FLASH NEWS

ARTICLE 11 (i)-MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION SHALL BE Rs.60/- P.M. NFPE-RS.-4/-, CHQ RS. 12/-, CIRCLE RS.16/-, DIVISION/BRANCH RS.28/- PER MEMBER FROM JANUARY-2019

Thursday, September 29, 2016

FLASH NEWS


       Regarding grant of enhanced bonus of 7000 to GDS, Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE discussed with Chairman, GDS Committee, Shri Kamalesh Chandra today (29.09.2016). Chairman informed that he had recommended for payment of bonus to GDS at the enhanced calculation ceiling of Rs. 7000/- and the file returned to Postal Board. (Last time Nataraja Murthy Committee has recommended that GDS should not be paid enhanced bonus and their bonus should be reduced to 50% of the departmental employees). Now that, GDS committee has recommended 7000, Postal JCA has demanded Postal Board to issue bonus orders of GDS with calculation ceiling of 7000/- without any further delay.

DEPARTMENTAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE – DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

DEPARTMENTAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE – DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

Secretary General reported the communication received from the Department regarding constitution of Departmental Anomaly Committee. The following will represent NFPE in the Committee against the 5 seats allotted to NFPE. Com. R. N. Parashar (SG & GS – P3), Com. Giriraj Singh (GS-R3) Com. R. Seethalakshmi (GS-P4), Com. P. Suresh (GS-R4) Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee (Admin Union).

It is decided that all General Secretaries should submit the items to be included in the agenda of the Anomaly Committee to Com. Giriraj Singh, Secretary, JCM (DC) staff side on or before 15.10.2016. Branch/Divisional/Circle Secretaries should submit the items to their respective General Secretaries before 12.10.2016.
Fraternally yours,
(R. N. Parshar)
Secretary General
 
 CONDOLENCE MEETING OF COM.DESHRAJ SHARMA WILL BE HELD IN DELHI ON OCTOBER 12TH P4CHQ REQUESTS ALL COMRADES TO ATTEND MEETING TO PAY FLOURAL TRIBUTES TO DEPARTED SOUL. RSL G/S P4.
 
 
 
VERY SAD NEWS.
  Com.Des Raj Sharma. Ex.Dy.S.G.NFPE. and G.S. P-4 union expired on 24th September 2016 at his Delhi Residence. He was a very good organiser and fighter. His contribution towards trade union movement will ever be remembered. P4CHQ conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray eternal peace to departed soul.

  P4CHQ dips banner in respect of Com. Des Raj Sharma.

Com.DesRaj Sharma Amar Rahe.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

COM. DES RAJ SHARMA – THE UNCOMPROMISING FIGHTER

M. Krishnan. Ex-Secretary General, NFPE
Secretary General, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers

On 24th September I was at Chennai, on the way to Gudur (AP) to attend the Circle Conference of AIPEU Postmen & MTS Union. At about 09.25 PM, Com. R. Seethalakshmi, General Secretary, P-IV union called me and informed – “Com. Des Raj Sharma passed away.” After a few minutes Com. V. A. N. Namboodri also called. On the previous day, i.e., on 23.09.2016, at 11.30 AM myself and Com. Seethalakshmi had visited Com. Des Raj Sharma at his house at Karol Bagh, New Delhi and was with him for about 2 hours. He had a heart attack and had undergone angioplasty surgery for removal of five blocks. He was recovering fast. He discussed with us about Com. Adi and his association with many great leaders of P&T Trade union movement. He recollected his experiences while he was in the movement and also after his retirement. As he was continuously talking, I asked his wife who was sitting near, whether doctor has advised to restrict talking. His wife told no such restriction. When we were about to leave, both of us told him to take care of his health as per the advice of the doctor. Then Com. Des Raj Sharma smilingly made a comment – “Don’t worry about my health. Doctor has given me another five years guarantee. Now I am seventy one”. But while completing the sentence his sound was shaken and eyes were full of tears. May be, he was aware that death is nearing. We tried to console him and wished him long life. Next day when the sad news came I was really shocked.

Com. Desraj Sharma was a symbol of dedication, commitment and an uncompromising fighter. He truly represented the tradition of Postmen, Group D & ED staff union lead by Com. Adi. He worked as a CHQ office bearer under the dynamic leadership of the legendary leader Com. K. Adinarayana for a long time. He stood firmly with Com. Adi during the periods of trials and tribulations. It is Com. Adi who moulded Com. Desraj Sharma as a leader.

Com. Desraj Sharma never compromised with the enemies of NFPE and sometimes openly burst out against those who want to break the unity of NFPE. In the Kolkata Federal Council, it is the P-IV union which saved NFPE from a split and also helped NFPE to get recognition. He succeeded in vacating all the stay orders against conducting the Federal Council and also ensured rock-like unity among the P-IV Federal Councilors. He was outright and never say one thing and act another. The enemies of NFPE were afraid of Com. Desraj Sharma and they turned their guns against him always

After his taking over as the General Secretary of P-IV union, he concentrated in streamlining the organisational functioning of the union and helped the Branch/Divisional and Circle Unions to overcome their weaknesses. He effectively intervened and settled all the organizational disputes existed in many circles and consolidated the organizational unity and militancy of P-IV union. He championed the cause of not only Postmen and Group-D but his service was fully dedicated to the cause of GDS employees and for their emancipation. As Deputy Secretary General of NFPE he fought for safeguarding the unity of NFPE and also for settling the genuine demands of the entire Postal employees. He was also in the forefront of all activities of Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers. In the negotiations with the administration he never compromised and was very particular about result-oriented settlement.

Com. Desraj Sharma cannot be compared with any other leader of Postal Trade union movement. “Desraj Sharma is Desraj Sharma”. He will remain forever in the minds of the Postal employees and Central Government employees.

Long Live Com. Desraj Sharma!

Long live, Long live!
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
1st Floor, North Avenue PO Building, New Delhi - 110001

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT MEETING

The Federal Secretariat meeting of NFPE was held at New Delhi on 27.09.2016 under the presidentship of Com. Giriraj Singh, President, NFPE. Representatives of all affiliated organisations attended the meeting. Com. M. Krishnan, Ex-Secretary General & Secretary General, Confederation also attended and guided the iscussion and decisions. Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE reported the non-grant of enhanced bonus to GDS and the efforts made by NFPE leadership to settle the issue. He also reported the non-settlement of payment of arrears to casual Labourers inspite of orders issued by Directorate. Com. Parashar, reported the details discussion he had with Shri. D. Theagarajan, Secretary General FNPO and placed the following proposal of PJCA before the Secretariat meeting.

1.      Phase programme of action culminating in two days nation wide strike on 9th & 10th November 2016 exclusively on the bonus demand of GDS and revision of wages of casual labourers.

2.      The Secretariat after detailed discussion decided to implement the decision of PJCA. Accordingly the Federatl Secretariat calls upon all Branch/Divisional/Circle Secretaries of NFPE affiliated Unions/Associations and also AIPEU-GDS to make the agitational programmes and two days strike cent percent success. (NJCA Circular published separately)

HOMAGE TO COM. DES RAJ SHARMA
Before commencement of the meeting, the National Secretariat paid respectful homage to Late Com. Des Raj Sharma, Ex-General Secretary, P-IV CHQ & Ex-Deputy Secretary General, NFPE. The Secretary General and all other participants mentioned about the unforgettable contributions made by Com. Des Raj Sharma and also his sufferings for strengthening P-4 Union, NFPE and Confederation. The National Secretariat expressed it heart-felt condolences and offered two minutes silence.

DEPARTMENTAL ANOMALY COMMITTEE – DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

Secretary General reported the communication received from the Department regarding constituition of Departmental Anomaly Committee. The following will represent NFPE in the Committee against the 5 seats allotted to NFPE. Com. R. N. Parashar (SG & GS – P3), Com. Giriraj Singh (GS-R3) Com. R. Seethalakshmi (GS-P4), Com. P. Suresh (GS-R4) Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee (Admin Union).

It is decided that all General Secretaries should submit the items to be included in the agenda of the Anomaly Committee to Com. Giriraj Singh, Secretary, JCM (DC) staff side on or before 15.10.2016. Branch/Divisional/Circle Secretaries should submit the items to their respective General Secretaries before 12.10.2016.

FINAL MEETING WITH CHAIRMAN GDS COMMITTEE

Chairman GDS committee has invited NFPE for final interaction before finalizing the recommendations. Accordingly, Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE and Com. P. Panduranga Rao, General Secretary, AIPEU-GDS, shall attend the meeting on 7th October 2016.

Fraternally yours,

(R. N. Parshar)
Secretary General

BONUS PARITY IS THE RIGHT OF GRAMIN DAK SEVAKS


Tuesday, September 27, 2016

UNDERSTANDING MINIMUM WAGES AND BONUS 
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment
24-September-2016 10:35 IST
Understanding Minimum Wages and Bonus
A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers or it is the price floor below which workers may not sell their labour.

Bandaru+dattatreya

*Bandaru Dattatreya
The concept of minimum wages first evolved with reference to remuneration of workers in those industries where the level of wages was substantially low as compared to the wages for similar types of labour in other industries. As far back as 1928, the International Labour Conference of International Labour Organization, at Geneva, adopted a draft convention on minimum wages requiring the member countries to create and maintain a machinery whereby minimum rates of wages can be fixed for workers employed in industries in which no arrangements exist for the effective regulation of wages and where wages are exceptionally low. Also, at the Preparatory Asian Regional Labour Conference of International Labour Organisation held at New Delhi in 1947 and then at the 3rd session of the Asian Regional Labour Conference, it was approved that every effort should be made to improve wage standards in industries and occupations in Asian Countries, where they are still low. Thus, the need of a legislation for fixation of minimum wages in India received an impetus after World War II, on account of the necessity of protecting the interest of demobilized personnel seeking employment in industries.

The justification for statutory fixation of minimum wage is obvious. Such provisions which exist in more advanced countries are even necessary in India, where workers’ organizations are yet poorly developed and the workers’ bargaining power is consequently poor.

To provide for machinery for fixing and revision of minimum wages a draft Bill was prepared and discussed at the 7th session of the Indian Labour Conference in November, 1945. Thereupon the Minimum Wages Bill was introduced in the Central Legislative Assembly. The Minimum Wages Bill having been passed by the Legislature received the assent on 15th March, 1948. It came on the Statute Book as the Minimum Wages Act, 1948.

The Act provides for fixation by the appropriate Governments of minimum wages for employments covered by Schedule to the Act.  The Central Government is the appropriate Government in respect of 45 scheduled employments in the Central Sphere. The minimum wages fixed for Central sphere are applicable to the scheduled employments in the establishments under the authority of Central Government, railway administrations, mines, oil-fields, major ports or any corporation established by a Central Act. Employments other than the scheduled employment for Central Sphere come under the purview of the State Government and accordingly State Government wages are applicable in such employments.  The minimum wages for Central Sphere are revised from time to time based on the increase in Consumer Price Index effective from April and October.

According to Section 3(1)(b) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, “the appropriate government shall review at such intervals, as it may think fit, such intervals not exceeding five years, the minimum rates of wages so fixed and revise the minimum rates if necessary.

The norms recommended by the Indian Labour Conference, in 1957, fox fixing the minimum wages are: (a) consumption units for one wage earner; (b) minimum food requirements of 2700 calories per average Indian adult; (c) clothing requirements of 72 yards per annum per family; (d) rent corresponding to the minimum area provided for under Government’s Industrial Housing Scheme; and (e) fuel, lighting and other miscellaneous items of expenditure to constitute 20% of the total minimum wage.

In 1991, the Hon’ble Supreme Court delivered a historic judgement and directed that children’s education, medical requirement, minimum recreation including festivals/ceremonies, provision for old age, marriage etc. should further constitute 25% of the minimum wage and be used as a guide in fixation of minimum wage.
The Act envisages appointment of an Advisory Board, by the appropriate Government, for the purpose of advising the appropriate Government in the matter of fixing and revising minimum rates of wages.

The Central Government revises the wages in the scheduled employments from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Draft Notifications for all the Scheduled Employments in the Central Sphere were issued on 1st September, 2016 simultaneously, in fact for the first time. The basic rate of minimum wages for an unskilled worker in the scheduled employment other than agriculture has been proposed at Rs.350 in Area ‘C’ from the current minimum wage (basic wage + variable dearness allowance) of Rs.246 resulting in an increase of about 42%. The basic rate of minimum wages for an unskilled worker in the scheduled employment “agriculture” has been proposed at Rs.300 in Area ‘C’ from the current minimum wage (basic wage + variable dearness allowance) of Rs.211 resulting in an increase of about 42%.

The proposed revision in the rates of basic minimum wages would indeed provide much needed solace to the labour fraternity.
Bonus
Bonus payment is an extra payment   given for doing one's job well also known as  performance-related pay or pay for performance.

The practice of paying bonus in India appears to have originated during First World War when certain textile mills granted 10% of wages as war bonus to their workers in 1917.  In certain cases of industrial disputes demand for payment of bonus was also included.  In 1950, the Full Bench of the Labour Appellate Tribunal evolved a formula for determination of bonus.  A plea was made to raise that formula in 1959.  At the second and third meetings of the eighteenth Session of Standing Labour Committee (G.O.I) held in New Delhi in March/ April 1960, it was agreed that a Commission be appointed to go into the question of bonus and evolve suitable norms.  A Tripartite Commission was set up by the Government of India to consider in a comprehensive manner, the question of payment of bonus based on profits to employees employed in establishments and to make recommendations to the Government.  The Government of India accepted the recommendations of the Commission subject to certain modifications.  To implement these recommendations the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 was enacted, which came into force on 25-9-1965.

The objective of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 is to provide for the payment of bonus to the persons employed in certain establishments on the basis of profits or on the basis of production or productivity and for matter connected therewith.

It applies to (i) Every Factory; and (ii) Every other establishment in which 20 or more persons are employed on any day during an accounting year subject to the exemptions under section 32. Every employee shall be entitled to be paid by his employer in an accounting year, bonus, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, provided he has worked in the establishment for not less than thirty working days in that year. While the minimum bonus is 8.33% of the salary or wage earned by the employee during the accounting year, the maximum bonus is 20% of such salary or wage.

Two ceilings are available under the said Act generally known as eligibility limit and calculation ceiling respectively. Clause 13 of Section 2 of Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 defines an employee based on salary or wage per mensem. This is usually taken as the “eligibility limit” for computation of bonus. Similarly, Section 12 of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 provides for calculation of bonus of an employee based on salary or wage per mensem. This is known as “calculation ceiling”.

The two ceilings are revised from time to time to keep pace with the price rise and increase in the salary structure. At present, the calculation ceiling has been enhanced to Rs.7000 or the minimum wage for the scheduled employment, as fixed by the appropriate Government, whichever is higher and the eligibility limit has been enhanced to Rs.21,000/-.

Due to this revision, additional 55 lakh workers would be benefited.  This would indeed, be a good gesture on the part of the Government towards the labour fraternity.

Friday, September 23, 2016

DAY PAID WEEKLY OFF FOR CASUAL WORKERS 

CASUAL LABOURERS WITH TEMPORARY STATUS - CLARIFICATION REGARDING CONTRIBUTION TO GPF AND PENSION   CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS




NOTICE

            It is hereby notified that the National Secretariat meeting of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers will be held on 30thSeptember, 2016 (Friday) at 10.30 AM at NFPE office, New Delhi (North Avenue Post Office building). All CHQ office bearers of Confederation and Women Sub Committee office bearers (not women sub-committee members) are requested to attend the meeting in time. The following shall be the agenda of the meeting.

AGENDA

1.    Review of the 25th National Conference of Confederation held at Chennai from 16th to 18th August 2016.
2.    Review of the National Women’s Convention held at Chennai on 17th August 2016.
3.    Review of the 2nd September 2016 General Strike – Campaign conducted and percentage of participation of membership in the strike in each organization/State.
4.    Review of the progress made in settlement of NJCA Charter of Demands including increase in minimum wage and fitment formula as per assurance of Group of Ministers.
5.    Finalization of dates and charter of demands of Confederation for implementing the agitational programmes decided in the 25th National Conference.
6.    Issues relating to the affiliated organisations.
7.    Financial Review.
8.    Any other items with permission of the chair.

Yours faithfully,

(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General

To

            1. All National Secretariat Members (Office Bearers)
            2. Office Bearers of the Women’s Sub Committee
GDS BONUS CEILING ENHANCEMENT CASE

Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General and Com. Giriraj Singh, President NFPE met Member (P) Postal services Board on 23.09.2016 and discussed the GDS bonus ceiling enhancement case. Member (P) informed that as GDS Committee is functioning it is decided that the case is to be referred to GDS Committee for favourable recommendation. Accordingly the file has been sent to Chairman, GDS Committee.

Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretary General, NFPE discussed the case with Shri. Kamlesh Chandra, Chairman, GDs Committee. Chairman assured that Committee will examine the case and give its recommendation without any delay. As Nataraja Murthy Committee has made adverse recommendations, Shri Kamlesh Chandra has told that he has to study the whole case before taking a decision. The issue will be again discussed with Chairman, GDS Committee when Secretary General, NFPE and Com. Panduranga Rao, General Secretary, AIPEU-GDS are meeting the Chairman in the first week of October 2016.

After getting recommendation of the GDS committee, the file is to be sent to Finance Ministry for approval.


HOLD PROTEST DEMONSTRATION IN FRONT OF ALL DIVISIONAL OFFICES AND CHIEF PMG OFFICES ON 3RD OCTOBER 2016

NFPE National Secretariat calls upon all Branch/Divisional/Circle Unions and Co-ordinating Committees to hold protest demonstrations in front of all Divisional offices and Circle offices on 3rd October 2016, protesting against the abnormal delay in granting enhanced bonus to GDs and also demanding immediate issuing orders for payment of enhanced bonus for the year 2014-15.



P. Panduranga Rao                                                                                                            R. N. Parashar
General Secretary                                                                                                       Secretary General
AIPEU GDS (NFPE)                                                                                                                      NFPE

 



Com. R. N. Parashar, Secretay General and Com. Giriraj Singh, President discussed the following issues also with DG (Posts), Member (P), DDG (Estt.) and JS & FA on 22nd and 23rd September 2016.
1.      GDS Bonus case
2.      Cadre Restructuring for left out categories
3.      Declaration of result of Membership verification
4.      GDS Membership verification
5.      Filling up of vacant post sin all cadres.
6.      Immediate holding of JCM Departmental Council meeting.


R. N. Parashar
Secretary General, NFPE

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

FREQUENTY ASKED QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS ABOUT CGHS
                                                         
1.
Who are entitled for CGHS facilities
1.
All Central Govt. employees and their dependant family members residing in CGHS covered areas.
2.
Central Govt Pensioners and their eligible family members getting pension from Central Civil Estimates
3.
Sitting and Ex-Members of Parliament
4.
Ex-Governors & Lt. Governors
5.
Freedom Fighters
6.
Ex-Vice Presidents
7.
Sitting and Ex-Judges of Supreme Court & High Courts
8.
Employees and pensioners of certain autonomous organizations in Delhi
9.
Journalists (in Delhi )Accredited with PIB
( for OPD & at RML Hospital)
10.
Delhi Police Personnel in Delhi only
11.
Railway Board employees


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

CENTRAL CIVIL SERVICES (LEAVE TRAVEL CONCESSION) RULES, 1988 — RELAXATION TO TRAVEL BY AIR TO VISIT NER, J&K AND A&N.(Click the link below to view)




ANOMALY COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL (JCM)

NOTE ON ALLOWANCES SUBMITTED TO ALLOWANCE COMMITTEE
 

REVISED NOTE ON ALLOWANCES SUBMITTED TO ALLOWANCE COMMITTEE

Monday, September 19, 2016

Aadhaar card now must for Government Schemes, Benefits
NEW DELHI: The use of Aadhaar card+ is set to become mandatory for all central and state government subsidies and benefits which require funding from the central exchequer with the Centre notifying the unique identity (UID) regulations.

While the law had empowered the Centre to mandate use of Aadhaar, the rules clearly stipulate that any agency, such as the oil ministry dealing with cooking gas+ or HRD's scholarship schemes, has to ensure all beneficiaries are enrolled under UID+ . For this, they have been asked to tie up with registrars or enrol individuals themselves.

"Ministries will have to notify schemes for which Aadhaar number is required. In case someone does not have Aadhaar, he will be asked to enrol for the same. If you are asking for Aadhaar and if enrollment facilities are not in a convenient location, the agency has to ensure that people are not left in the lurch," said Ajay Bhushan Pandey, CEO of the UID Authority of India (UIDAI).

Pandey also said the regulations strongly address privacy concerns over Aadhaar misuse+ by incorporating a three-year jail term for an offence. "The big brother concern has been dealt with. If a government or private entity uses Aadhaar number for some other purpose... if a company shares the data, it becomes a criminal offence," Pandey said.

The particular clause has been inserted to address concerns raised by civil society groups that mandating Aadhaar will exclude genuine beneficiaries, who do not possess a UID, from government schemes. The rules mean the onus will now be on agencies like oil companies or banks to make sure beneficiaries have Aadhaar numbers to access benefits ranging from subsidies and pensions.

Though the Supreme Court had earlier held Aadhaar could not be made mandatory for government schemes while extending "voluntary use" of UID numbers to MGNREGA, pensions, cooking gas, PDS, EPF and Jan Dhan accounts, the new law and its regulations will help the Centre expand the ambit of UID to virtually all government schemes.

The data security rules make it incumbent for UIDAI, registrars, enrolling agencies, companies and authentication service providers to observe a strict protocol. "The rules require every entity seeking to use Aadhaar to preserve information for a certain number of years and be subject to an audit," Pandey said, adding that an entity seeking Aadhaar will need consent to disclose the information each time it wants to share the data.

The regulations also provide more leeway for capturing biometric information. In cases where fingerprints are not easily registered, like in the case of elderly persons, iris scans will do. This has been added to existing flexibility for persons with disabilities or injuries.