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Friday, February 22, 2019

Circular 04-2019


15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012
Reference: AIA/Circular-04/2019                                                            Dated: 21st February 2019
To
Unit Secretaries,
Members & Spl. Invitees – NE &
Members of Women’s Committee

       CONFEDERATION CALLS FOR
  1. CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT ON BETRAYAL ON 7 CPC RELATED ISSUES
  2. MASSIVE DHARNA ON 11TH APRIL 2019    
&
     2.   CANDLE LIGHT PROTEST ON 23RD APRIL 2019
DEMANDING
       “SCRAP NPS-RESTORE OPS”
Dear Comrades,            
            The National Secretariat of Confederation that met at New Delhi on 15th February 2019 decided to intensify the campaign on betrayal of the central government employees by the central government.

            The meeting, endorsing the call for one day dharna under the banner of NJCA on the issue of NPS on 13th March 2019, felt that Confederation should independently conduct protest programmes demanding “scrap NPS, restore OPS” in all centres across the country.

The meeting called upon all COCs and affiliates to observe 15th March to 30th March as Campaign fortnight.

            During this period we should conduct extensive campaign amongst our membership through hand bills (in regional language) and also through group meetings exhorting the members of the need to intensify the struggle to ensure restoration of OPS to all government employees and also of the need to exercise the franchise during the general elections judiciously on the issues of NPS, revision of minimum wage and fitment factor, bench mark for MACPS etc. Betrayal of the employees after assuring revisiting of minimum wage and fitment factor and related issues out of 7 CPC recommendations by a group of ministers on 30th June 2016 should be effectively taken to the every central government employee.

            We should recall the strike action we had on 30th October 2007 along with AISGEF demanding withdrawal of PFRDA bill during the tenure of UPA –I. We should also tell our members of the 1-crore signatures submitted to then Prime Minister (Dr. Man Mohan Singh) in a massive March to Parliament on 25th November 2011 on the same demand.

            Confederation had been on the path of struggle right from the day one when the ordinance on PFRDA was promulgated by Atal Behari Vajpayee led Government on 23rd December 2004. We should also remind our members of the massive participation of central government employees across the country in the 2-day strike on 8th and 9th of January 2019 demanding scrapping of NPS and restoration of OPS.

            On successful completion of the campaign fortnight, we may organise massive dharna on 11th April 2019 followed by candle light protest on 23rd April 2019 under the banner of respective COCs in each station ON NPS. Where the COC of Confederation is not functional, our Units should take lead in contacting other central government employees’ organisations and organise the campaign as well as massive dharna at a common point.

            The “candle light” protest may be arranged in the evening hours of 23rd April 2019
i)                    in areas where our offices are located in busy localities if police permits it
ii)                  in the residential colonies - government quarters – where large number of employees and their families reside.

            The candle light protest should be preceded by massive meetings.  

NJCA calls

            All our Units should ensure massive participation in the massive demonstration-cum- dharna programme given by NJCA on 13th March 2019 at every station. Our Units may take lead in pursuing with COC to coordinate the programme with other constituents of NJCA.

            Circular issued by Confederation is enclosed.

            Detailed report – in writing – on the conduct of campaign programmes along with the copy of the hand bills issued and details such as how many meetings were conducted and how may be sent to HQr.

            Reports on participation in the demonstration-cum- dharna programme of 13th March and subsequent programmes on 11th April and 23rd April may also be sent without fail.

With greetings,
Yours fraternally,
Sd/- 
(MS Raja)
Secretary General

CONFEDERATION OF
CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS


1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi-110001
Email:confederationhq@gmail.com


Circular Dated 16.02.2019

DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING OF CONFEDERATION

National Secretariat Meeting of Confederation held at New Delhi on 15.02.2019, after detailed deliberations, took the following important decisions. Com. K. K. N. Kutty, National President, presided.
Confederation National Secretariat Strongly Condemned the barbaric attack on Indian security forces by Pakistan sponsored terrorists, killing 40 Jawans. Confederation conveys its deepest Condolences to the bereaved family members of the Jawans who sacrificed their life for the nation.

CONFEDERATION DECLARES THREE PHASE CAMPAIGN AND STRUGGLE

FOR WORKING CLASS, ELECTIONS ARE ALSO PART OF STRUGGLE

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE

The BJP-led NDA Government is going to complete its five years tenure. General Elections to the Parliament is going to be declared shortly. Based on our five years’ experience, Central Govt. Employees and Pensioners and their families have to take a position and use our right to vote to protect our interest and the interest of the Nation at large. We should remember that “Ballots are more powerful than bullets” in a democratic country.

As far as 32 lakhs Central Government employees and 33 lakhs Central Govt. Civilian Pensioners are concerned this five year period is the worst in the post-independence period. None of our demands are favourably considered by the NDA Government, rather we have been betrayed and our hopes ended is despair. The same is the case with three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks of the Postal department and thousands of casual, contingent and contract workers.

Even though the Group of Cabinet Ministers headed by Shri Rajnath Singh, Home Minister and Shri Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister had given categorical assurance on 30.06.2016 that Minimum Pay and Fitment formula will be increased, in 2018 December, Govt. made it clear in the Parliament that “no such proposal is under consideration of the Government, at present”. Much publicity was given for the Constitution of “NPS Committee”, but the demand to “Scrap NPS &; Restore OPS” is rejected and even the demand for ensuring guaranteed Minimum Pension (i.e., 50% of the last pay drawn or Rs.9000/- whichever is higher) was also turned down. Again, Govt. replied in Parliament that the demand to scrap NPS & Restore OPS cannot be considered favourably due to various reasons. NPS employees are retiring every month with a meagre amount of Rs.1000/- to 3000/- as annuity pension. Retirement of each NPS employee is just like a death due to uncertainty about the future life of NPS Pensioner and the family dependent on him/her.

HRA arrears from 01.01.2016 to 30.06.2017 was denied and each employee lost an average Rs. One Lakh. MACP Bench mark, date of effect from 01.01.2006, promotional hierarchy, everything fell on deaf ear. None of the anomalies of 7th CPC are settled. Option-I parity recommended by 7th CPC to Pensioners is mercilessly rejected. Revision of wages and pension of many Autonomous bodies are still pending. Compassionate appointment has become a cruel joke, as majority of the cases are rejected. Trade Union rights are under attack and pro-BJP Unions are given undue favours. All negotiating forums including National Council JCM are either defunct or ineffective.

More than six lakhs posts are lying vacant due to undeclared ban on recruitment. Three lakhs low-paid Gramin Dak Sevaks are cheated by denying arrears of pay for 30 months to be calculated proportionately on the basis of pay scales recommended by the Kamalesh Chandra Committee. Many positive recommendations are either rejected or diluted. Thousands of Casual, part-time, contingent, daily rated mazdoors and contract workers are denied equal wage for equal work. Regularisation of GDS and Casual/Contract workers has become a mirage. None of the 10 points demands of Confederation is settled including sectional demands of various cadres. None of the demands raised by JCM National Council Staff Side and National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) are also settled.

More and more attacks on existence of Central Govt. departments and employees are made. Privatisation of various functions of Railway department, outsourcing of more than 200 items in Defence sector, fast move to corporatize Postal, Closure of 12 out of 17 Govt. of India Printing Presses etc. are threatening the very existence of thousands of employees.

In short, under the BJP led NDA Government our wages and allowances are under attack, our job security and existence is under attack, our social security and pension is under attack, and our trade Union rights and facilities are under attack. Shall we vote for continuation of aggressive implementation of this destructive policies. No, not at all. It is in the above background Confederation National Secretariat has decided to implement the following campaigns and agitational programmes.

I.    CAMPAIGN FORTNIGHT FROM 2019 MARCH 15TH TO 30TH CULMINATING IN MASS RALLIES AT ALL STATE HEADQUARTERS AND DISTRICT HEAD QUARTERS
Intensive campaign among the employees, pensioners and their families and also among the public should be conducted during the fortnight. General body meetings, conventions, group meetings, office to office campaign, seat to seat campaign etc. are to be organized by each COC and each affiliated organization. As a culmination of the campaign programme mass rallies of employees and pensioners are to be organized in an impressive manner at all state Head Quarters and District/Divisional Head Quarters. Notices, leaflets, posters, boards etc. are to be printed and widely circulated. Maximum publicity through print and electronic media and also through websites and other social media is to be given. 10 point charter of Confederation, of which the 1st and the most important demand is “Scrap NPS & RESTORE OPS”, shall be the basis of the campaign and mass rallies. Wherever Confederation units (COC) are not there, NFPE Divisional Secretaries shall jointly take the responsibility to organize the above programme and also below mentioned other programmes.

II. TWO PROGRAMMES EXCLUSIVELY ON NPS

(1)  Day Long Mass Dharna on 11th April 2019 (Thursday) at all Centres – state and District Head Quarters.
(2)  “Candle light protest” on 23rd April 2019 (Tuesday) at all Centres at state and District head Quarters.
In the Central Government employees sector Confederation is the only organisation which has been continuously organizing struggle programmes against NPS, including strikes. It is decided to organize the above two programmes, exclusively on one demand i.e., “Scrap NPS & Restore OPS”. These programme are to express our protest and anger against the totally negative attitude of the NDA Government and also to build pressure on other political parties to compel them give top most priority to the above demand. In both the programmes, maximum participation of employees and pensioners is to be ensured. Candle light programme is to be arranged in such a manner, so that maximum public attention and media attention will be received. In both the above programmes, like-minded political Leaders, trade Union leaders, important personalities etc. may also be invited to participate and address. Candle light procession is not required. Maximum mobilization at a selected place is enough on the evening of 23rdApril 2019 (Tuesday).

III.   NJCA PROGRAMMES

National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) met after a long gap. Even though Confederation Leadership reiterated our earlier stand i.e. revival of the deferred indefinite strike, the Railway Leadership (AIRF & NFIR) are reluctant to give a call for strike, for their own reasons. Finally it is decided to organize the following two programmes.

1.       13th March 2019 – NPS Dharna and Demonstration at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi

A massive demonstration – cum – dharna will be organized under the auspices of National JCA to highlight and focus the demand for the withdrawal of New Pension Scheme and restoration of old Pension Scheme for Central Govt. Employees. The National JCA will simultaneously write to all Political parties to make their stand clear on the issue of New Pension Scheme in their respective manifestos. The National JCA will spearhead a campaign amongst the employees for acceptance of the demand by the Political Parties. The dharna will be at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, and the same will be participated by the employees of Railways, Defence and Confederation working in and around Delhi besides NJCA Leaders. On the same day similar dharnas and demonstration will be held in front of the all Central Govt. offices throughout the country. The employees will also be requested to wear black badges projecting the demand for withdrawal of NPS.

Confederation National Secretariat calls upon all COCs and affiliated organisations to mobilise maximum number of Central Govt. employees from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar on 13.03.2019. Dharnas and demonstrations may be organized in all major centres of other states, if possible jointly with Railways and Defence or Confederation alone.

     2.   28TH MARCH 2019 – FOR REVIVAL OF JCM FORUMS

A protest day long dharna will be organised at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on 28.03.2019, in which all National Council Members will take part, to highlight the need to revive the JCM forums, thus ensuring constant and continuous interaction between the Government and the employees. It will also focus the intolerable attitude of the official side even in issuing orders, where Supreme Court has given the verdict in favour of the employees. The Cabinet Secretary will be informed of this decision well in advance. A huge demonstration will also be organized on the same day in front of dharna venue in which employees working in and around Delhi will participate.

National Secretariat of Confederation calls upon the Delhi C-O-C and affiliated organisations to ensure maximum participation of employees from Delhi in the above programme on 28.03.2019.

IV. NCCPA PROGRAMME – PENSIONERS DEMANDS – 15TH MARCH 2019 – NEW DELHI

National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations (NCCPA) will be organizing a mass dharna at New Delhi on 15.03.2019 demanding early settlement of Charter of demands submitted by NCCPA to Govt. National Secretariat Members of Confederation, COC Delhi and all affiliated organisations are requested to mobilise maximum employees from Delhi to participate in the NCCPA dharna on 15.03.2019.

V.   A resolution on important demands of Central Govt. employees and Pensioners

is adopted in the National Secretariat meeting which is to be circulated widely among the Central Govt. employees and Pensioners during the campaign fortnight. Copy of the resolution will be exhibited in the Confederation website shortly.

VI. INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY ON 8TH MARCH 2019

National Secretariat decided to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March 2019 in a befitting manner alongwith likeminded organisations wherever possible or separately by Confederation. Confederation Women’s Sub Committee office bearers Com. Usha Boneppalli (Chairperson) Com. R. Seethalakshmi (Convener) Com. Gita Bhattacharjee (Joint Convener) had attended the National Secretariat meeting. An article written by Com. Usha Boneppalli on the theme of the 2019 Women’s Day and also about the importance of International Women’s Day will be published shortly in the Confederation website.

VII.    NEXT NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF CONFEDERATION

National Secretariat decided to conduct the next National Conference of Confederation at Nagpur (Maharashtra). COC Nagpur will convene their meeting immediately and fix the dates and venue of the Conference. A preparatory committee will also be formed at Nagpur shortly to commence the preliminary work in connection with the National Conference.

VIII.  ALL INDIA TRADE UNION CAMP
All India Trade Union Camp, as already decided in the last National Secretariat meeting will be organized after General Elections.

IX.  FINANCIAL REVIEW

National Secretariat decided to request all affiliated organisations and COCs to remit their quota arrears before 15.03.2019. Details of quota and arrears is already sent to all by Financial Secretary Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee. As the Financial position of Confederation CHQ is precarious, all affiliates and COCs are once again requested to remit the quota and arrears before 15.03.2019.


Fraternally yours,
Sd/-
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General


Saturday, February 9, 2019

Circular 03-2019


15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012
Reference: AIA/Circular-03/2019                                                          Dated: 9th February 2019

To
Unit Secretaries,
Members & Spl. Invitees – NE &
Members of Women’s Committee


Dear Comrades,

NJCA CALLS FOR PROTEST ACTION DEMANDING
* WITHDRAWAL OF NPS
                                                             ** REVIVAL OF JCM

            The NJCA delegation met Shri Rajnath Sing, the Hon’ble Home Minister on 8th February 2019 as reminded him that it was on his assurance that the indefinite strike from 11th July 2016 was deferred and that none of the assurances – such as upward revision of minimum pay and fitment factor, other 7 CPC related grievances – have been honoured. The Home Minister was also apprised of the large scale discontent amongst the employees on account of the NPS.  Home Minister assured the NJCA leadership to apprise the Prime Minister of the disquiet amongst the central government employees.

            The NJCA met thereafter and reviewed the situation. It noted that the National council, JCM has not been convened for nearly 9 years and the meetings of the Standing Committee have also become quite few. The JCM, grievance redressal machinery for the central government employees, has been made totally nonfunctional since 2014. It was therefore decided to organise a dharna at Jantar Mantar by the Staff Side Members in the National Council, JCM on 28th March 2019.

            Considering the negation of social security to central government employees due to denial of assured pension since the introduction of the NPS, it was decided to massive protest dharna on 13th March 2019 at New Delhi as well as at all stations under the banner of NJCA demanding withdrawal of NPS and restoration of Old Pension Scheme to all government employees. It was also decided to write to all political parties to commit restoration of old pension scheme by including it in their election manifestos.

            NJCA Circular and letter to Cabinet Secretary are attached.

            All our units should take lead in revitalizing the NJCA at their stations and start campaigning amongst the membership on the need to get the NPS scrapped by massive mobilisation and education of the membership to exercise enough pressure on the political parties and candidates to commit withdrawal of much hated NPS.

With greetings,
Yours fraternally


M. S. Raja
Secretary General

NJCA
National Joint Council of Action
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055
No.NJC/2019/7th CPC                                                                                                  February 9, 2019
To
All Constituents of NJCA

Dear Comrades,

A delegation of the National JCA consisting of Com. M. Raghaviah, Com. Shiva Gopal Mishra, Com. Guman Singh, Com. K.K.N. Kutty, Com. Ashok Singh, Com. L.N. Pathak, and Com. R.N. Parasar met the honourable Home Minister on 8th December, 2019 at 9.30 AM .  The delegation conveyed to the honourable Minister, the discontent and anger of the Central Government employees over the  dishonouring the  assurance held out by the Group of Minister headed by him on 30th June, 2016 in the matter of the upward revision of the Minimum wage and fitment formula.  They pointed out to the Honourable Home Minister that on all previous occasions, the Government had revised the minimum wage recommended by the respective Pay Commission after negotiation with the Staff Side JCM. 
            The growing concern of the Central and State Government employees manifested in large scale mobilisation of the newly recruited employees over the New contributory Pension scheme was also brought to his notice.  The employees and officers who are recruited in  Central Government service after 1.01.2004 are extremely agitated over the meagre amount of annuity they are entitled to receive even after paying huge amount of subscription to the scheme devoid of cost indexation, family pension protection etc.  The delegation also brought to the notice of the Honourable Minister that the number of the employees and officers who are presently covered by the new scheme has crossed over 50% of the total strength and the demand for bringing back the Old Pension scheme has gained momentum.  It was unfortunate that the Government did not heed even to the modest suggestion made by the Staff Side before the Pension committee to the effect to guarantee a minimum amount of annuity to those who are covered under the new scheme.
            The delegation also stated that they are constrained to believe of a concerted effort on the part of the Government to kill the negotiating forum JCM as repeated pleadings made to revive the Joint Consultative Machinery has not been responded.  They pointed out that the National Council of the JCM met about 9 years back and the meetings of the Standing committee and National Anomaly Committee had been few and far between.  Since no meetings are convened at the apex level, the Departmental Councils had also become defunct, they added.  In other words, they said that there has been virtually no interaction worth the name between the Government and the employees’ organisations, which has proliferated the litigation and in most of the cases, the Government has lost out in the Courts.  They also pointed out that the official side had been taking extremely nugatory attitude and had not been acting upon even on the verdicts of the Supreme Court .
            The Honourable Home Minister gave a patient hearing and recalled the interaction he had with the Staff Side earlier, when an assurance to revisit the quantum of Minimum wage and fitment formula had been held out.  He assured the delegation that he would cause a discussion of the matter with the Honourable Prime Minister. 
            The National JCA met later at the Staff Side office when Com. M.S. Raja and Com. Giriraj Singh joined the meeting.  The issues were discussed at length, especially taking into account  the ensuing General Election in the country.  The meeting finally decided to organise the following programme of actions.
            13th March 2019
            A massive demonstration cum dharna will be organised under the auspices of the National JCA to highlight and focus the demand for the withdrawal of the New Pension scheme and restoration of the old Pension scheme for Central Government employees.  The National JCA will simultaneously write to all Political parties to make their stand clear on the issue of the New Pension scheme in their respective manifesto.  The National JCA will spearhead a campaign amongst the employees for the acceptance of the demand by the political parties.  The dharna will be at Jantar Mantar and the same will be participated by the employees working in and around Delhi besides the NJCA leaders.  On the same day, similar dharna and demonstrations will be held in front of all Central Government offices throughout the country.  The employees will also be requested to wear black badges projecting the demand for the withdrawal of the NPS. 
28th March 2019
            A protest day long dharna will be organised at Jantar Mantar on 21.02.2019, in which all the National Council members will take part.  A huge demonstration will also be organised on the same day in front of the Dharna venue in which the employees working in and around Delhi will take part.  The Dharna will highlight the need to revive the JCM forum and thus constant and continuous inter action between the Government and the employees.  It will also focus the intolerable attitude of the official side even in issuing orders, where the Supreme Court has given the verdict in favour of the employees.  The Cabinet Secretary will be informed of this decision well in advance.
            Copy of the letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary is enclosed.  All participating organisations are requested to make the programme a grand success.  The NJCA will meet again on 28.03.2019 to discuss of the future course of action to be mounted in the days to come 
            With greetings,
                                                                                                                                Yours faithfully,
                                                                                                                            Sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
                                Convener

NJCA
National Joint Council of Action
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 110055

No.NJC/2019/7th CPC                                                                            February 9, 2019

To
The Cabinet Secretary,
Government of India &
Chairman,
National Council/JCM
Rastrapati Bhawan,
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

We invite your kind reference to the representations made by the Staff Side both in writing and orally during discussions bilaterally and otherwise on innumerable occasions  over the need to convene the National Council meeting of the JCM,  which met last about 9 years back.  Since there had been no meeting of the National Council the directive issued by the Department of Personnel to various Ministries of the Government of India to convene the Departmental Council meetings had also not been heeded.  We regret to write that inspite of our persistent persuasion you have unfortunately not found time for holding the meeting.  There had been no reason whatsoever for such inordinate delay in convening the meeting. This apart, the periodicity with which the National Standing committee used to meet has also been dwindled.  The National Anomaly Committee set up in the wake of the 6th CPC is still to finalise its business. 

The Staff Side, which met on 8th December, 2019 at New Delhi, has come to the inescapable conclusion that it must tread the path of struggle to get the negotiating forum revived.  We are therefore, constrained to take recourse to agitational pagrammes and have decided that all the Staff Side members of the National Council will sit on dharna on 28th March, 2019 at New Delhi.

We hope you will take note of the growing discontent in the matter and take corrective steps to revive the JCM and to convene the meetings immediately.

Thanking you,
                                                                                                                       Yours faithfully,     
Sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
                                   Convener



Circular 02-2019


15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012

Reference: AIA/Circular-02/2019                                                      Dated: 8th February 2019

To
Unit Secretaries,
Members & Spl. Invitees – NE &
Members of Women’s Committee


Dear Comrades,

OBSERVE 13TH FEBRUARY AS COM: SK VYAS COMMEMORATION DAY

            Com SK Vyas, the undisputed leader of audit as well as of Central Government employees left all of us on 13th February 2014.

            We call upon all the units to observe 13th February as Com SK VYAS Commemoration Day by arranging a lecture on “NPS – Negation of Social Security for Government Employees”.

            The personnel who are covered under NPS may be persuaded to attend the lecture in full strength. The seniors who are under illusion that their pensionery benefits are assured may also be made to understand the danger that looms large upon them too.

            Handbill on the role of All India Audit & Accounts Association in advancing as well as in safeguarding the interests of IA&AD personnel may be brought out, chronicling the various stages and sacrifices of our predecessors.

            The lecture may be organised jointly by all the Units in the station.
           
            With greetings,
Yours fraternally
Sd/ 
M. S. Raja
Secretary General