CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS

No. Confd-17/2011                                               31^st August 2011

Dear Comrades

                Kindly see the minutes of the meeting of Steering Committee on PFRDA Bill held on 29^th Augst 2011, posted in the website.

                The Secretariat appeals to every state Committee to take initiative for the successful implementation of the decisions of the steering committee meeting on 29^th August 2011 i.e.

1.       Formation of joint committee in every station with the units of the participating organisations in the Steering Committee viz. AISGEF, Confederation of Central Govt employees and Workers, AIRF, STFI, AIDEF, NFIR, BSNLEU, AIFUCTO, BCPC & NCCPA.

2.       Prepare and mobilise for the Raj Bhawan march on 6^th Sept 2011 – under the banner of the joint committee

3.       Conducting Conventions where ever not held. The date of the Convention may be intimated to Confederation HQr so that one Secretariat member could be deputed to attend the convention.

4.       Start signature campaign – by involving all the membership and through them the people at large.

Every member may be asked to collect signatures from his/her family members and from the people at large in their locality.

The signature campaign in public places like railway stations, hospitals etc may be done under the banner of joint committee of the station.

5.       Prepare and mobilise for the March to Parliament on 29^th November 2011. The quota for each affiliate is given elsewhere in this circular. The Confederation State Committees has to ensure that the quota given to them be met.

6.       Educate the membership on the perils of the PFRDA Bill and prepare them for a two-hour demonstration on the day the bill is taken up for consideration by the Parliament.

                Every State Committee may send a detailed report on the steps taken by them on the above decisions.

MARCH TO PARLIAMENT ON 29^TH NOVEMEBR 2011 

                Each of the affiliate of Confederation may mobilise as per the quota given below.

                 NFPE – 7500, ITEF- 1000, Audit-1000, NFAEEA-500, Civil Accounts-250, Ground Water Board-150, Central Secretariat-100, All other affiliates- 50 each.

                The State Committees of Confederation may take necessary steps to co-ordinate at the field level so as to ensure that each affiliate do send personnel as per the quota.

                Delhi and nearly by states of Delhi viz Rajasthan, MP, UP, Haryana and Punjab (Chandigarh included) will be given the quotas separately.

-- 
M.Krishnan
Secretary General NFPE

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 01.07.2011WITH THE STAFF SIDE TO DISCUSS ISSUES RELATING TO POSTMAN.

Sub:    Meeting of the Committee held on  01.07.2011 to consider issues relating       to the Postmen- Circulation of minutes;

D.G. Posts No. 1/2/2010-SR dated 25^th August, August, 2011.

            Please find enclosed a copy of Minutes of the meeting of committee constituted under Chairpersonship of CGM (MB) to discuss issues relating to Postmen, which was held on 01.07.2011, for information and necessary action.

2.         Action Taken Report on the decisions taken may be furnished at the earliest.

Minutes of the Meeting held on 01.07.2011with the staff side to discuss issues relating to Postman.

            A meeting was held on 01.07.2011 in the office of CGM (MB) in Dak Bhawan, New Delhi to discuss various issues relating to postmen. The following officers/Union representatives were present:

i)Ms.Kalpana Tiwari, CGM (MB)

ii)Shri V.K.Tiwari, DDG (Establishment)

iii)Shri Rishikesh, Director (MailManagement)

iv)Shri Surender Kumar, ADG (GDS)

v)Sh.M.Krishnan, Secretary General,

National Federation of Postal        Employees

viSh. D. Theagarajan, Secretyary General (FNPO)

vii)Sh.K.V. Sridharan, General Secretary,

AIPE Union, Class III

viii)Sh. I.S. Dabas, General Secretary,

AIPE Union Postmen & Group D/MTS

(ix)       Sh. T.N. Rahate, General Secretary,

NUPE Postmen & Gr. D /MTS

2.         During the discussion, the following issues were discussed.

a)         It was agreed that the designation of sorting postmen, which was done away with the recent orders issued by the Establishment Division of the Directorate, may be resorted. The post of the sorting postmen, which might have been diverted, redeployed or abolished by the Circles in the wake of the said orders, may also be restored. It was also agreed that based on the quantum of mail, the need to complete beats sorting activity at least an hour before departure of the postmen for their respective beats and existing norms, concerned Divisional Head/Postmaster may decide the number of sorting postmen/postmen required for the purpose of beat sorting. Further, all postmen may be involved in beat sorting by rotation. Establishment Division may issue necessary clarifications in this regard.

b)         Regarding extraction of data entry work from postmen, it was agreed to assess the work currently being taken from postmen by calling a report from Circles and considering a study for this purpose. Establishment Division may call for the requisite report from the Circles.

c)         Regarding irregular computation of working hours for postmen in the field units, the staff side was informed that the work study report will be once again studied by Establishment Division and Mails Division to assess if all areas of work were covered and if deviations were in the recommendations by Work Study unit and orders of revised norms issued by Establishment Division. Any further action will be taken after going through the work study report and orders of Establishment Division.

d)         On renewal of minimum cycleable distance for grant of cycle maintenance allowance to postmen, it was informed that the matter has been taken up with Ministry of Finance.

e)         Regarding payment of incentive to postmen for delivery of Speed Post, it was agreed that the work load may be assessed in order to further understand the issue.

 f)         It was agreed to assess the average beat length of postmen for the purpose of deciding the maximum beat length after calling for the details of existing beat length as the staff side informed that in some Circles the beat length stretched up to 40 KMs or more. It was also agreed by the staff side that postmen will carry all articles in each beat(first class, second class, Speed Post, registered post, money orders etc.) After receipt of information from the Circles, the need for a revised work study can be assessed. Establishment Division may take necessary action in this regard.

g)         The staff side also raised the issue of combination of beat/double duty In case postmen staff goes on leave. It was assured that the issue will be looked into.

PENSION PRODUCTS: PANEL FOR GUARANTEED RETURNS

            A parliamentary standing committee has favoured offering minimum guaranteed returns to subscribers of the New Pension System (NPS) and recommended a 26% foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the pension sector through a legislative process.

            The parliamentary standing committee on finance which submitted its report on the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill on Tuesday, said that "as any effective pension scheme needs to be underpinned by stability of returns and reasonable post retirement incomes, it is imperative that the government should provide for minimum guaranteed return and not the mere camouflage of market-based guarantee."

            The committee, headed by former finance minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Yashwant Sinha, recommended that the minimum rate of return on the contributions to the pension fund of the employee should not be less than the rate of interest on the Employees Provident Fund scheme. In the absence of such a guarantee, the NPS cannot justifiably claim to provide old age income security," it said.

            The government had introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha in March.The PFRDA is yet to get statutory powers and the interim PFRDA is functioning since 2003 through an executive order.

            The NPS was made mandatory for all new recruits to the government except armed forces with effect from January 1, 2004. It was opened to all citizens of India from May 1, 2009 on a voluntary basis.

            As many as 27 states governments have notified and joined the NPS for their employees. As of now, its subscriber base has crossed 1.1 million with a corpus approaching Rs7,000 crore. The government is of the view that FDI in the pension sector should be capped at 26%, but the standing committee said the ceiling should be specified in the legislation itself and not through an executive order

.

- Hindustan Times, New Delhi, August 31, 2011

ALL INDIA POSTAL SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION:RECOGNITION RESTORED

MP NO. 1/2011 IN WA NO. 1262/2011 FILED IN MADRAS HIGH COURT BY ALL INDIA POSTAL SBCO EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION V/s UOI AND OTHERS AGAINST WITHDRAWAL OF RECOGNITION OF THE PETITIONER UNION.

D.G. Posts No. 16/75/2010-SR dated 26^th August, 2011.

            I am directed to refer to the Department's letter of even No. dated 29.6.2011 vide which the recognition granted to All India SBCO Employees Association was withdrawn, in compliance with the order of the Hon`ble High Court at Calcutta passed on 14.3.2011 in the W.P.No. 3769(W) of 2011.

2.         The High Court of Madras passed an order dated 26.7.2011 in WA No. 1262/2011 filed by All India Postal SBCO Employees Association, granted interim stay of operation of the instructions contained in Department's letter No. 16/75/2011-SR dated 29.6.2011.

3.         In the light of the above, the instructions contained in the Department's letter dated 29.06.2011 ibid may be held in abeyance.

Sd/-

(Subhash Chander)

Director (SR & Legal)

STEERING COMMITTEE TAKES DECISIONS ON ACTION PLAN AGAINST PFRDA

Dear Comrades,

THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF ORGANIZATIONS OF CENTRAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS ORGANIZATIONS AGAINST PFRDA BILL HAS MET AND TAKEN SEVERAL DECISIONS TO INTENSIFY THE STRUGGLE DEMANDING WITHDRAWAL OF THE SAID BILL FROM PARLIAMENT. THE MINUTES OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE IS PLACED HEREUNDER WITH THE DIRECTION TO ALL STATE COMMITTEES AND ALL AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS TO INTENSIFY THE PROGRAMMES: 

Minutes of the meeting of the Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill held at AIRF Dead Quarters (4, State Entry Road, New Delhi)

            The Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA bill met today ie 29^thAugust 2011 at 14 hours I n the AIRF Head Quarters (4, State Entry Road, New Delhi).

The following were present

1.  Com  Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary,

      All India Railwaymen Federation (AIRF)

2.    "SK Vyas, President,

    Confederation of Central Govt Employees

    & Workers  & Convener, NCCPA

3.     "   SN Pathak, President,

      All India Defence Employees Federation

      (AIDEF)

4.    "  C. Sreekumar, General Secretary, AIDEF

5.    " Sukomal Sen, Sr Vice President,

           All India State Govt Employees

          Federation (AISGEF)

6.    "         R. Muthusundaram,

        Secretary General, AISGEF

7.     "         M. S. Raja, Secretary,

         Confederation of Central Govt

        Employees & Workers

8.       Shyam Sundar, Secretary General,

         Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation

9.       " K. Rajendran, General Secretary,

          School Teachers Federation of India

          (STFI)

10.   "        Kartik Mandal, President, STFI

11.   "         N. Narayana, Vice President, STFI

                        After a detailed review of developments following the National            Convention, the            Steering Committee took the following decisions:

1.       There should be a joint committee in all stations consisting of the field formations of the participating organisations in the Steering Committee.

2.       It was decided to obtain mass signature on the petition to the PM. This mass signature campaign has not picked up. It was therefore decided that all organisations should be asked to get this petition printed in each station so that it could be distributed amongst all the members of all Federations/Confederation. They have to be requested not only to put their own signature but also to obtain the signature from their family members, neighbours etc. (Copy of the draft petition for signature campaign attached)

            Local joint committees of the participating organisations should ensure visits to Railway Stations, Hospitals and other public locations to obtain signature from people at large.

                        The entire campaign conducted jointly by all local leaders may continue       upto    31^st October 2011.

3.       It has been decided that March to Raj Bhawan in the each state capital should organised jointly by the affiliates of participating organisations - ie AISGEF, Confederation of Central Govt employees and Workers, AIRF, STFI, AIDEF, NFIR, BSNLEU, AIFUCTO,BCPC & NCCPA – ON 6^TH  September 2011 to submit copy of petition to Prime Minister to the Governor  for onward transmission to Prime Minister.

            After implementing this programme a detailed report may be sent to the Head         Quarter of Steering Committee as also to the respective Head Quarter of their    Federation/confederation.

4.       As per another decision taken in the Convention on 22^nd July 2011, joint convention was to be held in every state capital. As per reports, such conventions have been held only at some state capitals. Wherever such joint convention has not been held steps may taken by forging a joint committee to convene the conventions at the earliest – latest by 30^th September 2011.

Formation of joint committee may be intimated and date of the convention to be held may be intimated to Steering Committee Head Quarter as well as Federation head quarter. This will enable Steering Committee/Federation/Confederation to depute their representative to parliament in the Convention. A detailed report on the Convention held or to be held giving the names of organisations with number of participants may be sent to the Steering Committee Head Quarter as well as to the respective Federation/Confederation Head quarters.

5.       The Steering Committee has decided that the March to Parliament to submit the petition to Prime Minister shall be held on 29^th November 2011.

            Joint Committees constituted in each station may kindly intimate number of            the persons who will be joining the March latest by 15^th November 2011.

6.       The Steering Committee has also decided that the date on which the PFRDA bill is taken up for consideration all government employees should organise 2-hour long demonstrations in their office premises.

            All participating organisations are requested to convey these decisions to their units, copy of the circular issued by the participating organisations may be forwarded to Head Quarter of Steering Committee.

                        The Steering Committee will meet again at 11.30 hours on 15^th October         2011    in the AIRF Head Quarter at 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi.

We shall defeat PFRDA Bill!

We shall fight till we succeed!

Enquilab Zindabad!

Corporation to use postal staff service

Corporation to use postal staff service

To verify addresses of property tax assessees

The Chennai Corporation is planning to use the services of the Department of Posts to verify addresses of over 6.41 lakh property tax assessees.

This is part of the measures of the civic body to improve property tax collection.

It has started discussions for making optimum use of the services of the Department of Posts in the days ahead when the challenges pertaining to collection of property tax are likely to mount.

With elections round the corner, the Corporation would have to use tax collectors for election duty. So, the services of the postal employees are likely to be used to create awareness and improve tax collection, said officials of the Corporation.

Address verification by the postal staff would also help the civic body verify the genuineness of the assessees during the city expansion phase.

A few months ago, the Corporation had initiated a process of sending e-post to remind the assessees. Though the property tax collection improved because of the initiative, some of the addresses of assessees were not correct.

The civic body has also planned to ask the assessees to make use of the counters in the zonal and division offices for payment of tax during the period of civic body elections.

After the expansion of the city and local body elections, the Revenue Department would face a challenge in the form of change in zone number of the existing assessees.

The Postal Department's schemes such as e-post would be continued to be used to remind the assessees of the property tax payment even after the elections.

Over 10 per cent of the property tax assessees pay taxes of high value, official said. Even though the civic body focuses more on this segment, the assessees who pay very low value property tax would also be given awareness messages through the postal system.

A major portion of the 5.29 lakh residential property tax assessees in the 10 zones of the city have a property tax demand of low value. Address verification of such assessees may be easier with the help of the extensive network of post offices, according to an official of the civic body.

Collection of property tax from over 1.12 lakh commercial properties in the city is likely to be better with the assistance of the postal network.

Courtesy : Hindu 4.9.2011

LGO & IP Exams Postponed – Dates will be announced later

A- 34012/02/2011-DE

Government of India

Ministry of Communications & IT

Department of Posts

(Recruitment Division)

Dak Bhawan, Sansad Marg,

New Delhi – 110001

Dated 30.08.2011

To,

1. All Heads of Circles

2.DG APS West Block III. Wing No. 5, R. K. Puram, New Delhi – 110067

3.BD and PLI Directorates

4.Directors, Postal Staff College India Ghaziabad and Postal Training Centres

Sub: - Holding of Limited Departmental Competitive Examination (LGO) and Inspector of Postal Examination, 2011

Sir/Madam,

I am directed to refer to this office letters No. A-34012/02/2011-DE and No. A-34012/04/2011-DE dated 26.04.2011 wherein the dates of Examination were notified as 4^th September 2011 for LGO and 3^rd & 4^th September 2011 for Inspector of Posts.

2. It is informed that the above mentioned two Examinations have been postponed until further orders. The dates of both the Examinations will be intimated very soon. Please inform all concern candidates.

3. Receipt of this letter may please be acknowledged.

Yours faithfully

                                    Sd/-

                        (L. Mohan Rao)

 Assistant Director General (DE)