ALL INDIA RMS & MMS EMPLOYEES UNION ,GROUP'C' AP CIRCLE

Tuesday, 11 September 2018

DECISION OF THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING HELD ON 05.09.2018 AT NEW DELHI

All National Secretariat Members

All Affiliated organizations

All C-O-Cs

Dear Comrades,

National Secretariat meeting of Confederation with available Secretariat Members was held on 05.09.2018 at NFPE Head Quarters, New Delhi.

1. 5^TH SEPTEMBER 2018 – MASS RALLY AT NEW DELHI – REVIEW

The rally was well organized and a grand success. About 5000 Central Government employees from all states, representing various affiliates and C-O-Cs of Confederation had participated in the rally. The rally of Confederation was very good, impressive and clourful. Participants wearing caps and T-Shirts with “SCRAP NPS” demand written on it and holding about 500 placards with “SCRAP NPS, SETTLE CHARTER OF DEMANDS” slogan along with flags and banners of affiliates and C-O-Cs made the rally most attractive and inspiring. With the participation of thousands and thousands of workers and peasants of Trade Union and Class and mass organisations the entire Jantar Mantar and Parliament Street became an ocean of red with about 2 to 3 lakhs participants. The rally demanded the NDA Government to stop the anti-worker, anti-people neo-liberal economic policies and also the divisive policy of communalism. The message of the rally was loud and clear. If the Modi Govt. is not ready to change the retrograde policies, the workers and peasants shall intensify their campaign to change the Government.

2. 15^TH NOVEMBER 2018 – NATIONWIDE ONE DAY STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

It is decided to further intensify the campaign programme to make the 15^th November 2018 one day strike a resounding success. The 10 points Charter of demands of Confederation, especially the “SCRAP NPS & HONOUR ASSURANCE” demands should be popularised among all section of employees and pensioners. The National Secretariat Members of Confederation shall attend one largely attended, well organized campaign programme in each state. Campaign programme of National Secretariat Members will be finalized and published shortly in consultation with all Natinal Secretariat Members. In addition to the campaign of National Secretariat Members, each affiliated organization and C-O-C shall organize its own separate campaign programme among its own membership in maximum places.

Tour programme of National Secretariat members will be from 3^rd October to 3^rd November 2018, as already decided in the Hyderabad National Convention.

3. 28.09.2018 – NATIONAL CONVENTION OF WORKERS

A National Convention of workers will be organized by all Central Trade Unions (except BMS) and independent Federations (including Confederation) on 28^th September 2018 at Mavalankar Hall, New Delhi from 10 AM onwards, to discuss and decide about next course of united country wide actions including strike against the anti-worker, anti-people policies of the NDA Government. If the Convention declare strike, then the date of the 15^th November strike of Confederation will be changed to synchronise with the strike date of Central Trade Unions and independent Federations, as already decided in the Hyderabad National Covention.

4. NJCA Programme – OBSERVE “ALL INDIA DEMANDS DAY” ON 19.09.2018.

It is decided that all affiliates of Confederation and C-O-Cs shall implement the “All India Demands Day” call of the NJCA on 19.09.2018, by holding protest demonstrations at all Centres and also in front of all Central Government offices.

The main demands raised by NJCA are –

(1) Scrap Contributory Pension System

(2) Enhance Minimum Pay and Fitment Formula.

(3) Implement Option-I also as pension fixation formula

Whether NJCA will revive the indefinite strike or not depends upon the decision of Railway Federation (AIRF & NFIR). Confederation and All India Defence Employees Federation want to revive the indefinite strike without any further delay. Chairman and convenor of NJCA (NFIR & AIRF) are authorized to declare strike.

5. ALL INDIA WOMEN’S TRADE UNION EDUCATION CAMP – 2018 OCTOBER 29^TH & 30^TH AT HARIDWAR

C-O-C, U.P. State is making all arrangements for the successful conducting of the Camp in consultation with C-O-C Uttarakhand. Hall of the Camp and accommodation for delegates are already booked. All affiliates and C-O-Cs are once again requested to ensure participation of lady delegates as per the quota already fixed. Please instruct the lady delegates to book their travel tickets immediately. Haridwar is an internationally renowned holy place and tourist Centre. There will be more rush of tourist and pilgrims during October. Hence tickets may be booked now itself. National Women Convention will also be conducted on the Second day of the Camp and new office bearers of Women’s Committee will be elected. C-O-C UP proposed to convene a seminar along with the Camp (Copy of the previous Circular is attached herewith).

6. 2018 SEPTEMBER 19^TH – 50^TH ANNIVERSARY OF 1968 SEPTEMBER 19^TH STRIKE.

It is decided that the 50^th anniversary of 1968 September 19^th Strike may be organized at all Centres in a befitting manner by hoisting of flags in front of main offices, paying homage to martyrs of 1968 strike, conducting gate meetings/general body meetings, honouring those leaders who participated in the 1968 strike and victimized by Government.

7. KERALA FLOOD HAVOC- DONATIONS TO CHIEF MINISTER’S FLOOD RELIEF FUND

Reports from affiliates and C-O-Cs show that Sincere efforts are being made by Confederation affiliates and C-O-Cs to collect maximum amount of donation towards Kerala Chief Minister’s Flood Relief Fund. The meeting decided to call upon al Central employees to donate at least one day salary towards Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

All National Secretariat Members, Chief Executives of affiliated organisations and General Secretaries of C-O-Cs to take necessary action to convene their managing bodies to implement the above decisions.

Fraternally yours

(M. Krishnan)

Secretary General

Mob. & Whatsapp – 09447068125

E-mail: mkrishnan_6854@gmail.com

ALL INDIA WOMEN’S STUDY CAMP AND CONVENTION AT HARIDWAR ON 29^th& 30^th OCTOBER 2018

All India Women’s Study Camp will be held at Haridwar on 29th and 30th October, 2018. C-O-C Uttar Pradesh State has agreed to host the camp. Delegate fee is fixed as Rs.800/- (Rs. Eight hundred only) per delegate. Accommodation will be provided from 28th October Afternoon to 31st October 06.00 AM. Food will be provided only on 29th and 30th. As Haridwar and Hrishikesh are world famous tourist/pilgrim centres, there will be heavy rush of tourists during the period. All affiliates/C-O-Cs are requested to instruct the lady delegates to book their travel tickets immediately. Two months’ time is there, but ticket booking should be given topmost priority. Quota fixed for each affiliated organisation and C-O-C is furnished below:

Sl. Name of affiliate/C-O-C No. of delegates

1. National Federation of Postal Employees

and all its affiliates (NFPE) 80

2. Income Tax Employees Federation (ITEF) 25

3. All India Audit & Accounts Association 15

4. All India Civil Accounts Employees Association 15

5. National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees

(NFAEE) 10

6. All india Central Ground Water Board Employees

Association (AICGWBEA) 5

7. Geological Survey of India Employees Association

(GSIEA) 5

8. All other affiliated organisations 3 each (minimum)

9. C-O-C Delhi State 15

10. C-O-C UP State 15

11. C-O-C West Bengal 20

12. C-O-C Kerala 20

13. C-O-C Tamilnadu 15

14. C-O-C AP & Telangana 15

15. C-O-C Karnataka 10

16. C-O-C Maharashtra 10

17. C-O-C Odisha 5

18. C-O-C Assam & NE 5

19. All other C-O-Cs 3 each (minimum)

Affiliates/C-O-Cs are requested to allot quota to their units/organisations immediately so that ticket booking can be done without delay.

For all enquiries and necessary help in connection with the camp the following comrades may be contacted.

1. Com.Virendra Tiwari, Chairman, C-O-C, UP State: 09839195933

2. Com.J.P.Singh, General Secretary, C-O-C, UP State: 08005445445

As it is not possible to hold a separate Women’s Convention again this year, on 30th October 2018 (Second day), All India Women’s Convention will also be held along with the Camp and new office bearers and Women’s Sub Committee members will be elected.

Fraternally Yours,

M. Krishnan,

Secretary General,

Mob: & WhatsApp: 09447068125

Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

05-09-2018 : Mass Rally in Delhi

NFPE & FNPO affiliated RMS Unions Went on Dharna ON 4TH SEPTEMBER at Directorate demanding to settle long pending burning issues of RMS &MMS.

NEW CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SYSTEM (NPS)

M.krishnan

Secretary General

Confederation of Central Govt.

Employees & Workers

Pension system was in vogue in India for a century or more and the British Government during the pre-independence era introduced Pension Rules for Government employees and thus made it statutory. In the year 1982 Supreme Court in its landmark judgement in Nakara’s case declared that - “as per India’s constitution, Government is obliged to provide social and economic security to pensioners and that Government retirees had the fundamental right to pension..... Pension is not a bounty nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer. It is not an ex-gratia payment, but a payment for past service rendered. It is a social welfare measure, rendering socio-economic justice to those who in the hey days of their life, ceaselessly toiled for their employers on the assurance that in their old age, they would not be left in lurch.”

During the advent of globalisation policies in 1980’s the pension reforms also started simultaneously. IMF & World Bank started publishing so many reports and documents emphasizing the need for pension reforms. They also started studying about the reforms to be undertaken in the pension sector in India. In 2001, “IMF work paper on pension reforms in India” and World Bank India specific report“India - the challenge of old age income security” were published. Their work reports emphasized that “Pension obligations or promises made by the Governments which have potential of exerting pressure on Govt. finances, have been a subject of increased focus in assessing medium to long term fiscal sustainability.” In tune with the dictates of IMF and World Bank BJP-led NDA Government appointed Bhattacharjee Committee in 2001 headed by Ex-Chief Secretary of Karnataka, to study and recommend pension reforms. Thus after creating ground for pension reforms, under the pretext of implementing recommendations of Bhattacharyya Committee, the NDA Government introduced New Pension System called Defined Contributory pension system for all employees who join service on or after 01-01-2004. The Congress-led UPA Government which came to power in 2004 continued with the reforms and promulgated an ordinance to legalise NPS. But UPA-I Govt. could not pass the Pension Bill in Parliament due to stiff opposition of Left Parties supporting it. Later when UPA-II Government came to power the Pension Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill was passed in the Parliament with the support of BJP, the then opposition party. Many State Governments governed by political parties other than Left Parties, introduced Contributory Pension System for their employees from various dates after 2004. Left Front Governments of Kerala, West Bengal and Tripura refused to introduce the New Pension Scheme and they continued with the old defined benefit pension scheme. Congress-led UDF Government introduced NPS in Kerala. After BJP coming to power in Tripura also Contributory Pension Scheme is introduced recently. In West Bengal old Pension Scheme continues even now. Not only newly appointed Central and State Government employees, almost all new entrants of public sector and Autonomous bodies are also brought under the purview of NPS.

As per New Contributory Pension Scheme an amount of 10% of pay plus Dearness Allowance will be deducted each month from the salary of the employees covered under NPS and credited to their pension account. Equal amount is to be credited by the Government (employer) also. Total amount will go to the Pension Funds constituted under the PFRDA Act. From the pension fund the amount will go to the share market. As per the PFRDA Act - “there shall not be any implicit or explicit assurance of benefit except (share) market based guarantee mechanism to be purchased by the subscribers”. Thus the amount deposited in Pension Fund may or may not grow depending on the fluctuations in the share market. After attaining 60 years of age i.e., at the time of retirement, 60% of the accumulated amount in the Pension Account of the employee will be refunded and the balance 40% will be deposited in an Insurance Annuity Scheme. Monthly amount received from the Insurance Annuity Scheme is the monthly pension i.e., Pension is not paid by Government, but by the Insurance Company and hence NPS is nothing but Pension Privatization..

Thus it can be seen that the growth of the accumulated amount in the Pension fund depends upon the vagaries of share market. If the share markets collapse, as happened during the 2008 world financial crisis, then the entire amount in the pension fund may vanish. In that case employee will not get any pension. Every fluctuation in the share market will affect the future of pension of those employees who are covered under NPS. Uncertainty about pension and retirement life looms large over their heads. Even if there is a stabilized share market the 40% amount in the annuity scheme is not enough to get 50% of the last pay drawn as pension, which is the minimum pension as per old pension scheme. Many employees who entered in service after 01-01-2004 has retired in 2017 and 2018 after completing 12 & 13 years of service. They are getting Rs.1400- to Rs.1700- only as monthly pension from Insurance Annuity Scheme. If they have entered service in 2003 i.e., in the old pension scheme, they would have got 50% of the last pay drawn as pension subject to a minimum of Rs.9000- as minimum pension, that too without giving any monthly contribution towards pension from their salary. In short, NPS is nothing but NO PENSION SYSTEM.

As per clause 12(5) of the PFRDA Act even the employees and pensioners who are not covered under NPS, can be brought under the Act by a Gazette notification by the Government. Thus NPS is a Damocles’ sword hanging over the head of all employees and pensioners.

Who is the beneficiary of this pension reforms? As in the case of every neo-liberal reforms, the ultimate beneficiary is the Corporates. The huge amount collected from the workers through pension fund is invested in share market by the Pension Fund Managers and this amount in turn can be utilied by the multi-national Corporates for multiplying their profit. Amount deducted and credited to the Pension fund from each newly recruited employees plus the employer’s share amount will remain with the pension fund and share market for a period of minimum 30 to 35 years i.e., till the age of 60 years. During this long period of 35 years crores and crores of rupees will be at the disposal of share market controlled by multinational corporate giants. Ultimate causality will be the poor helpless employee/pensioner.

Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers and All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) has been opposing the NPS from the very beginning and a one day strike was conducted on 30th October 2007. It was one of the main demand in all other strikes during these period. The campaign and struggle against NPS continued and as of now the subjective and objective conditions for a bigger struggle against NPS has emerged as almost 50% of the total employees in Central, State, Public sector and Autonomous bodies are now covered under NPS and are becoming more and more restive and agitated. 7th Central Pay Commission Chairman Retired Supreme court Judge Sri. Asok Kumar Mathur has correctly pointed out that “Almost a whole lot of Government employees appointed on or after 01-01-2004, were unhappy with New Pension Scheme. Govt. should take a call to look into their complaint”.

As per the recommendations of 7^th CPC, Central Government appointed a Committee called “NPS Committee” for streamlining the functioning of NPS. The Staff-side has demanded before this Committee to scrap NPS and guarantee for 50% of the last pay drawn as minimum pension subject to a minimum of Rs.9000-. Even though, the Committee has submitted its report 18 months back, the Government has not yet disclosed the recommendations of the Committee.

Confederation and AISGEF has decided countrywide intensive campaign culminating in one day strike on 15th November 2018 demanding that the Defined Contributory Pension Scheme (New Pension Scheme - NPS) imposed on new entrants must be scrapped and the Government should reintroduce the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (Old Pension Scheme - OPS) that was in vogue for a century or more. We are also exploring the possibility of organizing an indefinite strike in the coming days exclusively on one demand i.e., SCRAP NPS, RESTORE OPS for which wider consultations are being made with all like-minded organizations.

......

Mob & whatsapp: 09447068125

e-mail: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

Monday, 10 September 2018