No Government Jobs for Smokers

No Government Jobs for Smokers

Rajasthan State Government has announced that government jobs wouldn’t be given to those who smoke or consume tobacco. Only non-smokers and non-tobacco users will be given employment in state government services.

BJP, under the leadership of Chief Minister Vasundara Raje, is currently in power in Rajasthan. The government had issued employment ads to fill up 182 vacancies in its Commercial Tax Department. A new condition has been imposed on applicants – they should be non-smokers and refrain from using tobacco. Those with these habits would be considered unfit for the posts.

Those looking for state government jobs in Rajasthan will have to henceforth give in writing that they neither smoke nor use tobacco products. The signed written assurance will have to accompany their job applications. The Government has said that the move is part of its ambitious plans to make Rajasthan a smoke-free state, with special emphasis on the fact that all the government employees must remain free from this habit.

U.P. Government’s Stunning Orders – Unmarried Government Employees to Give Written Assurance on not Accepting Dowry

U.P. Government’s Stunning Orders – Unmarried Government Employees to Give Written Assurance on not Accepting Dowry

On September 30, 2014, the Uttar Pradesh State Government had issued an order and had sent it to all the Government departments for immediate implementation. The order states that all unmarried employees of the state government shall give in writing that they would neither demand nor give dowry.

Employees who refuse to give the declarations have been warned that they would risk losing their jobs. District Supervisor and Advisor, Usha Tiwari has said that the prospective grooms shall not be allowed to accept any form of cheques, fixed deposits even in their brides’ names, or expensive gifts.

It is to be noted that Central Government employees are already prohibited from demanding or accepting dowry. According to the CSS (Conduct) Rules, the employees are to inform the Government of any expensive gift received at the time of marriage.

Major demands refferred to 7th CPC – Minutes of JCM (on Pension matters)

Major demands refferred to 7th CPC – Minutes of JCM (on Pension matters)

Bharat Pensioners Samaj (BPS) has uploaded the details of the meeting held on 25.9.2014 on pensionary matters…

JCM (on Pension matters)

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Secretary (Pension) at Lok Nayak Bhawan on 25.9.2014. On behalf of the Staff Side, the following comrades attended.

Com. Shiv Copal Mishra. General Secretary. AIRF.
Com. Rahal Dasgupta President. AIRF.
Com. S.K. Vyas, Advisor, Confederation of CGE and Workers.
Corn KKN. Kutty. President. Confederation of CGE and Workers
Com. Srikumar. General Secretary. All lndia Defence Employees Federation.

After the introduction of the members of both official and staff side. the Action taken Statement placed by the official Side of the meeting held on 4.2.2014 was taken up for discussion

1. Abnormal delay in the issue of revised PPO to Pre 2007 pensioners/family pensioners.
It was reported that about 26000 PPO of pre 1990 and 10.000 cases of pre-2006 retirees are still awaiting the issuance of revised PPO. It was reported that the main reason for the delay is the non availability of records in the case of pensioners. The Staff side demanded the supply of Department wise break up of the figures to enable them to take up the issue with the concerned department. This was agreed to. The Staff side further stated that the issue should not be viewed from the statistics angle and the official side must appreciate that in the case of pre 1990 cases. the pension remains unrevised for about 20 to 25 years. It may be that some of the retires/family pensioners might have expired during this period. The staff side also requested the official side to appreciate the agony and difficulties of these pensioners. The lack of availability of records should not be taken as an excuse. After some further discussion, it was agreed that by the end of 2014, all pending cases would be cleared. In the case of Railways, the pendency is about 25000 and in the case of Defence the reported figure was 85,000. It was however noted that serious efforts have been made by both the Ministries to bring down the number of pending cases drastically.

2. Revision of commutation table.
The proposal of the official side was to refer the matter to the 7th CPC. which the start Side objected as unreasonable and bereft of any purpose The Staff Side pointed out that the 6th CPC had devised the new commutation table whereby the commutation benefit had been drastically reduced. When there had been a reduction in the commutation benefit, the tenancy period of commutation ought to have been reduced. The 6th CPC has gone on records to state that the period must remain 15 years as there will have to be sufficient room for cross subsidisation. The Staff Side pointed out that when the commutation time was fixed at 15 years long time back, the mortality rate was much higher than it was today and there, there had been no justification for the recommendations made by the 6th CPC. They also pointed out that the official side in an earlier meeting had agreed to refer the matter to an expert committee and subject their recommendation to discussion with the Staff Side. The 6th CPC was not an expert body on this matter and they had to depend upon a professional agency. The Staff Side for this reason objected to the Official Side proposal. The Chairman, after due consideration wanted the Finance Ministry to appoint an expert committee and refer the issue to that committee to consider the demand in the light of the interest rate, morality rate, life expectancy etc.

3. Equitable gratuity under Rule 50 of Pension Rules.
The suggestion made by the Staff Side was to change the slab system by introducing a slab upto 11 years and another upto 20 years. Taking into account the fact that the last slab system was introduced on the basis of the recommendations of the 5th CPC. the issue might be referred to the 7th CPC. The Department of Pension has already referred the same to the 7th CPC and the Staff side has been assured to be supplied with a copy thereof.

NEW ITEMS:
 

(A) Increase in Family Pension:
The demand of the Staff Side was agreed to be specifically referred to the 7th CPC.

(B) Cashless and hassle- free treatment in recognised hospital.
The Official side agreed to ensure that the pensioners are not put to any difficulty in the matter by the recognised hospitals. When the stafi’ side pointed out that the Health Ministry had not been paying the dues to the recognised hospital and that has led to the denial of cashless facility, the Health Ministry denied the same. The Staff side wanted the Health Ministry officials to immediately convene a meeting as the last meeting has been held more two years back. The Health Ministry has decided to look into the matter and explore the possibility of convening such a meeting within a month’s time.

(c) Finalisation of family pension cases within a specified period.
The official side pointed out that the procedure has been simplified and liberalised. The Staff Side pointed out that the delay is caused more by the attitude than on any factual deficiency. They. therefore. suggested for the introduction of a provisional family pension scheme as is the case with the pension for those who face inquiry proceedings They suggested the grant of 75% of the family pension immediately on receipt of application and the rest after the scrutiny of the claim. They also asked for a time frame for finalisation of the claim in as much as the applications must be disposed of within three months.

The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair.

Source: www.scm-bps.blogspot.in
[http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2014/10/jcmpension-matters.html]

#7th Central Pay Commission, #7th CPC News, #Pension, #Pensioners Issue, #JCM Meeting, #Pensioners Issue, #Pensioners Portal Orders, #7CPC

Will the 7th CPC Submit an Interim Report to the Government..?

Will the 7th Pay Commission Submit an Interim Report to the Government?

Is there any likelihood that the 7th Pay Commission will submit an interim report to the Central Government?

The Commission was formed and its Terms of Reference were given in February 2014. The Commission is supposed to submit an interim report if the Government asks for it. But, it is highly unlikely that the Government would.

The Commission can voluntarily submit an interim report to the Centre. But it also looks as if they wouldn’t. With only 18 months to submit its recommendations, the Commission has its hand full. That being the case, it is highly unlikely that it would volunteer to submit a report.

But, there is always a chance that the employee federations and unions could pressurize the 7th Pay Commission into submitting a report. With almost 8 months having passed since the Commission was constituted, there is a chance that the Commission could submit an interim report detailing its findings and suggestions.

Informed circles say that in issues were the Government cannot directly intervene, it could seek the Commission’s recommendations. There is a general expectation that the much anticipated DA Merger and interim relief could be granted.

#7th Central Pay Commission, #7th CPC News, #7th CPC Pay Scale, #7th CPC Report, #7CPC, #7th CPC Interim Report, #Interim Report

Demands for DA Merger & Interim Relief strengthen Once again…NC JCM Staff Side emergency meeting on October 12

Demands for DA Merger & Interim Relief strengthen Once again…NC JCM Staff Side emergency meeting on October 12

National Council JCM Staff Side meeting will be held on 12th October 2014 to discuss and finalise future course of action on major demands of DA Merger, Interim Relief and Date of effect of 7th CPC.

The responsibility of Trade Unions and Federations is to ensure that the demands and anticipation of the employees are fulfilled. Demands for DA Merger are being raised for more than 3 years now, ever since Dearness Allowance crossed 50% (01.01.2011).

Previously, when Dearness Allowance crossed 50% on April 1, 2004, it was added to the basic pay, during the Fifth Pay Commission. All over the country, employees are demanding that DA be added to the basic pay once again in 6th CPC which is crossed 50%. Sensing this, all the Central Government Employees Federations and Unions began negotiating with the Government in various levels. When the Centre refused, a number of protests were held across the nation. Confederation successfully conducted a 2-day long total strike including for this demand.

Despite the fact that the demand occupied prominent position in a number of protests, there was an expectation that decision in this regard would be made during the final cabinet meeting of the previous government, which was held on February 28, 2014. Most of the Employees Federations had withdrawn their protests, trusting the assurance of the then government. But when no such announcement was made, there was an immense sense of disappointment.

Then there were expectations that the new government at the Centre would fulfil this demand. There are no signs of the important demands being granted.

In order to draw the attention of the Government to their demands, the National Council JCM (Staff Side) is going to meet on 12.10.2014. The meeting assumes prominence because all the National Council JCM Staff Side members are going to participate in it. Merger of Dearness Allowance, Payment of Interim Relief, and Declaration of 01.01.2014 as the date of effect of the recommendations of the 7th CPC are the important demands of the meeting. Plan of action will also be drawn on how to make the Centre accept these demands.

#50% DA Merger, #7th CPC News, #DA Merger, #DA Over 50%, #Interim Relief, #JCM Meeting, #20% Interim Relief, #50% Da Merger, #JCM Meeting, #NC JCM Staff Side