Non deduction of yearly subscription of Assistants in NSSO Offices

No. 2/Assn/GS/2010 Bhopal, dated 13/08/10
To
The Secretary,
Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation,
Sardar Patel Bhawan,
Sansad marg,
New Delhi-110001

Sub: Defining categories of employees for the purpose of CCS (Recognition of Service Association) Rules.

Sir
This Association is recognized under CCS (RSA) Rules 1993. The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation vide letter No. B-12011/4/2009-Ad. III dated 20/11/2009 has informed us that consequent to the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission some existing group C posts have been classified as Group B by the DoPT and we have been asked to amend the constitution for getting fresh recognition. Consequently, the Assistant with Rs. 4200 grade pay in NSSO Offices, an integral part of the Ministerial Staff and members of this Association, has been declared Group B (Non-Gazetted) and these categories of employees have been excluded from the membership of the Association. In is worth mentioning here that the Government of India after implementation of the 6th Pay Commission has directed the concerned Ministries/Departments to categorise the group of employees for the purpose of RSA Rule 1993. However it is seen that the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation has not got divulged the method/basis adopted for the categorisation of the employees of the Ministry. This Organisation was also not taken into confidence by the Ministry before arriving in such a decision

Since the working conditions of the Assistants and other Ministerial Staff in NSSO Offices are common, this Association had decided to re-name the All India Association of Ministerial Staff (Group C) as All India Association of Ministerial Staff (Non Gazetted) and necessary changes have been made in the Constitution accordingly. But the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation has declined to accept this common interest category as a distinct category and our request has been turned down.

Meanwhile, employees drawing Grade Pay Rs. 4200 & 4600 have been categorized as part of Group C for the purpose of verification under CCS (RSA) Rules 1993 by other Ministries/Departments. It is to be pointed out here that after the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission in pursuance to the DoPT OM dated 29/04/09 the following categories of employees drawing grade pay Rs. 4200 and 4600 in their requisite Department, have not been excluded from the membership of the respective organisation so far.

1. Income Tax & Excise Inspectors in the Department of Revenue.
2. Post Masters in the Department of Post.
3. Senior Accountants of Civil Audit & Accounts Department.
4. Assistants of Central Ground Water Board.
5. Junior Technical Assistant (Rs. 4600) & Assistants (Rs. 4200) of Geological Survey or India.
6. Electronic Data Processing Staff & Statistical Assistant Grade III in the Directorate of Census Operation, etc.

This has been permitted on the specious plea that the categorisation of these employees as group B has been contested and the matter has been taken up before the National JCM for further and review on certain points. Such a decision is applicable to all Ministries/Departments under Government of India. Therefore no deviation from that position is allowable /acceptable till a final decision has been taken on the matter in the National JCM. Accordingly the present directive/decision of the MOS&PI is violation of the principle of natural justice & horizontal equality among the various Departments of the Government of India.

Besides, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, which is the apex body of the Central Government Employees, had already demanded to include all categories of staff that come under Pay Bands I & II for recognition of Association under JCM scheme and the same is under consideration of the Government.

Similarly, this Association has sent a letter to the Director (JCA) DoPT vide letter of even number dated 10/06/10, a copy of the same was endorsed to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation also, which is under consideration of the DoPT.

Meanwhile the NSSO (FOD) has instructed its offices to not deduct yearly subscription of the members of this Association with Grade Pay 4200 and as a result subscription for the year 2010-11 of the Assistants has not deducted from the pay roll so far. This is in contravention of the position taken/adopted in other Departments of Government of India.

It is therefore requested that the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation letter No. B-12011/4/2009-Ad. III dated 20/11/2009 may please be revived to allow deduction of subscription of membership of Assistants till a final decision is taken by the National JCM on the matter. It is also requested that NSSO Offices may please be advised to deduct the yearly contribution of the Assistants for the year 2010-11 from pay roll.

An early action is requested please.
Yours faithfully


(T.K.R. Pillai)
General Secretary
Copy to:

1. Shri K.K.N. Kutty, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers, New Delhi.

(T.K.R. Pillai)
General Secretary