Confederation writes for removal of limit of 3 spells for Child Care leave in a calender year.

Confederation writes for removal of limit of 3 spells for Child Care leave in a calender year.

AMENDMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL RULES/SERVICE RULES (Click the link below for details)

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/997012_2014-Estt_Pay.pdf

GRANT OF HONORARIUM TO INQUIRY OFFICERS (IO)/PRESENTING OFFICERS (PO). (Click the link below for details)
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/142_15_2010-AVD-1_23062014.pdf

JCM MEMORANDUM PROPOSES MERGER OF GRADE PAY OF LDC/UDC.

Please send suggestions, if any, latest by 28^th June 2014.

JCM MEMORANDUM PROPOSES MERGER/ UPGRADATION OF GRADE PAY OF LDC/UDC.

Dear friends,

The draft of JCM Memorandum to 7th CPC is posted hereunder.  Please go through & give any positive suggestion to the JCM through e-mail id nc.jcm.np@gmail.com by 28^th of this month. The finalized memorandum will be submitted to the 7^th Pay Commission on 30th June.

You are aware that this Association has been continuously pursuing the upgradation of the Grade Pay of LDC & UDC. National JCM has make note of the demand and tried to solve the issue to an extent. The leader National JCM, under whose guidance Memorandum of National JCM has been prepared, had talked me at the preparation stage and asked me to send our views regarding the pay structure of common category especially the LDC, UDC,  other Administrative Staff, Stenographers and Hindi Translators. Accordingly we sent some note wherein the upgradation of the Grade pay of LDC & UDC to Rs. 2400 & 4200 respectively has been suggested. But it was told that Rs. 4200 Grade pay to UDC as a common category is not justifiable and Rs. 2400 & 2800 added for these cadres.

However, it was advised to propose Rs. 4200/ to UDCs in the individual memoranda submitted by the Associations on the ground that UDCs are assigned with the duties of Assistants in most of the subordinate offices as the sanctioned posts of Assistants in these offices is far less than the actual requirement. The extracts of the Chapter XII where the cases of common category especially the Administrative Staff are discussed is given below:

            All our friends-Administrative Staff, Stenographers, Hindi Translators and all categories belong to common category- are requested to please send suggestions if any to the National JCM by 28^th after noon.

Chapter XII

Common categories of staff and Common cadres

The 6^th CPC has classified the following as common categories.

Account Staff belonging to

un-organised account cadres.

Artists                                                      Para Medical staff

Canteen staff                                          Photographers

Care taking staff                                    Police personnel

Drawing Office staff                               Printing staff

Drivers                                                    Receptionist

E D P staff                                             Store Keeping staff

Fire Fighting staff                                 Teachers

Library staff                                           Veterinarians

Laboratory staff                                     

12.2    The personnel belonging to the above mentioned categories are recruited by various departments according to their requirement.  Since they are often out of the mainstream of the activates of the concerned department, they cannot be provided with a planned career advancement.   This apart, we also notice that the pay scales assigned to them vary from one department to another.  The anomaly created is not capable of resolution at the Departmental anomaly committees and often carried forward to the next CPC, where some anomalies are resolved and other remain unresolved.  We suggest that these categories of employees must be given common pay scale and made applicable in all Department. They must be assigned pay scales on the basis of the entry level recruitment qualification and the structure promotion specified to be applied uniformly in all departments.  All these categories of employees may be granted the pay scales provided for similar personnel in the Central Secretariat. The Associations/Federations of these employees will no doubt submit their memorandum to the 7^th CPC indicating the present state of affairs and improvement needed in their pay structure with reasons.  The 7^th CPC may consider their submissions and make appropriate recommendation to accede to their demands.

12.3    Staff Car Drivers:

            In most of the departments of the GoI, the cadre of staff car driver has become a dying cadre, due to the policy of hiring the vehicle along with drivers rather than purchasing cars. However, operational vehicles continue to be owned and operated by the concerned departments. The Associations/Federations in their departments will submit memorandum to suggest the requisite improvements in the service conditions of drivers in operative departments. Incidentally we may mention that the pay scales assigned to this common category wary with what is obtaining in the Supreme Court and Parliament. We request the commission to recommend parity for the sake of equal work-equal pay. In some of the Departments of Government of India, presently the staff car driver are surplus in as much as the staff cars are hired with drivers on contract basis. They sit idle. We request that the commission may recommend to absorb these drivers  as a one time measure in any appropriate cadre in the concerned department by amending the recruitment rule of these cadres, where these can be absorbed.

12.4    In administrative offices, generally, the following are the common cadres:

MTS, LDC, UDC, DEOs, Stenographers, Assistants, Senior Assistants, Office Superintendent, Administrative Officers Gr III, II and I, Private Secretaries Senior Private Secretaries, Personal Assistant etc. 

12.5   We have suggested MTS the pay scale commencing the minimum wage of Rs. 26000/-. This may be applied in the case of MTS of all Departments.

12.6   On computerization of functions of almost all department of Government of India the duties assigned to LDCs has changed drastically. The routine functions of data entry etc have now been entrusted to data entry operators and the rest is overlapping with functions of UDC. These posts in all Departments are, therefore, to be upgraded as UDCs and whatever pay assigned to UDCs given to them. At the clerical level presently there are two scales with Grade pay 2400 and 2800.  This, in our opinion requires to be de-layered and be replaced by one single pay scale.  At the level of Assistants, they may be granted the scale of pay assigned to Assistants in the Central Secretariat and the Sr.Assistant/Office Superintendent are to be granted the pay scale of section officer in the Central Secretariat.  The Cadre of Administrative Officers is in three Grades.  Every department may not have the requirement of all  the three grades. Wherever it is found to be necessary to retain the three Grades they may be granted the next three successive pay scales i.e., Gr A entry scale, senior time scale of pay, and the one next above.

12.7   The 6^th CPC had recommended merger of stenographer with other ministerial cadres.  A few departments have acted upon it, others have left it untouched.  The ground reality is that stenographers are presently seldom recruited or is not available for recruitment. The decision to abolish the post of Stenographers and merge them with clerical cadre may bring about difficulty in filling up the posts of Private Secretary and Senior Private Secretary in future. In any case, they are entitled to the same pay scale as is provided to the Stenographers and private secretaries in the Central Secretariat and we suggest that they be brought on par with the similar grades in the Central Secretariat.  The Associations/Federations participating in the JCM will submit a detailed memorandum covering these  common categories, wherever they exist.  We request the 7^th CPC to consider and accept  the views and suggestions made by them in their memorandum and make appropriate recommendation.

Draft of JCM Memorandum to 7th CPC – Please give your valuable suggestions

You can sent your suggestion, if any, upto 28th June 2014

http://ncjcmstaffside.com/2014/draft-of-jcm-memorandum-to-7th-cpc-please-give-your-valuable-suggestions/

Procedure for handling of complaints under Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution

Procedure for handling of complaints under Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers (PIDPI) Resolution

CLICK HERE to view the DoPT OM

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/371_4_2013-AVD-III-16062014.pdf

Revision of Forms under the General Provident Fund (Central Services) Rules, 1960 (Please click the link below)

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/PPWF_240614.pdf

Weeding out of files & records- DoPT internal OM

Weeding out of files & records- DoPT internal OM

CLICK HERE

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/wof24.pdf

NATIONAL COUNCIL JOINT CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY STAFF SIDE PROPOSED PAY STRUCTURE UNDER DISCUSSION PUBLISHED BY WEB SITE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES NEWS(http://90paisa.blogspot.in/)

(Please click the link below)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B5v8rCVM9Bu8YVhvNjN3WEVfUEE/edit?pli=1

BCPC Final Memorandum to 7th CPC

BCPC Final Memorandum to 7th CPC

(Please click the link below)

http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/06/bcpc-final-memorandum-to-7th-cpc.html

Improvement in Pension disbursing System- Issues with State Bank of India Bank(Please click the link below)

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D3/D03ppw/PPWC_230614.pdf

Now, apply for passports from post offices

Now, apply for passports from post offices

Come July, the city’s residents can apply for passports online from post offices. The Department of Posts, in association with the Regional Passport Office, Chennai, is working out modalities to help customers register passport applications online and is identifying post offices to offer the facility.

Officials of the department said customers could get a printout of the application from the postal employees. Once the applicants submit filled-in forms, the staff will upload the data online. “It is better for applicants to bring necessary documents such as proof of age and residential address. The employees have also been trained to assist applicants in filling up the forms,” said an official.

Once registered, customers would be provided acknowledgment receipt generated with appointment date for personal interview at the Passport Seva Kendras.

Initially, the service will be launched in 25 post offices in the Chennai City Region (CCR), including some in Vellore and Puducherry.

Of this, a minimum of 10 post offices in Chennai will be identified and the service will be extended to more offices depending on the patronage. Applicants will have to pay Rs.100 for the online service.

At present, customers have the option of paying the fee through internet or State Bank of India. Mervin Alexander, Postmaster General, CCR, said: “We are also working out modalities for using our e-payment service for paying passport fee. However, the employees will not be involved in verification of the documents of applicants.”

The department is also seeking a unique user name ID to facilitate its employees to register multiple applications.

Source : http://www.thehindu.com/

e-IPO for seeking information under RTI

e-IPO for seeking information under RTI

ALLAHABAD: To make filing of application for seeking information under the Right To Information Act-2005 hassle free and easier, the department of posts has launched an electronic Indian Postal Order (e-IPO). The scheme will facilitate citizens pay online fee for filing of application to seek information from various government departments. Earlier the department had launched the e-IPO facility for Indian citizens working across the globe. Providing information about this Director Postal Services, Allahabad region, Krishna Kumar Yadav said, "E-IPO is a facility to purchase an Indian postal order electronically for paying RTI fee on-line." He further said, after paying the fee on-line one just need to annex the print-out of the receipt to the RTI application. The service has been launched by the department in cooperation with National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). He added, under this service, the applicant needs to register at e-Post Office portal of India Post www.epostoffice.gov.in or through India Post web site www.indiapost.gov.in to create profile for first time. Both debit and credit cards of any banks can be accepted for the fee.

Source: NFPE web site

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT HAS REVISED THE MONETARY CEILINGS FOR PURCHASE OF BRIEF CASE, DETAILS OF THE SAME IS GIVEN BELOW:

PRE-BUDGET SUGGESTIONS FOR FINANCE MINISTER FROM SECRETARY STAFF SIDE NC JCM FORE THE BENEFIT OF 36 LAKHS CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES(Please  click here:)
http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202014/Pre%20Budget%20Consultations_17.06.2014.pdf

Clarification regarding purchase of Air Tickets from Authorized Travel Agents for the purpose of LTC - Dopt Orders June 2014 (Please click the link given below)
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/31011_4_2014-Estt-A.IV.pdf

A successful All India Conference of the Statistical Service Officers Association 'Group B', Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation was held in Bhopal on 6-7, June 2014. Photographs of the programme is given below:

DOPT ISSUES REVISED GUIDELINES ON COMMENCEMENT OF PENSION

The Government has streamlined procedures for retiring employees so that delays may be overcome in earliest commencement of pension. This follows directions issued by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions to the workshop held with the Pension Secretaries of various State Governments here on June 12, 2014.  Delegates pointed out during the course of deliberations that the release of pension after retirement gets delayed mainly due to two reasons. Primarily, the delay in receipt of intimation by the pensioner that pension papers have reached the bank and secondly, delay on the part of pensioner in approaching the bank for submission of undertaking that he shall refund any amount paid to him to which he is not entitled.  As per the new guidelines, the Government has decided that the requisite undertaking may be obtained by the Head of Office from the retiring employee and forwarded to the pension disbursing bank along with the Pension Payment Order (PPO). The bank shall credit the pension to the account of the pensioner as soon as this undertaking is received along with the pension documents This change in procedure has an added advantage that the PPO can now be handed over in person to the retiring employee along with other retirement dues. Earlier the pensioner had to approach the bank for PPO.  With this change in rules and procedures, the pensioners would be saved of considerable inconvenience and delay and his pension will commence as soon as he retires.  ******KSD/PK/BK/sk (Release ID :105712) 18 June,2014

GUIDELINES REGARDING HANDLING OF COMPLAINTS IN MINISTRIES/ DEPARTMENTS (CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS)
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/104_76_2011-AVD-I-18062014.pdf

For DOP86T O.M. dated 18.0.2013 (Please click here)
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/104_76_2011-AVD-I-18102013.pdf

COM.M KRISHNAN, SECRETARY GENERAL, CONFEDERATION WRITES:

PENDING DEMANDS AND NEW GOVERNMENT

New Central Government under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi has taken charge with a clear majority in the Lok Sabha election.  People of the country and the Central Government employees who suffered a lot under the UPA Government, have voted for a change.  Now it is the turn of NDA Government.  Coming days will prove whether the selection made by the voters is correct or not.

               Central Government employees have to take a cautious approach towards the new Government.  As the new Government has just taken over charge and expectations are very high, jumping into any sudden conclusion may not be correct on our part.  We have to give reasonable time to the new government to make its stand clear on the issues agitating the minds of the Central Government employees.  Let us hope that our past experience in the 2000 December 14 days Postal strike when the NDA Government was in power, the support extended by the party leading NDA to the UPA Government for introducing and passing the PFRDA Bill in Parliament, the infamous downsizing order of 2001 issued by the NDA Government which paved way for abolition of thousands of vacant posts in Central Government Departments and refusal to concede any of the main demands of Gramin Dak Sevaks will not be repeated by the new Government.

               The maiden budget of the new Government to be presented in Parliament in July 2014 may give us an idea on the thinking of the Government and also the attitude of the Government towards the problems faced by the common people and the Central Government employees.  Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has placed our demands before the new Government.  JCM National Council staff side has also written to the Finance Minister and Cabinet Secretary.  Our demands are not new.  Demands raised before the UPA Government are again placed before the NDA Government.

               While constituting 7^th Central Pay Commission the UPA Government has refused to include the main demands of the Central Government employees in the terms of reference viz: (1) Grant of merger of DA (2) Grant of interim relief and (3) inclusion of Gramin Dak Sevaks under the purview of 7th CPC.  Confederation has conducted 48 hours strike in February 2014, just before the General Election is declared, demanding settlement of the 15 points charter of demands which includes the above three main demands also.  As General Election was declared we could not move further.  Central Government employees expect that the new Government will consider positively, the demands raised in the 48 hours strike.

               If the new Government also take the same stand as that of previous UPA Government and refuse to concede our genuine demands, the Central Government employees will be forced to tread the path of struggle again.  Before embarking upon such a struggle, our prime duty is to build up largest unity among all sections of the Central Government employees.  Confederation is making all out effort in this direction especially to build up total unity among JCM staff side organisations.  We are even ready to make certain compromises for the sake of unity.

               We have to give enough time to the new Government and we are ready to wait.  But we cannot wait indefinitely.  7^th CPC has already commenced its work and has fixed target dates for submission of memorandums by Federations and Unions/Associations.  Chairman, 7th CPC, has also made it clear that unless the Government refer the issues of DA merger, Interim relief and GDS issues to the Commission, it will not consider these issues.  Hence the ball is now in the Government’s court.  Let us see how the things move.  Let us also be ready to face any situation.

M. Krishnan
Secretary General

MACP on Promotional hierarchy- DoPT ignores appeal of Ordinance Factory Board, Kolkata.

The repeated requests of the Ordinance Factory Board, Kolkata for implementation of CAT Principal Bench order have been ignored by the Ministry of Defence/DoPT. We produce below the copy of the information on the matter obtained by Shri Vithoba Gopala Dahekar of Nagpur under RTI Act.

Filling up of Vacancies in Seventh Pay Commission in the various grades regarding

Filling up of Vacancies in Seventh Pay Commission in the various grades regarding

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02csd/Vac7.pdf

Centre may hike Income Tax Exemption Limit from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.5 lakh

Centre may hike Income Tax Exemption Limit from Rs.2 lakh to Rs.5 lakh

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS/ET NEWS /MC NEWS

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/36501719.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Six days week: No such proposal is under consideration with the Government at present- Cabinet Secretary
Please see the press release of JCM (Staff side) below:
http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202014/Press_release.pdf

: Merger of DA with Pay and sanction of Interim Relief for the Central Government Employees: Secretary National Council (JCM) Staff Side writes to Cabinet Secretary:
Please click the link below:
http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202014/Merger%20of%20DA%20Interim%20Relief_12.06.2014.pdf

6-DAY WEEK- SECRETARY, NATIONAL COUNCIL (STAFF SIDE) WRITES TO CABINET SECRETARY.
Please click the link below:
http://www.airfindia.com/AIRF%202014/Five-day%20working.pdf

hiva Gopal Mishra

Secretary

Ph.: 23382286

National Council (Staff Side)

Joint Consultative Machinery

Central Government Employees

13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi - 110001

E Mail : nc.jcm.np@gmail.com

No.NC/JCM/2014

Dated: June 12, 2014

The Cabinet Secretary

And

Chairman National Council(JCM),

Government of India, North Block, New Delhi

Resp. Sir,

Reg.: Five days a week working in administrative offices of the Central Government

After taking over of new Central Government led by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, there is whispering about reverting back to six days a week in place of the prevalent five days week working in the administrative offices of the Central Government.

In this connection, it would be worthwhile to mention here that five days a week working was introduced way back in the year 1985 after prolonged deliberations at National CounciI(JCM)’s level when Late Shri Rajiv Gandhi was Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, taking into account various aspects, including energy saving in the form of electricity in these offices. This was, however, done keeping in mind the total number of working hours per week as per the provisions of HOER, which, of course, is statutory provision under the Act.

Staff Side, though hope that the new Central Government would not be inclined to change the existing system of five days a week working, which is beneficial for both the administration and the employees, nevertheless, if need be, this matter be discussed with the Staff Side threadbare.

Yours faithfully,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Copy to : All constituents of National Council(JCM)-for information.

THE ALL INDIA SERVICES (DISCIPLINE AND APPEAL AMENDMENT RULES, 2014. (Click the link below for details)
http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/11018_4_2012-AIS-III-10062014.pdf

6-day Week for Central Government Employees from now on...!

6-day Week for Central Government Employees from now on...!

Central Government employees and those employed in various Central ministries, who had until now enjoyed a 5-day week have been advised to henceforth work 6 days a week. The system is expected to be shortly implemented to other departments too. 

In the 1980s, when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister, central government offices worked on Saturdays too. It was Rajiv Gandhi, who had, on May 21, 1989, implemented the 5-day week system for central government employees. The system, which was in force for 25 years, is now being quietly changed. Since there could be a backlash from the employees, the scheme will most likely be implemented every alternative week in the initial stages. Talks are now on. 

If the 6-day week plan is not implemented, then orders could be issued for the continuation of the current 5-day week with increased work hours for the employees of various central government ministries and offices. 

Source: http://90paisa.blogspot.in/

Our Comments:

Why 5 days week was introduced in central Government offices. It was for increasing efficiency of Central Government employees. It was for saving electricity, fuel and also protecting environment. The number of central Government employees decreased and volume of work increased in Central Government offices thereafter. The work load increased due to introduction of RTI act etc without creating additional posts. Thus introduction of 5 days week and increasing of work load has not affected the efficiency and timely disposal of work in central Government offices. And then, why 6 day week with increased working hours!

Shyamal Majumdar,Columnist writes: Working longer hours has nothing to do with working better.

To read the article, please click the link below:

http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/shyamal-majumdar-mr-modi-s-18-hour-workday-114060501423_1.html#.U5LVO7xVm98.facebook

NATIONAL JCM (STAFF) SIDE WRITES TO FINANCE MINISTER:

Merger of DA with Basic Pay & removal of Anomaly about senior employee getting lesser pay than junior employee

(Please click the link below:)

http://ncjcmstaffside.com/2014/merger-of-da-with-basic-pay-removal-of-anomaly-about-senior-employee-getting-lesser-pay-than-junior-employee/

NATIONAL JCM (STAFF SIDE) WRITES TO FINANCE MINISTER:

Raising of exemption limit of Income Tax & exemption of all allowances from Income Tax

(Please click the link below:)

http://ncjcmstaffside.com/2014/raising-of-exemption-limit-of-income-tax-exemption-of-all-allowances-from-income-tax/

UNION FINANCE MINISTER HOLDS PRE-BUDGET CONSULTATION MEETING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADE UNION GROUPS

Press Information Bureau 

Government of India

Ministry of Finance 

06-June-2014 15:31 IST

Union Finance Minister Holds Pre-Budget Consultation Meeting With the Representatives of Trade Union Groups; Skill Development to be Given Priority for Generating Employment Opportunities.

            The Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitley said that skill development would be given priority so that more and more trained workers join the Indian economy. He said that the Government will give due consideration to the Ten Point Joint Charter of Demands given by the Central Trade Unions while formulating the budgetary proposals. The Finance Minister was speaking here today while interacting with the representatives of the Central Trade Unions as part of his Pre-Budget Consultation meetings.

            Along with the Finance Minister, the meeting was attended by Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Shri Ratan P. Watal, Expenditure Secretary, Shri Rajiv Takru, Revenue Secretary, Smt. Gauri Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment and senior officers of the Ministry of Finance among others.

            The participating Central Trade Unions gave a joint memorandum to the Finance Minister for his consideration and positive response. Some of the specific proposals contained therein are given below:

            Take effective measures to arrest the spiraling price rise and to contain inflation; Ban speculative forward trading in commodities; universalize and strengthen the Public Distribution System(PDS); ensure proper check on hoarding; rationalize, with a view to reduce the burden on people, the tax/duty/cess on petroleum products.

            Massive investment in the infrastructure in order to stimulate the economy for job creation. Public Sector should take the leading role in this regard. The plan and non-plan expenditure should be increased in the budget to stimulate jobs creation and guarantee consistent income to people.

            Minimum wage linked to Consumer Price Index (CPI) must be guaranteed to all workers, taking into consideration the recommendations of the 15th Indian Labour Conference . It should not be less than Rs. 15,000/- p.m.

FDI should not be allowed in crucial sectors like defence production, telecommunications, railways, financial sector, retail trade, education, health and media.

            The Public Sector Units (PSUs) played a crucial role during the year of severe contraction of private capital investment immediately following the outbreak of global financial crisis. PSUs should be strengthened and expanded. Disinvestment of shares of profit making public sector units should be stopped forthwith. 

Budgetary support should be given for revival of potentially viable sick CPSUs.

            In view of huge job losses and mounting unemployment problem, the ban on recruitment in Government departments, PSUs and autonomous institutions (including recent Finance Ministry’s instruction to abolish those posts not filled for one year) should be lifted as recommended by 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference. Condition of surrender of posts in government departments and PSUs should be scrapped and new posts be created keeping in view the new work and increased workload.

Proper allocation of funds be made for interim relief and 7th Pay Commission.

            The scope of MGNREGA be extended to agriculture operations and employment for minimum period of 200 days with guaranteed statutory wage be provided, as unanimously recommended by 43rd Session of 

Indian Labour Conference.

            The massive workforce engaged in ICDS, Mid Day Meal Scheme, Vidya volunteers, guest teachers, Siksha Mitra, the workers engaged in the Accredited Social Health Activities (ASHA) and other schemes be regularized. No to privatization of centrally funded schemes. Universalization of ICDS be done as per Supreme Court directions by making adequate budgetary allocations.

            Steps be taken for removal of all restrictive provisions based on poverty line in respect of eligibility coverage of the schemes under the Unorganized Workers Social Security Act 2008 and allocation of adequate resources for the National Fund for Unorganised Workers to provide for social security to all unorganised workers including the contract/casual and migrant workers in line with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour and also the 43rd Session of Indian Labour Conference. The word BPL redefined and redistributed at the earliest.

            Remunerative prices should be ensured for agricultural produce and Government investment, public investment in agriculture sector must be substantially augmented as a proportion of GDP and total budgetary expenditure. It should also be ensured that benefits of the increase reach the small, marginal and medium cultivators only.

            Budgetary provision should be made for providing essential services including housing, public transport, sanitation, water, schools, crèche, health care etc, to workers in the new emerging industrial areas. Working women’s Hostels should be set-up where there is a concentration of women workers.

Requisite budgetary support for addressing crisis in traditional sectors like jute, textiles, plantation, handloom, carpet and coir etc.

            Budgetary provision for elementary education should be increased, particularly in the context of the implementation of the ‘Right to Education’ as this is the most effective tool to combat child labour.

            The system of computation of Consumer Price Index (CPI) should be reviewed as the present index is causing heavy financial loss to the workers.

Income tax exemption ceiling for the salaried persons should be raised to Rs. 5.00 lakh per annum and fringe benefits like housing, medical and educational facilities and running allowances should be exempted from income tax net in totality.

            Threshold limit of 20 employees in EPF Scheme be brought down to 10 as recommended by CBT-EPF. Pension benefits under the EPS unilaterally withdrawn by the Government should be restored. Government and employers contribution be increased to allow sustainability of Employees Pension Scheme and for provision of minimum pension of Rs. 3000/- p.m.

New Pension Scheme be withdrawn and newly recruited employees of Central And State Governments on or after 1.1.2004 be covered under Old Pension Scheme;

Demand for Dearness Allowance merger by Central Government and PSU employees be accepted and adequate allocation of fund for this be made in the budget.

            All interests and social security of the domestic workers to be statutorily protected on the lines of ILO Convention on domestic workers.

            The Cess management of the construction workers is the responsibility of the Finance Ministry under the Act and the several irregularities found in collection of cess be rectified as well as their proper utilization must be ensured.

In regard to resource mobilization, the Trade Unions have emphasized on the following:

            A progressive taxation system should be put in place to ensure taxing the rich and the affluent sections who have the capacity to pay at a higher degree. The corporate service sector, traders, wholesale business, private hospitals and institutions etc should be brought under broader and higher tax net. Increase taxes on luxury goods and reduce indirect taxes on essential commodities.

Concrete steps must be taken to recover huge accumulated unpaid tax arrears which has already crossed more than Rs. 5.00 lakh crore on direct and corporate tax account alone, and has been increasing at a geometric proportion. Such huge tax evasion over and above the liberal tax concessions already given in the last two budgets should not be allowed to continue.

            We welcome the constitution of SIT for black money and urge for speedy action.

            Effective measures should be taken to unearth huge accumulation of black money in the economy including the huge unaccounted money in tax heavens abroad and within the country. Provisions be made to bring back the illicit flows from India which are at present more than twice the current external debt of US $ 230 billion. This money should be directed towards providing social security.

            Concrete measures be expedited for recovering the NPAs of the banking system from the willfully defaulting corporate and business houses. By making provision in Banking Regulations Act, CMDs and executives to be made accountable for creation of NPAs.

            Tax on long term capital gains to be introduced, so also higher taxes on the security transactions to be levied.

The rate of wealth tax, corporate tax, gift tax etc to be expanded and enhanced.

            ITES, outsourcing sector, educational institutions and health services etc run on commercial basis should be brought under the Service Tax net.

            Small saving instruments under postal and other agencies be encouraged by incentivizing commission agents of these scheme.

            Other suggestions include holding of post budget consultations with the representatives of Central Trade Unions, need for directional change in policies such as stopping of mindless deregulation, encourage entrepreneurship to tackle problem of unemployment, more spending on education and skill development, removal of ceiling on gratuity, bonus and pension etc of workers and following the principle of “Same work, same wages” among others.

            Representatives of different Central Trade Union groups who participated in today’s meeting included Shri B.N. Rai, Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Shri Chandra Prakash Singh, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Shri Shanta Kumar, INTUC, Ms Amarjeet Kaur, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Shri D.L. Sachdeva, Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Shri Sharad Rao, Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Shri Harbhajan Singh Sidhu, Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS),  Shri Swadesh Devroye, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Shri Tapan Sen, MP (RS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Shri Dilip Bhattacharya, All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Shri Sankar Saha, All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), Shri Sheo Prasad Tiwari, Trade Union Coordination Centre (TUCC), Shri V.Suburaman, Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), Shri M. Shanmugum, LPF, Shri Prechandan, United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), Shri Abni Roy, United Trade Union Congress (UTUC) and Dr. Virat Jaiswal, National Front of Indian Trade Unions among others.

Source: PIB News