National Federation of Postal Employees

VII CPC - TERMS OF REFERENCE - LATEST POSITION

Dear Comrades,

VII-CPC – Terms of reference-

            The members of the National Secretariat of the Confederation available at New Delhi met on 23^rd Oct. 2013 and again on 24^th October, 2013 to discuss and formulate our views on the 7^th CPC terms of Reference.  On the basis of the discussions, we prepared a draft terms of reference and submitted it for consideration of the Staff Side.  The important points we placed in our draft for the consideration of the staff side were:-

(a)   The Commission to examine the present structure of pay and allowances and suggest changes.

(b)   To give effect to its recommendations from 1.1.2011 i.e. wage revision must be after       every five years.

(c)   D.A (50%) to be merged with pay with effect from 1.1.2011.

(d)   To determine Interim relief taking into account the erosion in the value of wages over the years,

(e)   To include GDS within the ambit of the 7^th Central Pay Commission.

(f)     To revise the retirement benefits and accord pension maintaining parity in quantum in respect of past, present and future pensioners.

(g)   To extend the statutory defined benefit pension to those who have entered service after 1.1.2004.

(h)   To settle the anomalies raised in various fora of JCM on a priority basis and within a specified time frame.

(i)     To provide cashless/hazzle free Medicare to employees and pensioners.

The Government of India had convened a meeting of the Staff side representatives on 24.10.2013 to discuss the terms of reference.  The meeting took place at 3.00PM on 24^th under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Personnel.  Besides the points mentioned above, the staff raised many other matters connected with the setting up of the CPC. viz. the inclusion of labour Representative as a Member of the Commission; the anomalous  situation brought about by the Grade pay based MACP Scheme; the requirement of a mechanism to settle the 6^th CPC related anomalies;  the need to allow the proposals of Cadre Review to be examined by the Government independently without referring it to CPC;  to have members in the Commission who have gained  expertise to impart to the Commission the nuances and functional requirements of various Departments;  to relook at the new Pay Structure brought in by the 6^th CPC in the light of the experience between 2008 to 2013 etc.  In conclusion the staff side requested the Government to provide it with a draft terms of reference taking into account the views placed by them.  It was also proposed by the Staff Side that on exchange of the draft terms of reference prepared by the Staff Side and the  Official Side, a meeting with the Secretary, Personnel and Secretary, Expenditure could be arranged to iron out the differences, if any.

The Staff Side met again on 25^th at its office and deliberated upon various views presented by different organisations and finalised the draft terms of reference. We shall publish the said draft terms of reference as and when the same is submitted to the Government.

It is obvious that despite the unanimous position taken by all the organisations, the Government may not necessarily agree with many of the basic issues, viz. Date of effect, merger of  DA, Interim Relief, Coverage of GDS etc.  We appeal to our affiliates/ State COCs to continue the campaign amongst the employees to generate necessary sanctions.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

(M.Krishnan)

Secretary General.