Delay in Announcement of DA Hike from January 2015

Delay in Announcement of DA Hike from January 2015

Since the implementation of the recommendations of the 4th central pay commission in 1986, the announcement of approval and the order for granting Dearness Allowance to government employees were issued in March and September itself until it was violated once under UPA regime. In 2013, the approval for granting DA hike due from January 2013 was delayed inordinately. All the central government employees had waited patiently up to 31st March 2013. Even 1st and 2nd week of April 2013, there was no signs announcing the DA hike by the Central government. Then, the federations like AIRF and Confederation of central government employees and workers have raised objection over the inordinate delay of announcing DA. And they wrote letters to the Central Government to declare the Dearness Allowance immediately to avoid the confrontation.

While briefing the situation, the Confederation of central government employees and workers has mentioned in the editorial of their blog on 17th April 2013 that ‘This naturally is quiet disturbing, especially in the time of galloping price line. The employees have, in the past, fought bitterly for grant of DA and the 3rd CPC gave a definite formula for DA in the aftermath of the one day strike on 19th September 1968. We cannot allow the hard won DA to be tampered with.’

The next day, ie on 18th April 2013 the union cabinet approved the DA hike which is due from January 2013.

This time the NDA Government started repeating the same story in its first year itself. As we mentioned earlier the DA hike from July 2014 has been announced un expectedly on 4th September 2014. So there was huge expectation this time that the present government would not make any delay in announcing the Payment dearness allowance from January 2015. But it seems that the government finds no time to take any decision over the issue of 50 Lakh Central government employees and Pensioners. Whether the central government expects the federations to plead for announcing DA hike? Or it really has no time to decide on this issue?

However, yesterday the Ministry of Finance issued a clarification dated 1st March 2015, in which it has been clarified that a fake order for payment of Dearness Allowance was being circulated in Government Departments/offices and all Ministries/Departments and Central Government offices were advised not to take cognisance of these fake instructions being circulated in Government offices.

To avoid confusion and frustration among central government employees, it is expected that the central government should announce its approval for Payment of Dearness Allowance from January 2015 immediately.

Source: www.gservants.com

Second Round of Tripartite Consultations on EPF & MP Act Amendments Held

Second Round of Tripartite Consultations on EPF & MP Act Amendments Held

Bandaru Dattatreya Chairs Tripartite Consultations

The Second Round of Tripartite Consultations on Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act,1952 (EPF &MP Act) Amendments was held here yesterday. Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State, Labour & Employment (I/C) chaired the second round of tripartite consultations on EPF & MP Act Amendments. The consultations gain greater importance in view of the new amendments proposed in the backdrop of the Union budget proposals impacting the functioning of EPFO.

Inaugurating the consultations, Shri Dattatreya briefly dwelt upon the major changes being mulled in the proposals. They include bringing down the minimum no. of employees required for coverage under the Act from the existing 20 to 10, doing away with the Schedule Head for coverage and bringing in a negative list instead, special provisions for encouraging the functioning of small-scale units, provisions for setting up of multiple Appellate Authorities under the Act, removing ambiguities in the implementation of the Act, ensuring greater clarity in the definitions under the Act, especially with regard to wages which qualify for deduction for the purposes of the Act, introducing greater transparency and accountability in the enforcement of the Act by having an objective inspection scheme, introducing a scheme for unorganized workers and providing a choice to the worker by giving an option to join NPS / EPFO, which is in tune with the proposals mentioned in the Union Budget.

Taking part in the discussions, the representatives of the employers’ associations and federations generally welcomed the various proposals contained in the amendments under consideration. They generally voiced the opinion that the introduction of NPS would mean greater choice for the worker. However, there were also views that NPS cannot match the benefits offered by EPFO and therefore, are not comparable. It was also felt that the amendments would help in sharpening the competitiveness of Indian Industry and would enable India to become a manufacturing hub. However, there was a need to further encourage the concessions granted to the small-scale industries. Increase of coverage also received wide acceptance, both from employers’ and employees’ side.

Opposing certain amendments proposed, representatives of the Trade Unions expressed reservations especially to the move to introduce NPS as a substitute to EPFO. They also expressed reservations regarding the inspection scheme which they argued brought about centralization in the decision making process which is contrary to the prevailing wisdom which favours decentralization.

Summing up the discussions, Shri Shankar Aggarwal, Secretary, MOL&E assured that the concerns of all stakeholders will be addressed when giving final touches to the legislative amendments. Further, the objective behind bringing in the changes is to further strengthen the delivery of social security benefits.

In his concluding remarks, Shri Dattatreya stressed upon the need to focus on the unorganized sector of the workforce which constitutes 93% of the total workforce. He said that the need of the hour is to include more segments of the workforce like Anganwadi works into the ambit of social security legislations. He also informed that the Ministry is contemplating issue of smart cards to the labour workforce so that social security benefits reach each intended beneficiary. He also assured that the Act would be amended taking into account the sensitivities of all concerned.

Shri Sharad Patil, EFI (Employers Federation of India), Shri S.S. Patil, AIMA (All India Manufacturers Association), Shri Bhardwaj, Laghu Udhyog Bharati, Shri Sushant Singh, CII (Confederation of Indian Industries), Shri A.K. Padmanabhan, CITU, Shri A.D. Nagpal, HMS, Shri B.L Sachdeva, AITUC, Shri Ashok Singh, INTUC were some of the notable representatives of employers’ associations and employees’ associations (trade unions) who took part in the deliberations in addition to the representatives of various state governments.

Source: PIB News

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2015 – Fake Order/ Instructions – Clarification issued by Finance Ministry

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2015 – Fake Order/ Instructions – Clarification issued by Finance Ministry

No.1/2/2014-E.II(B)

Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi.

Dated the 1st April 2015.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject:- Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government Employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2015 – Fake Order/Instructions – Clarification regarding.

It has come to the notice of the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance that Office Memorandum bearing F. No. 1/2/2015-E.II(B) dated 30th March, 2015 under the signature of Shri A. Bhattacharya, Under Secretary, Department of Expenditure, regarding Payment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees – Revised Rates effective from 01.01.2015, is being circulated amongst Government Departments/Offices.

2. It is clarified that the O.M. dated 30.03.2015, purportedly issued by the Ministry of Finance, is a fake and that no such instructions have been issued by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. Accordingly, all Ministries/Departments and Central Government offices are hereby advised not to take cognisance of these fake instructions being circulated in Government offices.

sd/-

(Subhash Chand)

Director

Click to view the order – Finmin order fake DA order april 2015

Source: www.finmin.gov.in

Oral Evidence before 7th Pay Commission by BPMS – Proposed Pay Scale for LDC & UDC

Oral Evidence before 7th Pay Commission by BPMS – Proposed Pay Scale for All Groups including LDC & UDC

Oral Evidence before 07th CPC by BPMS on 31.03.2015

Bharatiya Pratiraksha Mazdoor Sangh

(An All India Federation of Defence Workers)

(An Industrial Unit of B.M.S.)

No: BPMS / 7CPC / 226 A (8/3/L)

Dated: 31.03.2015

To
The Secretary,
7th Central Pay Commission,
Chatrapati Shivaji Bhawan,
1st Floor, B-14/1, Qutab Institutional Area,
New Delhi – 110016

Subject: Submission of oral evidence before 7th CPC by BPMS.
Reference: Your Letter No. 7CPC/158/Meetings/2015, Dated: 19.03.2015

Dear Madam,
This federation is very much grateful to your goodself along with the respected Chairman & other members of the 07th CPC for providing an opportunity to invite your attention towards some of the vital issues which have already been submitted before the 7th CPC through the memorandum submitted on 30.07.2014.

We are hopeful that this 7th CPC will consider the views/proposals of this federation ‘BPMS’ in correct perspective and will recommend better service conditions, pay, allowances etc. to almost 4.0 lakh civilians working with the uniform personnel in Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production and Defence Research & Development Organization under the Ministry of Defence.

Thanking You,

Yours Truly,

(M. P. SINGH)

General Secretary

Click to view Proposed Pay Scale by BPMS

Source : BPMS

Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2015 – Birthday of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar – Railway Board Orders

Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2015 – Birthday of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar – Railway Board Orders

G.I., Min. of Railways, O.M.No.2012/E(LR)III/HLI/I, dated 25.3.2015

Subject: Declaration of Holiday on 14th April, 2015 – Birthday of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar.

In the above matter, Department of Personnel and Training vide OM No.12/6/2015/JCA-2 dated 19th March, 2015 has advised as under :-

“It has been decided to declare Tuesday, the 14th April 2015, as a Closed Holiday on account of birthday of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar, for all Central Government Offices including Industrial Establishments throughout India.

2. The above holiday is also being notified in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881).

3. All Ministries/Departments of Government of India may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned.”

The above may be noted for information and necessary action.

Click here to download original order

Source: Indian Railways

Cabinet may approve 6% DA on Thursday

Cabinet may approve 6% DA on Thursday

The Union Cabinet approval for the 6% rise in the Dearness Allowance for the Central Government employees is expected to be announced on coming Thursday.

It is a well-known fact that every six months, the Central Government increases the Dearness allowance for its employees during the months of January and July. The increased amount is calculated on the price index (CPI IW BY 2001=100) of essential commodities. Rise in the Dearness allowance is being calculated on the basis of the changes in the prices of the essential commodities during the periods between January and June and the period between July and December.

But, it takes around three months since the release of the price index for the months of June and December to arrive at the calculation for the increase in the Dearness allowance. With the result that the increase due from the month of July is being given only from the month of October and the amount due from January is being given only from the month of April.

And, because of this situation, the amount due for the left-behind period of two months is to be settled as arrears. Practical problems arise in the calculation of the arrears amount and also problem arises in clarifying the doubts of the beneficiaries. Pensioners especially, are more tensed up over this procedure.

To avoid this situation, the price index during the periods from November to April and from May to October can be taken into account and the increase in the Dearness allowance calculated based on the information relevant to these periods. The amount can be disbursed from the months of January and July as per this calculation so that there’s no due as arrears.

We imaginatively tested this method to find out the result. It was found out that there was no tangible change in the increase amount if calculated on the basis of the price index obtained during the months of April and October.

Click to continue…

Expected DA From July 2015 – AICPIN for the month of Feb 2015

Expected DA From July 2015 – AICPIN for the month of Feb 2015

The Labour Bureau just now released the index of CPI(IW) for Industrial Workers for the month of February 2015.

According to the press release, the index is decreased by one point and pegged at 253.

No.5/1/2015- CPI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT

LABOUR BUREAU

`CLEREMONT, SHIMLA-171004

DATED: the 31st March, 2015

Press Release

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) – February, 2015

The All-India CPI-IW for February, 2015 decreased by 1 point and pegged at 253 (two hundred and fifty three). On 1-month percentage change, it decreased by (-) 0.39 per cent between January, 2015 and February, 2015 when compared with the increase of (+) 0.42 per cent between the same two months a year ago.

The maximum downward pressure to the change in current index came from Food group contributing (-) 0.66 percentage points to the total change. At item level, Rice, Eggs (Hen), Fish Fresh, Onion, Vegetable items, Sugar, Petrol, Flower/Flower Garlands, etc. are responsible for the decrease in index. However, this decrease was neutralised by Wheat, Wheat Atta, Arhar Dal, Groundnut Oil, Goat Meat, Tea (Readymade), etc., putting upward pressure on the index.

The year-on-year inflation measured by monthly CPI-IW stood at 6.30 per cent for February, 2015 as compared to 7.17 per cent for the previous month and 6.73 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year. Similarly, the Food inflation stood at 7.42 per cent against 7.81 per cent of the previous month and 7.56 per cent during the corresponding month of the previous year.

At centre level, Tiruchirapally recorded the highest decline of 7 points followed by Guntur (4 points), Mysore, Chhindwara Siliguri and Puducherry (3 Points each) Among others, 2 points decrease was observed in 15 centres and 1 point in 18 centres. On the contrary, Belgaum and Kodarma centres reported a highest increase of 3 points each followed by Kanpur, Bokaro and Doom-Dooma Tinsukia (2 points each). Among others 1 point increase was observed in 13 centres. Rest of the 21 centres’ indices remained stationary.

The indices of 37 centres are above All India Index and other 40 centres’ indices are below national average. The index of Vishakhapathnam centre remained at par with all-India index.

The next index of CPI-IW for the month of March, 2015 will be released on Thursday, 30th April, 2015. The same will also be available on the office website www.labourbureau.gov.in.

sd/-

(S.S.NEGI)

DIRECTOR

Please click to download the Press Release issued by Labour Bureau

AICPIN for Feb 2015 – Labour Bureau Published

AICPIN for Feb 2015 – Labour Bureau Published 

One of the important nodal department of Central Government, the Labour Bureau released the statistics of consumer price index for the month of February 2015.

This index particularly used for the calculation of Dearness Allowance in respect of Central Government employees and Pensioners.

The Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) is an important statistical/economic indicator. It was first introduced on scientific lines with base 1960=100 which was based on the results of Family Living Survey conducted in 1958-59 at 50 industrially important centres.

The series was then, updated on base 1982=100 and a revision in 1999-2000 has further updated the base on 2001=100. The current series of CPI-IW with base year 2001=100 covers 78 industrially important centers spread across the country.

Source : CGStaffnews