10 A.M on 30.5.2018	i. Instrumental Music ii. Classical Music iii. Folk Music and iv. Folk Dance	CSOI Auditorium, Vinay Marg
**9 A.M. on 31.5.2018	i. Western Dance and ii. Classical Dance

* Participants are requested to report the venue at sharp 10 A.M. on 30.5.2018.
** Participants are requested to report the venue at sharp 9 A.M. on 31.5.2018.

Important information: -
1. The participants who have crossed the age of 16 years on the last date of receipt of
application i.e. 25.5.2018 will not be entertained.

2. Children's of Civilian persons working in Ministries of Central Government including those working in the attached and subordinate Offices located at Delhi/ Delhi NCR will be eligible for participation in the tournament. Uniformed Services/Police/Para Military personnel are not eligible.

3. Board is only providing the platform to perform, therefore, all participants are requested to bring their equipments needed to showcase their talent. Further they are also responsible for their belongings.

Source: DoPT

Dearness Allowance applicable w.e,f 01.01.2018 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/Grade Pay as per 6th CPC & 5th CPC

Rate of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e,f 01.01.2018 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/Grade Pay as per 6th CPC & 5th CPC.
 

File No.2-16/2017-PAP
No.2-16/2017-PAP [E-3070642]
Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Posts
[Establishment Division / PAP Section]

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg
New Delhi - 110 001
Dated: -04.05.2018

To
All Chief Post Masters General,
All Post Masters General
All General Managers (Postal Accounts & Finance),
All Directors of Accounts (Postal),
The Director, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy, Ghaziabad, U.P. All Directors of PTCs

Subs.
1. Rate of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e,f 01.01.2018 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/Grade Pay as per 6th Central Pay Commission.

2. Rate of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f 01.01.2018 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/Grade Pay as per 5th Central Pay Commission.

I am directed to forward herewith the copy of DOE, MOF vide its OM No.1/3/2008-E.II(B) dated 28th March, 2018 on the subjects cited above for kind information and further necessary action at your end.

End.: As above.

[K. V. Vijaykumar]
Asstt. Director General [ESTT.]

No. 1/3/2008-E.II(B)

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi.
dated the 28th March, 2018.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Rate of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 01.01.2018 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/Grade Pay as per 6th Central Pay Commission

Dearness Allowance : 5th CPC & 6th CPC

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even No dated 26th September, 2017 regarding revision of the rate of Dearness Allowance w.e.f 01.07.2017 in respect of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scale/Grade Pay as per 6th Central Pay Commission.

2. The rate of DA admissible to above categories of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies shall be enhanced from the existing 139% to 142% w.e.f. 01.01.2018.

3. The provisions contained in paras 3. 4 and 5 of this Ministry's 0.M.No.1(3)/2008-E.11(5) dated 29th August: 2008 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

4. The contents of this Office Memorandum may also be brought to the notice of all organisations under the administrative control of the Ministries/Departments which have adopted the Central Government scales of pay.

S/d,
(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

To
All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India (as per standard distribution list).

No. 1/3/2008-E.II(B)

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

New Delhi,
dated the 28th March,2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Rate of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 01.01.2018 to employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scales as per 5th Central Pay Commission.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's O.M. of even No. dated 26th September, 2017 regarding revision of the rate of Dearness Allowance w.e.f 01.07.2017 in respect of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised pay scales as per 5th Central Pay Commission

2. The rate of DA admissible to above categories of employees of Central Government and Central Autonomous Bodies shall be enhanced from the existing 268% to 274% w.e.f. 01.01.2018.

3. The provisions contained in paras 3, 4 and 5 of this Ministry s 0.M.No.1(13)197-E.II(B) dated 3rd October, 1997 shall continue to be applicable while regulating Dearness Allowance under these orders.

4. The contents of this Office Memorandum may also be brought to the notice of all organisations under the administrative control of the Ministries/Departments which have adopted the Central Government scales of pay. 1

S/d,
(Nirmala Dev)
Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India

To
All Ministries/Departments of the Government of India (as per standard distribution list).

Post Retirement Complimentary Passes (PRCP) admissible to Ex-servicemen or CG employees - Railway Board's clarification

Post Retirement Complimentary Passes (PRCP) admissible to Ex-servicemen or CG employees - Railway Board's clarification

Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)

No. E(W)2016/PS5-8/2

New Delhi, dated 19.04.2018

The General Managers (P)
All Zonal Railways &
Production Units.

Sub: Clarification regarding entitled number of sets of "Post Retirement Complimentary Passes" (PRCP) admissible to lateral entrants in Railways Service.
Ref: (i) Board's letter No.E(W)2006/PS5-1/28 dated 18.04.2007.
(ii) Board's letter No.E(W)2006/PS5-1/28 dated 08.05.2008.
(iii) Board's letter No.E(W)2013/PS5-1/7 dated 16.12.2013.
(iv) Board's letter No.E(W)2013/PS5-1/28 dated 12.03.2014.

In the PNM/NFIR meeting with Board, the Federation have raised an issue that lateral entrants in Railways Service, especially ex-servicemen, who have retired or ceased to be a railway servant, after having rendered more than 20 years of qualifying service (i.e. after addition of admissible past non-railway service) are not being issued entitled number of PRCPs.

2. In this context, your attention is drawn to the amendment made vide Advance Correction Slip (ACS) No.53 to Railway Servants (Pass) Rules, 1986 (Second Edition - 1993), circulated vide Board's letter cited under Ref.(i) which provided for giving weightage only to the extent of half of the period of past non-railway service rendered by "Ex-servicemen or Central Government employees" for determining their eligibility to PRCP. The said provision was further amended vide ACS No.56, circulated vide Board's letter cited under Ref.(ii). It provided for counting of half of the period of past non-railway service rendered by the lateral entrants in non-railway departments or establishments to determine their eligibility ot PRCP subject to the condition that the said period of past non-railway service has been counted along with the railway service for pensionary benefits. It was also made clear that the number of PRCPs of such lateral entrants shall be at par with those railway servants who have retired with minimum 20 years of qualifying railway service.

3. Furthermore, in terms of ACS No. 74, circulated vide Board's letter cited under Ref.(iii), read with Board's letter cited under Ref.(iv), railway employees who retired on or after 01.01.2006 were made entitled to the following PRCP facility:-

Category		No. of PRCPs admissible in one year
Group A & B	With railway service of 20 years or more	3 Sets
Group C		2 Sets
Group D		1 Set

4. Accordingly, it is clarified that the lateral entrants who have retired or ceased to be a railway servant w.e.f. 01.01.2006 after having rendered 20 years or more of qualifying service (i.e. either railway service plus half of the period of past non- railway service counted along with railway service for pensionary benefits or railway service exclusively), are entitled to the number of PRCPs as stipulated in preceding para 3.

5. The Railways are advised to follow the extant provisions of statutory rules scrupulously and issue passes accordingly.

(V. Muralidharan)
Dy. Director Estt. (Welfare)-I
Railway Board

Source: IRTSA

Minimum Pay and Fitment Factor Stories suddenly ended in anticlimax

Minimum Pay and Fitment Factor Stories suddenly ended in anticlimax

"There is no scope for them anymore to continue this story and decided to end this up with the note of 'there is no scope for change in Minimum Pay'.

There is a strong reason to come up with the title for this article as 'Minimum Pay and Fitment Factor Stories suddenly ended in anticlimax'. Because many websites kept writing that Minimum Pay will be increased to Rs.21000 in January 2018. As we didn't find any truth in that stories we haven't said anything about this as it may lead the people to have false hope. Instead, we published 4 articles which claimed firmly that there was no such proposal under consideration of Government.
Finally those who cooked up a story entitled 'Govt to Announce Minimum Pay Increase to Rs.21000' and writing about it on day to day basis, have come forward to end this story with a note of No Scope for change in Minimum Pay. Because they clearly know it was a fake news. But some news websites who believed that this cooked up story might be true, started writing numerous article about increasing of minimum pay from Rs.18000 to Rs. 21000 and said "Good news would come after January 2018"

As January 2018 is nearing, people started asking the Leaders of Unions and Associations the following questions. is it true? Is there any proposal as such under consideration of Central government? The NC JCM Staff Side Leaders hesitated to answer this question because they were afraid of that any negative reply will backfire them.

But there was no sign of announcing Minimum Pay increase. The rumour mongers smelled the frustration of Government servants on Minimum Pay increase as it is not going to happen in January 2018 . So they started writing again that Minimum Pay will be increased after April 2018 as Anomaly Committee is going to submit its report to the Government on Minimum Pay issue after January 2018.

Now all the bridges to Minimum wage issue are burnt for them after DoPT has clearly said in its Letter to NCJCM Staff Side that the issue of Minimum Pay Increase and Revising Fitment Factor and Allowances effect date are not anomalies. According to the DOPT Letter No. F.No.11/2/2016-JCA-1(Pt.) dated 30th October, 2017, it is stated that these three important issues are not in accord with the three postulates which, as described in DoPT's 0M. No. 11/2/2016-JCA dated 16th August, 2016 and 20th February, 2017 for treating them as Anomaly.

So Minimum pay and Fitment Factor issue will not be treated as a case of anomaly and it will not be taken up in national Anomaly Committee for discussion.

So there is no scope for them anymore to continue this story and decided to end this up with the note of 'there is no scope for change in Minimum Pay'.

But the Committee which is constituted to Examine the Demand of revising Minimum Pay has not held any meeting to discuss this important issue. And also, it was stated in the DoPT's Letter that Effect date of Allowances should be decided by the Central Government and hence the NC JCM Staff Side should take up this issue to the Government.

So the ways and means for settling these issues are not ruled out yet. Now it is up to the Federations, to what extent they are serious to pursue this issue to get this done either through negotiated settlement or protest.

Expected DA from Jan 2018 for Central Govt Employees and Pensioners

Expected DA from Jan 2018 for Central Govt Employees and Pensioners

The All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for July, 2017 increased by 5 points and pegged at 285. The Index increased by 1.79% between June, 2017 and July, 2017 when compared with the increase of 1.08% for the corresponding months of last year.

Dearness Allowance for CG Employees and Pensioners with effect from 1.1.2018 may be enhanced by 2% or 3% [Total DA percentage 7%(5% + 2%) or 8%(5% + 3%)]

TA Rules in 7th CPC: Air Travel is Allowed for Central Government Employees from Level 6 and Above

TA Rules in 7th CPC: Air Travel is Allowed for Central Government Employees from Level 6 and Above

Now the Air Travel is allowed for Central Government employees those who are in Level 6 (Pre Revised Rs.4200 Grade Pay) and above. It is Good News for those who are in Level 6 to 8, as the Travel entitlement for them so far is AC II by Train only. Now they are entitled to Travel By Air in Economy Class.
The Central Government published Gazette Notification for 7th CPC Allowances on 6th July 2017. The 7th CPC has recommended that 53 allowances be abolished and 37 be subsumed in an existing or a newly proposed allowances. But the Government has decided to retain 12 Allowances from that 53 Allowances and allowed 3 Allowances to continue as separate allowance from these 37 Allowances recommended to be subsumed. Finally the Committee on Allowances and ECoS after the discussion with stakeholders, recommended to Modify 34 Allowances

The 7th CPC has recommended that Travelling Allowances can be continued without any changes. But the Government has decided to extend the Air Travel Entitlement to Govt Servants those who are in Level As per the Gazette Notification issued by Government of India, the Travelling allowance is rationalised to enable the Central Staffs from Level 6 to 8 to Travel by Air . The Official concerned clarified that, this Modified Travel Entitlement will be extended to LTC also.

Appendix I
List of allowances recommended by the Seventh Central Pay Commission (7th CPC) along with modifications as approved by the Government of India

Sl.	Name of the Allowance	Recommendation of 7th CPC	Modifications accepted by the Government
31.	Travelling Allowance	Retained. Rationalized. Indian Railways to reconsider its position regarding air travel to its employees.	Level 6 to 8 of Pay Matrix to be entitled for Air travel.Level 5 A of Defence Forces to be clubbed with Level 6 for travelling entitlements. Existing system to continue in Ministry of Railways.

Allowances Committee Report and Financial Expenditure

Allowances Committee Report and Financial Expenditure

Comrades,
The Central Government Civilian Employees numbering around 36 lakhs employees and Defence forces numbering around 15 lakhs are waiting for a long period for the allowances committee to submit its report and almost 10 months have passed , the allowances committee has not submitted its report so far , the patience of the Central Government Employees is almost over , the main demand of the CG employees is house rent allowance , the expenditure towards the HRA is just at 4.15 % of the total expenditure , the breakup of pay and allowances is pay including DA constitute about 80% and all allowances together constitute around 20% of the total expenditure, even if the 7th CPC recommendations are accepted the HRA expenditure shall be at just 9% of the total expenditure, even if the staff side demands of the HRA is accepted the total expenditure shall not cross 10%, let us examine the following facts.

The total expenditure towards pay & allowances for 36 lakhs Central Government employees for the year 2015-16 is Rs 1,50,028.57 ( in crore) , Out of the total expenditure of 1,50,028.57 crore, the percentage expenditure on Pay, Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA) and other allowances are Pay Rs 55,162.69 crores (36.77%) , DA Rs 64,304.33 crores (42.68%) , allowances constitute Rs 30561.55 crores of which HRA Rs 6,225.14 crores ( 4.15% ) and. Transport Allowance constitute Rs 6186.05 crores and other allowances 16.22% respectively.

Out of the total expenditure of Rs 6,225.14 crore on HRA in 2015-16, the HRA expenditure for X class cities is Rs 2287.80 crore which is around 36.75% of the total expenditure on HRA.

Number of Sanctioned Posts is 36,49,468 and Number in Position is 32,28, 921 vacant posts is 4,20,547 , the Defence forces constitute around 15 lakhs with an Indian Army strength of 11 lakh.

Pay commission views : Para number 16.3

16.3 The increases in allowances relate to the following:

a) House Rent Allowance (HRA): This accounts for the principal increase in the expenditure on allowances since it is calculated as a percentage of the basic pay and the rise in basic pay based on recommendations of the Commission would be reflected as increased HRA. The expenditure on account of HRA is likely to go up from Rs.12,400 crore to Rs.29,600 crore, an increase of Rs.17,200 (138.71%). This figure also includes an expenditure of Rs.3,700 crore that is likely to occur on account of the expansion in coverage of HRA benefiting personnel serving in the CAPFs (this figures include all Central Government employees including Defence employees)

Hence the additional expenditure towards allowances will not financially impact the Central Government as already 70% of the 7th CPC expenditure has been borne out by the Government, only additional expenditure of just around 30% that is Rs 30,000 crores has to be met by the Central Government. even if 7th CPC report is fully implemented the expenditure towards pay and allowances shall not exceed 10% of the total revenue We hope the Government understands the sentiments of the Central Government employees and announce the revised allowances immediately after the arrival of the Honorable Finance Minister from his official tour to US and Russia, which he is expected to return from foreign assignments on 27th April 2017.

Comradely yours

(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

Source: http://karnatakacoc.blogspot.in/

7th CPC Allowances Committee likely to submit its final report only by early next week : Karnataka CoC

7th CPC Allowances Committee likely to submit its final report only by early next week : Karnataka CoC

Allowances for CG employees

Comrades,
The allowances committee report is likely to submit its final report to the Honourable Finance Minister only by early next week, there after the report shall be placed for cabinet approval , the whole process may take another 15 days.

Comradely yours
(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

Source: http://karnatakacoc.blogspot.in/

16th March 2017 Strike Report - Karnataka COC

16th March 2017 Strike Report - Karnataka COC

16th March 2017 strike report

Comrades,
I thank one and all the Central Government Employees of the Karnataka State who are affiliated to the Confederation of CG employees for making the 16th March 2017 strike a grand success , the leaders of the affiliates were working for making this strike a success . The Central leaders Com KKK Kuttyji President Confederation of CG employees had been to the state of Karnataka many times , his valuable guidance has inspired us very much . I also thank Com Krishnanji Secretary General Confederation of CG employees for his valuable guidance in making 16th March 2017 strike a grand success.

The participation of employees in 16th March 2017 strike was very good in Karnataka state , apart from Bangalore CG employees in all districts of the state of Karnataka had participated in the strike , this time there was huge success , this is due to the success campaign by all leaders , it was a joint effort .

The strike in Postal was historic, many of the Post offices were locked and the strike participation was nearly 90%.

The participation in ITEF, AICGWBEA, RMS was near to 100%, In Survey of India, AG's Census it was nearly 70%, Civil Accounts for the first time participated with 95% strike.

The media have given good coverage of the strike, the article and photos of the strike were taken and published in many newspapers in many parts of the state.

Com Tapen Senji Hon’ble Member of Rajya Sabha has raised our justified demands in the floor of the Rajya Sabha. On behalf of COC Karnataka I express my gratitude to Com Tapen Senji for taking up the issues.

I hope our demands gets attention of the Government, the promises made to our leaders by the Group of Ministers is kept up and your issues get resolved at the earliest. I once again thank all the employees and leaders for making this strike of 16th March 2017 a success.

Comradely yours

(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

Source:http://karnatakacoc.blogspot.in/

Budget 2017 - Central Government Employees disappointed - Confederation of Central Government Employees

Budget 2017 - Central Government Employees disappointed - Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, Karnataka State reports

Not a single word about Central Government Employees uttered in Budget Speech of FM

Comrades ,

The budget for the year 2017-18 was presented by the Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon’ble Minister of Finance on 1st Feb 2017 , the Central Government employees had lot of hopes of this budget especially on increasing the tax slabs and tax rates reduction , also on allowances and increasing our wages i.e. revision of the fitment formula . One more important issue of filling up of vacant post in the Central Government.

Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon'ble Minister of Finance had not uttered a single word about Central Government employees in his budget speech of nearly two hours, even though the Central Government employees work with dedication and implement the programmes and policy of the Central Government either way of revenue collection, transportation, public service , working for the welfare of the people of the country etc . This has caused dissatisfaction amongst Central Government employees as many of the demands of the Central Government employees are not considered. The tax proposals provided only a small relief to the Central Government Employees, actually a big relief should have been provided. The Central Government employees are disappointed of the outcome of the budget.

Now let us focus main issues of the CG employees and the budget 2017-18 especially this budget is being presented after the demonetization. As stated earlier the financial position of the Central Government is very good even after demonetization. The budget 2017-18 has once again proved that the Central Government resources are very good the revenue expenditure has been pat 21.47 lakh crores. The fiscal deficit will be 3.2 % of GDP.

Now coming to the revenue growth of the Central Government in last four years we can observe from the financial year 2013-14 the Revenue Expenditure which was at is Rs 16.64 lakh crores the Revenue Expenditure the financial year 2017-18 which stands at 21.47 lakh crores . The fiscal deficit has also reduced from 4.8 % to 3.2 % of GDP in last four years . This shows that the financial status of the Central Government is very good. The growth rate of the revenue collection is about 15% annually. In fact the Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon'ble Minister of Finance had stated the revenue collection is increasing to about 17 % annually. We should be proud that your country economy is in good shape. Indian economy is a stable economy can accommodate any additional financial expenditure to be made for the welfare of Central Government employees.

The revenue of the Central Government is increasing at about 15% annually, from last three years the revenue of the Central Government has increased by 45% the expenditure towards salary of Central Government employees including the defence employees has risen only by 14.5 % on wage hike due to 7th CPC and also Dearness Allowances expenditure. So total rise in pay hike is about 22% , even if allowances are released in next financial year additional expenditure is likely at just 3% as 70% of the employees don’t avail HRA which is the major allowances, . which is very much less than the 45% of the revenue collection of the Central Government. So the Central Government can afford to increase our wages considerably i.e revision of fitment formula and minimum wage . The allowances should be made effectively from 1st Jan 2016.

Next on the tax slabs the Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon’ble Minister of Finance had made announcement of the tax proposals provided only a small relief to the Central Government Employees by reducing the taxes for the slab 2.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs from 10% to 5% . This is only a very small gestures on the part of Shri Arun Jaitleyji Hon’ble Minister of Finance , actually a big relief should have been provided by way of abolishing the taxes up to Rs 5 lakhs . The expenditure loss for reduction of taxes for the slab 2.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs(1.95 crore show income between Rs 2.5 to Rs 5 lakh) from 10% to 5% is just at Rs 15,500/- crores only , if the Hon’ble Minister of Finance had announced the abolishing the taxes up to Rs 5 lakhs it could have been additional expenditure of Rs 15,000 crores only which at just half percent of the total budget revenue collections , next Rs 5 to Rs10 lakhs slab (only 52 lakh show income between Rs 5 to Rs 10 lakhs ) here also there should have been reduction in taxes from 20% to 10% , the limit of Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C for investment should have been increased upto 2.5 lakh which would have encouraged savings , all these measures could have gone a long way benefiting the Central Government employees and the salaried class employees a lot.

Today hardly 3 % of the country population are paying the income tax, the rest 97% do not pay income tax .The Central Government Employees are honestly paying the taxes. A big tax relief is genuinely due for them.

One more important problem faced by the Central Government Employees is that the no filling up of the vacant post in the Central Government, nearly 4 lakhs post are vacant, even in Railway safety post of 1.41 lakh post are vacant and Income tax department post are vacant, more manpower is required for effectively collection of the taxes and implementation of the programmes and policy of the Central Government. This will also provide jobs for the youth of the country.

We sincerely hope the Hon’ble Minister of Finance would reconsider his decision and improve the taxation policy and consider the demands of the CG employees effectively in true spirit.

Comradely yours

(P.S.Prasad)
General Secretary

Source: Confederation Karnataka State

7th pay commission: This is why Modi government not giving hike to 47 lakh employees

7th pay commission: This is why Modi government not giving hike to 47 lakh employees

Reports suggest that the committee under the chairmanship of finance secretary Ashok Lavasa has finalised its report for salary hike in accordance with the recommendations of the seventh CPC, but the government is unable to pay the allowances to its employees due to cash crunch.

More than 14 months have passed since the seventh pay commission report was submitted and little less seven months have elapsed since the union cabinet approved implementation of the salary hike recommendations, but the central government employees are still awaiting the good news.
Demonetisation is said to be the reason behind the delay in announcing allowances by the Narendra Modi government for the 47 lakh employees and 53 lakh pensioners. The number of beneficiaries includes 14 lakh employees and 18 lakh pensions from the armed forces.

HOW DEMONETISATION AFFECTS PAY HIKE: THINGS TO KNOW

1. The government has announced that it will implement the seventh pay commission's recommendations from January 1 last year. But, in the aftermath of demonetisation, the government is not in position to make the final decision.
2. The seventh pay commission proposed a 138.71 per cent hike in housing allowance (HRA) and 49.79 per cent for other allowances.
3. The pay commission estimated that during the current fiscal, the hike in allowances would add a burden of Rs 29,300 crore (Rs 17,200 crore under HRA and Rs 12,100 crore under other allowances). This is a huge sum but after demonetisation, the government is working hard to stave off the cash crunch that set in.
4. The Modi government has constituted a committee to look into the recommendations regarding allowances and the manner of their implementation.
5. Some reports suggest that the committee under the chairmanship of finance secretary Ashok Lavasa has finalised its report, but the government is unable to pay the allowances to its employees due to cash crunch.
6. The employees' unions have been putting pressure on the finance ministry to announce hike in allowances at the earliest.
7. The announcement of assembly elections in five states has given some time for the government as it cannot announce pay hikes till the model code of conduct is in place.
8. The assembly elections have given the government time till March 8, by when there would be some additional cash in circulation. But, by then the budget would have been presented and accommodating over Rs 29,000 crore for salaries and pensions in the budge may pose a problem.
9. The delay in implementation of the seventh pay commission's recommendations has caused tremendous irritation and frustration among employees.
10. The BJP may have to face a backlash in the assembly elections in the five states, two of which is ruled by the party either directly or in alliance. Thus, demonetisation move by the Modi government may strike a double blow to the BJP in polls.

Source: Indiatoday

7th Pay Commission : Central government employees are feeling let down by the political authority as well as their own union, due in terms of better monthly salary and allowances.

7th Pay Commission : Central government employees are feeling let down by the political authority as well as their own union, due in terms of better monthly salary and allowances.

Despite representations to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Finance Minister, Railways Minister, Departmental heads and Committees set up by the government to look into the pay and allowances related grievances, the employees have expressed utter disappointment that they have not been heard so far.

"We had sought a minimum pay of Rs 26,000, they gave us Rs 18,000. After every meeting they do not say anything. We ask, how much you can improve upon, you tell us how much you can go, buy they don't say anything, said K. K. N. Kutty, President, Confederation of Central Government employees and Workers, on the discussions the union has had over Allowances.

"There is no discussion in real terms regarding 7th pay commission, they simply listen to us and do not commit anything. We think the political authority, we don’t know, it could be Prime Minister, has not authorized the bureaucracy to commit anything to us,"added Kutty.

When around 33 lakh central government employees threatened to go on strike on July 11 protesting the implementation of 7th Pay Commission, the Finance Ministry had agreed to set up Anomalies Committee, and Allowances Committee who would be mandated to go through the fine print of the 7th Pay Commission.

Even after the formation of 22-member Anomalies Committee headed by Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) with members from both the official and staff side, and Allowances Committee headed by Finance Secretary, no settlement on the wage hike or allowances issue appears in sight.

The Government is yet to set up the high level committee on minimum wage, fitment formula revision and other main demands of central government employees as assured by Cabinet Ministers in July 2016.

The National Joint Council of Action, a front formed by six government staff unions, including Confederation of Central Government Employees (CCGE), All India Defence Employee Federation and National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Association representing the staff side of the central government employees have even threatened to go on a large scale agitation and hold a march up to the Parliament on December 15, if government fails to improve on pay and allowances over what has been implemented under 7th Pay Commission.

The point not to be missed here is that, while the salaries of central government employees were revised after 10 years, However, our country's MPs’ and MLA' s salaries doesn't need a pay commission, they will increase it themselves.

Source: gconnect

7th Pay Commission - Weekly Work Report to Decide Annual Increment

7th Pay Commission - Weekly Work Report to Decide Annual Increment

The Department of Personnel and Training is going to soon bring out guidelines based on the recommendations of the 7th pay commission which will help in tracking performance of Central government employees in more transparent manner.

As per reports, CG employees will need to give a weekly work report every Friday showing the task accomplished as well as the pending work, which was suggested by the 7th pay commission.

The 7th Pay Commission has recommended that Central government employees should be offered annual increments only if they meet certain performance criterion. The Pay Commission has also sought upgradation of performance benchmark to "very good" from "good" level and recommended introduction of the Performance Related Pay (PRP) for all categories of central government employees.

On the basis of the weekly report, the performance of central government employees will be assessed whether they meet the performance criteria or not, and graded for annual appraisal. The employees who will fail to meet the performance criteria on the basis or the weekly work report, are likely to be denied annual increment.

The 7th Pay Commission believes grant of Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP), although subject to the employee attaining the laid down threshold of performance, is taken for granted.”
The 7th pay commission had said in the report that "employees who do not meet the laid down performance criterion should not be allowed to earn future annual increments.

The Commission is therefore proposing withholding of annual increments in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the benchmark either for MACP or a regular promotion within the first 20 years of their service. This will act as a deterrent for complacent and inefficient employees.
However, since this is not a penalty, the norms for penal action in disciplinary cases involving withholding increments will not be applicable in such cases. This will be treated as an efficiency bar,"

Source: Zeenews

Enhancement of bonus to Casual Labourers - Reply from Ministry of Labour & Employment

Enhancement of bonus to Casual Labourers - Reply from Ministry of Labour & Employment

No.s-33027/3/2016-WB

Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment
(Wage Board Section)

Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg,
New Delhi dated 11 November, 2016.

Office Memorandum

Subject : Enhancement of the rate of bonus payable to Casual labourers consequent on enhancement calculation ceiling of bonus for Central Government Employees from Rs.3500/- to Rs.7000/- regarding.

The undersigned is directed to forward herewith a copy of O.M. No. 49014/1/2016-Estt (C) Dated 2nd November 2016 alongwith the enclosure thereto on the subject mentioned above.

2. Action as deemed fit, may please be taken in this regard under intimation to all concerned.

3. This issues with the approval of Deputy Director General ( c ).

Encl: as above

Sd/-
(Samir Kumar Das)
Under Secretary to the Government of India

Source : confederationhq

7th Pay Commission - CG Employees Suffer in Cross Fire - Implementation bound to be delayed

7th Pay Commission - CG Employees Suffer in Cross Fire - Implementation bound to be delayed

7th pay commission : On Tuesday night Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the nation by surprise and announced a crackdown on Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes with effect from the same midnight, making these notes invalid across India.

The recent development has no doubt caused inconvenience to common people. But the most effected ones are government employees who have been eagerly waiting for the 7th Pay Commission award. The implementation may get delayed following the governments surgical strike on black money to curb rising black money, fake currency, and corruption.

Sources indicate that the higher allowances under the 7th Pay Commission which were to be implemented soon will be delayed till the situation returns to normalcy.

“The process of higher allowances may be delayed as now the government is busy for making situation normal after a surgical strike on black money,” a top official of Finance Ministry was quoted by a news portal on condition of anonymity.
The official further added that “after the surgical strike on black money issues, the central government has to keep the process of higher allowances in the pipeline and is waiting for things to get normalised”.

The top official further added that “the government is in fear of any eventual incident for a surgical strike on black money in the country and in view of the current scenario, the government has decided to delay the announce of higher allowances”.

The Central Government employees unions are pressing hard on the government to announce the higher allowance and they had recently called for a Parliament march on December 12. Earlier there were reports that the ‘Committee on Allowances’ has already given a final touch to its report on higher allowances. The committee met up with the deadline of four months given to it by the cabinet to submit its reports, the top official confirmed.

There are reports that the quantum of allowances may not vary from those proposed by the 7th Pay Commission as the committee looking into the issue sticks with the 7th Pay Commission’s recommendations on allowances proposed higher allowances with retrospective effect from August 2016 but the central government employees unions demanded for implementation of the allowances with effect from January 2016.

Recently Finance Secretary Ashok Lavasa said that his team is ready to submit its report whenever Finance Minister Arun Jaitley calls up. The committee on allowances was set up on July this year in the direction of the cabinet.