Sri B.V.Sudhakur assumed as CPMG AP circle
HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS FROM KAVALIBRANCH NFPE
CIRCULAR FROM GDS CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS
No.AIPEU-GDS(NFPE)/CIRCULAR-4/2013 Date : 13-05-2013
Dear Comrades & Colleagues,
I have much pleasure to place before you about the growth of our organization in the divisions & Circles. There is a very good and positive response from many active comrades to join in AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) and forming divisions in many circles for the last 2 months after successful conducting of the 1st All India Conference in Chennai. It proved that total unity of postal workers both Departmental Unions and GDS in the 12-12-12 strike & 48 hours strike (20th, 21st) in February 2013. It was asserted in the AIC, Chennai with the participation of 19 circles and more than 250 divisions and made the Conference a thundering success. It resulted in creating confidence on our union and thereby providing ground for all round growth in the membership, further strengthening in the divisions and Circles.
With such an inspiring response towards our Union and accepting the facts about the genuine demands of GDS it became an open discussion among departmental unions and the organizations of various Central Govt. employees to support our Union .
All of us are aware of the loss we have suffered during last 2years, i.e., after implementation of Nataraja Murthy Committee recommendations. It is again emphasized to mention here particularly about the attacks on our GDS employees & cadres. As it could be made in a serial viz., all the EDSOs were downgraded and GDS SPM cadre has been abolished and the TRCA scale for BPMs introduced for 5 slabs, GDS Stamp Vendor posts have been abolished in the name of increasing norms and reduced time factor for stamp sales, GDS Mail Men cadre in RMS treated as wasting cadre and thousands of vacancies of GDSMM have been abolished, Compassionate appointment in GDS cadre is restricted by introduction of merit points, impracticable work load including cash handling norms have been imposed on BPMs causing heavy reduction in TRCA, instead of norms incentive schemes are offered to GDS forcing them to remain in duty beyond 5 hours, bonus ceiling has been reduced and discrimination with regular departmental employees imposed by deviating from the regular sanction of bonus ceiling for the last so many years, seniority cum selection for postman recruitment from GDS has been removed, open market recruitment in postman & MTS cadres introduced, thousands of posts are being unfilled and combination of duties enforced in many places, GDS ‘Employment Rules’ changed as ‘Engagement Rules’ etc.,
It may be mentioned here about the mounting pressure on GDS, as the policies of the Govt. & Department rather forcibly intrude in many ways such as ‘National Postal Policy – 2012’. At this juncture, the NFPE / JCA became vigilant and came forward to resist all the attacks on postal workers including GDS. Now it is the time to consolidate our GDS cadre on one platform with a broader out look for unity with all others. The orientation of our AIC proved and prevailed in many quarters to march forward with united struggles.
Comrades, we have adopted the ‘Policy & Program’ of our AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) union in our 1stAIC and declared program of action to enlighten our demands among the cadres and bring pressure on the department and Govt. with a series of struggles. Our union has formulated all the demands of GDS in a charter and published in our Report (AIC) also. This is the time to demand the Govt. to include the GDS issues in 7th CPC, especially departmentalization & Regularization of GDS, a separate pay Committee further constituted for GDS could not fulfill the demand for civil servant status of GDS, except dismantling the cadres and system. We must be united amongst ourselves and unite with all our Departmental Unions & NFPE to achieve our goal. Deviation from the unity becomes suicidal, particularly for GDS as it was proved recently and stood a good example in the agitating minds of GDS. We must have to consolidate all the membership to a united platform and march ahead with struggles, otherwise the department will take advantage and will try to impose their anti-worker policies.
As decided in Chennai AIC the following program of action has been announced by our CHQ after consulting with our NFPE leadership to conduct all the programmes in such a way to build up pressure on the Department and Govt.
Program of action :-
28-05-2013 - Day long dharna in front of Divisional Offices in all Circles.
25-06-2013 - Day long dharna in front of Circle Offices in all Circles.
23-07-2013 - Day long dharna in front of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi
Sep, 2013 - March to Parliament by GDS employees (subject to the commencement of Parliament session, date will be announced later)
Last Phase - Indefinite strike (date will be announced later)
All the Circle Secretaries, CHQ office bearers are requested to circulate the program of action among all Divisions/Branches formed in their respective Circles, arrange meetings with all affiliates of NFPE, there by giving wide publicity to mobilize the members to make the struggle program successfull.
Study Camps by NFPE :
South Zone study camp was conducted in Chennai during October 2012 (13th & 14th) for AP, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu Circles. Central Zone study camp conducted in Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh) during January 2013 (19th & 20th) for Maharashtra, Gujrat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh,Bihar circles. Eastern Zone study camp conducted in Guwahati (Assam ) during Aril 2013 (27th & 28th) for West Bengal, Orissa, North East, Assam
The Northern Zone study camp is scheduled during June 2013 (22nd & 23rd) at Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) for Uttar Pradesh, Uttara Khand & Delhi circles. For all the above study camps, our GDS have been given an opportunity to participate from respective circles and attended in good number. The attended delegates expressed their satisfaction in enlightening their knowledge and awareness about Trade Union movement and class oriented struggles of NFPE.
24th National Conference of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers :
Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers (CCGEW) (except Railways& Defence) is a large united forum of 105 constituent organizations of various Central Govt. Departmental organizations, having a consolidated membership of about 13 lakhs, including GDS. The 24th National Conference of CCGEW has been held from 4th to 6th May 2013 in Kolkata and our CHQ President, Com.Bijoy Gopal Sur and General Secretary, P.Pandurangarao were participated as Delegates representing AIPEU-GDS(NFPE) as an Associate Member of NFPE.
The 24th National Conference of CCGEW unanimously elected a new set of office bearers representing from various prominent organizations of Central Govt. Departments, kept the Postal NFPE in a highest position. Com.S.K.Vyas (83years) Chairman, a legendary personality, described as a walking university for Central Govt. Employees movement and served in various positions in the Confederation for the last 45 years, rendering unblemished services for the Trade Union movement is elected as Advisor for the Confederation. Com.K.K.N.Kutty, has been honoured with the position of President. Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE elected as Secretary General, Confederation and this position was accepted after 56 years of formation of Confederation (1956) founder leader of Confederation Com.K.G.Bose, now to our Postal leader representing from NFPE, the top most organization leading the entire Central Govt. Employees movement through Confederation for the last few decades and Com.Vrighu Bhattacharya (Civil Accounts) is elected as Financial Secretary for the Confederation.
This situation gives a unique opportunity for GDS, who continuously took part in the Central Govt. Employees movement from the year 1956 onwards.. That is why it is boldly expressed by our leadership about the demand of inclusion of GDS in 7th CPC for which the NFPE is ready to go for an indefinite strike with the total support of all Central Govt. organizations representing CCGEW.
Now the responsibility is laid on our shoulders to bring the GDS movement in total consolidation of all its membership to move ahead with the united struggles for the emancipation of GDS from the present situation of bonded labour and severe exploitation.
9th Federal Council of NFPE
From 9th to 12th June 2013, the 9th Federal Council meeting of NFPE is scheduled inHyderabad
Central Working Committee meeting
In the meantime, during the sessions of Federal Council on 10th & 11th of June 2013, CHQ will arrange a Central Working Committee meeting with the attending CHQ office bearers/Circle Secretaries/Special Invitees/Mahila Committee members to sort out all the organizational matters in their respective Circles and discuss about the feasible date and arrangements for “March to Parliament” programme, exclusively by our GDS members.
Comrades, our union formed on the basis of the concept of unity. Unity with Departmental Unions, unity with sister unions, unity with all Central Govt. organizations, unity with working class is the need of the hour. For that the AIPEU-GDS(NFPE) stood in the front row with the banner of NFPE and plays a prominent role to resist the attacks of the policies of the Govt. there by preventing the anti-worker policies of the Department to a great extent.
With best regards
Yours fraternally, (P.PANDURANGARAO) GENERAL SECRETARY
CHARTER OF DEMANDS – AIPEU-GDS(NFPE)
1.Departmentalization of Gramin Dak Savaks and all benefits of Departmental employees extended to GDS as recommended by Justice Talwar Committee.
2.Constitute 7th CPC and refer GDS wage revision also to the consideration of Pay Commission; Merger 50% of DA with TRCA for all purposes.
3.Restore the historical prorata wage structure of GDS MD and GDS BPM on par with Postman and Sorting Postman pay scales respectively as recommended by the 6th CPC by rectifying the mistakes committed by the Nataraja Murthy Committee.
4. Withdrew new GDS (Conduct & Engagement) Rules, 2011 and restore GDS (Conduct & Employment) Rules, 2001.
5. Ensure minimum statutory monthly pension of Rs.3500/- to GDS and grant other retirement benefits like gratuity etc., based on the formula applicable to departmental employees and under Gratuity Act 1972 besides family pension facility to GDS.
6.Enhance the bonus quantum ceiling from Rs.2500/- to Rs.3500/- and end the discrimination.
7.Reduce cash handling norms from Rs.20,000 to 4,000 and also stamp sale norms.
8.Ensure full protection of existing TRCA when there is fall in the work load. TRCA should not be reduced under any circumstances.
9.Remove the outside recruitment quota for Postman Recruitment and 100% Postman vacancies be given to GDS.
10.Remove the 50 points compulsory conditions and provide compassionate appointment for all eligible dependents in the families of deceased GDS.
11.Introduce a medical reimbursement scheme for GDS.
12.Grant full trade union facilities including special casual leave and Foreign Service facilities to GDS Union Representatives.
13.Enhance to 6 months maternity leave to female GDS instead of 3 months and grant child care leave.
14.Grant full transfer facility to GDS and ensure protection of the existing TRCA on transfer.
15.Grant revised TRCA slabs up to 125 points to BPMs based on the workload as on 01.01.2006.
16.Grant three time bound financial up gradations to all GDS on 10th, 20th and 25th year.
17.Grant all advances to GDS at par with Regular departmental employees.
18.Stop combination of duties of GDSMD with that of BPM as it will result in restriction of business hours of BO thereby causing loss of revenue.
19.Enhance age limit for the departmental examination for promotion to the cadre of Postal Assistant from GDS at par with Postman cadre.
20.Modify date of superannuation of GDS as the last working day of the month.
21.Remove the ceiling limit of Rs.50 for cash allowance for conveyance of cash from BO to AO and vice versa.
22.Grant of LTC and home town LTC facilities to GDS.
23.Remove the discrimination in grant of welfare assistance to GDS in respect of prolonged illness, Book awards, educational assistance etc,.
24.Provide norms for MNREGS work at par with SB transactions & cash conveyance from BO to AO and vice versa.
25.Relax the embargo of fixing of minimum TRCA in respect of new appointees, Minimum should be the entitled TRCA drawn by the earlier incumbent. No fresh statistics need to be compiled.
26.Fix norms for all new items of work entrusted to GDS and until then grant enhanced incentives.
27.Payment of rent for BO to be borne by the department and till that time grant enhancement of Office Maintenance Allowance (OMA) @ Rs.500 per month.
28.Redeployment of GDS should not be done beyond 5 kms and full protection of TRCA should be given; in case of redeployment from one post to another, eligible women GDS working as GDSMC/MD/Pkr will be given opportunity to the posts of GDS BPM when fallen vacant in the name of transfer.
29.Prompt issuing of SDBS cards to all GDS employees.
30.Grant Children Educational Allowance and small family incentive to all GDS.
31.Fill up all GDS posts in RMS and convert all GDS MM posts as MTS.
32. Make an early payment of RPLI incentive and remove the minimum condition and the maximum limit in the grant of NREGS incentive.
ON WAIVAL OF BONUS CEILINGS - QUESTION & ANSWER IN RAJYA SABHA....
Amendment in Bonus Act for waiving ceilings is not considered at this time:
Govt latest reply in Rajya Sabha
The calculation ceiling and eligibility limit has been revised from Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 3500/- per month and Rs. 3500/- to Rs. 10,000/- p.m. respectively vide the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2007 notified on 13/12/2007 and made effective from 1st April, 2006. Keeping in view the large financial implications for both for the Public and Private Sectors further amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act for waiving both the ceilings is not considered feasible at this stage.:
Govt reply in Rajya Sabha see details below:-
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-4604
ANSWERED ON-08.05.2013
Amendment in Bonus Act
4604 . SHRI RAMACHANDRA KHUNTIA
(a)whether it is a fact that at present skilled workers who are really contributing to production and productivity are not getting bonus; and
(b)whether Government is planning to amend the Bonus Act and waive the ceiling in salary and maximum bonus so as to make everybody in a production unit eligible to get the bonus?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH)
(a): As per the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, any employee is entitled to get bonus provided he / she is considered as an eligible employee. As per the Act, an “employee” means any person (other than an apprentice) employed on a salary or wage not exceeding ten thousand rupees per mensem in any industry to do any skilled or unskilled manual, supervisory, managerial, administrative, technical or clerical work for hire or reward, whether the terms of employment be express or implied.” Government has no specific information of skilled workers being denied bonus.
(b): The calculation ceiling and eligibility limit has been revised from Rs. 2500/- to Rs. 3500/- per month and Rs. 3500/- to Rs. 10,000/- p.m. respectively vide the Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2007 notified on 13/12/2007 and made effective from 1st April, 2006. Keeping in view the large financial implications for both for the Public and Private Sectors further amendment to the Payment of Bonus Act for waiving both the ceilings is not considered feasible at this stage.
General Provident Fund shall carry interest rate of 8.7% per annum w.e.f. 01.04.2013
Click here to To view the Resolution published in Part I Section 1 of Gazette of India on the above subject matter.
MGNREGA has led to higher wage rates in the rural areas
Women and unskilled labourers are the main beneficiaries of the higher wage rates of MGNREGA, which has been revised recently to protect workers against inflation. With effect from April 01, 2013, a maximum wage of Rs 214 has been fixed for Haryana and a minimum of Rs 135 for North Eastern States. Moreover, there is a definite positive impact on agricultural wages and wages in general in the rural areas, which remained stagnant for a long-long time. This has been established by a Government study and research by private bodies and individuals. The National Sample Survey Office's 66th round confirms that MGNREGA has reduced the traditional gender wage discrimination which was apparent in several States across the country. According to an analysis by the Paris School of Economics in 2011, MGNREGA also leads to an increase in private sector wages and has welfare benefits for non-participating households. The gains from the rise in wages are more for the poor and marginalised, including women. Similarly, an analysis by Jean Drèze, a noted social scientist observes that the pre-MGNREGA (2000–1 to 2005-6) growth rate of real agricultural wages was around 0.1 per cent per year for men and negative for women. After the implementation of MGNREGA (2005-6 to 2010-11), the growth rate for agricultural wages for men increased to 2.7 per cent per year and for women to 3.7 per cent per year.
Till 31st March 2013, more than 1408 crore person-days of employment have been generated, of which 47.48% are women. An average of five crore households provided with employment every year since 2008. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes account for 50% of the total person-days generated. Last year 30 new works included under MGNREGA like Watershed, Irrigation and Flood management works, Agricultural and Livestock related works, Fisheries, Rural Drinking water and Sanitation related works.
To reduce delay in payment of wages, Ministry of Rural Development has initiated Electronic Fund Management System (eFMS) in Karnataka, Orissa, Gujarat, Tripura and Rajasthan, for directly crediting wages into beneficiary accounts using Core Banking System. Efms will ensure capture of real time transactions, eliminate delays and leakages. Ministry is now working to implement Efms in identified 46 MGNREGA districts for Direct Benefit Transfer. Aadhaar enabled direct electronics crediting of accounts payments for workers in MGNREGA is being implemented in 51 districts, in its pilot phase.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The Act came into force in February 2, 2006 and now is in operation in 632 districts in the country.
Till 31st March 2013, more than 1408 crore person-days of employment have been generated, of which 47.48% are women. An average of five crore households provided with employment every year since 2008. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes account for 50% of the total person-days generated. Last year 30 new works included under MGNREGA like Watershed, Irrigation and Flood management works, Agricultural and Livestock related works, Fisheries, Rural Drinking water and Sanitation related works.
To reduce delay in payment of wages, Ministry of Rural Development has initiated Electronic Fund Management System (eFMS) in Karnataka, Orissa, Gujarat, Tripura and Rajasthan, for directly crediting wages into beneficiary accounts using Core Banking System. Efms will ensure capture of real time transactions, eliminate delays and leakages. Ministry is now working to implement Efms in identified 46 MGNREGA districts for Direct Benefit Transfer. Aadhaar enabled direct electronics crediting of accounts payments for workers in MGNREGA is being implemented in 51 districts, in its pilot phase.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act aims at enhancing the livelihood security of people in rural areas by guaranteeing 100 days of wage-employment in a financial year to a rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work. The Act came into force in February 2, 2006 and now is in operation in 632 districts in the country.
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