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Monday 6 June 2016

7th Pay Commission report on DA, CEA, FPA, NPA, OTA and other Allowances

7th Pay Commission report on DA, CEA, FPA, NPA, OTA and other Allowances

7th Pay Commission report on certain allowances such as Dearness Allowance, Children Education Allowance, Family Planning Allowance, Non-Practising Allowance, Over Time Allowance etc., applicable to Central Government Employees and Defence Personnel

7th Pay Commission has submitted its recommendations to the Central Government on certain allowances which are classified as other allowances


Other Allowances (click the names of allowances below for getting full details of recommendation of 7th Pay Commission)

1. Bhutan Compensatory Allowance -No change

2. Briefcase Allowance – 50% increase and shall increase further by 25% each time DA increases by 50%.

3. Canteen Allowance – Shall increase further by 25% each time DA increases by 50%.

4. Children Education Allowance (CEA) – Increase by 50%

5. Command Allowance – Recommended to be abolished

6. Commercial Allowance – Recommended to be abolished

7. Composite Personal Maintenance Allowance (CPMA) – 50% increase recommended

8. Condiment Allowance – Recommended to be abolished

9. Constant Attendance Allowance – 50% increase recommended

10. Cost of Living Allowance – No change

11. Court Allowance – Recommended for abolition

12. Dearness Allowance– Continuation of existing methodology

13. Desk Allowance – Recommended for abolition

14. Diet Allowance – Recommended for abolition

15. Educational Concession– Recommended for increase and continuous when increase in DA by 50%

16. Electricity Allowance – Recommended for abolition

17. Family Planning Allowance – Existing scheme to continue

18. Fixed Medical Allowance (FMA) – Existing scheme to continue

19. Funeral Allowance – Existing scheme to continue

20. Hair cutting Allowance– Recommended for abolition

21. Hard Area Allowance– should be rationalized by a factor of 0.8 to 20 percent of Basic Pay.

22. Internet Allowance Mobile Phone Allowance, Newspaper Allowance – To be raised by 25 percent and the entire amount should be paid, lump sum, to the eligible employees without the need for production of vouchers.

23. Investigation Allowance – Recommended for abolition

24. Island Special Duty Allowance– Recommended for rationalisation by a factor of 0.8 to 10 percent, 16 percent and 20 percent of Basic Pay respectively.

25. Launch Campaign Allowance and Space Technology Allowance– Recommended for abolition

26. Messing Allowance – Recommended to be increased to Rs.300 per day

27. Night Duty Allowance – Existing scheme to continue with modification in the system.

28. Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) – Recommended for reduction in NPA to 20% of Basic Pay

29. Nuclear Research Plant Support Allowance – Recommended for 50% hike and further increased by 25% when increase in DA by 50%

30. Nursing Allowance – Existing scheme to continue and further 25% increase each time when DA rises by 50%.  Messing allowance is abolished

31. Orderly Allowance – Existing scheme to continue

32. Overtime Allowance – Recommended for abolition except for industrial and operational staff.  For others if Government wants to grant OTA for any specific purpose then it has be increased by 50% of the present rates.

33. Parliament Assistant Allowance– Recommended for 50% hike and further increased by 25% when increase in DA by 50%

34. PCO Allowance – Recommended for 6% and 12% for Section Officers and Junior Engineers respectively

35. Ration Money Allowance– Existing Scheme to continue and 7000 ft norm to be lifted in case of CAPF.  Abolished for postings at peace areas in respect of officers

36. Soap Toilet Allowance – Recommended for abolition

37. Space Technology Allowance – Recommended for abolition

38. Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities– Recommended to double the allowance and further rise by 25% each time DA rises by 50%

39. Special Allowance to Chief Safety Officers/Safety Officers – Recommended to be paid at the rate of 6 percent of Basic Pay.

40. Special Duty Allowance – Recommended to pay 30% and 10%  of Basic pay for AIS Officers and Civilian Employees respectively.

41. Special Incident/Investigation/Security Allowance– Recommended for NSG, SPG 40%, IB/CBI/NIA/PDG 20%, CAPF 10% of Basic Pay

42. Special NCRB Pay – Recommended to be stopped

43. Special Scientists’ Pay– Recommended for abolition

44. Specialist Allowance– Recommended for 50% increase and further rise by 25% each time DA rises by 50%

45. Spectacle Allowance – Recommended for abolition

46. Split Duty Allowance– Recommended for 50% increase and further rise by 25% each time DA rises by 50%

47. Study Allowance – Recommended for abolition

48. Subsistence Allowance – Existing scheme to continue

49. Training Stipend – Recommended to Pay Rs.80 p.m

50. Vigilance Allowance – Recommended for abolition
Bhutan Compensatory Allowance
Bhutan Compensatory Allowance is admissible to Defence Forces personnel posted to IMTRAT (Bhutan) with a depression in the standard rates promulgated by the Ministry of External Affairs. This was done because certain service concessions such as mess and canteen facilities were provided to Defence Forces personnel while in Bhutan. After September, 2005, the depression in the allowance has been removed but charges at the rate of 6 percent of the allowance from officers and 4 percent from PBORs are recovered for the free facilities provided. The existing rates are as follows:

Grade Pay Rs. per month
>=10,000 1,20,445
8700 <=GP< 10,000 1,15,579
6600 <=GP< 8700 1,10,520
Group `A’ officers with 5400 <=GP< 6600 99,065
Group `B’ officers with 4600 <=GP< 6600 64,569
Non-Gazetted Staff with 1900 <=GP< 4800 55,358
Staff drawing GP< 1900 29,255
Demands have been received to the effect that Bhutan postings should be considered as normal foreign postings and Foreign Allowance as admissible in other countries be granted.

Analysis and Recommendations

The Commission recognizes this allowance as being singular in nature. The rates of this allowance are revised periodically–the last revision being done on 01.04.2013. As such, it is recommended that status quo should be maintained.

Briefcase Allowance
Certain categories of Central Government employees are entitled to reimbursement of expenditure incurred on purchase of briefcase/official bag/ladies’ purse as per the following provisions:

Pay Band/GP Ceiling (Rs.)
Apex 10000
HAG, HAG+ 8000
GP 10000 6500
GP 7600 to GP 8700 5000
GP 4800 to GP 6600 4000
GP 4200 to GP 4600 3500

The periodicity of reimbursement is restricted to once in three years. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

The Commission is of the view that the present rates are adequate However, the ceiling shall further increase by 25 percent each time DA increases by 50 percent.

Canteen Allowance
This allowance is granted to General Manager and Manager-cum-Accountant of the Supreme Court Departmental Canteen at the rates of Rs.350 pm and Rs.300 pm respectively. Canteen allowance is also granted to certain categories of staff in Central Government ministries as per the following rates:
( Rs. per month)
Category of Staff Rate of Allowance
General Manager 700
Deputy General Manager 600
All Managers 300
All Assistant Manager-cum-Storekeepers 200

There are demands for a four-fold rise in the allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

It is recommended that the rates should be increased by a factor of 1.5. The rates shall further increase by 25 percent each time DA increases by 50 percent.

Children Education Allowance (CEA)
CEA is paid to government employees to take care of schooling and hostel requirements of their children. The rates of CEA are double for a differently abled child.

Many demands have been received regarding CEA. It has been requested that the amount be suitably raised and CEA should be extended for Graduation/Post Graduation level studies also. The Commission has received an overwhelming number of requests for simplification of the procedure for reimbursement.

Analysis and Recommendations

Before VI CPC recommendations, the scheme was known as Children Education Assistance and provided at the following rates:

Component
Class I-X
Class XI-XII
Requirement
Reimbursement of Tuition Fee (Rs. pm) 40 50
Reimbursement of Tuition Fee for Disabled and mentally retarded children (Rs. pm) 100 100
Children Education Allowance (Rs. pm) 100 100 In case the government employee is compelled to send his child to a school away from the Station of his posting
Hostel Subsidy (Rs.pm) 300 300 In case the employee is obliged to keep his children in a hostel away from the Station of his posting and residence on account of transfer.

The VI CPC rationalized the structure to the following:
Component Present Rates Remarks
CEA Rs.1500 pm Whenever DA increases by 50% CEA shall increase by 25%
Hostel Subsidy Rs.4500 pm Whenever DA increases by 50% Hostel Subsidy shall increase by 25%
Effectively a 10-fold rise was given by VI CPC. This has led to high expectations, and consequently, vast number of demands for increasing the rates, expansion of scope and simplification for procedure of reimbursement of this allowance.

The various issues are examined seriatim:
  • Has CEA kept pace with time? Presently CEA goes up by 25 percent each time DA increases by50 percent. Thus, since DA currently stands at 113 percent, CEA has gone up by 50 percent from its 2008 level. As against this, the movement of the All India Education Index33 is shown below:
The above chart shows that between 2008 and 2013, the Education Index has gone up from 134 to 154, i.e., by 14.9 percent, whereas CEA went up by 25 percent w.e.f. 01.01.2011 (when DA exceeded 50 percent). Thus, it can be concluded that increase in CEA has kept pace with (and in fact exceeded) the cost of education.
  • What is the adequate level of compensation? Given the wide range of educational institutions, and the varying fee structure, the question of adequacy depends upon many factors. On the one hand we have government institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas that charge fees to the tune of Rs.1,000 per month (including Vidyalaya Vikas Nidhi) and on the other hand there are private institutions where the monthly fee varies from Rs.5,000 to Rs.25,000 (or even more) per month.
On the whole, the Commission is of the view that quantum of CEA should be calibrated in such a manner that the main objective is met without the government entering into the field of subsidizing private education. Hence, taking into account the various items of expenditure that are reimbursed as a part of this allowance, the following is recommended:

Component Recommended rate Remarks
CEA (Rs. pm) 1500 x 1.5 = 2250 Whenever DA increases by 50%, CEA shall increase by 25%
Hostel Subsidy (Rs. pm) 4500 x 1.5 = 6750 (ceiling) Whenever DA increases by 50%, Hostel Subsidy shall increase by 25
The allowance will continue to be double for differently abled children.
  • What should be the scope of CEA? Presently CEA is payable up to Class XII. There is a strong demand for increasing the scope to Graduate and Post Graduate studies. However, due to the greatly varying nature of studies at the graduate level and beyond, the extension of scope of the allowance beyond Class XII cannot be accepted.
Source: All India Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers)
  • Simplification of Procedure for Reimbursement. This is a major area of concern. Many representations have been received by the Commission wherein employees have stated that due to cumbersome procedures, reimbursement has been held up for years. Another issue is the kind of voucher which will be accepted and which kind of voucher will not. The issue has been examined, and the apprehensions expressed are not without merit. It is recommended that reimbursement should be done just once a year, after completion of the financial year (which for most schools coincides with the Academic year). For CEA, a certificate from the head of institution where the ward of government employee studies should be sufficient for this purpose. The certificate should confirm that the child studied in the school during the previous academic year. For Hostel Subsidy, a similar certificate from the head of institution should suffice, with the additional requirement that the certificate should mention the amount of expenditure incurred by the government servant towards lodging and boarding in the residential complex. The amount of expenditure mentioned, or the ceiling as mentioned in the table above, whichever is lower, shall be paid to the employee.
Command Allowance
This allowance is granted to certain personnel in CAPFs for shouldering higher responsibilities at the rate of Rs.100 pm. There are demands to raise this allowance five-fold.

Analysis and Recommendations

Not only is the amount of allowance meagre, there is no valid justification for its continuation. Accordingly, it is recommended that Command Allowance should be abolished.

Commercial Allowance
Commercial Allowance is granted to Announcers, ECRCs, Commercial clerks, TCs of Indian Railways for performing certain commercial duties at the rate of Rs.180 pm. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
The amount of the allowance is meagre and no valid justification has been provided for its continuation. Hence, it should be abolished.

Composite Personal Maintenance Allowance (CPMA)
Composite Personal Maintenance Allowance(CPMA)is granted to PBORs of Defence Forces to take care of their daily needs. The existing rates are as follows:
( Rs. per month)
Hair Cutting Allowance 30
Washing Allowance 90

30
Clothing Maintenance Allowance 30
Rum Allowance Peace Areas 45
Field Areas below 3000 ft 105
Field Areas 3000 ft–4999 ft 150
Field Areas 5000 ft–8999 ft 165
High Altitude Areas 240

There are demands to double the rate of CPMA and for parity among PBORs of all uniformed services.

Analysis and Recommendations
Washing Allowance and Clothing Maintenance Allowance have been subsumed in the Dress Allowance for PBORs. Other components of CPMA should be increased by 50 percent. The rates of the allowance will further increase by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.

Entire CPMA will be payable to the PBORs of Defence Forces. Except Rum Allowance, other components of CPMA will be payable to PBORs of CAPFs, Indian Coast Guard, RPFand Police forces of Union Territories. Rum Allowance will be granted to PBORs of CAPFs and Indian Coast Guard as per the existing guidelines.

Condiment Allowance
Condiment Allowance is paid to those non-gazetted personnel of Defence forces and CAPFs who dine in the mess, at the rate of Rs.89.78 pm. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
8.17.27 Condiment Allowance is not an allowance in the true sense of the term, i.e., it is not paid to an individual, but to the Unit for collective purchase of condiments. As such, it is proposed to abolish this allowance, and the expenditure on condiments may be termed as Condiment expenditure and should be shown as such under the relevant budget head.

Constant Attendance Allowance
This allowance is sanctioned for 100 percent disablement, if in the opinion of competent medical authority, the retired employee needs the services of a Constant Attendant for at least a period of 3 months. This is subject to acceptance by the pension sanctioning authority and to the condition that the pensioner actually employs a paid attendant to look after him. The present rate of this allowance is Rs.4,500 pm. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
The allowance may be increased by a factor of 1.5, i.e., to Rs.6,750 per month. The allowance shall further increase by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.

Cost of Living Allowance
This allowance is payable to employees recruited locally by MEA in foreign countries to compensate for the effect of inflation. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
This allowance is administered by MEA taking local factors into consideration. Hence, status quo is recommended.

Court Allowance
Court Allowance is granted to Legal Officers in National Investigation Agency (NIA) to meet the miscellaneous expenditure incurred in court. The present rates are Rs.1,500 pm to Public Prosecutor and Sr.Public Prosecutor, and Rs.2,000 pm to Dy.Legal Advisor. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
The Commission does not find the allowance justified. Hence, it is recommended that it should be abolished.

Dearness Allowance
The Dearness Allowance (DA) is paid to Central Government employees to adjust the cost of living and to protect their Basic Pay from erosion in the real value on account of inflation. Presently, DA is based on the All India Consumer Price Index (Industrial Workers).
The JCM-Staff Side has suggested that the existing formula for the calculation of DA may continue.

Analysis and Recommendations
The VICPC had recommended that the National Statistical Commission may be asked to explore the possibility of a specific survey covering government employees exclusively, so as to construct a consumption basked representative of government employees and formulate a separate index. This has, however, not been done.

Keeping in mind that the present formulation of DA has worked well over the years, and there are no demands for its alteration, the Commission recommends continuance of the existing formula and methodology for calculating the Dearness Allowance.

Desk Allowance
Desk Allowance is granted to Desk Officers in CSS and other HQ services at a rate of Rs.900 pm. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
This allowance is virtually non-existent since 2010 and there are very few instances of its payment now. Besides no valid justification has been provided in support of this allowance. Thus, it is recommended that Desk Allowance should be abolished.

Diet Allowance
Diet Allowance is granted to deputationists in Bureau of Immigration as compensation for food, at a rate of Rs.200 pm. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
The amount of the allowance is meagre and no valid justification has been provided for its continuation. Hence, it is recommended that the allowance should be abolished.

Educational Concession
Educational Concession is provided to children of Defence personnel who are missing/ disabled/killed in action. The allowance entails full reimbursement towards tuition and hostel fees and, in addition, compensation towards cost of books/stationery, uniform and clothing. The present rates are as under:
Tution Fees Full Reimbursement
Hostel Charges Full Reimbursement
Cost of books/stationery Rs.1000 pa
Cost of Uniform Rs.1700 pa (First year)
Rs.700 pa (Subsequent year)
Clothing Rs.500 pa (First year)
Rs.300 pa (Subsequent year)

There are demands to increase the amount of concession four-fold and to extend it to similarly placed personnel of CAPFs and Indian Coast Guard.

Analysis and Recommendations

The Commission finds merit in the argument that children of similarly placed personnel in other uniformed forces should not be denied education opportunities. Accordingly, it is recommended that the allowance should be extended to similarly placed personnel of CAPFs, Indian Coast Guard, RPF and police forces of Union Territories mutatis mutandis. Since this allowance is not DA indexed, the following rates are recommended:

Tuition Fees Full Reimbursement
Hostel Charges Full Reimbursement
Cost of books/stationery Rs.2000 pa
Cost of Uniform Rs.2000 pa
Clothing Rs.700 pa

The combined amount of Tuition Fees and Hostel Charges shall not exceed Rs.10,000 pm. The allowance shall go up by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.

Electricity Allowance
Personnel belonging to the Defence Forces are permitted reimbursement of electricity charges for the first 100 units of electricity. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
This allowance is petty in nature and with the increase in pay proposed, there is no justification for its continuation. Hence, it should be abolished.

Family Planning Allowance
Family Planning Allowance (FPA) is granted to Central Government employees as an encouragement to adhere to small family norms. The existing rates are as under:
( Rs. per month)
Grade Pay
Family Planning Allowance
1300-2400
210
2800
250
4200
400
4600
450
4800
500
5400
550
6600
650
7600
750
8700
800
8900
900
Grade Pay
Family Planning Allowance
>10,000
1000
There are demands to make it equal to one increment. Representations have also been received requesting that the allowance should be double for those employees who adopt family planning norms after just one child.

Analysis and Recommendations
The Commission recognizes the fact that most of the benefits related to children, viz., Children Education Allowance, Maternity Leave, LTC, etc., are available for two children only. Moreover the level of awareness regarding appropriate family size has also gone up among the government servants. Hence, a separate allowance aimed towards population control is not required now. Accordingly, it is recommended that Family Planning Allowance should be abolished.
Fixed Medical Allowance
It is granted to pensioners for meeting expenditure on day to day medical expenses that do not require hospitalization, presently payable at the rate of Rs.500 pm. Demands have been received to increase the rate of this allowance to Rs.2,000 pm.

Analysis and Recommendations
The Commission notes that this allowance was enhanced from Rs.300 pm to Rs.500 pm from 19.11.2014. As such, further enhancement of this allowance is not recommended. Detailed recommendations regarding health care of pensioners have been made in Chapter 9.5 of the Report.
Funeral Allowance
When death of an employee occurs in peace areas, a funeral allowance of Rs.6,000 is granted and mortuary charges are reimbursed to Defence personnel. Demands have been received to extend that allowance to all civilian employees and for a four-fold increase in rates.

Analysis and Recommendations
The Commission is of the view that with the pay raises provided by successive Pay Commissions, this kind of an allowance has lost its meaning. Hence, it is recommended to be abolished.
Hair cutting  Allowance
This allowance is granted to PBORs of CISF to compensate for the cost of hair cutting, at the rate of Rs.5 pm. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.
Analysis and Recommendations
The Commission took note of the fact that the amount of this allowance is the lowest among all allowances. This allowance has been subsumed in Composite Personal Maintenance Allowance and, therefore, should be abolished as a separate allowance.
Hard Area Allowance
Hard Area Allowance, at the rate of 25 percent of Basic Pay, is granted to Central Government employees on their posting to the Nicobar and Lakshadweep groups of Islands. This is paid in addition to ISDA. There are demands to increase the rate of this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
In line with our recommendations on percentage based allowances, Hard Area Allowance should be rationalized by a factor of 0.8 to 20 percent of Basic Pay.
Internet Allowance, Mobile Phone Allowance, Newspaper Allowance
These allowance are administered differently in ministries as per their requirements. Some ministries provide Mobile Phones and Internet connections to their employees, while others compensate their employees for these services in monetary terms, ranging from Rs.200 pm to Rs.3,000 pm. There are demands to raise these allowances.

Analysis and Recommendations
There is no doubt that these allowances are required in the present times. However, they should lead to efficiency in administration also. As such, it is suggested that all ministries should have a comprehensive database of their employees, including their mobile numbers and email addresses. This database should be available on the website of the concerned ministry.

The ministries should continue dealing with these allowances on their own, subject to the ceilings notified by the Ministry of Finance from time to time. The present ceilings should, however, be raised by 25 percent and the entire amount should be paid, lump sum, to the eligible employees without the need for production of vouchers.
Investigation Allowance
Investigation Allowance is granted in Serious Fraud Investigation Office, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, to attract talent pool from other ministries. The existing rates are as under:
( Rs. per month)
Grade Pay
Rate
8700
2000
6600
1400
5400
1400
4800
1400

Analysis and Recommendations
There is no justification for continuation of this allowance. Accordingly, it is recommended that the allowance should be abolished.
Island Special Duty Allowance (ISDA)
ISDA is granted to Central Government employees on their posting to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. The existing structure of this allowance is as under:

Areas around capital towns (Port Blair in A&N islands, Kavaratti and Agatti in Lakshadweep) 12.5% of Basic Pay
Difficult Areas (North and Middle Adaman, South Andaman excluding Port Blair, entire Lakshadweep except Kavaratii, Agatti and Minicoy) 20% of Basic Pay
More Difficult Areas (Little Andaman, Nicobar group of Islands, Narcondum Islands, East Islands and Minicoy) 25% of Basic Pay

There are demands to increase the rate of ISDA.

Analysis and Recommendations

In line with our recommendations on percentage based allowances, ISDA should be rationalized by a factor of 0.8 to 10 percent, 16 percent and 20 percent of Basic Pay respectively.
Launch Campaign Allowance and Space Technology Allowance
Space Technology Allowance is granted to supporting scientific and technical staff in DOS/ISRO in recognition of the need for their retention and keeping in view the fact that they play a crucial role in the success of every mission. Considering that all missions/projects of ISRO are implemented in campaign mode and all categories of employees have to work with extra vigour, it was decided to give a lumpsum Launch Campaign Allowance to all administrative staff working in DOS/ISRO to appreciate and recognize their contribution to ISRO. Both the allowances are paid at the identical rate of Rs.7,500 per annum. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations
The allowances are in the nature of an appreciation allowance. Since PRIS has already been implemented in ISRO, there is no justification for the continuation of these allowances. Hence it is recommended that both these allowances should be abolished.

Messing Allowance
This allowance is paid to “floating staff” under Fishery Survey of India, in lieu of free food on board floating vessels, at a rate of Rs.200 per day. Demands have been received to increase the amount of allowance to 15 percent of Basic Pay.

Analysis and Recommendations

It is recommended that the allowance should be increased to Rs.300 per day. The amount will further rise by 25 percent each time DA increases by 50 percent.

Night Duty Allowance
Night Duty Allowance (NDA) is granted to certain specified categories of employees for performance of duty between 22:00 hrs and 06:00 hrs. Presently, each hour of night work earns extra ten minutes of day work. There are demands to grant Night Duty Allowance between 18:00 hrs and 06:00 hrs and for doubling of rates by equating each hour of night work to extra twenty minutes of day work.

Analysis and Recommendations
This allowance was dealt extensively by Mia Bhoy tribunal in 1969 and the present dispensation is based on the recommendation of the said tribunal.

Presently, the allowance is administered as per DoPT’s OM No.12012/4/86-Estt. (Allowances) of 04.10.1989, wherein every 6 hours of night work earns 1 weighted hour of day work, or each hour of night work earns extra 10 minutes of day work.

The Commission examined the various arguments given for the grant of Night Duty Allowance:
  • Night Work Convention, 1990 of International Labour Organization, states in Article 8: “Compensation for night workers in the form of working time, pay or similar benefits shall recognise the nature of night work.”
  • There are studies to prove the deleterious effects on health of prolonged periods of continuous night duty.
  • Sleep is more likely to be interrupted during day time compared to night time.
  • Transportation and Entertainment are generally planned keeping day time in mind.
This Commission is, therefore, convinced that the need for compensating night work is widely recognized and should be continued.

However, the practice of arriving at the rates of NDA needs to be uniform. It is seen that in the Railways the rate of NDA has been broad-banded and all employees at each level of Grade Pay are given the same rate of NDA. For achieving this broad-banding, the average of Minimum and Maximum of the entire Pay Band has been taken to arrive at the average pay. This appears to be incorrect because running Pay Bands were intentionally kept wide by the VI CPC to avoid stagnation. Hence to use the extremities of the Pay Band for arrival at the average rate of NDA is not appropriate. Moreover, with the computerization of pay rolls, the amount of Night Duty Allowance can be easily calculated for each employee.

Taking the above into account, the following set of recommendations is made with regard to NDA:
  • The present formulation of weightage of 10 minutes for every hour of duty performed between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00 may be continued;
  • The present prescribed hourly rate of NDA equal to (BP+DA)/200 may be continued;
  • This amount of NDA should, however, be worked out separately for each employee. With the computerization of pay rolls, working out the amount of NDA automatically for each employee every month will not entail any difficulty. The existing formulation forgiving same rate of NDA for all employees with a particular GP should be abolished.
  • This formulation will extend to all employees across all ministries/departments who were already in receipt of Night Duty Allowance.
  • A certificate should be given by the supervisor concerned that Night Duty is essential.
Non Practicing Allowance (NPA)
Non Practicing Allowance (NPA), at the rate of 25 percent of Basic Pay, is paid to medical doctors occupying posts for which minimum qualification of a medical degree is prescribed. There are demands to raise this allowance to 40 percent of Basic Pay.

Analysis and Recommendations
The VI CPC had included a detailed rationale for the grant of NPA in its recommendations. Most of the reasons are still valid and there is no need to reiterate them here. However, in line with our general approach of rationalizing the percentage based allowances by a factor of 0.8, we recommend that NPA should be paid at the rate of 20 percent of Basic Pay, subject to the condition that Basic Pay + NPA should not exceed the average of Apex Level and the level of Cabinet Secretary.
Nuclear Research Plant Support Allowance
It is a composite allowance granted exclusively to staff at Research Unitsin the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, to compensate for a variety of factors like round-the-clock shifts, overtime, risk of radiation, etc. The present rates are as under:

Pay in the Pay Band Rate
Up to Rs.5580 Rs.480 pm
Rs.5581-Rs.16740 Rs.660 pm
There are demands to increase the allowance four-fold.
Analysis and Recommendations
The Commission is of the view that the allowance needs to be continued. Moreover, since the allowance is already partially indexed to DA, it is recommended that the rates of the allowance should be increased by a factor of 1.5 to the following:

Level of the employee Recommended Rate
1-2 Rs.720 pm
3 to 5 Rs.990 pm
The rate shall further increase by 25 percent each time DA increases by 50 percent.

Nursing Allowance
Nursing Allowance is the composite term used for four allowances granted to nursing personnel: Nursing Allowance, Uniform Allowance, Washing Allowance, and Messing Allowance, presently granted at the following rates:
( Rs. per month)
Nursing Allowance 4800
Uniform Allowance 750
Washing Allowance 450
Messing Allowance 75
There are demands to increase the rate to three times its present value.

Analysis and Recommendations

The Commission is of the view that Nursing Allowance is already at an appropriate level. Hence, no change in the rate of Nursing Allowance is recommended. However, the rate of Nursing Allowance will go up by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.

Uniform Allowance and Washing Allowance have been subsumed in the newly recommended Dress Allowance for Nurses and will not be payable separately. Messing Allowance is petty in nature. It is recommended that it should be abolished.

Orderly Allowance
Orderly Allowance is paid to Judicial Officers on deputation to Supreme Court Registry at the same rate that the Judicial Officer was getting in the parent office. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

It is recommended that status quo may be maintained.
Overtime Allowance (OTA)
Overtime Allowance(OTA) is granted to government employees for performing duties beyond the designated working hours. Presently, OTA is paid in several ministries/ departments, up to a certain level, at varying rates.

JCM-Staff Side has demanded that OTA should be paid to all government employees who are asked to work beyond office hours, on the basis of actual Pay, DA and Transport Allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

Out of the total expenditure on OTA in Government of India in 2012-2013, over 90 percent is on account of just two ministries: MoR – Ministry of Railways and MoD – Ministry of Defence (Civilian employees). The Commission compared the OTA expenditure in these two ministries over the period 2006-07 to 2012-13.
In both the ministries, the amount of OTA is showing a rising trend.
The absolute numbers and amounts are as given below:

OTA and Pay (including DA) in MoR and MoD (Civilian Employees)
( Crore of Rs.)

2006-07 2012-13
CAGR of OTA
CAGR of Pay
OT A P ay (A)/(B) OT A P ay (X)/(Y)
(A) (B) (X) (Y)
MoR 304.88 14563.01 2.09% 791.65 30713.98 2.58% 17.24% 13.24%
MoD 398.15 5035.94 7.91% 732.73 11211.9 6.54% 10.70% 14.27%

There are two noteworthy points here:

a. While OTA as a percentage of Pay is declining in MoD (6.54% in 2012-13 compared to 7.91% in 2006-07), it is on the rise in MoR (2.58% in 2012-13 compared to 2.09% in 2006-07). (
Source: Brochure on Pay and Allowances published by Pay Research Unit, DoE, Ministry of Finance.)
b. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of OTA (17.24%) in MoR exceeds even the CAGR of Pay (13.24%), or in other words, OTA is rising faster than pay.

This clearly shows that while MoD has achieved some success in its efforts to control OTA, the efforts of MoR have not yielded the desired results. However, at the same time, it should also be kept in mind that OTA as a percentage of pay is already much higher in MoD compared to MoR.
The Commission also took note of the recommendations of the III, IV, V and VI CPCs that OTA should be abolished except where it is a statutory requirement. However, it is also a fact that despite these recommendations, OTA continues to be paid to certain categories of staff (at rates that are quite old) even when it is not a statutory requirement.

Hence, while this Commission shares the sentiments of its predecessors that government offices need to increase productivity and efficiency, and recommends that OTA should be abolished (except for operational staff and industrial employees who are governed by statutory provisions), at the same time it is also recommended that in case the government decides to continue with OTA for those categories of staff for which it is not a statutory requirement, then the rates of OTA for such staff should be increased by 50 percent from their current levels.

A stricter control on OTA expenditure is also suggested.

Parliament Assistance Allowance
This allowance is granted in ministries to Assistants and UDCs who are wholly engaged in Parliament work during Parliament Sessions. The present rate of the allowance is Rs.1,500 pm for Assistants and Rs.1,200 pm for UDCs. The allowance is admissible at full rates for every calendar month in which the Parliament is in session for at least 15 days in that month. For months with shorter periods, the allowance is admissible at half the rates prescribed for the full month. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

The rate should be increased by a factor of 1.5. The rate shall further increase by 25 percent each time DA increases by 50 percent.

PCO Allowance
This allowance is granted to select staff of Production Control Organization (PCO) in Workshops and PUs of Indian Railways to compensate them for the loss in Incentive Bonus. The present rate is 7.5 percent of Basic Pay for eligible staff in GP 4600 and 15 percent of Basic Pay for eligible staff up to GP 4200. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

In line with our general approach of rationalizing the percentage based allowances by a factor of 0.8, the following rates of PCO allowance are recommended:
Section Engineers and Sr. Section Engineers in level 7 6% of Basic Pay
Non-supervisory staff and Jr. Engineers up to level 6 12% of Basic Pay

Ration Money Allowance (RMA)
Ration Money Allowance (RMA) is paid to all personnel of Defence forces and non-gazetted personnel of CAPFs, Delhi Police, IB, A&N police and such personnel of Indian Reserve Battalions (IRBn) as are posted in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and don’t dine in the mess. The existing rate of this allowance is Rs.95.52 per day for Non-Gazetted personnel and Rs.79.93 per day for Gazetted personnel.
There are demands to extend RMA to gazetted officers of CAPFs in line with Defence forces. Demands have also been received from some CAPFs that RMA should be exempted from the purview of income tax
.
Analysis and Recommendations

Ration Money Allowance is revised periodically by Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home for their personnel. Hence, it is proposed that status quo be maintained regarding the rates of this allowance.
However, regarding the admissibility of RMA, PBORs of CAPFs and Indian Coast Guard should be eligible to draw RMA irrespective of the place of posting (except when in receipt of the Detachment Allowance).  Presently, officers of SSB who are posted in field areas at altitudes of less than 7000 feet are not eligible for RMA. This restriction of 7000 feet should be removed.
Regarding income tax exemption of RMA, the Commission, as part of its general approach, has refrained from making recommendations involving income tax. However, looking into the unique service conditions of CAPFs, the Commission is of the view that since RMA is granted in lieu of free rations, it should be exempt from income tax.

It is further recommended that the provision of free rations and the grant of Ration Money Allowance to officers of Defence forces posted in peace areas should be withdrawn.
This allowance is granted to Group `B’ and `C’ combatised personnel of Assam Rifles at the rate of Rs.90 pm. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

The allowance is subsumed in Composite Personal Maintenance Allowance. Hence, it is recommended that this allowance should be abolished.

Special Allowance for Child Care for Women with Disabilities
As the name indicates, this allowance is granted to differently abled female employees for taking care of their newborn child. The present rate of this allowance is Rs.1,500 pm.

Analysis and Recommendations
The Commission recognizes the huge responsibility that these women shoulder while raising their children. Therefore, instead of the factor of 1.5 that we have mostly used for semi-DA indexed allowances, it is recommended that this allowance be raised by a factor of 2 to Rs.3,000 pm. The allowance shall further rise by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.

Special Allowance to Chief Safety Officers/Safety Officers
This allowance is granted to Senior Supervisors of workshop cadre (whether working in workshop or PCO) in Indian Railways, when they are deputed as Chief Safety Officers/Safety Officers. The existing rate is 7.5 percent of Basic Pay. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

In line with our general approach of rationalizing the percentage based allowances by a factor of 0.8, it is recommended that this allowance should, henceforth, be paid at the rate of 6 percent of Basic Pay.

Special Duty Allowance (SDA)
Special Duty Allowance (SDA) is granted to attract civilian employees to seek posting in North Eastern and Ladakh regions, in view of the risk and hardship prevailing in these areas. Currently, the rate of SDA is 37.5 percent of Basic Pay for AIS officers and 12.5 percent of Basic Pay for other employees.
There is a vociferous demand from employees (other than AIS officers) posted in these areas for parity with AIS officers.

Analysis and Recommendations

The Commission is of the view that AIS officers are allotted cadres, irrespective of their choice, and they are required to work in these cadres for considerable periods of time. As such, a higher rate of SDA for them is justified.

Accordingly, in line with our general approach of rationalizing the percentage based allowances by a factor of 0.8, SDA for AIS officers should be paid at the rate of 30 percent of Basic Pay and for other civilian employees at the rate of 10 percent of Basic Pay.

Special Incident/Investigation/Security Allowance
This allowance is provided to personnel of special security forces, both as compensation for risk and hardship as well as an incentive to attract talent. The present structure of these allowances is as under:

Granted to personnel of Present Rate
SPG (Operational Staff) 50% of (BP+DA)
SPG (Non-Operational Staff) 25% of (BP+DA)
NSG 25% of (BP+DA)
NIA (Executive Staff) 25% of (BP+DA)
NIA (Non-Executive Staff) 15% of (BP+DA)
CBI (Officers up to the level of SP) 25% of BP
CBI (Officers of the rank DIG and above) 15% of BP
CBI (Non-Executive Cadres) 15% of BP
IB 15% of BP
RAF of CRPF 10% of BP

There are demands to rationalize the entire structure of this allowance. A proposal for extending this allowance at the rate of 25 percent of Basic+DA to personnel of Parliament Duty Group has also been forwarded to the Commission by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Analysis and Recommendations

The Commission notes that these allowances were started at different points in time. There are varying rates that need to be rationalized. After due discussions with various stakeholders, the following structure of Special Security Allowances is recommended:

Granted to Personnel of Recommended Rate
NSG 40% of Basic Pay
SPG (Operational Staff)
SPG (Non-Operational Staff) 20% of Basic Pay
IB
CBI
NIA
Parliament Duty Group (PDG)
RAF (CRPF) 10% of Basic Pay
The rationalized structure will be applicable only to those employees who were already in receipt of the allowance, except in case of PDG employees. No new categories of staff in other organizations may be made eligible for the  grant of this allowance based on these recommendations. No Deputation (Duty) Allowance will be applicable along with this allowance.
Special NCRB Pay
Special NCRB Pay is granted to Assistant Director in C&S division and Deputy Superintendent (Finger Print) in Central Finger Print Bureau of National Crime Records Bureau, on the premise that the feeder posts of both the above mentioned posts lie in the same GP which is an anomaly. A proposal to upgrade the post of Assistant Director to GP 7600 and that of Deputy Superintendent (Finger Print) to GP 5400 (PB-3) has been sent to VII CPC. Until then, the Bureau has itself taken steps to sort out this “pay anomaly” by providing this allowance of Rs.800 pm.

Analysis and Recommendations

The merger of certain V CPC pay scales by the VI CPC, led to similar situations in many cadres in which some posts and their feeder posts came to be in the same GP. The resolution to this has not been in the form of any such allowance. In fact, in many such cases there has been no resolution, as we have seen in the memoranda received. In this context, the presumption by NCRB that this constitutes an “anomaly,” to be “rectified” through an allowance is incorrect. Hence it is recommended that this pay should be immediately stopped.

Special Scientists’ Pay
Special Scientists’ Pay, at a rate of Rs.4,000 pm, is granted to Scientists/Engineers H with GP 10000 because it was felt that the pay scale accorded to them by the V CPC was not commensurate with their status and was adversely affecting their morale. No demands have been received regarding this pay.

Analysis and Recommendations

Since the V CPC recommendations, much time has passed and the pay scales of all employees have been revised upwards. There is no rationale for the continuation of this allowance. Hence, it is recommended that this allowance be abolished.

Specialist Allowance
This allowance is paid to specialist medical officers in Defence Services when posted to fill vacancies of specialists in the medical establishment. The present rates are as under:
Graded Specialist Rs.2400 pm
Classified Specialist Rs.3000 pm
Consultant/Advisor/Professor Rs.3600 pm
There are demands to raise the amount of this allowance four-fold.

Analysis and Recommendations

The rate of the allowance should be increased by a factor of 1.5. The rate shall further increase by 25 percent each time DA increases by 50 percent.

Spectacle Allowance
Spectacles are issued free to those Defence Forces personnel in whose case impairment of vision is either attributable to service or their sight is so defective that it interferes with their efficiency. When spectacles are not issued, reimbursement is permitted in the form of Spectacle Allowance, at the following rates:
For spectacles with normal lenses Rs.130
For spectacles with bifocal lenses Rs.250
There are demands that the Spectacle Allowance should be abolished and adequately compensated in Composite Personal Maintenance Allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

The amount of this allowance is meagre. Hence, it is recommended that this allowance should be abolished.

Split Duty Allowance

This allowance is payable to Sweepers and Farashes in the Central Secretariat/allied offices performing split duties where the break in between the shift is at least two hours and who have not been provided residential accommodation within 1 Km. of the office premises. The existing rate is Rs.300 pm. There are demands to raise this allowance to Rs.2,000 pm
.
Analysis and Recommendations

It is recommended that the allowance should be increased by a factor of 1.5 to Rs.450 pm. The rate will further rise by 25 percent each time DA rises by 50 percent.
Study Allowance
Study Allowance, ranging from 1 to 2.75 Pound (Sterling) per day, is granted to a government servant who has been granted study leave for studies outside India, for the period spent in prosecuting a definite course of study at a recognized institution or in any definite tour of inspection of any special class of work as well as for the period covered by the examination at the end of the course of study. This allowance has been referred by the government to VII CPC for consideration.

Analysis and Recommendations

The rate of this allowance is meagre and not revised since 1972. Accordingly, it is recommended that the allowance should be abolished.

Subsistence Allowance
Subsistence Allowance is payable to an employee under suspension or deemed to have been placed under suspension. No demands have been received regarding this allowance.

Analysis and Recommendations

Payment of Subsistence Allowance is as per CCS (CCA) rules. Status Quo is recommended.

Training Stipend
Non Gazetted Officers of Delhi Police, while undergoing training, are entitled for Training Stipend at the rate of Rs.80 pm.

Analysis and Recommendations

The stipend is meagre. Hence, it is recommended that Training Stipend should be done away with.
Vigilance Allowance

A Vigilance Allowance of Rs.2,500 pm is granted to Vigilance Inspectors in Indian Railways to attract experienced and talented staff.

Analysis and Recommendations

The Commission took note of two aspects regarding this allowance:
a. This allowance is paid only in Railways while there are posts of Vigilance Inspectors under other ministries as well.
b. No supporting evidence has been submitted by the Ministry of Railways to show that i. Employees were unwilling to join the vigilance organization before the
commencement of this allowance, and
ii. The position has improved after this allowance was introduced.
In such a situation, the Commission recommends abolishing this allowance.
======================== Disability in service, Special benefit on death,benefit in disability in service,central government employee news,family pension,Railway news
Special benefit in cases of death and disability in service – Revision of Disability Pension/Family pension

Railway Board announcement of Revision of Disability Pension/Family pension

RBE No.53/2016

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA  (BHARAT SARKAR)
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (RAIL MANTRALAYA)
(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/20

                                             New Delhi,  Dated : 24.05.2016.

The   GMs/FA&CAOs,

All India Railways/Production Units,

(As per mailing list)

Subject : Special benefit  in  cases  of  death  and  disability   in service-Revision of Disability  Pension/Family Pension of Pre-2006  disability pensioners/family pensioners-regarding.

*****

      A  copy of  Department of Pension  and Pensioners’ Welfare (DOP&PW)’s  O.M. No.45/3/2008-P&PW(F) dated 29th April, 2016 on the above subject is enclosed for information and compliance.  These instructions shall apply mutatis mutandis on the Railways   also. CCS (Extraordinary Pension)  Rules, 1972, corresponds to Railway Services (Extra Ordinary Pension) Rules, 1993.  The Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure’s O.M.1/1/2008-IC dated 30.08.2008 mentioned  in  the DOP&PAW’s  O.M, dated 29.04.2016 has been adopted on Railways vide this office’s letter No. PC-Vl/2008/1/RSRP/1dated 11.09.2008.

2.  A concordance of DOP&PW’s instructions referred to in the enclosed O.M. and Railway Board’s corresponding instructions is given below:

S.No.  DOP&PW’s instructions Railway Board’s corresponding instructions.
1. O.M. No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 30.07.2015 Letter No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/12 dated 31.07.2015
2. O.M.   No. 45/3/2008-P&PW(F)
dated 20.11.2014
Letter No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/20 dated 10.12.2014
3. O.M. No.  38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 28:01.2013 Letter No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/12 dated 11.02.2013
4. O.M.   No.  45/3/2008-P&PW(F)
dated 30.09.2010
Letter No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/20 dated 19.10.2010
5. O.M.  No.  45/3/2008-(P) dated 18.11.2008 Letter No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/20 dated 25.11.2008
6. O.M. No. 38/37/08-P&PW(A) dated 01.09.2008  Letter No. F(E)III/2008/PN1/12  dated 08.09.2008
7. O.M.  No. 45/22/97-P&PW(C) dated 03.02.2000  Letter No. F(E)III/2000/PN1/16 dated 08.03.2000

3. Please acknowledge receipt.
(Sanjay   Prashar)
Deputy  Director,   Finance (Estt.)III,
Railway  Board. 

 Source: Railway Board Circular RBE No.53/2016 No.F(E)III/2008/PN1/20 dated 24.05.2016
======================================= NFIR Strike notice,charter of Demands,NFIR,central government employee news
National Federation of Indian Railwaymen
NO.II/95/Pt.VIII
Dated: 05/06/2016
The General Secretaries of
Affiliated Unions of NFIR

Brother,

Sub: Service of Strike Notice by NFIR Unions on the GMs of Zonal Railways / Production units-reg
********
Please refer NFIR’s communication of even number dated 31st May, 2016 to the Affiliated Unions (already sent through mail). Also refer NFIR’s message of even number dated 04/06/2016.

In the NJCA meeting held on 3rd June 2016, after taking stock of the situation particularly in the context of Government’s failure to hold formal meetings and discuss on Charter of Demands for reaching a negotiated settlement, it has been decided that the JCM Constituent organizations shall seive Strike Notice on the respective employers/authorities.on 9th June,20l6 duly organizing massive rallies/demonstrations and proceed ahead for total mobilization of Central Government Employees/workers for Strike Action from 11th July, 2016.

In this connection, NFIR has already sent to the affiliates, the proforma of Strike Notice together with Charter of Demands to facilitate the Affiliated Unions to serve Strike Notice on the respective GMs etc on 9th June, 2016. It was also conveyed that copy of Strike Notice should also be sent to different authorities as indicated in NFIR’s letter of even number dated 31st May, 2016 through e-mail and also through speed post.

The affiliates of NFIR should mobilize Railway employees in a massive scale on 9th June, 2016 in the course of serving the Strike Notice. Media Conference should also be held and the Charter of Demands vis-ir-vis Government’s non-responsive attitude be highlighted for wider coverage.

The 11 Point Charter of Demands finalized by NJCA again on 3rd June, 2016 is enclosed. In addition, NFIR’s demands are also listed in the enclosure as part ‘B’ of the Charter of Demands.
The NJCA in its meeting held on 3’d June, 2016 has also decided as follows.
  • The Constituents will plan and execute a massive mobilization campaign to cover each and every employee/worker in which all the National and State leaders must take part.
  • The Unions/Federations/Associations will suspend immediately all ongoing negotiations with their departmental heads/authorities and concentrate on the mobilization campaign.
  • On 24th June,2O16,a massive united demonstration under the auspices of the NJCA will be held before the Parliament. The constituent organizations will decide upon the quota for each State Unit and communicate the same so that the State Units can take necessary steps to ensure that their members reach New Delhi on 24th June,2016 and participate in the demonstration.
  • The NJCA (CHQ) will write to the leaders of all the Political parties as also the Central Trade Unions seeking their support and solidarity as also explaining as to why the NJCA had to take the extreme step of organizing the strike action.
  • All the constituent organizations and the State Units shall write such letters to the Members of Parliament of their respective States and shall make efforls to meet them in person to seek their support.
  • All the State Units of the Constituent organizations either jointly or independently organize Press Conferences for coverage by Print and Electronic Media.
  • The NJCA (CHQ) will hold such a Press Conference at Delhi on 23rd June, 2016 i.e. just one day prior to the mammoth demonstration planned before the Parliament.
  • The Constituent organizations will get in touch with the Associations/Federations of the retired personnel both at the All India and State levels to seek their support for the strike agtion and enlist their participation in all demonstrative programmes organized by the working employees in support of Strike. The Pensioners Organizations may be informed of the Government decision to reject the recommendations of the 7th CPC to provide option no.1 to the Pensioners as an alternative pension fitment formula.
  • The constituents will also seek the participation of those organizations in their respective otganizations/departments who are.not associated with the NJCA being non-participants in the JCM Scheme.
NFIR therefore appeals to all its affiliates to make all out efforts to enlist the support of employees of all categories for their total and successful participation in the Strike Action. It needs to be realized that the historic decision for launching Strike Action by all Central Government Employees is an opportunity for every employee/worker to demonstrate united strength of working class and emerge victorious in spite of Government’s onslaughts. We should get ready to face any challenge and establish that our united struggle has not only brought laurels but also become an unforgettable event, inspiring future generations of work force.
NFIR also appeals to its affiliates to take necessary initiatives as indicated above promptly in order to see that message goes all over that the united struggle of rail workforce is creating greater impact for the eventual success.

Yours fraternally
(Dr. M. Raghavaiah)
General Secretary/

Charter of Demands

PART A

1. Settle the issues raised by the NJCA on the recommendations of the 7th CPC sent to Cabinet Secretary vide letter dated 10th 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 Government establishments by the 7th 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; Regularize 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 the 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.

Charter of Demands

PART B

1. Improve minimum wage of Rs. 18,000/- and multiplying factor. Reject all retrograde recommendations of VII CPC.

2. Scrap New Pension Scheme (NPS) and restore old pension scheme to he made applicable to those employed on & after 1.1.2004.

3. Settle NFIR”s Charter of Demands submitted to the Government and Ministry of Railways on 24.12,2013, 28.01.2014, 03.07.2014, 07.07.2014, 11.09.2015 & 10.12.2015 which include removal of anomalies of VI CPC, implementation agreements reached for merger of Technicians, grant up-gradation of Apex Group `C’ posts to Group `B’ Gazetted, replacement of Pay Band & GP of various categories, removal of salary calculation ceiling for ensuring payment of PLB on actual wages, grant of parity in case of stenographers with those working in Central Secretariat Services, reduction of duty hours, improvement in Railway Quarters, Medical facilities, creation of New Posts for New Assets/Services without insisting on matching surrender etc., Ensure career improvement of Safaiwalas/Safaiwalies in Railways SPAD definition to be reviewed to prevent harassment of victimization of Running & Safety staff, Absorption of Quasi-Administrative Units/Offices Staff against GP Rs. 1800/- (PB-1), Setting up of multi-disciplinary training institute to impart training in rail related electronic technologies to the wards of Railway employees, Induct Course Completed Act Apprentices against Safety vacancies etc.

4. Scrap report of Bibek Debroy Committee & implement positive recommendations of High Power Committee (Running & Safety).

5. Recall FDI notification of Government of India dated 22?d August, 2014 in construction, operation & maintenance of Indian Railways and scrap all agreements entered into with foreign Companies as well as National Companies which are detrimental to the interests of Railways & Nation.

6. Stop anti-worker amendments of labour laws.

7. Injustice done to Railway Employees like Technicians, Technical Supervisors, Loco and Traffic Running Staff, Operating Staff, Medical categories etc., in respect of allotment of 7th CPC Pay Matrix levels and promotional scope should be done away with and justice administered.

8. Ensure parity in pay structure & promotional scope for common categories with those working in the Central Secretariat/Ministries.

9. Retain existing allowance/advances.

10. (a) Constitute Joint Committees at each Ministry/Departmental level to resolve the VII CPC anomalies/aberrations/injustices within the prescribed time frame, empowering them to resolve. (b) Set up National Joint Committee to discuss and resolve VII CPC anomalies/aberrations/injustices within the prescribed time frame.

11. Ensure payment of P.L. Bonus at the rate of Rs. 7000/- p.m. for the year 2014-15 as was done in October, 2008 when the salary calculation limit was revised from Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 3500/- p.m.

Source: gconnect.in
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Officiating Allowance to Running Staff in higher grade

Officiating Allowance to Running Staff in higher grade

Payment of Officiating Allowance to Running Staff in higher grade up to 30% in higher grades for less than 30 days may be paid enhanced by 15% of the kilometrage days

AIRF has pointed out error in placing bracket in Rule Sub-Para-3(11)(a)  reagrding Officiating Allowance to Running Staff

No.AIRF/55
Dated: May 27, 2016
The Secretary (E),
Railway Board,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

Sub: Payment of Officiating Allowance to Running Staff in higher grade up to 30 days- Error in placing bracket in Rule 913(i)(a) of IREM-1

In terms of Railway board’s instructions issued vide their letter No.PC-69/PP-1/I dated 05.05.1969 and No.E(P&A)II-76/PA/1 dated 22.06.1977(Annex-I & II), the Running Staff officiating in higher grades for less than 30 days may be paid officiating allowance enhanced by 15% of the kilometrage actually performed for every higher grade in which officiating above the posts in which they are working i.e. a Goods Guard/Driver put to officiate in Mail/Exp. Link be paid officiating allowance at 30%. These letters also contain instructions for payment of officiating allowance to fireman etc. at 30% instead of 15% when put to officiate in higher grade.

The above noted instructions were also reiterated by the Running Allowance Committee, 1980 in its recommendations approved by the Board and both the federations. The recommendations after acceptance by both the Federations were made Rules and circulated vide Board’s letter No.E(P&A) 11-80/RS-10 dated 17.07.1981 (Annex. – III) and also incorporated in Chapter-IX of IREM –I (1985 Edition). The instructions of Board’s letter ibid dated 05.05.69 and 22.06.77 were consolidated by the RAC-1980 into one sentence in sub-para-3(11) by adding a Bracket as under:-

Sub-Para-3(11)(a) When running staff are put to officiate in a running post for 30 days or less, they will be paid pay admissible in the lower grade plus running allowance at the rates and on the condition applicable to the higher grade in which they officiate enhanced by 15% (except in the case of Fireman ‘C’ put to officiate as fireman ‘B’ and Engine Cleaners put to officiate as fireman ‘C’ for whom the enhancement will be by 30%) of the kilometrage actually performed for every such higher grade.

In the above instructions the Bracket commenced after the figure of 15% and closed after the figure of 30%, but in Rule 913 (i)(a) of IREM-1 (1985 Edition) there is printing error with the Bracket starting correctly before the figure of 15% but not closed. (Annex. – IV). Again in the 2009 edition of ITEM-1 there is again printing error in Rule 913(i)(a) as the Bracket has commenced correctly before the figure of 15% but erroneously closed in the end of the rule after the word “higher grade” (Annex. -V).

The divisional Administration of Delhi Division is misinterpreting this Bracket with the argument that “for every such higher grade” does not apply to the Goods Guard/Driver who will be paid only 15% officiating allowance for officiating in passenger as well as Mail/Express Link. Wrong placement of Bracket in rule 913(i)(a) of ITEM-1 (2009 edition) has created a confusing as well as an anomalous condition and also caused a controversial situation between the contents of Board’s letters ibid dated 05/05/69,22/06/77, 17/07/81 and Rule 913(i)(a) of ITEM-1.

It is requested that the Railway Board may be requested to make modification in Rule 913 (i)(a) by placing the Bracket at a proper place as printed in Sub-rule 3(11)(a) of RAC-1980 recommendations circulated under Board letter ibid dated 17.07.1981.

Yours faithfully
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

General Secretary

Source : airfindia
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Recruitment of sportspersons on Zonal Railways/ Production Units against Sports Quota

Recruitment of sportspersons on Zonal Railways/ Production Units against Sports Quota 

RBE No 54/2016
Clarification/Corrigendum No.66
Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)
No.2015/E(Sports)/4(1)/11
New Delhi, Dated 25th May, 2016
The General Managers (P)
All zonal Railways including
CLW, DLW , ICF, RCf, RWF, Metro Railway/Kolkcta,
The CAO(R). DMW/Patiala,
The DG, RDSO/Lucknow.

Subject: Recruitment of sportspersons on Zonal  Railways /  Production Units against Sports Quota.

Board’s letter no. (i) 2010/E (sports)/4(1)/1 (policy) dated 31.12.2010 (RBE No. 189B/2010) and clarifications/ corrigendum issued thereto.

(ii) 2012/E(Sports)/4(1)/1/Policy Clarification dated 18.04.2012 (RBE No.52/2012)
During the Presidents Secretaries Meeting (PSM of Railway Sports Promotion Board, held at Rail Bhawan on 18.05.2015, it was decided to reduce the Group “D” quota and enhance Group ‘C’ quota to attract the best talent for Railways. The Proposal has accordingly been examined in Railway Board.

2. It has been decided that Group “D” quota allotted for recruitment of sportspersons in Grade Pay Rs.1800/- may be frozen up for the year 2016-17. Meanwhile proposal for rationalizing the Group “C” quota and proportionately increase it, its distribution and other formalities for making job on Railways more attractive for the best sporting talent in the country is being examined. Till then the recruitment in Group “C” category may continue as per existing quota.

3. This issues with approval of Boards (MS).
(Bhaskar Roy Choudhury)
Dy. Director, Estt.(Sports)
NFIR
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Bye Election to fill the casual vacancy from 40 – Anantnag in the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir – Grant of Paid Holiday to employees on the day of poll

Bye Election to fill the casual vacancy from 40 – Anantnag in the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir – Grant of Paid Holiday to employees on the day of poll


F.No.12/3/2016-JCA2
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
Establishment (JCA-2) Section
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 6th June, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Bye Election to fill the casual vacancy from 40 – Anantnag in the
Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir – Grant of Paid Holiday to employees on the day of poll -regarding

The undersigned is directed to say that in connection with the Bye Election to
fill the casual vacancy from 40 – Anantnag in the Legislative Assembly of Jammu
& Kashmir – Grant of Paid Holiday – to be held on 19th June, 2016, the following guidelines, already issued by DOPT vide OM No. 12/ 14/99-JCA dated 10th October 2001, which would have to be followed for closing of the Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
(i) The relevant offices / organizations shall remain closed in the notified areas where Bye Election to the State Legislative Assemblies scheduled to be conducted.
(ii) In connection with bye-elections to State Assembly, only such of the employees who are bona fide voters in the relevant constituency should be granted special casual leave on the day of polling. Special Casual leave may also be granted to an employee who is ordinarily a resident of constituency and registered as a voter but employed in any Central Government Organization/ Industrial Establishment located outside the constituency having a general/ bye-election.
2. The employees detailed on election duty may also be permitted to remain away
from their normal duties on polling day(s) as also on the days required for performing journeys which might be undertaken in order to perform such election duty
3. The above instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned.
(K. Salil Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government of India
Government Ciruclar
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VEcare : Army helpline for Veterans

VEcare : Army helpline for Veterans

Headquarters Eastern Command launched a 24×7 veteran helpline ‘VEcare 1904’ at Fort William today, which was inaugurated by Gen Shankar Roy Chowdhury (Retired), former Chief of the Army Staff, amidst a large number of serving and retired soldiers. Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi, GOC-in-C Eastern Command, said the facility was in continuation of the Chief of the Army Staff’s focus on ‘Welfare of Ex-servicemen and Veer Naris’. Post launch of Directorate of Indian Army Veterans in January this year at New Delhi, the VEcare service is a new initiative for veterans and serving personnel of all three services. It would be particularly of immense help to individuals in distress and requiring immediate medical help. The facility will soon be extended to other stations of Eastern Command.

VEcare service can be availed from landline or mobile by simply dialing 1904. To a registered mobile user, it will provide automated voice guidance for medical emergency assistance including immediate dispatch of an ambulance, queries related to medical facilities and appointments at ECHS/ Command Hospital, CSD related value addition services and facilitate connectivity to Army telephone numbers. The Army Commander further stated that, an endeavour was underway to populate the data of all the veterans whereafter the software driven initiative would be fully exploited. The helpline facility is being seen as a major initiative towards veterans’ welfare.

Col Rohan Anand, SM
PRO (Army)

PIB
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Participation by Central Government servants in sporting events and tournaments of National or International importance – Comments invited on – reg

Participation by Central Government servants in sporting events and tournaments of National or International importance – Comments invited on – reg

No. 6/2/2009-Estt (Pay-I), (Vol-II)
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
(Department of Personnel & Training)
North Block, New Delhi
Dated the 6th June, 2016
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Subject: Participation by Central Government servants in sporting events and tournaments of National or International importance – comments invited on – reg

This Department proposes to issue clarification with regard to the term ‘finals’ used in OMs dated 18.05.2010 & 16.07.1985 (copies enclosed) and also with regard to the distinction between athletic/equivalent and nonathletic/equivalent sporting events, in respect of participation by Central Government Servants In Sporting Events of national/international importance.

2. A copy of draft OM is placed on this Department’s website for comments. Ministries/Departments are requested to send their comments to this Department at email ID pushpender.kumar@nic.in and ashok.jain62@nic.in latest by 17thJune, 2016.

Encl: A/a
(Pushpender Kumar)
Under Secretary to the Government ofIndia
Tel. No.23040287
To
1. All Ministries/Departments of the Govt. of India, etc. (as per standard
mailing list.)
2. NIC, DoPTfor uploading this OM on the Department’s website under OMs and Orders (Establishment –> Pay Rules) and also under “What is New”.

No.6/2/2009- Estt (Pay-I), (Vol-II)
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Department of Personnel and Training
New Delhi, ,2016.
OFFICE MEMORANDUM
Sub: Participation by Central Government servants In sporting events and tournament of National or International importance.

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department’s OM No. 6/1/85-Estt (Pay+I) dated 18th May, 2010 which clarifies Inter-alia that sportspersons participating In sporting events (individual/team) of  national/international importance will be treated as having achieved excellence for the purpose of grant of increments if they achieve lst, 2nd or 3rd position in the finals of sporting events, if more than three individuals or teams have participated in the events. If only three or less individuals or teams have participated in the finals of a sporting event, the sportsperson / team achieving first position will be treated as having achieved excellence.

2. The question as regards treating the term ‘finals’ used in OM dated 18.5.2010 and also the distinction sought to be made between athletic / equivalent and non- athletic / equivalent sporting events has been engaging the attention of the Government. In the case of athletic / equivalent sporting events, which are generally decided on the basis of finishing position and which do not involve level-related concept e.g. finals, semi-finals and are held all at one go, there would be no ‘finals’. The three individuals / teams that secure first three positions shall be said to have achieved excellence, if
more than three individuals / teams have participated in the sporting events of national/international importance for the purpose of grant of incentive increments. This benefit, however, is granted to the individual/team, who achieve the first position only, if the number of individuals / teams that participate in the sporting event is three or two.

3. In the case of non-athletic / equivalent sporting events, which are generally single elimination sporting events and which involve level-related concept, the individuals / members of the teams achieving first and second positions respectively In the finals and both the losing semi-finalist individuals / members of the teams achieving third and fourth positions respectively shall be said to have achieved excellence for the purpose of grant of incentive increments, if more than three individuals / teams have
participated in the sporting events of national/international importance for the purpose of grant of incentive increments. This benefit, however, is allowable to only one individual/team, if the number of individuals / teams that participate in a sporting event is less than three.

4. These orders shall be in supersession of the OM No. 6/1/85-Estt(Pay-1) dated 18th May, 2010. The provision as contained in the OM No.6/1/85-Estt(Pay-1) dated 16th July, 1985 shall continue to apply. Past cases may also be decided accordingly.
(AK. Jain)
Deputy Secretary (Pay)
View Government Circular
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