MAY DAY GREETINGS

WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE UNITE
LONG LIVE MAY DAY
MAY DAY ZINDABAD

NEW PENSION SCHEME CHALLENGED

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New Pension Scheme for railway employees challenged
The new pension scheme introduced by the Union Government for railway employees has been challenged in the Madras Bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal. An employee of the southern railway and Dakshin Railway Employees Union (DREU) have challenged the scheme terming it unconstitutional and invalid. According to the new scheme, employees appointed on or after 01.01.2004 in the Railways would be governed by the new pension scheme which would be governed by 'Pension Fund Regulatory Development Authority' which would function under the overall control of Ministry of Finance. According to the new scheme, 10% of Pay and DA of an employee would be deducted and an equal amount would be contributed by the central government. The entire pension scheme is being authorized through various executive orders, which cannot be done to govern the retirement benefits of government employees which has to be in tune with Articles 41 to 43 of the Constitution, alleges the application. The notifications issued by the government constituting PFRDA dated 10.10.2003 and 14.11.2008 are unconstitutional, as they have not been issued by the President of India and authenticated as required under Article 77 of the Constitution and the ordnance sanctioning this also lapsed in 2005, which renders the entire process without authority of law alleges DREU in its application. The new pension scheme, which is mandatory to government employees curtails them from exercising any option said V. Daniel, a Helper in Southern Railway. According to the New Pension Scheme, any citizen of India can join the Scheme and they can choose their Fund Managers or opt for different schemes whereas no such option is available to government servants. The application also raised serious apprehension over the way in which their funds are being exposed to market risk and they cite the risk clause in the offer document of the NPS which says that "there are no guarantee on investments and investments involve risks such as trading volumes, settlement risk, liquidity risk, default risk, including possible loss of principal'. The application also cited the statement of PFRDA Chairman that pension fund managers regulated by PFRDA are not giving minimum guarantee on returns in their products. Besides seeking quashing of the notification and grant retiral benefits to all employees on par with those who joined prior to January 1994, the application sought an interim injunction against the notification and also to release family pension and gratuity to certain employees who died after the introduction of the new scheme. The matter came up before the Madras Bench of the CAT comprising Members K. Elango and R. Satapathy. Counsel R. Vaigai advanced arguments on behalf of the DREU and highlighted how the funds of the employees are being entrusted with private players and are subjected to undue risks. She also apprised the Bench that the government as an employer cannot transfer its funds to a private player and expect him to discharge government's obligation. After hearing the arguments on behalf of the applicant and of the central government, the Bench ordered interim relief directing the railway authorities to offer gratuity and family pension to all employees who joined after January 2004 within four weeks from the date of application and posted the matter for June 1.

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OBSERVE MAY DAY

The Ist May this year falls on Sunday. In our country, perhaps the only offices which are open on May Day are the Central Government offices. This explains amply the attitude of the Indian ruling class towards the working class especially the Central Government employees being on Sunday, it gives us an opportunity to all our members to be participant in the common programmes organized by the working class jointly in all places in the country. We appeal to our affiliates and State COC to issue necessary instructions to our members to take part in large numbers in those functions.

The historic May Day - the international workers day, observed throughout the world by the working class to commemorate the hay market massacre and to rededicate themselves to the emancipation of the working class from the yokes of exploitation- this year in our country comes in the wake of the emboldened attempt on the part of the UPA II Government which was unfortunately elected back to power and rules sans the support of the left parties unlike the UPA I to reintroduce the enactments to amend the existing labour laws in consonance with the neo-liberal economic policies. In so far as the Central Government employees are concerned, this May Day would be observed in the background of this Government's renewed attempt to re-introduce the PFRDA Bill to withdraw the defined benefit statutory pension system which had been in existence even during the colonial days. The fact that this Government had no qualms in soliciting the support of the BJP and the other NDA constituents to get the necessary support for the re-introduction of the Bill in the floor of the Parliament in the last session in the wake of the objection raised by Com. Basudeb Acharya, the leader of the CPI (M) in the Lok Sabha speaks volume of its commitment to the neo-liberal economic policies, its anti worker attitude; the absence of any ideological or otherwise differences with the BJP and its overwhelming desire to support the big corporate houses in maximizing their profit at the expense and cost of common man. The one and only reason as to why they would like to have the PFRDA Bill in the statute book is to make available the hard earned income of workers for corporate investment and manipulation through the Stock Exchanges. The very fact that the extant executive instructions, which have not been issued in the name of the President is unconstitutional, illegal and immortal has not deterred it in imposing the contributory pension system on employees who are recruited after 2004. Most of the State Governments in the country, barring that are ruled by the Left Front Governments, Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura have chosen to abide by this illegal diktat of the Central Government. The Government has refused to make any guarantee in the proposed bill, which now stands introduced in the Lok Sabha to the workers for the loss of investment of the pension fund if in future the Corporate house which draw on the pension fund a becomes bankrupt, a provision available even in the Mecca of the Capitalist system, i.e the United States of America.

We, therefore appeal that while our members must be taking part in the common programmes organized jointly by the working class in each place on Ist May, 2011, the affiliates and COCs are requested to issue necessary instructions to all their branches and Units to organize meetings to observe MAY DAY on 2nd May, 2011 (Monday) in front of all offices so as to ensure that every member of the Branch does participate in the congregation.

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Posed By: Abdul Rahiman TP, Secretary, PIII.

BAN ENDOSULFAN

SOLIDARITY WITH ENDOSULFAN VICTIMS

PARTICIPATE IN THE STATE WIDE CAMPAIGN AND PROTEST MEETINGS ON 25TH APRIL-2011 AGAINST THE HYPOCRISY OF INDIA GOVT.

Posted by: Abdul Rahiman TP, Secretary, PIII.

REVISION OF STITCHING CHARGES

F.No. 141 1/2010-JCA2

Government of India

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(Department of Personnel 86 Training)

North Block, New Delhi

Dated the 18" April, 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Revision of Stitching Charges.

The undersigned is directed to say that based on a demand raised by the Staff Side, in National Council (JCM), the question of revising the Stitching Charges of Uniforms, supplied to Common Categories of employees (Multi-Tasking Staff - erstwhile Group 'D' posts of Peon, Daftry, Jamadar, Junior Gestetner Operator, Frash, Chowkidar, Safaiwala, Mali etc. and Staff Car Drivers, Dispatch Riders etc.) in the Central Secretariat and its Attached and Subordinate Offices, has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. Consequently, it has been decided to enhance the rates of stitching charges, with effect from 1^st April, 2011 thereby modifying the earlier instructions issued vide this Ministry's O.M. No. 14/3/2006-JCA dated 28" September, 2006.

2. The revised rates of stitching charges, with effect from lst April, 2011, will be as under:-

Winter

(1) Buttoned-up-coat and pant -Rs. 750

(2) Over Coat for Staff Car Drivers - Rs. 600

(3) Ladies half-coat -Rs. 600

Summer

(4) Pant (Terricot) - Rs.135

(5) Bush Shirt (Polyvastra) -Rs. 60

(6) Blouse -Rs. 45

(7) Petticoat -Rs. 30

(8) Salwar Kameez - Rs. 90

Protective clothing [for Malis/ Bhistiesl

(9) Pyjama -Rs. 24

(10) Short (Half-Pant) -Rs .60

(11) Shirt (Cotton) -Rs. 45

3. It may please be noted that the reimbursement of Stitching Charges at the-prescribed rates should be done only after the stitched uniforms are produced and are duly stamped, with indelible ink, at an appropriate place on the wrong side of the stitched dress, for identification. A proper record and procedure should be evolved to ensure that the employees produce the stitched uniforms within a reasonable period (say one month) after the cloth is supplied to them.

4. This issues with the concurrence of Department of Expenditure vide ID No. 5(1)/E.I1 (A)/2009 dated 08.04.201 1.

Hindi version will follow.

Sd/-

(Dinesh Kapila)

Director (JCA)

Posted By: Abdul Rahiman TP, Secretary, PIII.

Vishu Asamsakal

VISHU ASAMSAGAL

Posted By: Abdul Rahiman TP, Secretary, PIII.

COMPUTERISATION OF BRANCH POST OFFICES

COMPUTERISATION OF BRANCH POST OFFICES

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE:

The IT Modernization Project of India Post has been designed to be implemented in eight contracts, Contract-I relates to Branch Post Offices.

CONTRACT-I RURAL ICT HARDWARE FOR BRANCH POST OFFICES:

The Vendor will supply and install Rural ICT Hardware devices and provide for network connectivity – to approximately 1.30 lakh GDS Branch Post Offices which will enable Branch Post Offices to perform all transactions electronically.

RURAL ICT AND GDS EMPLOYEES:

Rural ICT Solutions aims to significantly improve the day to day operations performed at Branch Post Offices in the following ways.

1. All the Postal, Savings Bank and RPLI functions would be performed through the devices; thus manual record keeping would be reduced.

2. The BO Daily Accounts and B.O. Summary would be automatically generated and electronically sent to the Accounts Office and Central Server.

3. Specimen Signature Book would be replaced by an advanced biometric method of authentication.

4. All new PLI applications forms will be processed through the devices thus resulting in faster issue of Polices.

5. Improved disbursement of money orders at the Branch Post Offices as a result of enhanced cash management systems.

6. Utility bills like telephone, electricity, water etc can be accepted online through the device in the future and electronic receipts can be given to the consumers.

7. MGNRES payments shall be done using the Rural ICT devices allowing the GDS Post Office to validate the identity of an individual through biometric data, thus reducing verification time and avoiding unauthorized users.

Posted By: Abdul Rahiman T.P, Secretary PIII.

Payment of Dearness Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) at revised rates with effect from 01-01-2011.

Govt. Orders on Payment of D.A to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) at revised rates with effect from 01-01-2011.

NO. 14-01/2011-PAP

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & IT

DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

(ESTABLISHMENT DIVISION)

DAK BHAVAN, SANSAD MARGNEW DELHI,

THE 5^th April,2011

To

All Chief Postmasters General,

All Postmaster General,

All Directors/Dy. Director of Accounts (Postal).

Subject: Payment of Dearness Allowance to Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) at revised rates with effect from 01-01-2011.

Sir/Madam,

Consequent upon grant of another installment of dearness allowance with effect from 01-01-2010 to Central Government Employees, vide Government of India, Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure O.M. No.1(2)/2011-EII(B), dated the 24^th March,2011, the Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS), have also become entitled to the payment of dearness allowance on basic TRCA at the revised rate with effect from 01-01-2011. It has, therefore, been decided that the dearness allowance payable to the Gramin Dak Sevaks shall be enhanced from the existing rate of 45% to 51%, on the basic Time Related Continuity Allowance, with effect from 1^ST January, 2011.

2. The additional installment of dearness allowance payable under this order, shall be paid in cash to all Gramin Dak Sevaks. The payment of arrears of dearness allowance for the month of January and February, 2011, shall not be made before the date of disbursement of TRCA of March, 2011.

3. The expenditure on this account will be debitable to the Sub Head 'Salaries' under the relevant head and should be met from the sanctioned grant.

4. This issues with the concurrence of Integrated Finance Wing vide their Diary No. 01/FA/11/CS, dated 05.04.2011

Yours faithfully

Sd/-

(RAJ KUMAR)

DIRECTOR(ESTT)

TELE:23096036/23036793

FAX:011-23096007/23096036

Posted By: Abdul Rahiman TP, Secretary, PIII.