NATIONAL CO-ORINDATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS.

13/c Feroe Shah Road, New Delhi.

18.07.2018.

Dear Comrade,

The first meeting of the National Anomaly Committee was held today under the Chairmanship of Shri Chandramouli, Secretary, Personnel, Govt. of India, Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances.  As a member of the Standing Committee of the NC JCM Staff Side  the undersigned had participated in the deliberations.  The Staff Side had critically examined the items before the same was processed for inclusion.  There had been correspondence between the Staff Side and the Official side as to the admissibility of items in the meeting.  It was clear that the driving force behind the Government’s decision had more often been their willingness or otherwise to agree to the demand on merit of the case.  Therefore, while they admitted almost all items concerning the difficulties that  arose out of the decision of ignoring the 3% criterion for increment, (as in many cases it had resulted in less than 3%),  as a matter of gratis, the very item which questioned the wisdom of rounding of to the nearest rather than the next was considered not as an anomaly.  Initially the Department of Personnel took the untenable stand that items pertaining to Pension cannot be included as an agenda in the Anomaly committee, for  according to them pension was  beyond its purview. Accordingly, the two items, i.e. Minimum pension and Option No. 1.  the Staff Side had introduced on our request, was not considered at all.  This was the stand taken by the Joint Secretary (Estt) during his interaction with the Staff Side.  In the preliminary meeting that was held months back, the Official side had agreed to re-examine their stand on the force of the arguments placed by the Staff Side.  That was how the official minutes of the meeting had indicated against many of the items. It was therefore, surprising that the Official Side  intimated the Staff Side  only in the late hours of 16^th July, 2017, that they would be  taking up six items for discussion at the meeting convened for 17^th.   The Staff Side did discuss the said issue and the way in which the meetings are convened and agenda papers were circulated. At the insistence of the Staff Side, the Official side had to agree  to part with the reasoning they have for non-inclusion of the rest of the items (Other than 6) for discussion.  It is however, certain that there is hardly any possibility of the Official side conceding any of the issue, irrespective of the fact that very many of them are clear cut anomaly and requires to be addressed.  It could be seen that the type of anomalies that had arisen after the 6^th and 7^th CPC were the product of the top bureaucrats in the respective Pay Commissions to garner benefits only for them at the cost of the lower level functionaries.   Most of the other difficulties were due to the lack of sufficient time at the disposal of the Commission and the Government’s intervention at the last minute over the computation of Minimum wage. 

                Reverting to the two items concerning the pensioners, viz. the  computation of Minimum Pension by the 7^th CPC  and the rejection of Option No. 1.   from the reports we receive at the CHQ it is clear that more and more Number of Pensioners have started realising the complexity of the Pension welfare department over the Government’s decision. .  In the case of Minimum pension, we have not gone into the right or wrong of the computation of the Minimum wage though it will have a cascading impact on the very question of the Minimum pension. Unless the Minimum wage is altered on the force of the trade union action by the working employees, the possibility of the cascading impact would not arise.  What we are however, pointing out is the arbitrary manner in which the minimum pension is reduced to 50% of the Minimum wage. While the principle that nobody can exist without a minimum wage including the  pensioner, rather more so by the pensioner, has the incontrovertible position, at the Anomaly Committee our point  is that it must be not less than 60% of the minimum wage as the worker’s  family consisting of three units, whereas pensioner family has 1.8 units.  In the case of Option No. 1., there had been confusion galore at the initial stages.  It is now clear that somebody at the top wanted the parity question to be settled in the manner the 5^th CPC had recommended and that would have only been possible if the Option  No. 1 is rejected.  It has been interpreted in such a manner that the computation would become difficult without certain records, which are unavailable. Though both the arguments were demolished, the Committee submitted its report to the Government with the conclusion that the implementation of the said recommendation was not feasible.  The argument that the Service Records of an individual pensioner was not need to act upon the option No.1 was totally glossed over.  However, they had to admit that in 86% of the cases, the requisite records were available.  Even then the Committee suggested for its non-acceptance.  The most reasonable position taken by the Staff Side to have three options was also rejected.  There is no history, where the Government has accepted any suggestion made by the pensioners, their organisations, the JCM Staff side in the past in respect of Pension and Pension fixation.  They were dragged to the Court not once but on many occasions.  The classic example was on the question of the “modified parity”  The  Courts struck down the argument of the  Govt. There had been no grace on the part of the Government to accept the verdict.  They dragged the Pensioners upto  the level of the Supreme Court.  Even after the Supreme Court verdict, they had the cheek to suggest that the benefit should be imparted only for the litigants.  We do not, therefore, pin any hope over the deliberations that might take place in all these fora.  It is our experience that the JCM forum was used by the Govt. as vehicles for dilly dallying.  But we are to take part in these exercises for the sheer requirement of exposing the attitude of the Government and the top bureaucrats, which controls it.   Placed hereunder is the record of discussion, drawn up by the Staff Side of the JCM National Council after  the meeting.  We have no idea when the next meeting would be convened or convened at all. 

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

K.K.N. Kutty.

Secretary General.

Copy of the letter of the Staff Side Secretary, National Council, JCM, Staff Side, to all the members of the National Council JCM. Dated 17.07.2018.

Comrades,

The meeting of the 7 CPC National Anomaly Committee was held today (17/7/2018). Shri Chandramouli, Secretary (P), DOPT presided over this meeting. The Department of personnel had identified the following six items only for discussion: 

1. Item No. 3- Removal of condition of 3% stipulated to grant bunching benefit 
2. Item No. 4- Fixation of pay on promotion 
3. Item No. 5- Removal of Anomaly in Pay Matrix 
4. Item No 8- Lesser Pay in higher level of Pay Matrix 
5. Item No. 9 - Bunching of steps in the revised pay structure 
6. Item No. 14 – Grant of GP 5400 to Sr Section Officer of Railways and AAOs of IA&AD and Organised Accounts (Civil Accounts, Postal Accounts and Defence Accounts) 

The above items were subjected to discussions and the following decisions were taken. 

Item No 3 – The Govt. will consider as to how the matter could be resolved after assessing financial implications 

Item No 4 – The suggestion of the Staff Side to fix the pay on promotion at the next higher stage after granting one increment was not accepted. After discussion it was agreed that Govt would address the issue on case by case basis. Those who are covered by the anomaly described under this item have been advised to make representation to Fin. Ministry directly. The staff side however insisted that the entire anomaly would he resolved if two increments are granted while on promotion/MACP. 

Item No. 5 & 8 – it was agreed by the official side that this is an aberration ·and shall be addressed. 

Item No 9- Rejected by official side 

Item No 14 – The matter is under consideration of the Govt.

Alter completing discussions on the above items, the Staff Side insisted that the following remaining items may also be taken up for discussion.

Item No.l  Anomaly in computation of Minimum Wage

Item No.2. 3 % Increment at all stages

Item No.6 Anomaly due to index rationalization

Item No.7 Anomaly arising from the decision to reject option No. 1 in pension fixation

Item No. 10 Minimum Pension

Item No.11 Date of Effect of Allowances -HRA. Transport Allowance, CEA etc.

Item No.18 Anomaly in the grant of D.A. instalment w.e.f. 1.l.2016

After discussion on the above items. the official side informed that the DOPT had already examined those issues and have come to the conclusion that those items will not come under the ambit of the definition of Anomaly. The Staff Side contested this. It was decided that the DOPT will convey the reasoning to the staff side and hold meeting with the Staff Side to sort out the differences.

The following items has been referred to Departmental Anomaly Committee of the respective Department/Ministries.

Item No.15. Technical Supervisors of Railways

Item No.16 Anomaly in the assignment of replacement of Levels of pay in the Ministry of Defence. Railways, Mines etc in the case of Store Keepers

Item No. 17 Anomaly in the assignment of pay Levels in the case of Research Assistants in Ministry of AYUSH. Homoeopathic Department.

The staff side then raised the following other issues.

1. Central Govt employees may be granted one more option to switch over to 7 CPC from a date subsequent to 25th of July 2016 - the official side informed that the matter is under consideration and a decision would be taken shortly.

2. The issue of pay fixation of ex-servicemen in the last pay drawn by them before retirement from armed forces is remaining unsettled - the official side informed that the matter has been referred to Min. of Defence by DOPT for their comments. Decision would be taken after receipt of comments from MOD.

3. The Staff side raised the issue of not convening meetings of the National Council. JCM and Standing Committee.

4. The staff Side also informed of the decision taken by the NJCA in its meeting held on 3-7-2018 of the revival of the deferred indefinite strike by the Central Govt Employees if no settlement is brought about on major demands like upward revision of minimum pay. fitment factor and NPS before 7-8-2018.

With Greetings

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

Secretary

INCOMETAX PENSIONERS FEDERATION.

ManishinathBhawan,

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden.

New Delhi. 110 027.

Website: itpfchq.blogspot.com

Email: itpfchq@gmail.com

Dear Comrade,

The National Sectt. meeting of the ITPF was held at Hyderbad as per the decision taken at Kolkata on 16^th April,2018. Contrary to the expectation, the attendance at the meeting was not at all encouraging. The arrangements made by the host unit, AP and Telengana Incometax Pensioners association was excellent.  The comfort of the delegates had been supreme in the mind and that was visible in every aspect of the arrangement.  Every State had bee given a vehicle so as to have  free mobility. The transport committee had made arrangements to pick up the delegates from the Railway Station/Airport and drop them comfortably.  Prior to the commencement of the  meeting,  the host unit had arranged a general meeting of the members of the AP and Telengana I.T. Pensioners association, which was well attended.

The sectt. meeting was held at the IT. Auditorium located at the I.T. tower.  The meeting commenced at 3.00PM under the chairmanship of Com.Umeh  Mehta.  Brief of the discussions  and decisions taken on each of the agenda item is given hereunder:-

1.       Registration:

Com.S.K.Sharma detailed  the crux of the interaction he had with the registration authorities.  He informed the house the Govt. has devised a new format for the application of the societies which has federal set up and all India character.   He will place the new format at the website.  It was also decided for the sake of convenience and easy communication, a whatsup group will be formulated which will consist only the members of the Sectt. No other postings other than the  matters related to ITPF will be placed in the said whatsup.   Com.S.K.Sharma will create group and administer the same. It was felt that such a group in the whatsup will facilitate the communication  amongst the members of the National Sectt.

2.       MACP scheme

 The latest  Supreme Court decision indicating that  the scheme  must be applied from 1.1.2006 was discussed at length.  The following decisions were taken

(a)    The number of beneficiaries of the supreme court decision, if it is universally applied.

(b)   Whether they will be prepared to contribute financially towards the cost of litigation 

(c)    A detailed circular will be issued by the ITPF CHQ to enable the members to understand the implication of the supreme court decision.

(d)   Both ITEF and NCCPA will be contacted for exploring the ways and means of filing a common petition before the Principal Bench of the CAT. 

3.       Organisational.

The conclusion after deliberation was that there had been not much progress after the last NE meeting at Kolkata. For making the State Unit vibrant and to improve the

Inter communication between the State/CHQ Sectt and the members, the following decisions were taken:

(a)    The State Unit/regional/branches will meet once in a month on a pre determined date to enable the members to assemble and interact. This is already happening in many  States  The experience in this regard of the Bengal, Baroda,  AP and Chennai Units is very good.

(b)   Many members expressed that the decision taken at the last meeting at Kolkata which makes it mandatory to meet in the National Sectt/National Executive once in three months would be a financial burden and must be reviewed.  After some discussions, it was agreed that the duration could be once in six months alternatively for the meeting of the Sectt. and National Executive.

(c)    The  State Units whenever they meet will inform the National Sectt. So, that, occasionally such meeting could be attended either by the Secretary General or the President. 

(d)   The next meeting of the National Executive will be at Chennai. The Tamilnadu Unit will finalise a date in the month of October/November as per their convenience taking into account the pooja holidays and diwali festival. If they  finalise the date it will help the outstation comrades to book their journey tickets comparatively cheap and plan their participation accordingly.

(e)   Com.S.K.Sharma will be in full responsibility for getting registration formalities completed by then.

(f)     The meeting noted that the next conference of the ITPF has already become due  and the same should be convened in the first quarter of 2019. The next meeting of the NE must decide upon the venue.   A financial committee under the Chairmanship of Com. Shantikumar, Vice President is decided to be set up. He will co-opt  other members in the committee.  It was also decided to bring out a souvenir  to commemorate the occasion of the next conference. 

4.       Finance:

In the absence of Com.C.M.Badola, who could not attend he meeting due to some pressing domestic difficulties the statement of accounts had not been submitted. The Secretary General informed the house that there is small balance in the account, even though no cash has been withdrawn for expenses.  Without some accumulation of funds, the activities to expand the base of the organisation would not be possible. It was, therefore,  decided that the units which are hosting the organisational meet, might try to save some funds and remit the same to the CHQ  to enable the accumulation of funds.  The Secretary General and the President  must visit and seek the help of the office bearers of ITEF in organising pensioners in Bihar, North West Region, Pune , so that  presence of the representatives of these units could be ensured at the next NE meeting.

5.       Journal subscription. 

Com.Secretary General narrated the difficulties faced by the NCCPA in bringing out the bulletin.   Unless the subscriber base is widened, the financial problems would not be possible to be sorted out.  The Kolkata meeting had decided that Com. Burman will be the intermediary between the ITPF Unit and the NCCPA in so  far as the journal subscription is concerned.  He has been requested to put out the bank account of Bengal Unit so that the members/state unit can directly remit the requisite amount of subscription to them  and they will in turn remit the same to NCCPA and keep track of the delivery of the journal to the subscribers, the intimation of its expiry  and other details.

6.       Accommodation: 

All State Units will make formal request to the respective Administrative heads to provide accommodation to the Pensioner Associations.  In case they encounter any difficulty in the matter, they might inform the CHQ . Com.Secretary General  was asked to take up the matter of allotting guest house facility to the pensioners  with the Chairman, CBDT.

7.       Problems discussed.

(a)    Conducting pension adalats.  The State Units will write to the Principal CCITs to conduct the adalats as per the directive of the DOPT.

(b)   Most of the Units are yet to provide the date in respect of the beneficiaries of Option NO.1.   This is required to take up the matter with the NCCPA.

(c)    Revision of Pension.   As per the SMS replies received by the CHQ.  It is found that the revision  has taken place in almost all places   but payment has not been effected due to the delay on the part of the Banks.  The problem is persisting  mostly in connection with the  State Bank of India.  The Secretary General will write to the SBI Pension Unit in this regard,if data is provided by the State Units.

(d)   The State Units may  make it a practice to open the Pension  room and ensure presence of office bearers on the last day of the month  so that they may be able to participate in the farewell function of the comrades, who retire on that day and approach them to be the members of the Association. They can help out the retirining personnel to ensure that all dues are paid to them by the Administration. 

(e)   In order to cement the fraternity amongst the pensioners, State/Region/Branch etc. kindly explore the possibility of conducting tour programmes for short durations.

(f)     On 15^th July , all State Units might convene a meeting of the Pensioner members to help them out to file the return of income .

(g)    It was decided that the CHQ should take up the matter concerning the exemption of pension from the purview of Income tax with the Government  and prepare a note as  to how  the present taxation policy in the matter is untenable.

(h)   CGHS  issues.  Many members who took part in the discussions  pointed out various difficulties faced by the pensioners in getting health care facilities from the CGHS. It was decided that the following State Units will prepare a note concerning the deficiencies , problems and difficulties faced by their members from the CGHS so that the CHQ can consolidate the same and prepare a comprehensive note for discussion with the Health Secretary.   The State units are requested to send the note by 31.7.2018.

1.       Chennai.

2.       Hyderabad

3.       Bangalore        

4.       Trivandrum

5.       MumbAI

6.       Ahamedabad,/Baroda

7.       Jaipur,

8.       Kanpur/Meerut/Lucknow

9.       Bhopal

10.   Kolkata

11.   Guwahati.

The meeting was concluded at 6.30PM Both the CHQ and the State Units who were present at the meeting profusely thanked the host unit for the excellent arrangements done by them  for conducting  a memorable meeting.  Com. President, in his concluding  remarks reiterated the necessity of making the CHQ financially viable to play its rightful role in the expansion of the organisation.

                With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

INCOMETAX PENSIONERS FEDERATION.
ManishinathBhawan,
A/2/95 Rajouri Garden.
New Delhi. 110 027.

Dated: 8.04.2018.

Dear Comrade,

 Placed here under is the circular letter received from our Host Unit, at Hyderabad.   Kindly go tyhtough the same. Please intimate your trav elplan to the host ubnit so that to enable them to make necessary arrangements.   with greetings, yoursfraternally, KKN Kutty. 

Dear Comrade,

I am happy to inform that arrangements for conducting of NEC Meeting of ITPF at Hyderabad on Monday, 16th April, 2018 have been made. 

Accommodation has been made for stay of the participants at SHREE VENKATESHWARA HOTEL , BESIDE HDFC BANK (NEAR DWARAKA HOTEL), 6-1-74, LAKDIKAPUL, HYDERABAD-500 004.(PHONE;  040-23214403 TO 9 AND MOBILE NO. 7660005900). The stay has been booked from 15th Evening to 17th Evening. There will be complimentary break fast in the hotel. Our participants can avail this. They can order for the food of their choice, tea coffee etc., The participants are requested not to make any payment for their stay and food. The meeting venue will be at Hall 1-D, INCOME TAX TOWERS, A.C. GUARDS HYDERABAD-500 004, which is within 2 KMs distance from the Hotel.We are working out with regard to transportation of the participants and the same will be intimated direct to the Participant concerned.

So far details of travel from Allahabad, Chennai and Orissa only have been received. Other Units may kindly be reminded of sending the details of their travel to me on my mobile no. 9177994424. 

You are requested to kindly circulate  above message to all Units and also put it on website.

Further, you may SMS details of your travel, so that we can receive you at the Airport. You may please ask our President and any other Comrades from Delhi who will be attending the Meeting, to send their travel details.

Fraternally yours,

G.SURYA PRASAD,

GENERAL SECRETARY,

ANDHRA PRADESH AND TELANGANA INCOME TAX PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION.

Mob.No. 9177994424     

INCOMETAX PENSIONERS FEDERATION .

Manishinath Bhawan

A/2/95 Rajouri Garden

New Delhi.110 027.

Website: itpfchq.blogspot.com.

E mail address: itpfchq@gmail.com.

Dated: 25th March, 2018..

To

All Office bearers :

Dear Comrades,

                We have sent you the following SMS which we hope you must have received.

ITPF  meeting on 16.4.2018 at Hyderabad. Notice on website.  All. Sectt. Members to attend. Kutty.

The  Sectt. meeting is being convened to give effect to our decision taken at the Kolkata meeting that the Sectt.  must meet once in three months at different places to boost the functioning of the Federation. As you are aware, at Kolkata meeting, the comrades from Hyderabad had agreed to host the next meeting. We had also indicated the tentative date would be 16^th April, 2018.  Enclosed herewith is the formal notice. We request all to book the ticket to Hyderabad.  The meeting will commence at2.30 PM and shall be concluded at 6.00PM.  You may kindly make your return journey plan accordingly.  Com.S.K.Sharma and Com.Mittal and com.Negi will take steps to get in touch with the registration authorities and  do the needful to get registration for the ITPF.

                All members are requested to get in touch with Com. Suryaprasad whose mobile number is given  hereunder to know the venue and such other arrangements for the conduct of the meeting.

                                COM.SURYAPRASAD. 09177994424

                With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N.Kutty

Secretary General.

NOTICE.

Notice is hereby givenfor ameeting of the National Sectt. of the ITPF at Hyderabad on 16^th April, 2018 at 2.30 PM.   The exact venue of the meeting  will be intimated by the Host  Unit. The meeting will discuss the following agenda.

1.       Follow up action on registration.

2.       MACP Supreme court decision. Exploring the possibility of going to Court.

3.       Organisational development at different  affiliates levels.

4.       Finance.

5.       Journal subscription.

KKN Kutty.

Secretary General.

INCOMETAX PENSIONERS FEDERATION

NEW DELHI

E MAIL: itpfchq@gmail.com

Website address:itpfchq.blogspot.com

Dated: 10.09.2016

Dear Comrade,

The National Executive of ITPF was held at Kolkata on 16.12.2017 as per the notice issued on 02.11.2017. 31 comrades attended the meeting representing the following Units.1.Rajastan 2.Mumbai, 3.Orissa, 4.NE Region, 5.UP West, 6.UP East, 6.Andra Pradesh, 7.Karnataka, 8.Delhi, 9.Tamilnadu, 10.West Bengal, 11.Vidharbha, Nagpur, 12.Gujarath

Kerala  informed their inability to depute a comrade to attend the meeting, but promised they would do so at the next meeting. The Units which were unrepresented were:-

a)         Bihar& Jharkhand .  b) MP& Chattisgarh. C) NW Region d) Pune

Excellent arrangements had been made by the host Unit West Bengal at Kolkata. The meeting was held at the Regional Training Institute, Kolkata and Boarding and lodging arrangements were made at the RTI Guest house.The following items had been the agenda for discussion.

1.         Registration

2.         Problems + demands of pensioners.

3.         Participation of NCCPA Dharna Programme

4.         Journal Subscription

5.         Finance

6.         Matter of urgency.

Com. Umesh Mehta, President was in the chair. He was assisted by Com. R.B. Deshpande and Com. Shantikumar. The meeting commenced by paying homage to Com. PS. Rashtrapal and Com. Lajpat Rai, Com. Shambu Prasad, Com. Vinod Behari Srivastava and other departed comrades. The decisions taken briefly are hereunder:

1.         Registration: noted the progress made. A committee consisting of Com. S.K. Sharma, Com. Negi and Com. Mittal was set up. The Secretary General will hold a meeting of the committee in March 2018.

2.         The major problem that came up for decision was the revision of pension. All Unit representatives informed the house the steps taken by them to expedite the revision process. Another important matter was the various issues connected with CGHS and Medical facilities.

The revision of pension on account of the CAT Mumbai judgement over the date of effect of Pay Scale revision of Inspectors and ITOs; the Supreme Court Judgement on date of effect of MACP; Vigilance cases; Review DPC and notional promotion; option No.1 in pension revision recommended by the 7th CPC; Pension Adalat were some of the other issues discussed at the meeting.  The house unanimously opined the NCCPA must explore the possibilities of continuing struggles for getting Option No. 1 accepted by the Govt. The meeting also wanted the NCCPA to take legal recourse for this purpose.

It was informed that the following units have been  provided with Office spaces