7th Pay Panel: Unions chalks out an agitation plan
NEW DELHI : Despite the largesse it gave to its 48 lakh employees and 55 lakh pensioners, at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.02 lakh crore with 23.55 per cent hike in pay and allowances, the 7th Pay Commission continues to be a source of an irritant for the Modi government as issues on allowances are not settled.
The central government unions Confederation has announced agitation plan following failure of the two sides to arrive at a mutually acceptable agreement on the outstanding issues related to implementation of the Seventh Pay Panel recommendations which were originally implemented in July.
M. Krishnan Secretary General Confederation in a circular on December 13 addressed to all the affiliates of the body maintained that the one and the only favourable recommendation of 7th CPC that is parity between past and present pensioners (Option – 1) stands referred to a Committee which has taken a stand that Option – 1 is not feasible.
“None of the demands raised by Confederation in its 20 point charter of demands is settled”, he said.The centre had set up a `Committee on Allowances’ which met last Thursday under the chairmanship of Union Secretary, Finance (Expenditure) with representatives of the central government unions.
At the meeting the unions made a strong case for implementation of the allowances to be decided by the Committee from January 1, 2016.Besides they wanted that House Rent Allowance be fixed at range 10 to 30 per cent of the basic linked to the classification of the town of posting, children Education Allowance of Rs.3, 000 and hostel subsidy of Rs.10, 000. All these allowances should be tax exempt.
Staff Side demanded inclusion of post Graduate and Professional Courses in children education allowance. The issue of Special Duty Allowance was also raised for North Eastern Region.Their wish list extended to `Fixed Medical Allowance’ of Rs.2, 000 with Dearness Allowance Indexation, review of over Time Allowance, small family allowance and dress Allowance.
A brief (www.ncjcmstaffside.com) on the meeting the same day Shiva Gopal Mishra, Secretary (Staff Side),National Council/Joint Consultative Machinary for central employees shows the unions are getting restive over several issues.
In the latest circular Mr. Krishnan referred to the recent observations made by Dr. Urjit R. Patel, Governor, Reserve Bank of India on issues related to the implementation of the Seven Pay Panel.It quoted Dr. Patel as having said that the disbursement of salaries and arrears under 7th Pay Commission award has not been disruptive to inflation outcomes.
The extension of two months given to the Ministry of Finance to receive the notification on higher allowances under the Pay Commission’s award, could push its fuller effect into the next financial year.Mr. Krishnan said that the above statement by the Governor, RBI clearly indicates that the allowances will be revised only after February 2017 and will come into effect in the next Finance Year only.
He further said that earlier to a question regarding increase in Minimum Pay and Fitment formula Minister of State for Finance Shri Arun Ram Meghwal had said, “The anomalies arising out of implementation of 7th Central Pay Commission will be examined by the Anomaly Committee which has already been constituted. Based on the report of the Committee, the matter will be considered by the Government and appropriate decision will be taken.
Mr. Krishnan said that from the reply it is clear that the question of increase in Minimum Pay and Fitment factor is to be decided by the Anomaly Committee. That is why the Government has not formally constituted the High Level Committee4 as assured by the Group of Ministers to the JCM staff side leaders on June 30 night discussion.
He maintained that this is the reason for Group of Senior Officers behaving as if they .don’t know what the task is assigned to them and now by 30th December SIX months will be over after the assurance given by Group of Ministers including Rajnath Singh Home Minister , Arun Jaitley Finance Minister and Suresh Prabhu Railway Minister.
He maintained that employees and Leaders have never expected such blatant breach of assurance given by Senior Cabinet Ministers of NDA Government.
Mr. Krishnan further said that the revision of pay and pension of thousands of Autonomous body employees and Pensioners is also pending for the last six months as the Finance Ministry has given instructions to all Autonomous bodies not to extend the benefits of 7th CPC to employees and Pensioners of Autonomous bodies until further orders.
“The One man Committee constitutes by Government for revision of wages and service conditions of three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks of Postal Department had submitted its report to Government on 24th November 2016. Even after 20 days, the Government is not ready to publish the report or give copy to the recognised Federations”.
