Monday 10 October 2016

HC issued notice to the central and state govts over a PIL challenging the validity of the market-linked New Pension Scheme

NEW PENSION SCHEME

The Gujarat High Court has issued notice to the central and state governments over a PIL challenging the validity of the market-linked New Pension Scheme (NPS), applicable to government employees who joined on or after January 1, 2004.

A division bench of Chief Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice V M Pancholi issued the notice on October 7 and posted the matter for further hearing after a month.

Petitioner Pranav Desai, a retired scientist of ISRO, stated in his petition that the market-linked new pension scheme provides only annuity and gratuity in place of pension, and has no security for family members of an employee if he passes away.


“Old pension scheme, on the other hand, provided for the 50 per cent of last pay, floor pension, family pension if retiree dies, medical benefits and death gratuity,” he said.
Pension is not a gratuitous payment but deferred payment. Compulsory imposition of NPS violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. Government is exercising economic duress by imposing NPS as it will not help employees in his old age but may in all probability make him starve, the petitioner alleged.
“Mathematical simulation shows that a bulk of employees will get annuity less that subsistence of about Rs 14,000. Also, the NPS provides for no family pension unlike OPS, in the event of the employee passing away,” he said.

“There is uncertainty about pension availability to family if the employee dies. NPS is at the mercy of share market. It is annuity that one gets in place of pension,” he said.
The petitioner further said in NPS, pensioners are not allowed a wide choice of fund manager and asset class.

As per the new pension scheme, a beneficiary cannot withdraw money if he subscribes to an account where government makes an equal matching contribution of 10 per cent of mandatory contribution by employees, he said.

When exiting at the retirement age of 60, one gets 60 per cent of money while 40 per cent has to be invested to LIC-type annuity. And if exiting before retirement age, 80 per cent has to be invested, the new pension scheme mandates, the petitioner said.

Hon'ble MoS C(I/C) Shri.Manoj Sinha wishes on the occasion of World Post Day & National Postal Week 2016


Dedication of Postal ATM to the Customers at Ashok Nagar







Everyday sun rise to give us a message that darkness will always be beaten by light. Let us follow the same natural rule and enjoy the festival of good defeats evil. Happy Dussehra.

happy dussehra gif images

PERMISSION TO OPT FOR PAY FIXATION ON A DATE AFTER THE DATE OF ISSUE OF CCS (RP) RULES 2016 NOTIFICATION 25-07-2016 IN CASE PROMOTION BECOMES DUE AFTER 25-07-2016 - CONFEDERATION WRITES TO FINANCE MINISTRY FOR CLARIFICATORY ORDERS



No.Confdn/7th CPC/Option/2016-17                                                        10-10-2016
To             Shri.R.K.Chathurvedi,
                 Joint Secretary to Govt. of India,
                 Ministry of Finance,
                 Department of Expenditure
                 (Implementation Cell),
                 Room No.124, The Ashok, North Block,
                 New Delhi - 110 001.
Sir,
                 Sub:   Exercising option for pay fixation in the revised 7th CPC Pay Structure, from the date of promotion or from the date of next increment from
01-01-2017 - C/o.Officials who are due for promotion/upgradation from Grade Pay 2800 to 4200 during the period from 01-01-2016 to
01-07-2017 - Request clarification and permission to exercise revised option as a one-time measure.
1.      As per Rule 5 of CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 the following provisions are notified by Government on 25-07-2016:
          Rule 5 - Government servant may elect to continue to draw pay in the existing pay structure untill the date on which he earns his next increment or any subsequent increment in the existing pay structureor until he vacates his post or ceases to draw pay in the existing pay structure.
          Provided further that in cases where a Government servant has been placed in a higher grade pay or scale between 1st day of January 2016 and the date of notification of these rules (ie. 25-07-2016) on account of promotion or upgradation, the Government servant may elect to switch over to the revised pay structure from the date of such promotion or upgradation as the case may be.
2.      As per the above two provisions, a Government servant may elect to continue to draw pay in the existing pay structure until he earns his next or any subsequent increment in the existing (pre-revised) pay structure which implies that in cases where there is no promotion/upgradation between 01-01-2016 to 30-06-2016 (or between 01-01-2016 to 30-06-2017 in the case of subsequent increment on  01-07-2017) option to opt from the date of next increment (01-07-2016) or subsequent increment (01-07-2017) is available, thereby forgoing the arrears from 01-01-2016 to 30-06-2016 (next increment) or upto the date of subsequent increment say, 01-07-2017.
3.      Thus, in the case of promotion/upgradation of a Government Servant becoming due before the date of notification ie, 25-07-2016, he should elect to switch over to the revised pay structure from the date of such promotion/upgradation.  He has no option to opt for the next increment (becoming due after the date of promotion/upgradation) for fixation of pay in the revised pay structure. 
4.      Subsequently a clarificatory order is issued by Department of Expenditure (Implementation Cell) on 29th September 2016, which clarified the position further.  As per this clarification, in case an employee is promoted or upgraded to the higher pay structure (in the pre-revised pay structure) he may be permitted to exercise revised option to have his pay fixed under the Revised Pay Rules 2016 from the date of such promotion/upgradation or from the date of next increment as per FR-22(i)(a)(i).
5.      Thus an official who got promotion/upgradation on 15-07-2016 (in the month of July 2016), can exercise option to fix his pay under Revised Pay Rules, 2016, either from the date of promotion or from the date of next increment ie; on 01-07-2017.
6.      Even after issuing the above clarificatory orders, dated 29-09-2016, it is not clear, whether an employee who becomes eligible for promotion/financial upgradation on a date after the date of issue of notification, ie, 25-07-2016, but before the date of next increment ie. 01-07-2017, can exercise option now, for fixation of his Revised Pay as per CCS (RP) Rules, 2016, from the date of promotion or from the date of next increment, ie; 01-07-2017, by forgoing the arrears from 01-01-2016 to date of promotion or 30-06-2017, thus allowing him to draw his pay in the pre-revised pay structure of 6th CPC till the date of promotion or till the date of next increment on 01-07-2017.  As per the existing orders, all those employees whose date of promotion/upgradation becomes due after 25-07-2016 should compulsoily opt for pay fixation from 01-01-2016 or 01-07-2016, whereas an employee whose promotion is due in July 2016 ie; before the date of notification (25-07-2016) can opt for next increment date on 01-07-2017 for fixation in the Revised Pay structure under FR-22(i)(a)(i).    Since the benefeit is extended to a section of employees who were promoted between 01-01-2016 and 25-07-2016 and the same benefeit is denied to the rest of the employee who are promoted after 25-07-2016, this is a clear case of discrimination and denial of natural and equitable justice.
7.      If the option as above is not allowed, thousands of employees who are due for promotion/financial  upgradation from 2800 Grade Pay to 4200 Grade Pay (in the pre-revised pay structure) from a dateafter the date of notification ie. 25-07-2016, will suffer a recurring loss of Rs.2800 to 3000 per month, throughout their service.
          The followingillustrations will explain the above facts:
1st OPTION - 7th CPC - OPTION FROM 01-01-2016
                                                               6th CPC                                   7th CPC
          Basic as on 01-01-2016                16490           16490x2.57 = 42379.  Next stage in the pay matrix level - 5 = 42800
          Increment on 01-07-2016                                   42800x3%=1284, 42800+1284=44084.  Next stage in the Pay matrix = 44100.
          MACP-II promotion from                                    44100x3%=1323, 44100+1323=45423.
          2800 GP to 4200 GP on 05-12-2016                 Next stage in the pay matrix level-6 
          (one increment fixation)                                     = 46200.
2ND OPTION (IF ALLOWED) - OPTION FROM DATE OF
SUBSEQUENT INCREMENT ie; 01-07-2017.
                                                    6th CPC                          7th CPC fixation if option allowed
                                                                                            from date of promotion
                                                                                            or date of next increment on
                                                                                            01-07-2017
Basic as on 01-01-2016              16490                             
Increment on 01-07-2016           16990                                 
MACP-II promotion from 2800   16990x3% notional         18900x2.57-48573.  Next stage
GP to 4200 GP on 05-12-2016   increment - 510.              in the pay matrix in level 6 =
(One increment fixation +           Grade pay difference=   49000.
Grade Pay difference)                4200-2800 = 1400.         (If option allowed from date of
                                                    Total Basic = 16990+     promotion).
                                                    510+1400=18900.
Increment on 01-07-2017           18900x3% = 567            19470x2.57 = 50038
                                                    = 18900+567 = 19467    Next stage in the pay matrix level
                                                    = 19470                           6 = 50500.  (If option allowed from
                                                                                            date of next increment).
                 Thus if no option is permissible after 25-07-2016 to fix the pay in the revised scale on the date of promotion ie. 5-12-2016, then by compulsory option from
01-01-2016, the pay will be fixed at 46200 on promotion.  If option is permissible after the date of notification to fix the pay in the revised scale on the date of promotion, the pay will be fixed at 49000.  The difference is Rs.2,800/-.  If option for fixation on next incremen on 01-07-2017 is granted, then the difference will increase further. 
                 In view of the above, it is requested that the case may be reviewed judiciously and clarificatory orders may be issued, permitting the employees whose promotion date become due after the date of notification (25-07-2016) also, to exercise option for fixation of their revised pay from the date of promotion/upgradation or from the date of next increment ie. 01-07-2017, as a one time measure, thereby forgoing the entire arrears from 01-01-2016 to date of promotion or date of next increment on 01-07-2017. In other words, they may be permitted to draw their pay in the pre-revised 6th CPC pay structure till the date of promotion or till the date of next increment on 01-07-2017.
                 Awaiting favourable orders,
                                                                                           Yours faithfully,

                                                                                              M.Krishnan,
                                                                                        Secretary General,
                                                                                                        &
                                                                              Standing Committee Member,
                                                                           JCM National Council (Staff side).
                                                                                       Mob: 09447068125.
                                                                          Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com
Copy to:
1)      The Secretary,
          Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure,
          North Block, New Delhi - 110 001 - for favourable action please.

NSH மேனேஜர் அவர்களின் தொடர் அராஜகப்போக்கை கண்டித்து APSO மற்றும் NSH அலுவலகங்களில் கருப்பு பட்டை (BLACK BADGE) அணிந்து NFPE & FNPO சங்கங்களின் போராட்டம்


Sports Quota Recruitment in Assam Postal Circle

            
        Assam Postal Circle Sports Quota  Recruitment 2016: The Department of Post, Assam Postal Circle has recently published a notification regarding the Sports Quota  Recruitment 2016 about various vacancies for the post of Postal Assistant, Sorting Assistant, Postman, Mailguard, MTS Cadre under Sports Quota in Assam Circle. The candidates can apply by submitting the Application Form to the given address in between the dates 20th October to 20th November 2016. Download the application form from Assam postal circle official web portal, i.e. assampost.gov.in or indiapost.gov.in/.
Qualification criteria: Candidates must have passed class 10th/ 12th from a recognized university.
Age limit: Applicant should be 21 to 28 years of age.
Important date:
  • Starting date of submitting application form: 20th October 2016
  • Last date of application submission: 20th November 2016

The candidates who have completed their class 10th/ 12th education and meeting the eligibility as per the norms can apply for the Assam Postal Circle Recruitment 2016 by submitting the duly filled application form in a prescribed format on or before 20th November 2016. The Starting date for the Assam Post Office Vacancy 2016 Application Form submission is 20th October 2016.

GDS : Appeal Towards The Payment Of Enhanced Bonus To GDS With The Enhanced Ceiling Of Rs.7000/-


India Post to Raise the Postage Rates after 15 Years

The Postal Department has bucked up to overcome its big annual revenue deficit of Rs 6000 by hiking prices of postcards, stamps etc. The decision comes after Minister of Communications Manoj Sinha held a meeting to discuss the strategies to bring in the additional Rs 1000 cr revenue every year.

During the meeting when Sinha was apprised with the fact that the pricing comes from Finance Ministry, the Communications Minister directed a committee of ministers to be formed to decide on the hike and the new prices.

According to media news, the new prices of the 25 paise and 50 paise postcards will be 2 rupees, and the price of the Rs 6- printed postcard to Rs 9 per printed postcard. Similarly, the price of an inland letter of Rs 2.50 denomination has been proposed to be increased to Rs 9. The price of India Post’s parcels have also been surged up from Rs 19 per 500 gms to Rs 30 now.

However with the new rates in execution, the Minister did not forgot to remind the officials about focusing on the time of delivery of the parcels.

Going by a report of 2015, the Department found out that its expenses had risen by 262 per cent despite the revision last made in 2001-02 and the prices remaining unchanged.

Also discussed in the meeting was the India Post’s market share in the parcel market which is a minor Rs 1.5-2.0 lakh crore compared to other courier majors. India Post is already cashing in on the boom in e-commerce deliveries, especially the surging cash-on-delivery consignments of the country’s top online sellers — Amazon,Snapdeal, Flipkart and Myntra. Sinha asked the officials to come up with a strategy to beat the over priced courier companies in market in order to shoot up India Post’s shares. All of the further plans will be discussed in a second meet planned for the next month.