OBSERVANCE OF TWO MINUTES SILANCE

All Units are requested to observe two minutes silence at 11.00 AM on 01/01/2013 in remembrance of the victim of Delhi Gang rape.

=TKR Pillai, GS

Friends,

New Year is the occasion to bless your loved ones and show your gratitude towards them. It is also the time to keep the hopes alive for a better approach, relations, life, society… The Association promises all members and well-wishers to continue our struggle for getting accepted the demands put forth.

Friends, the year 2012 ended with a tragedy that touched each and every Indians. Yes, I am talking about the incident of gang rape of Delhi Girl and its aftermath. We know, thousands of similar incidents are happening throughout India every day and the persons involved in it have been protecting by either way because all these activities are the outcome of the political and economic policies pursued by the ruling class. In a liberalized Market Economy everything are counted as commodity.  We will not allow our daughters to become the grave victims of the system  The need of the hour is creation of awareness among the people or the education of the people with proper direction to resist such incidents. We should change our mind set and come forward to do something new in the New Year.

We hope the Delhi incident would pay way for reduction of atrocities on women in the country.

Wish all of you a very happy and prosperous and peaceful New Year 2013.

(TKR Pillai)
General Secretary

 No. S.11030/55/2012-CGHS(P)
 Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare

Maulana Azad Road, Nirman Bhawan

New Delhi-110108 dated 20^th December 2012.

 OFFICE MEMORANDUM

 Subject: The new timings for the CGHS Wellness Centers.

                 The Undersigned is directed to state that with view to improve the functioning of the CGHS and ensure optimum utilization of available manpower resources, it has been decided to revise the timings of the CGHS wellness centers from the present timings of 7.30 AM to 1.30 PM to the new timings of 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM.

 2.             The CGHS wellness centers in Delhi which are currently functional for 24 hours will continue to function as usual in shifts.

 3.             The diagnostic laboratories and yoga centers functioning in the CGHS wellness centers will open at 8.00 AM and close at 3.00 PM.

 4.             The registration counters in CGHS wellness centers will start registration at 9.00 AM and close at 3.45 PM.

 5.             A lunch break of 30 minutes will be allowed to all officers and staff of CGHS wellness centers. The CMO in charge will manage the operations of the wellness center in such a manner by allowing flexible timings for lunch to the officers and staff that the operations of CGHS wellness center is not brought to halt at any time.

 6.             The new timings will be implemented in the CGHS wellness centers   in New Delhi/NCR. Orders for its implementation in other places will follow.

 7.             The new timings for CGHS wellness centers will be effective from 1^st January, 2013.

 8.             This issues with the approval of the Minister of Health and Family Welfare.

Sd/
(V P Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India
Telefax:23061831

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

LEAVE TRAVEL CONCESSION FOR CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

Leave Travel Concession is one of the topics in which Central Government Employees are mainly interested.  Though this topic is not complex as such, many questions and doubts would arise regarding the admissibility of LTC in many practical situations.  Of Course a written law cannot cover all the situations.  So, Government is issuing clarifications on LTC from time to time.  Covering the original orders and those subsequently issued clarifications by DOPT, some time back we had   published a compilation of frequently asked questions relating to Leave Travel Concession (LTC) applicable to Central Government Employees.

Now DOPT has come up with a compilation of Frequently Asked Questions on LTC (Leave Travel Concession) same mentioned below.

Leave Travel Concession – FAQ – Part-2

Question: 1  How are the claims of LTC be adjusted in case of delayed submission?

Answer:        Where advance has been drawn, the claim for reimbursement shall be submitted within one month of the completion of the return journey.

Where no advance has been drawn, the expenditure incurred shall be submitted within three months of the completion of the return journey.

Administrative Ministry / Department concerned can admit the claims in relaxation of the provisions subject to the following time limits without reference to DOPT:

(a)       Where no advance is taken, LTC bill submitted within a period not exceeding six months; and

(b)       Where advance has been drawn, claim for reimbursement submitted within a period of three months after the completion of return journey (provided the Govt. servant refunds the entire advance within 45 days after completion of the return journey. Rule 14 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988 read with O.M.No.31011/5/2007-Estt.A dated 27.09.2012.

Question : 2 Can a Government. Servant visit NER or J&K on more than one occasion on conversion of Home town under the relaxation allowed for LTC visits to NER / J&K

Answer:        Government Servant who has availed the benefit of Home Town conversion to NER / J&K i one block (say 2006-09) can again visit NER / J&K in the new / next block (say 2010-2013) subject to availability of LTC in a particular block so long as the relaxation is in force.

1. O.M No.31011/4/2007-Estt.(A) dated 02.05.2008

2. O.M No.31011/4/2007-Estt.(A) dated 23.04.2010

3. O.M No. 31011/2/2003-Estt.(A) dated 18.06.2010

Question: 3  Can a Government Employee avail of air travel to NER / J&Kin case of All India LTC if his hometown and the Head Quarters are at the same place?

Answer:        Both NER and J&K scheme of LTC allow relaxation for air travel on All India LTC to all categories of employees to the extent specified in the DOP&T’s O.M.No 310311/4/2007-Estt.(A) dated 02.05.2008 and DOP&T’s O.M 31011/2/2003-Estt.(A) dated 18.06.2010 even if the Hometown and the Headquarters are same.

Question 4:  Whether Government Servant who has already availed one Home Town LTC in the current block can avail LTC to visit NER?

Answer:        Yes, he can avail it against All India LTC.

Question 5:  Can a Government Servant avail the benefit of visiting NER /J&K twice in a particular block of 4 years?

Answer:        Yes, a Government Servant can visit NER / J&K by conversion of his home town and also by availing LTC subject to validity period of the Scheme and fulfilling of other conditions

Question 6.   Can a fresh recruit avail the benefit of Home Town conversion to NER / J&K against one of the three occasions of Home Town available to him in each block.

Answer:        Any fresh Government Servant can also avail the benefit of Home Town conversion NER ? J&K against one of the three occasions of Home Town available to him in each block.

Question 7.   Can fresh recruit avail of conversion of home town to visit NER / J&K under the relaxation allowed for visiting NER / J&K?

Answer:        Any Government employee can avail of the relaxation for visiting NER / J&K and convert one home town LTC for such visit in a block of 4 years as long as the relaxations continue.

1. O.M.No. 31011/4/2007-Estt.(A) dated 02.05.2008

2. O.M.No. 31011/2/2003-Estt.(A) dated 18.06.2010

Question 8.   Can a fresh recruit Government servant avail of All India LTC anytime during the 4 year block?

Answer:        It can be availed only in the 4th occasion of the block and not at random.

Question 9.   Whether carry over of LTC is allowed to fresh recruits?

Answer:        Carryover of LTC is not allowed to fresh recruits as they are eligible for every year LTC for the first 8 years of service.

Question 10. Who is a fresh recruit entitled for LTC every year?

Answer:        A person who has joined service for the first time is treated as a fresh recruit for the first eight years.   O.M.No. 31011/4/2008-Estt.(A) dated 23.09.2008

Question 11.How the LTC entitlements of fresh recruits are regulated in the first eight years?

Answer:        On completion of one year, the fresh recruit can be allowed 3 Hme Town LTC and 1 All India LTC in each block of Four Years in the first 8 years.

O.M.No. 31011/4/2008-Estt.(A) dated 23.09.2008

Question 12.            Whether Dependent parents of fresh recruits can avail LTC for the journey form Hometown to Headquarters and back?

Answer:        No, the dependent parents of fresh recruits can not avail LTC for the journey from Hometown to Headquarters and back.

Question 13.            Whether claims for reimbursement can be allowed for road journeys by bus / taxi or other vehicle operated by private operators?

Answer:        LTC Rules do not permit reimbursement for journey by a private car(owned/borrowed/hired) or a bus/van or other vehicle owned by private operators. LTC facility shall be admissible only in respect of journeys performed in vehicles operated by Govt. or any Corporation in the public sector run by the Central or State Govt. or a local body. Rule 12(2) of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988 read with

DOPT’s O.M.No. 31011/4/2008-Estt.A dated 23.09.2008

Question 14.            Whether air fare of children whose full fare is charged by airlines is reimbursed?

Answer:        If full fare has been charged by the airlines and paid by the Government servant, the same will be reimbursed.

Question 15.            Can a Government servant use the service of travel agents for LTC purpose?

Answer:        Yes. but it should be limited to M/s Balmer Lawrie and Company and M/s Ashok Travels and tours.

Question 16.            What is the definition of family for LTC?

Answer:        For LTC purpose family consists of

(i) Spouse of the Government Servant and two surviving unmarried children or Step children.

(ii) Married daughters, who have been divorced, abandoned or separated from their husbands and widowed daughters residing with wholly dependent on the Govt. Servant.

(iii) Parents and / or step parents residing with and wholly dependent on the Govt. Servant.

(iv) Unmarried minor brothers as well as unmarried, divorced, abandoned separated from their husbands and widowed sisters residing with and wholly dependent on the Government Servant provided their parents are either not alive and are themselves wholly dependent on the Government Servant.

Rule 4 of CCS(LTC) Rules, 1988 read with

O.M.No: 31011/4/2008 – Estt.(A) dated 23.09.2008

Question 17.            What are the dependency criteria?

Answer:        A member of family whose income from all sources, including pension, temporary increase in pension does not exeed Rs.3500 from 01.09.2008 and Dearness relief thereon is deemed to be wholly dependent on the Government Servant.

Question 18.            Can parents / children residing at other places avail LTC to visit the Government Servant at Headquarters and go back?

Answer:        No, reimbursement of LTC claims being restricted to the entitlement for journey between Headquarters and place of visit, the amount reimbursable in such cases is Nil

HISTORIC PARLIAMENT MARCH ON 20-12-2012

HISTORIC PARLIAMENT MARCH ON 20-12-2012

Historic Parliament March was conducted by Central Trade Unions, Confederation of Central Government Employees  & Workers, Bank, LIC, Defence Employees Federation, State Employees Federation on 20-12-2012. Protesting against PFRDA Bill, FDI, Out Sourcing, Price Rise,. About 10 lac Workers through out the country took part in the Parliament March and criticised the anti people, anti Worker and anti Farmer policies of Government of India.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

RAILWAYS DEMAND 7TH PAY COMMISSION

Set up 7th Pay Commission-Railways Union

Set up 7th Pay Commission – Basic pay should be increased by at least 50% in the next pay commission... - AIRF

VISAKHAPATNAM: The central government should set up the seventh pay  commission and pump in Rs 50,000 crore over the next five years to revive the  ailing railways.   This was  among the 38  demands put forth by the  All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF). AIRF  also demanded that over 2.5 lakh posts under various categories in Indian Railways be filled up.

Addressing a conference here on Tuesday, ahead of the 88th annual general conference of AIRF, general secretary Shiva Gopal Mishra said the basic pay should be increased by at least 50% in the next pay commission. He slammed the Union finance ministry for delaying the funds being granted to the railways and said several demands were accepted by the railway board, but have been kept pending by the finance ministry. Mishra warned that if the government fails to adhere to the demands of the railway men, then they would resort to a strike.

East Coast Railway Shramik Union general secretary Ch Gandhi said AIRF wanted sanction of additional posts commensurate with increase in number of trains and workload, removal of anomalies of sixth central pay commission, a stop to outsourcing of perennial nature jobs, limiting of duty hours to a maximum of seven hours a day and increase in rate of special duty allowance by 25 %.

Source : www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com 

[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/Set-up-VIIth-Pay-Commission/articleshow/17672254.cms?

MAGNIFICENT RESPONSE TO THE STRIKE CALL OF CONFEDERATION

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

Manihsinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi. 110 027.

Website: confederationhq. Blogspot.com.

E mail:confederation06@yahoo.co.in.

No. Conf/20/2012 Dated: 14th December, 2012

GLORIOUS RESPONSE TO STRIKE CALL

 Dear Comrades,

                The one day strike on 12.12.12 in pursuance of the 15 point charter of demands elicited magnificent response from the Central Government employees. As per the reports received at the Confederation Headquarters from the State Committees and Affiliates, near about 70% of the CGEs whom the Confederation represents is reported to have participated in the strike action

                On behalf of the Secretariat, we convey our sincere gratitude and thanks to all our State/District/Branch level leaders and through them to all the members who participated in the strike.  We reproduce the Press statement issued by us on 12^th which is reflective of the extent of participation state-wise and organisation-wise.  During the three months long campaign and mobilisation programmes undertaken by our leaders, we could convincingly bring to the understanding of the rank and file of our membership the pernicious impact of the neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the Government since 1991.  The employees could realise more than ever before the need for united, organised and sustained struggles and responded admirably to the call.

                 We were no doubt apprehensive of our decision to organise a day's strike sans the major section of the CGEs i.e. Railways and Defence Federations. We were also aware of the erosion of the efficacy of the Confederation came about in the background of prolonged confabulations and negotiations in the JCM sans struggles.   It, therefore, goes to the credit of the leaders of the affiliates and members of the State Committees that we could successfully overcome our weakness and bring about vibrancy and cohesiveness and enthuse our members for a decisive action.  The crowning success in our endeavour which was considered by many as adventurously risky in the beginning will embolden us to go ahead and chalk out much more intensive struggles in the days to come.

                 The issues which we have projected through this highly successful strike action are of paramount importance and require to be settled without delay. We firmly believe that in the action programmes that will unfold in the coming months, those who did not have the courage to walk along with us on 12^th December, 2012 will join and this Government will be compelled to reverse its policies or perish.  We will ensure through sustained struggles and with unwavering determination that the PFRDA bill is withdrawn, the outsourcing, privatisation, contractorisation is ended; there are no informal, daily rated workers, the Grameen Dak Sewaks enjoy the  status, privileges , perks and salary of a regular employee;  discrimination on various matters like the compassionate appointment, overtime allowance, Bonus entitlement etc., is removed; that the Government employees enjoy the trade union rights, i.e. right to collective bargaining and strike,; that posts are created as per the work requirement; a decent career advancement scheme is evolved to all employees and above all revision of wages is effected through the setting up of the 7^th CPC together with the merger of 50% DA with Basic Pay for all purposes.

                We know there are innumerable problems, hurdles and difficulties.  We also know that nothing is insurmountable.  Let us with determination go ahead and intensify our campaign to make the next struggle, the two days strike on 20^th and 21^st February a grand success. 

                We must record our appreciation over the efforts of the State Committees in organising Press media meet and conferences, which immensely helped in getting widest possible coverage for the strike.   We thank those comrades who could persuade the honourable Members of Parliament to take up our problems with the Government.  Our communication to the Political Parties, Central Trade Unions, Federations and Associations has helped in bringing our demands and problems within the knowledge of the cross section of our countrymen.  We shall intensify our efforts in this regard. The strike action was covered extensively and widely by the Regional Electronic and Print Media and as usual was spurned by the National Media owned by the rich corporate houses.

                We express our gratitude to Com. Basudeb Acharya, Member of Parliament, Leader of the CPI(M) in Lok Sabha and a very senior leader of the CITU for raising our demands in the Parliament on 12^th December, 2012.  His submissions as it appeared in the Lok Sabha records are reproduced.

Statement made by Com. Basudeb Acharya in Lok Sabha on 12.12.12

SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Chairman, Sir today, about one million of Central Government employees are on strike.....(interruptions) The employees' organisations in Postal, Income tax, Audit, Accounts, Printing and Stationery, Geological Survey of India, Customs, Central Excise, Indian Bureau of Mines, CGHS, Ground Water Board, Central Water Commission, Central Public Works, Census, Defence Accounts, Indian Space Research Organisation, Andaman Nicobar and Pondicherry Administrations and Medical Stores Depot are on strike..............(interruption)

Their demand is the constitution of Seventh Pay Commission....(Interruptions) It is due from Ist January, 2011 but the Government of India has not yet constituted the Seventh Pay Commission to consider the revision of Pay and allowances  to the Central Government employees.  They are agitating....(Interruptions)  After acceptance of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, there are several anomalies in their pay scales.  A Committee was constituted but that committee has failed to address the problem of anomalies in regard to their pay scales.........(interruptions)

Mr. Chairman. Hon. Members, Please go back to your seats.  Other Hon. Members are raising their issues. ...(.Interruptions.)

Mr.Chairman:  Hon. Members, I will call your leader.  Please take your seats...........(Interruptions)

SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA).  Sir, there is a joint consultative machinery to address the problem of Central Government employees but this JCM has become non functional...........(Interruptions) Their meetings are not being held.  As a result of that, the problems of Central Government employees are not being resolved. .............(Interruptions)

Mr. Chairman.  Shri P.K. Biju is associating with the matter raised by Shri Basu Deb Acharia. 

O0o

Expected DA from January, 2013

Expected DA from January, 2013 will be 80% or 81% after October, 2012 CPI-IW index

Expectation of future Dearness Allowance from January, 2013 on the basis of 2 points jump in CPI-IW for the month of October, 2012 giving 50-50 expectation for DA  80% or 81%  means an increase of 8% or 9% as the Dearness Allowance has been announced 72% from July, 2013.  AllIndia Consumer Price Index Number [http://labourbureau.nic.in/indtab.html] for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for October, 2012 showing increase in 1 point and stood at 217 (Two hundred and seventeen).  The different expectations of DA from January, 2013 are illustrated below:- 

Expectation-1
If it is expected only 1 point increase in this index for coming two months the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employee will confirm 80% in January, 2013: 

Dearness Allowance = (Avg of AICPI for the past 12 months - 115.76)*100/115.76

Month	Base Year 2001 = 100	Total of 12 Months	Twelve monthly Average	% increase over 115.76 for   DA	DA announced or  will be announced
Jul-12	212	2414	201.17	73.78%	72%
Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	80%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	217	2471	205.92	77.88%
Nov-12	218	2490	207.50	79.25%
Dec-12	219	2512	209.33	80.83%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January 2013

Expectation-2

If  2 point increase in this index for any of coming two month and 1 point increase in other, the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employee also will not exceed 80% in January, 2013:-

Month	Base Year 2001 = 100	Total of 12 Months	Twelve monthly Average	% increase over 115.76 for   DA	DA announced or  will be announced
Jul-12	212	2414	201.17	73.78%	72%
Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	80%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	217	2471	205.92	77.88%
Nov-12	219	2491	207.58	79.32%
Dec-12	220	2514	209.50	80.98%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January 2013

Month	Base Year 2001 = 100	Total of 12 Months	Twelve monthly Average	% increase over 115.76 for   DA	DA announced or  will be announced
Jul-12	212	2414	201.17	73.78%	72%
Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	80%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	217	2471	205.92	77.88%
Nov-12	218	2490	207.50	79.25%
Dec-12	220	2513	209.42	80.91%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January 2013

Expectation - 3

If we expect 2 point increase in this index for coming two month, the Dearness Allowance for Central Government Employee will be approximatily 81% in January, 2013:-

Dearness Allowance = (Avg of AICPI for the past 12 months - 115.76)*100/115.76

Month	Base Year 2001 = 100	Total of 12 Months	Twelve monthly Average	% increase over 115.76 for   DA	DA announced or  will be announced
Jul-12	212	2414	201.17	73.78%	72%
Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	81%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	217	2471	205.92	77.88%
Nov-12	219	2491	207.58	79.32%
Dec-12	221	2515	209.58	81.05%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January 2013

Expectation - 4

In this last expectation we check that in which situation the increase in DA from Jan-2013 will cross 9%.   For that an unexpected jump of 10 months for next month or 7 point jump of coming both months (Nov & Dec) will give 10% increase and this expectation is very much unexpected.  See below :

Dearness Allowance = (Avg of AICPI for the past 12 months - 115.76)*100/115.76

Month	Base Year 2001 = 100	Total of 12 Months	Twelve monthly Average	% increase over 115.76 for   DA	DA announced or  will be announced
Jul-12	212	2414	201.17	73.78%	72%
Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	82%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	217	2471	205.92	77.88%
Nov-12	224	2496	208.00	79.68%
Dec-12	230	2529	210.75	82.06%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January 2013

Month	Base Year 2001 = 100	Total of 12 Months	Twelve monthly Average	% increase over 115.76 for   DA	DA announced or  will be announced
Jul-12	212	2414	201.17	73.78%	72%
Aug-12	214	2434	202.83	75.22%	82%
Sep-12	215	2452	204.33	76.51%
Oct-12	217	2471	205.92	77.88%
Nov-12	227	2499	208.25	79.90%
Dec-12	227	2529	210.75	82.06%
Jan-13	Expected DA from January 2013

Hence, it is also clear that expectation of increase in DA from January, 2013 will not cross 9%.

PIB Release:

Ministry of Labour & Employment 30-November, 2012

Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) October 2012

The All-India CPI-IW for October, 2012 rose by 2 points and pegged at 217 (two hundred and seventeen). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 0.93 per cent between September and October compared with 0.51 per cent between the same two months a year ago. 

The largest upward contribution to the change in current index came from food items which increased by 0.43 per cent, contributing 0.45 percentage points to the total change. At item level, largest upward pressure came from Rice, Wheat & Wheat Atta, Milk, Tea (readymade), Snack Saltish, Snack Sweet, Onion, etc. The other items like Cooking Gas, Electricity Charges, Fire wood, Medicine (Allopathic), Doctors’ Fee, Bus Fare, Cinema Charges, etc. also put upward pressure in total change. 

The largest downward contribution to the change in current index came from Oils and Fats with a decline of 1.08 per cent, contributing (-) 0.10 percentage points to the total change. The main downward pressure came from Groundnut Oil, Coconut Oil, Vanaspati Ghee and Palm Oil. 

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 9.60 per cent for October, 2012 as compared to 9.14 per cent for the previous month and 9.39 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 9.91 per cent against 11.00 per cent of the previous month and 8.72 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. 

At centre level, Monger Jamalpur and Siliguri recorded the largest increase of 6 points each followed by Labac Silchar, Guntur, Salem, Jharia, Coimbatore, Sholapur, Jalpaiguri, Kodarma, Mariani Jorhat, Bengluru and Tripura (4 points each). Among others, 3 points rise was registered in 7 centres followed by 2 points in 21 centres and 1 point in 11 centres. Hubli Dharwar centre reported a decline of 4 points followed by Goa with 3 points, Chennai and Varanasi with 2 points each and other 6 centres registered a fall of 1 point. Rest of the 16 centres’ indices remained stationary. 

The indices of 38 centres are above All-India Index and other 39 centres’ indices are below national average. Bokaro’s index remained at par with all-India index. 

The next index of CPI-IW for the month of November, 2012 will be released on Monday, December 31, 2012. 

*****

PIB 

(Release ID :89744)