Bonus ceiling raised to Rs.7000/- from Rs.3500/-

ONE MORE STRIKE DEMAND SETTLED

Bonus ceiling raised to Rs.7000/- from Rs.3500/-  with effect from 01.04.2014 – orders issued.

Earlier Gratuity order for NPS pensioners issued.

Intensify campaign & make the 2^nd September 2016 strike a thundering success.

Government Understands the language of struggle and strike only.

A MAJOR VICTORY OF THE STRUGGLE OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES:

IMPORTANT GOVT ORDER

A MAJOR VICTORY OF THE STRUGGLE OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES:

             Confederation of central Govt Employees & Workers have been continuously fighting against pension reforms implemented by Govt in tune with the neo-liberal policies and demanding SCRAPPING OF THE NEW PENSION SYSTEM (NPS). Further we have been demanding that those employees who are covered by NPS should be eligible for payment of Death cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) and Family Pension and also Govt guaranteed Minimum Pension and Compensation for price rise (Dearness Relief). Now the Govt has conceded one of our demand. Govt of India has issued orders to extend the benefit of Gratuity to all NPS Employees. Further the Cabinet has decided to constitute a committee for streamlining the implementation of NPS. We shall present the remaining issues before that Committee also. Scrapping of NPS is one of the main demand of 2016 September 2nd General Strike also. No struggle will go in vain. Let us make the strike a grand success

 M.Krishnan,

Secretary General

Confederation.                   

No. 7/5/2012-P&PW(F)/B

Ministry of Personnel, Public (Grievances and Pensions

Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare

Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market,

New Delhi-110 003, Dated the 26^th August, 2016

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Extension of benefit of Retirement Gratuity and Death Gratuity to the Central Government Employees covered by new Defined Contribution Pension System (National Pension System) – regarding.

            The undersigned  is directed  to say that the pension of the Government  servants appointed on or  after 1.1.2004 is regulated  by the new Defined Contribution  Pension System (known as National Pension System), notified by the Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) vide their O.M. No. 5/7/2003-ECB & PR dated 22.12.2003. Orders were issued for payment  of gratuity on provisional  basis in respect of  employees covered under  National Pension System on their  retirement  from  Government  service on invalidation or death in service, vide this Department’s O.M. No. 38/41/2006-P&PW(A) dated 5.5.2009.

2.         The issue of grant of gratuity in respect of government employees covered by the National Pension System has been under consideration of the Government. It has been decided that the government  employees covered by National Pension System shall be  eligible for benefit of ‘Retirement  gratuity  and  Death  gratuity’ on the same  terms and  conditions, as are applicable  to employees covered by  Central Civil Service (Pension) Rulke,1972.

3.         These orders issue with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, vide their .D. Note No. 1(4)/EV/2006-II dated 29.07.2016.

4.         In their application to the persons belonging to the India Audit and Accounts Department, these orders issue after consultation with Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

5.         These orders will be applicable to those Central Civil Government Employees who joined Government Service on or after 1.1.2004 and are covered by National Pension System and will take effect from the same date i.e. 1.1.2004. 

                                                                                                                 Sd/-

(Harjit Singh)

Director (Pension Policy)

2 ND SEPTEMBER ALL INDIA GENERAL STRIKE

WORKING CLASS UNITY ZINDABAD              INQUILAB ZINDABAD

2^nd SEPTEMBER -2016  ONE DAY  ALL INDIA GENERAL STRIKE ON CALL OF ALL CENTRAL TRADE UNIONS & INDEPENDENT FEDERATIONS INCLUDING  CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES  AND WORKERS AND NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES.

2016 September 2^nd General Strike 12 Point Charter of Demands of Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions submitted to government

PART – A

      1.     Urgent measures for containing price rise through universalization of public   distribution system and banning speculative trade in commodity market.

      2.     Containing unemployment through concrete measures for employment generation.

      3.     Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws.

      4.     Universal social security cover for all workers.

      5.     Minimum wage of not less than 18000/- per month with provisions of indexation (for unskilled worker).

      6.     Assured enhanced pension not less than 3000 p.m for the entire working population (including unorganized sector workers).

      7.     Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/state public sector undertakings.

      8.     Stoppage of contractorisation in permanent/perennial work and payment of same wage and benefits for contract workers as that of regular workers for the same and similar work.

      9.     Removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund and increase in quantum of gratuity.

      10.Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting application and immediate ratification of ILO conventions C-87 & C-98.

      11.No FDI in Railways, Defence and other strategic sectors.

      12.No unilateral amendment to labour laws.

PART – B:  (CGE & POSTAL DEMANDS)

      1.   Avoid delay in implementing the assurances given by Group of Ministers to NJCA on 30^thJune 2016, especially increase in minimum pay a fitment formula. Implement the assurance in a time bound manner.

      2.     Settle issues raised by the NJCA, regarding modifications of the 7^th CPC recommendations, submitted to Cabinet Secretary on 10^th December 2015.

      3.     Scrap PFRDA Act and New Pension System (NPS) and grant Pension/Family Pension to all Central Government employees under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972.

      4.     No privatization, outsourcing, contractorisation of Government functions.

      5.     (i) Treat Gramin Dak Sevaks as Civil Servants and extend all benefits on pay, pension and allownaces of departmental employees.

(ii) Regularise casual, contract, contingent and daily rated workers and grant equal pay and other benefits.

      6.     Fill up all vacant posts by special recruitment. Lift ban on creation of new posts.

      7.     Remove ceiling on compassionate appointments.

      8.     Extend benefit of Bonus Act amendment 2015 on enhancement of payment ceiling to the Adhoc bonus/PLB of Central Govt. employees with effect from the financial years 2014-15. Ensure payment of revised bonus before Pooja holidays.

      9.     Revive JCM functioning at all levels.

10.   Implement Cadre restructuring in left out categories of Postal Department. i.e RMS,MMS,PA CO, SBCO & Postal Accounts etc..

11.  Settle the problems related CBS, CIS & stop harassment and Trade Union victimization.

MAKE THE STRIKE A HISTORIC SUCCESS IN DEPARTMENT OF POSTS.

No More Pay Commission in future

No new commission may be formed in future for increasing salaries of central government employees, a senior Finance Ministry official told The Sen Times on condition of anonymity.

“The government is going to take a policy decision in this regard,” official told our reporters after issuing the 7th Pay Commission notification.

Pay Commissions makes much impact on the fiscal deficit, since pay commission awards come once in 10 years, the two to three years subsequent to each award tend to be fiscally stressful for the central government. States also suffered major blows to their finances for implementation of pay commission report, he added.

Presenting an idea about an alternative arrangement, he said that the 7th Pay Commission Chairman Justice A K Mathur had earlier told The Financial Express in an interview, “The government should review the salary of central government employees every year looking into the data available to it and based on the price index.”

The 7th Pay Commission recommended that the pay matrix may be reviewed periodically without waiting for the long period of ten years. It can be reviewed and revised on the basis of the Aykroyd formula which takes into consideration the changes prices of the commodities that constitute a common man’s basket, which the Labour Bureau at Shimla reviews periodically.

The Pay Commission also suggested that this should be made the basis for revision of that pay matrix periodically without waiting for another Pay Commission.

So, it will not be necessary to form a new pay Commission after every 10 years for central government employees and pensioners and whether any change is required regarding pay and allowances would be made considering inflation.

Accordingly, the central government is to follow this proposal of the Pay Commission and to discontinue the practice of appointing pay commissions in future to suggest salary structure and other perks for all central government employees and pensioners, the official gave his views.

The official said there would be an officer who would submit a report of inflation to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley every three years.

He added some changes regarding pay and allowance would be made considering inflation.

Source: TST

Flood Relief Camp at Bejorchiga, Jhanjimukh

Snapshots of Flood Relief Camp at Bejorchiga, Jhanjimukh organised by Jorhat Postal Recreation Club and National Federation of Postal Employees , Jorhat Branch jointly on 07.08.2016. As the Secretary of both Postal Recreation Club and NFPE I appreciate the efforts of all the officials of Jorhat Head Post Office and Division office Jorhat , all officials of 34 Sub Offices under Jorhat HPO for their supports. Thank you all for your cooperation and assistance.

Madhu Gohain

Cabinet approves Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016

Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Cabinet

03-August-2016 20:10 IST

Cabinet approves Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016

Historical Step towards making roads safe and save lakhs of innocent lives 

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016.  The Amendment aims to improve

Every year 5 lakh road accidents are reported in the country in which 1.5 lakh people lose their lives.  Government is committed to reduce the accidents and fatalities by 50% in five years.

To address the issue of road safety, a draft Road Transport & Safety Bill was prepared soon after NDA Government came to power.  However, most of the States have expressed reservations.

To address the issue of road safety and to improve the facilitation of the citizens while dealing with transport departments, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways constituted a Group of Transport Ministers (GoM) of the States.  The GoM headed by Sh. Yoonus Khan, Hon. Transport Minister of Rajasthan held three meetings.  A total of 18 Transport Ministers from different political parties participated in these meetings and they have submitted three interim reports. 

The GoM recommended that to address the pressing issue of road safety and improving transport scenario, Government should immediately bring amendments to the present Motor Vehicle Act.    On the basis of recommendations of the GoM and other pressing requirements, MoRTH introduced the Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Bill 2016 for consideration of the Cabinet. Today Cabinet Chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the bill.

In the present Motor Vehicle Act, there are 223 Sections out of which the Bill aims to amend 68 sections whereas Chapters 10 has been deleted and a Chapter 11 is being replaced with new provisions to simplify third party insurance claims and settlement process.

The important provisions include increase in compensation for Hit & Run cases from Rs. 25000 to Rs. 2 lakhs. It also has provision for payment of compensation upto Rs 10 lakh in road accidents fatalities.  

The Bill also proposes insertion of 28 new sections. The amendments mainly focus on issues relating to improving road safety, citizens’ facilitation while dealing with the Transport Department. Strengthening rural transport, last mile connectivity and public transport, automation and computerization and enabling online services. 

The Bill propose to improve the transport scenario in the country by permitting the States to grant exemptions in Stage carriage and contract carriage permits for promoting rural transport, public transport, last mile connectivity and for passenger convenience and road safety. 

The Bill proposes that the State Government can specify a multiplier, not less than one and not greater than ten, to be applied to each fine under this Act and such modified fine.

The bill proposes that the State Government can regulate the activities in a public place of pedestrians and such means of transport.

Improving delivery of services to the stakeholders using e-Governance is one of the major focuses of this Bill.  This include enabling online learning licenses, increasing validity period for driving licenses,  doing away with the requirements of educational qualifications  for transport licenses are some of the features.

The Bill proposes offences committed by Juveniles.   The Guardian / owner shall be deemed to be guilty in cases of offences by the Juveniles and Juvenile to be tried under JJ Act. Registration of Motor Vehicle to be cancelled

To improve the registration process for new vehicles, registration at the end of the dealer is being enabled and restrictions have been imposed on temporary registration. 

In the area of road safety, bill proposes to increase penalties to act as deterrent against traffic violations.  Stricter provisions are being proposed in respect of offences like juvenile driving, drunken driving, driving without licence, dangerous driving, over-speeding, overloading etc.  Stricter provisions for helmets have been introduced along with provisions for electronic detection of violations.  To help the road accident victims, Good Samaritan guidelines have been incorporated in the Bill.  The Bill also proposes to mandate the automated fitness testing for the transport vehicles with effect from 1^st October 2018.  This would reduce corruption in the Transport Department while improving the road worthiness of the vehicle.  The penalties are also proposed for deliberate violation of safety/environmental regulations as well as body builders and spare part suppliers.

To bring harmony of the registration and licensing process, it is proposed to create National Register for Driving Licence and National Register for Vehicle registration through “Vahan” & “Sarathi” platforms. This will facilitate uniformity of the process across the country. 

The process for testing and certification for automobiles is proposed to be regulated more effectively.  The testing agencies issuing automobile approvals have been brought under the ambit of the Act.

The driving training process has been strengthened enabling faster issuance of transport licenses.  This will help in reducing the shortage of commercial drivers in the country.

To facilitate transport solutions for Divyang, the bottlenecks have been removed in respect of grant of driving licenses as well as alterations in the vehicles to make it fit for use of Divyang.

 Hon’ble Transport Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has termed the Motor vehicle (Amendment) 2016 passed by cabinet as biggest reforms in the Road Safety & transport sector.  He has expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister for his guidance & Support. He has also expressed his special appreciation for the efforts put in by Group of State Transport Ministers to formulate these amendments.   He has also expressed his confidence that parliament shall take up the amendments next week and has appealed to all parties to support the bill which a step in right direction to provide safe & public friendly transport eco system. 

Proposed Amendments in Various Penalties under Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill – 2016

Section		Old Provision / Penalty	New Proposed Provision / Minimum Penalties
177	General	Rs 100	Rs 500
New 177A	Rules of road regulation violation	Rs 100	Rs 500
178	Travel without ticket	RS 200	Rs 500
179	Disobedience of orders of authorities	Rs 500	Rs 2000
180	Unauthorized use of vehicles without licence	Rs 1000	Rs 5000
181	Driving without licence	Rs 500	Rs 5000
182	Driving despite disqualification	Rs 500	Rs 10,000
182 B	Oversize vehicles	New	Rs 5000
183	Over speeding	Rs 400	Rs 1000 for LMV Rs 2000 for Medium passenger vehicle
184	Dangerous driving penalty	Rs 1000	Upto Rs 5000
185	Drunken driving	Rs 2000	Rs 10,000
189	Speeding / Racing	Rs 500	Rs 5,000
192 A	Vehicle without permit	upto Rs 5000	Upto Rs 10,000
193	Aggregators (violations of licencing conditions)	New	Rs 25,000 to Rs 1,00,000
194	Overloading	Rs 2000 and Rs 1000 per extra tonne	Rs 20,000 and Rs 2000 per extra tonne
194 A	Overloading of passengers		Rs 1000 per extra passenger
194 B	Seat belt	Rs 100	Rs 1000
194 C	Overloading of two wheelers	Rs 100	Rs 2000, Disqualification for 3 months for licence
194 D	Helmets	Rs 100	Rs 1000 Disqualification for 3 months for licence
194 E	Not providing way for emergency vehicles	New	Rs 10,000
196	Driving Without Insurance	RS 1000	Rs 2000
199	Offences by Juveniles	New	Guardian / owner shall be deemed to be guilty. Rs 25,000 with 3 yrs imprisonment. For Juvenile to be tried under JJ Act. Registration of Motor Vehicle to be cancelled
206	Power of Officers to impound documents		Suspension of driving licenses u/s 183, 184, 185, 189, 190, 194C, 194D,194E
210 B	Offences committed by enforcing authorities		Twice the penalty under the relevant section