World Labour Day

MAY DAY GREETINGS

The advancements the organized world working class movement made in the past 130 year period is of a great significance in the evolution of human society itself. The martyrs of Hay-market congregation in Chicago in 1886, in whose memory the international workers day is observed have made the supreme sacrifice to ensure a free and egalitarian society. In the ups and downs of the chequered history of the working class world over, the contribution of Indian workers was immense. Be it for the emancipation of the country itself from the colonial exploiters or to bring about a decent standard of living for Indian working population in the post independent era, they have done extremely well. But what picture contemporary India presents, evolved and structured on adherence to globalization is something the present day workers, individually and the Indian Working class together must ponder over, whene they are duty bound to demonstrate the unity might and determination on 1^st May 2016.

      In the present Indian Societal Structure, the workers are pushed down to a level beyond redemption; and the inequality which the country promised to eradicate through social welfare governance has become an ever- alluding mirage. The Corporates in association with their foreign collaborators now controls the reins of governance. The present day rulers, who came to power with the tacit  and latent support of the corporates have ceased to make even lip service to the bringing up of an unoppressed and egalitarian society. The old and condemnable ethics of an antiquated society is polished and presented in a manner to deceive the poor people and garner their support for continuation of a feudal social set-up. They set agenda for dividing the society on communal and caste orientation, mislead the poverty stricken population, deceive them to believe that the panacea for their perennial problems lies in the resurrection of the ancient social system, create an image woven from fantasies and myth and spend millions to propagate that such a fantastic system had existed in this country thousands of years back. What has this country witnessed in the recent days was an orchestrated attempt ably supported by the ruling party to characterise all those who resist this nefarious game of the communal forces as anti-national, reminding of the fascist days in the world history, which ultimately led to the total disaster of a great part of the globe.  

            It is this phenomenon, this challenge that the organized working class face in the contemporary India. No doubt, unlike in the past, the working class is much more united, move cohesively sinking the ideological differences; go for united and militant industrial actions. But, events have proved that that is not enough. Along with the Bread and Butter issues, the Indian working class must rise to oppose the obscurantist, divisive and communal propaganda for that had been and continues to be the greatest threat to their unity and the Nation’s prosperity. They must realise the need to inculcate scientific temper in the society.

It is the sustained, systematic and widespread campaign that is needed to root out the divisive forces, which survives on money power provided by the Corporates. The observance of the May day, the international workers day must have a solid purpose. While it is necessary that the sacrifice of the erstwhile generation is remembered and recognised, the solemn duty is to provide meaning to their voice, which was silenced by brutal state power in1886 in USA   and thousand times thereafter in various parts of the world.

    The National secretariat of the ITEF appeals that its members when they observe the coming May day on Monday the 2^nd May 2016 ( 1^st May being Sunday) will imbibe  this aspect and make strenuous efforts to eradicate the malaise that has gripped in our society.       

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ON SECOND THOUGHT, DOPT DOES NOT WANT TO

SCRAP PENSIONS ACT.

            New Delhi: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has decided against scrapping a 145-year-old law, which exempts pension from being “attached or sequestered”, though a bill seeking its abrogation from statute book has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

            Earlier, the DoPT had asked the Law Ministry to include the Pensions Act, 1871 in the repealing bill so it could be removed from the statute book. One of the key provisions of the law is that it exempts pension from attachment by any court. But later, it wrote to the Law Ministry to remove the Act from the repealing bill.

            After its passage in the Lok Sabha, the Repealing and Amending (Third) Bill, 2015 is pending in the Rajya Sabha.

            The Law Ministry is the nodal agency for repealing laws which have lost relevance today.

            A senior government functionary said that perhaps the realisation that there is no other law in the country which protects pensions led to decision against scrapping the Act.

            After the DoPTs request, the Law Ministry approached the Union Cabinet to clear an official amendment to remove the Pensions Act from the repealing bill.

            On March 23, the Union Cabinet cleared the official amendments, paving way for the passage of the bill in the upper house. After being cleared by the Rajya Sabha, the bill will travel back to the Lok Sabha to clear the official amendments.

            Section 11 of the Act states that “No Pension granted or continued by government on political considerations, or on account of past services or present infirmities or as a compassionate allowance, and no money due or to become due on account of any such pension or allowance, shall be liable to seizure, attachment or sequestration by process of any court at the instance of a creditor, for any demand against the pensioner, or in satisfaction of a decree or order of any such court.”

            Another official amendment cleared by the Union Cabinet relates to the Appropriation Acts (Repeal) Bill, 2015. The bill, cleared by the Lok Sabha and pending in the Rajya Sabha, seeks to repeal The Punjab Appropriation Act among other laws. But the Punjab Appropriation   Act has already been repealed by the Punjab Legislative Assembly and “inadvertently” became part of the Appropriation (Acts) Repeal Bill, 2015.

            The two bills seek to scrap a total of 1,053 Acts which have become redundant and are clogging the statute books: PTI

Lunch-hour demaonstration on 11.3.2016

Protest CBDT inaction on departmental issues

 As per the call given by the Central JCA it has been decided to protest against the inaction of the Department in presenting the anomalies detected in the 7^th CPC Report to the appointed Committee of the Govt. of India and the delay in promotion in the cadre of ACIT even after the sanction of the Hon’ble FM, GOI, etc. As part of the programme a Lunch Hour Demonstration will be held on 11th  March, 2016 in front of office of the Pr.CCIT.  It was also decided, to send a Resolution passed by the Meeting to the Revenue Secretary, Govt. of India, and the Chairman, CBDT.

                      

                       It was also decided to embark upon a Signature campaign involving all members of the ITEF which, will be sent to the Revenue Secretary, Govt. of India through proper channel within one month. 

                      As you are aware the NJCA had given a call for Indefinite Strike action from 6 AM on 11^th April. 2016 against the retrograde recommendations of the 7^th CPC. However, taking into consideration the request of the Cabinet Secretary to give more time to Govt. of India to arrive at conclusions on the charter of demands raised by the Staff side and also the situation in the aftermath of the coming into effect the Election Code of Conduct, the NJCA meeting held on 7^th March, 2016 decided to defer the date of commencement of indefinite strike to 11^th July, 2016 and to serve strike notice on 9^th June 2016.

                       The one year relaxation for promotion to the post of Tax Assistant from MTS and to the post of Steno Gr.I from Steno.Gr.II has been issued.

                       The Quarterly Review Meeting with the Chairman, CBDT, as demanded by the Central JCA, has been scheduled on 17-03-2016.

With greetings,

Ravindran B Nair

General Secretary. 

International Women’s Day

08^th March-2016

PM NARENDRA MODI FORMS TASK FORCE TO RATIONALISE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT STAFF

            NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has constituted a five-member task force to rationalise central government staff and ensure their maximum optimisation.

            The task force will be headed by Establishment Officer and Additional Secretary in Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) Rajiv Kumar and it will submit its report next month, officials said today.

            The prime minister has approved the proposal to constitute a task force to examine the issues of rationalisation and optimisation of human resource in various ministries to align them with financial resources and focus areas of the government, they said.

            Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said rationalisation of staff is of paramount importance for good governance.

            PM Narendra Modi Forms Task Force To Rationalise Central Government Staff

            “This decision has been taken keeping in line with the Modi government’s commitment of maximum governance and minimum government. We are also considering restructuring existing tribunals, autonomous bodies and central public sector undertakings to ensure better optimisation of human resource,” he told news agency PTI in New Delhi.

            The task force has two joint secretaries from Cabinet Secretariat, one each from the DoPT and Department of Expenditure as members, the officials said.

            In his Budget speech for 2016-17, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said a task force has been constituted for rationalisation of human resources in various ministries.

            “A comprehensive review and rationalisation of autonomous bodies is also underway,” he had said.

            As per its Terms of Reference (ToR), the task force will take stock and recommend measures to optimise senior positions in the Government of India, covering the posts in the secretariat and outside the secretariat including Chief Vigilance Officers – who act as a distant arm of Central Vigilance Commission to check corruption, various autonomous bodies, regulatory bodies, attached and subordinate offices.

It will also review roles and requirements of these posts, including eligibility criteria and recommend measures to achieve synergy and convergence of purposes and resources, the ToR said.

            The task force will review the processes involved in filling these posts and recommend rationalisation and is required “to examine and incorporate global best practices in this regard”, it said.

            There are about 50 lakh central government employees working in various ministries.
Source: NDTV 

Demonstration on Departmental Demands

The Secretariat Meeting of ITEF (CHQ.) was held on 01.03.2016 at the Manishinath Bhawan, A-2/95, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi at 11.30 AM. The following decisions were taken.

1.         The indefinite strike from 6 AM on 11^th April, 2016, as per the call given by the NJCA (The National Joint Council of Action) and endorsed by the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees has to be carried out and preparation for the same has to be done without further loss of time. The strike notice will be served on 11^th March, 2016 to the Chairman, CBDT, New Delhi by central leadership and copy will be handed over to the respective Pr.CCIT by the circle leadership. In this regard the central leadership of ITEF will visit various stations for mobilising the membership. The campaign program will be finalized and will be intimated shortly. If possible the campaign meeting of the Confederation/NJCA on the same issue may be organised in other Departments. Apart from this the programs chalked out by the NJCA / Confederation should be carried out with massive participation of our members by all the circles. It was also decided to solicit the support of ITGOA in the indefinite strike action.

2.        On the pending departmental demands, the CBDT seems to be not too serious in resolving the issues. It is therefore imperative that we should revive agitational programme which alone can put pressure on the Authorities in resolving the issues. Along with the other issues it was decided to include the important demand for higher pay to ITOs, ITIs and TAs than what is recommended by the 7^th CPC, at par with Audit, IB and CBI Department. A memorandum will be submitted to the Revenue Secretary and the Chairman, CBDT through respective Principal CCITs on the issues on 9^th March, 2016 with a massive demonstration in front of office of the Pr.CCITs. It was further decided to chalk out other programmes against the Authority. The charter of demands and other programmes will be finalised after discussion with the leadership of ITGOA and circular of Central JCA will be issued very shortly.

            It was decided to explore the possibility of reviving the Co-ordinating Committee of Revenue Departments so that on the Department specific issues of 7^th CPC can be pursued jointly.

            It was decided to send the draft duty list of all Group C staffs, already circulated to the all Circles, to the respective Authority for finalisation.

            As per discussion with the Member(P) with JCA leadership on 2^nd March, 2016, one year  relaxation for promotion to the post of Tax Assistant from MTS and promotion to the post of Steno.Gr.I from Steno.Gr.II have been approved by the Revenue Secretary and the order will be issued shortly.

                                Yours fraternally,

                                                                

                                                                                                                                        (Rupak Sarkar)

                                                                                              Secretary General