STRIKE STRIKE STRIKE

NJCA

National Joint Council of Action

4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055

No.NJC/2015/7^th CPC                                                                              February 9, 2016

To

            All Constituents of NJCA

            Dear Comrade

            The NJCA met on 08.02.2016 as scheduled. The meeting after taking into account various factors decided that the proposed indefinite strike will commence from 11.04.2016 if no settlement is brought about on the charter of demands by that time. The meeting also took the following decisions.

1.    Strike notice will be served by the NJCA and all its constituents on 11.03.2016 by holding massive demonstration.

2.    There will be a massive Rally on 11.03.2016 at Delhi and leaders of NJCA will make it possible to attend the said rally and the strike notice will be served on Cabinet Secretary, Government of India.

3.    All the National JCA leaders will attend Rally at the State Capitals/big industrial centres during the month March and April, 2016. Dates will be finalised in consultation with the concerned State JCA.

4.    To strengthen the campaign, the NJCA will place on the website a pamphlet explaining the demands.

5.    Posters will be centrally designed and kept in the website for State JCAs and constituents to adopt.

6.    All Constituents will undertake independent campaign programmes in the month of March 2016 to popularize the demands.

7.    29^th March will be observed as solidarity day throughout the country unitedly by all the Constituents of NJCA.

8.    The indefinite strike will commence at 6 am on 11.04.2016.

9.    The updated Charter of Demands on which the indefinite strike is to be organized is enclosed.

10. The Constituent organizations may add sectional demands as Part B of the Charter of Demands of the NJCA

            The National JCA appeals all constituents to make intensive campaigns to make the strike an unprecedented success.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Convener

Charter of Demands

1.    Settle the issues raised by the NJCA on the recommendations of the 7 CPC sent to Cabinet Secretary vide letter dated 10^th December 2015

2.    Remove the injustice done in the assignment of pay scales to technical/safety categories etc. in Railways& Defence, different categories in other Central Govt establishments by the 7 CPC

3.    Scrap the PFRDA Act and NPS and grant Pension/family Pension to all CG employees under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 & Railways Pension Rules, 1993

4.    i) No privatization, /outsourcing/contractorisation of governmental functions

ii) Treat GDS as Civil Servants and extend proportional benefit on pension and allowances to the GDS

5.    No FDI in Railways & Defence; No corporatization of Defence Production Units and Postal Department.

6.    Fill up all vacant posts in the government departments, lift the ban on creation of posts; Regularise the casual/contract workers

7.    Remove ceiling on compassionate ground appointments

8.    Extend the benefit of Bonus Act,1965 amendment on enhancement of payment ceiling to the adhoc Bonus/PLB of Central Government employees with effect from the Financial year 2014-15

9.    Ensure Five promotions in the service career of an employee

10. Do not amend Labour Laws in the name of Labour Reforms which will take away the existing benefits to the workers

11. Revive JCM functioning at all levels

________________________________________________________________________

To

            Cabinet Secretary,

            Government of India &

            Chairman,

            National Council/JCM

Dear Sir

Subject: 7^th CPC recommendations – Reg.

            We have written under the cover of the NJCA’s letter in No JJCA/2015/7^th CPC dated 11^thDecember 2015 our comprehensive suggestions for effecting changes in the recommendations of the 7^th CPC. This was also subjected to discussion with the JS (A) of DOPT on 11.12.2015 in response to the letter in No 3/1/2015-JCA dated 10-12-2015.

            We request that the same may be treated as the consensus view of the Staff Side, JCM/National Council.

Thanking you, 

PFRDA to allow online exit from NPS scheme from April 1

PFRDA to allow online exit from NPS scheme from April 1

NEW DELHI: In a move aimed at making the exit process easier under the National Pension System (NPS), regulator PFRDA will allow subscribers to withdraw from the scheme via online mode from April 1 this year, its Chairman Hemant G Contractor said today. 

"The online exit shall be available from April 1, 2016 to facilitate the exit process. PFRDA is constantly striving to improve the risk/reward profile of the investment portfolio and...has permitted investment in REITS, INVITS, IDFs," he said at its Pension Conclave organised here.

The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority ( PRFDA), over the last one year, has also spruced up the pension product, making it user friendly by introducing the online registration and contribution. 

At present, 16 banks are providing the facility and around 35 lenders are using the SBI payment gateway, which can facilitate the service to all citizens, Contractor said. 

He said efforts are required to meet the challenges facing the unorganised sector including low awareness and low income levels to save for the future. 

"An effective distribution channel with proper incentive structure would go a long way in expanding the reach of NPS among the masses. It was important to include as many people in the pension plans, so that they would not face deprivation in their old age," he said. 

HDFC Life MD & CEO Amitabh Chaudhry, whose company is one of the fund managers under NPS, said NPS penetration has not reached the desired level as expected in the country due to various reasons including low awareness, low pay packages, as well as inability to reach the untapped segment. 

"People are also not being paid enough for their work, there is just not enough money. Also, the reason why it is not selling because we are trying to attract the segment of people who have never invested in a product like this," he said. 

Chaudhry also said that there is lack of connect between the subscribers and the fund managers and it needs to be bridged. 

He also batted for tax incentives to further widen the reach of the product in the country. 

Currently, NPS has more than 1.14 crore subscribers with asset under management of more than Rs 1.09 lakh crore.

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/

Jeevan Pramaan- A Hit With Pensioners

Jeevan Pramaan- A Hit With Pensioners 

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

02-February-2016 15:00 IST

Jeevan Pramaan- A Hit With Pensioners 

            Jeevan Pramaan (https://jeevanpramaan.gov.in/) provides a big relief to all pensioners. A pensioner can now digitally provide Annual Life Certificate to the authorities for continuity of pension instead of presenting himself physically or through a Life Certificate issued by specified authorities every year. Lakhs of pensioners on various schemes are already benefitting from it.

             Launched by the Prime Minister on 10th Nov 2014, nearly 12.5 Lakhs pensioners have registered for Digital Life Certificate (DLC) in about a year. Interestingly the enrolled pensioners come from different districts of the country showing the interest the facility has generated all over the country including in far flung rural and hilly districts. Started with Civil pensioners of Central Government only, several other pensioner schemes have adopted Jeevan Pramaan and provide this facility of Digital Life Certificate to these pensioners. Presently apart from civil Central Government employees, Defence services, Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Post Offices, Railways, Defence Pensioners Disbursement Office (DPDOs), several PSUs including Mumbai Port Trust, Chennai Port Trust and New Delhi Municipal Council are providing this service.

            State Governments have also recognized the potential of Jeevan Pramaan and adopted the service. State Governments of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Pondicherry, Odisha, Andaman & Nicobar, Rajasthan and Jharkhand have already started providing these services.

            Jeevan Pramaan service is provided by NIC through a Central Portal developed on Open source. The platform is highly scalable. Developed using in-house manpower, the portal has been developed and maintained free of cost to all the user agencies and is also free for pensioners. 

            In Jeevan Pramaan a pensioner can digitally show that he or she is alive using his/her biometrics. Biometric devices are available in CSC’s, Bank branches, Pensioner associations, Govt. offices etc. More over any citizen can also purchase a finger print scanner and do the identification from home. A typical finger print scanner currently costs around Rs. 2600/- only and the prices are expected to come down in future. The usefulness of Jeevan Pramaan will increase even further as the biometric authentication device gets integrated with mobile phones.

            All pension disbursing organizations, which have a requirement of periodic life certificate to continue disbursing pension are welcome to join this free offering.

            For more details they are required contact Ms Nandita Chaudhri, DDG, NIC (Email: ) 

*****

KSP/ss(Release ID :136003)

MINUTES OF THE MEETING WITH the Implementation cell OF 7 CPC

MOST IMPORTANT

TO ALL AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS OF CONFEDERATION

Please read the following minutes of the Implementation cell of the Finance Ministry which is acting as the Secretariate of the Empowered Committee constituted by the Government under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary for processing of 7^th CPC recommendations for submission to the cabinet for approval. Please ensure (1) that your department has nominated a nodal officer and try to interact with him (2) that your organization has submitted a memorandum or letter to your departmental head seeking modifications to the department-specific recommendations of the 7^th CPC (3) that your departmental head held consultations with your organization on the department specific modifications submitted by you, before finalizing the proposals for submission to the Implementation cell (4) that proposal as per the demand of your organsiation for modifying the proposal of 7^th CPC is submitted to the Implementation cell within two weeks (i.e before 16.02.2016) by your department.

Please note that this is the only stage when the Unions/Associations/Federations in each department shall get an opportunity to present their demand for modifications ondepartment – specific recommendations of the 7^th CPC. If we fail to Intervene effectively at this state, we may not get another chance to present our case before the Government.

Regarding common demands JCM (NC) Staff side had already submitted its memorandum to Cabinet Secretary and two stages agitational programmes are organised and is preparing for indefinite strike. Regarding Department-specific issues Confederation National Secretariat held last month had given a clear direction to all affiliated organizations to organize departmental level agitational programmes by each organsations (if possible jointly with other organizations in that department) on department- specific modifications submitted to each Departmental head. Unless we build up pressure by organizing struggle the departmental heads may not consider our demand for modification seriously and may not even submit any proposal for modifications to the Implementation cell.

Please note the following decisions of the Implementation cell.

(1)   Nodal officers to take net of any representation or demand of the staff side Association under the administrative purview of their Department. Nodal officers to ascertain the views/comments of the concerned office in the light of the representation/demands raised by the staff Association.

(2)   In case, there is any need for consultation with the staff Association at the level of the Department, the same may be done as per the assessment of the Department.

(3)   In case, the Department is of the view that any recommendation which are specifically related to their Department, need any modification, adequate justification in clear-cut terms should be brought out while sending the comments to the implementation cell

(4)   In case of any modification, the extra financial implication (per annum) over the recommendations of the commission should be clearly indicated.

(5)   If any modification is suggested approval of the Minster (of the concerned department should be obtained.

All the above formalities are to be completed within two weeks and proposal should be submitted to the implementation cell within two weeks i.e., before 16.02.2016.

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Confederation

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MINUTES OF THE MEETING

EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER FEBRUARY-2016

EDITORIAL POSTAL CRUSADER FEBRUARY-2016

Start up India

(Beginning of Capitalist Regime)

            On16th January, i.e. in the beginning of New Year our Hon`ble Prime-Minister has launched an ambitious Scheme “Start up India” which was announced by him in his speech to the Nation as Prime-Minister  from the Wall of Historical Red Fort  , New Delhi on 15^th August 2015. The concept behind this is to create a congenial atmosphere and ease by relaxing all norms, rules and regulations to set up industries by the Industrialists so that the economy of the country may grow and more job opportunities may be created to the educated unemployed youth of the country.

            During his speech Prime-Minister stated that in the last 70 years Governments of India have done a lot but now enough is enough and the all types of business works should be stopped by the Government and it should be handed over to the entrepreneurs “Start up India” programme, the Prime-Minister has declared that for 3 years there will be no restrictions on entrepreneurs who establish Industries in this programme. They will be given Income Tax exemption for 3 years. If anybody establishes any business under this scheme after selling his moveable and immoveable properties. No Capital gain Tax will be levied on him. Besides this such Industrialists will also be given exemption from Labour Laws and environmental laws. Ten thousand crores rupees fund will be allotted for this scheme within 4 years. Government will provide more fund for innovation based programme. At 7(Seven) institutions research parks will be established.

            What does it mean in the context of working class? Earlier also Prime-Minister  has declared  that labour Inspector will not go to  visit  any industry to see the working conditions of labourers as it causes exploitation of Industrialists. Capitalists. Now the full exemption will be given from labour laws means a free hand to the capitalists to exploit labour like anything. The workers will not be given conducive atmosphere to work and even minimum wage will also not be given to  them. They will adopt hire and fire policy. As the amendment has been done in Apprenticeship   Act, so for two years they will take work from the workers as apprentice merely giving some stipend. Not only this they will take the work beyond 8 hours and no social security and Job Security will be given. So this type of provisions and open declaration by the Prime-Minister will give free had to Capitalists to exploit the workers to maximum extent.

            Giving exemption from Income Tax and Capital gain Tax will benefit the industrialists to maximize their profit and the burden of such exemptions will come on the shoulders of common Tax Payer. To provide Rs. Ten thousand crores fund within 4 years to the entrepreneurs is also a question mark? From where this money will come? This will also be given from the money collected through taxes from the common man. Besides this exemption from environmental laws will also worsen the position as they will exploit the natural resources like anything.

            So all beneficial schemes to the industrialists/capitalists and nothing to the working class of India..The workers are still deprived of minimum wage. Our Government  is crying that after implementation of 7^th CPC  Rs.One Lac  crores  burden will come  while in other  side the top class industrialists  are given benefit of waiver of NPA of  Banks  worth  Rs. One lac twenty five thousand crores. Besides this within 5 years Rs. Twenty five lac crores exemption has been given to the corporates in various Taxes.

             The range of income tax exemption to the salaried class employees  is not being increased, so whatever is gained as DA as compensation to neutralize the price rise of market  is snatched by the government in the form of Income Tax.

            For seeking modification in 7^th CPC the entirety of Central Government Employees is struggling.

            We as worker should analyse and understand the policies of Government of India who is intensifying the neo-liberal economic reforms in various ways like Start up India.

            So it is crystal clear that Start up India Programme is beginning of Capitalists Regime which is going to give more opportunities to the Capitalists to exploit the Working Class in various forms.

**********

APPEAL BY NFPE TO THE LEADERSHIP OF ASSAM AND NE CIRCLES

APPEAL BY NFPE TO THE LEADERSHIP OF

ASSAM AND NE CIRCLES

NFPE CALLS UPON ASSAM AND NE LEADERSHIP TO MAKE THE TOUR PROGRAMME OF GENERAL SECRETARY AIPRPA SUCCESSFUL IN THE REGION:

          Comrade K.Ragavendran General Secretary AIPRPA (former Secretary General NFPE) will be touring the States of Assam and NE Circle during the last week of March and first week of April 2016 as under.

          Already the RCC of Assam and NE led by Comrade D.K.Debnath has decided to extend total cooperation and comrade Ramani Bhattacharjee Circle Secretary P3 and B.B.Chetri Circle President NE Circle also are actively planning for the success of the tour for formation of AIPRPA in most of the North Eastern States. Comrade B.R.Lahkar former Circle Secretary P3 Assam and the present leader of Postal, RMS & MMS Pensioners Association is taking the lead in formation of AIPRPA in Assam Circle. Comrade L.P.Saikia Circle President P3 is taking full interest in the formation of AIPRPA.

           NFPE requests all Circle Secretaries of Assam and NE Circle as well as all the Divisional Secretaries of P3, P4, R3, R4 of Assam and P3 and P4 Divisional Secretaries of NE Circle especially Comrades Mausumi Mazumdar DS P3 (Dibrugarh); Thanzuala President P3 (Aizawl); Naba DS P3 (Imphal); Daniel DS P3 (Kohima); ); Paritosh Dasgupta DS P3 (Silchar) to take all efforts to mobilize Postal and RMS Pensioners of Postal Department in their divisions on the said dates by suitably informing all through Circulars, Phone messages etc and help Comrade K. Ragavendran GS AIPRPA in the task of formation of AIPRPA in the entire region. 

         NFPE also requests Comrades Mostaq Ahmed (Sivasagar) and Mazidur Rahman (Jorhat); D.D.Sonowal and B.C.Pal (Retd.) (Tinsukia) to extend total cooperation in the formation of AIPRPA. Comrade S.Rahman former R3 Circle Secretary of Assam and others also are accompanying Comrade K.Ragavendran in this tour.

          We leave it to the other Circle Secretaries and Pensioners leaders especially Comrade B.R.Lahkar to join the tour in any place according to their convenience  but they shall take all efforts to inform their divisional secretaries to take active role in building AIPRPA as per the resolution of 9^th Federal Council of NFPE. NFPE also requests all erstwhile Postal Trade Union leaders who had rendered yeoman contribution while in service to come forward and involve themselves to build a strong All India Postal & RMS Pensioners Association in the entire region of Assam and NE.

           The tour programme is as follows that covers all States other than Arunachal Pradesh as Arunachal will be covered separately later:

27.3.2016: Guwahati (Assam)

28.3.2016: Silchar (Assam)

30.3.2016: Aizawl (Mozoram)

1.4.2016: Shillong (Meghalaya)

3.4.2016: Imphal (Manipur)

4.4.2016: Kohima (Nagaland)

5.4.2016: Dimapur (Nagaland) if possible

6.4.2016: Dibrugarha (Assam)

7.4.2016: Tinsukia (Assam)

8.4.2016: Jorhat (Assam)

9.4.2016: Tezpur (Assam)

          I seek total cooperation from NFPE leadership of all Circle and Divisional Unions of Assam and NE Circle in this endeavor.  

 Comradely Yours

R.N.Parashar
 Secretary General - NFPE

Rates of Income Tax as per Finance Act, 2015 – Financial Year 2015-16(AY 2016/17)

Rates of Income Tax as per Finance Act, 2015 – Financial Year 2015-16(AY 2016/17)

RATES OF INCOME-TAX AS PER FINANCE ACT, 2015: As per the Finance Act, 2015, income-tax is required to be deducted under Section 192 of the Act from income chargeable under the head “Salaries” for the financial year 2015-16 (i.e. Assessment Year 2016-17) at the following rates:

Rates of tax : A. Normal Rates of tax:

Rates of tax for every individual, resident in India, who is of the age of sixty years or more but less than eighty years at any time during the financial year:

In case of every individual being a resident in India, who is of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the financial year:

Education Cess on Income tax:

The amount of income-tax including the surcharge if any, shall be increased by Education Cess on Income Tax at the rate of two percent of the income-tax.

Secondary and Higher Education Cess on Income-tax:

An additional education cess is chargeable at the rate of one percent of income-tax including the surcharge if any, but not including the Education Cess on income tax.