News and information for Government Employees

News and information for Government Employees
“We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

Monday, 19 May 2014

GEF replied to the 7th CPC questionnaire


            Ref. No. : GEF/ANI/2014/44                                                                 Date :   19.05.2014

To

Ms Meena Agarwal
Secretary, 7th Central pay Commission,
Post Box No. 4599, Hauz Khas PO,
New Delhi- 110016.


Subject :- Submission of suggestions and Answers on 7th CPC   questionnaire-  reg.

Ref. No. :- Public Notice  of questionnaires.


Respected Madam,
                                    We take the pleasure to submit our Suggestions and answers  on the 7th CPC questionnaires  asked for through Public Notice for your kind perusal and to take appropriate decision for the welfare of Central Government Employees.

1. SALARIES

1.1 The considerations on which the minimum Salary in case of the lowest Group ‘C’ functionary and the maximum salary in case of a Secretary level officer may be determined and what should be the reasonable ratio between the two.

Ans. :  The lowest Salary as well as highest Salary of all categories of  Central Govt. Employees should be determined by minimum multiplication factor of 2.3  based on their basic pay become due  as on 01.01.2016. There should not be any discrimination, as it was done in the 6th CPC i.e. 1.86 for lower employees and 3.00 to highest employees.   

1.2 What should be the considerations for determining salary for various levels of functions falling between the highest level and the lowest level functionaries?

Ans.: Salary for various levels of functions falling between the highest and the lowest level functionaries should be determined by applying the ratio of 1:6. However, the Executive Employees Salary should be increased as compared to Ministerial Employees. Further, we suggest that, special hike in  salary should  not be entertained for lower categories of employees merely on the ground of their dedicated services rendered to public.  In place of that, they should be granted special allowances  and packages for their dedicated work and  skilled work etc..  

2. COMPARISONS

2.1 Should there be any comparison/parity between pay scales and perquisites between Government and the private sector? If so, why? If not, why not?

Ans.: The Pay Scales of Government Servants should be higher than that of any Private Sector undertakings. Because, the talented youths  and good gem of  our Nation are mainly attracted with Salary and perquisites given to them. As a result, we are losing talented youths  in Nation building.

2.2 Should there at all be any comparison/parity between pay scales and perquisites between Government and the public sector? If so, why? If not, why not?

Ans.: Our reply is same as given in 2.

2.3 The concept of variable pay has been introduced in Central Public Sector Enterprises by the Second Pay Revision Committee. In the case of the Government is there merit in introducing a variable component of pay? Can such variable pay be linked to performance?

Ans.: We also agree with the recommendation of Second Pay Revision Committee. This should be seriously taken into consideration and it should be linked with performance by giving special allowances.

3. ATTRACTING TALENT

3.1 Does the present compensation package attract suitable talent in the All India Services & Group A Services? What are your observations and suggestions in this regard?

Ans. : The present compensation package is sufficient to attract suitable talent in the All India Services & Group A Services. However, we recommend a little hike in their compensation package.

3.2 To what extent should government compensation be structured to attract special talent?

Ans.: It should be hiked to 10-15 %  based on flexible service conditions.

4. PAY SCALES

4.1 The 6th Central Pay Commission introduced the system of Pay Bands and Grade Pay as against the system of specific pay scales attached to various posts. What has been the impact of running pay bands post implementation of 6th CPC recommendations?

Ans.: We appreciate the Pay Bands and Grade Pay system introduced by 6th CPC, but a little changes are required in lower level and middle level (i.e. PB-1 and PB-2 ). The corresponding/promotional Grade Pay should be healthy and respectable. The lower level staff drawing PB-1 are getting Grade Pay of Rs. 1800, 1900, 2000 and 2400 respectively under  MACP Scheme of 10, 20 and 30 years of service of regular service. Similarly, a middle class employee drawing PB-2 are getting Grade Pay of Rs. 4200, 4600, 4800 and  5400 respectively under  MACP Scheme of 10, 20 and 30 years of service of regular service. The PB-2 categories of  post are mostly either Managerial or Supervisory posts other than some technical posts.  This is in fact not justified. There must be good differences in grade pay as given in higher level.

4.2  Is there any need to bring about any change?

Ans.: Yes, changes are required in Grade Pays of PB-1 and PB-2.

4.3 Did the pay bands recommended by the Sixth CPC help in arresting exodus and attract talent towards the Government?

Ans. :  Yes, but still there is some lacuna as answered  under item No. 4.1 and 4.2.  Further, our suggestions will  help to strengthen the recommendations of 7th CPC.

4.4 Successive Pay Commissions have reduced the number of pay scales by merging one or two pay scales together. Is there a case for the number of pay scales/ pay band to be rationalized and if so in what manner?

Ans.: We suggest to merge the Grade Pay of Rs. 1900 & 2000 in PB-1, Rs.2800 & 4200 in PB-1& PB-2 and Rs. 4600 & 4800 in PB-2.

4.5 Is the “grade pay” concept working? If not, what are your alternative suggestions?

Ans.: Yes,  but shall be fruitful if the suggestion of  merger the Grade Pay of Rs. 1900 & 2000 in PB-1, Rs.2800 & 4200 in PB-1& PB-2 and Rs. 4600 & 4800 in PB-2 are taken into consideration. 

5. INCREMENT

5.1 Whether the present system of annual increment on 1st July of every year uniformly in case of all employees has served its purpose or not? Whether any changes are required?

Ans.:  No, it should be start with 1st January of every year. Further, one increment should be given to an employee who retires on 31st December.  

5.2 What should be the reasonable quantum of annual increment?

Ans.: The present 3%  increment should be increased to minimum 5%.

5.3 Whether there should be a provision of variable increments at a rate higher than the normal annual increment in case of high achievers? If so, what should be transparent and objective parameters to assess high achievement, which could be uniformly applied across Central Government?

Ans.:  One additional increment should be given to talented and high achievers.  A committee should be constituted in  every department of State and UTs, in which at least two member should be employee representatives.   If the committee found an employees work Excellent or Outstanding should be considered for such increment.

5.4 Under the MACP scheme three financial up-gradations are allowed on completion of 10, 20, 30 years of regular service, counted from the direct entry grade. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the scheme? Is there a perception that a scheme of this nature, in some Departments, actually incentivizes people who do not wish to take the more arduous route of qualifying departmental examinations/ or those obtaining professional degrees?
                      
Ans.: The MACP scheme is not sufficient or fruitful  to employees renderer good service. It should be increased from 3 to 4 in normal case and one more promotional benefit i.e. 5 MACP should be given to talented and high achiever in regular interval of 8 years.

6. PERFORMANCE

What kind of incentives would you suggest to recognize and reward good performance?

Ans.: One additional increment should be given to Talented work or High Achievers.  A committee should be constituted in  every department of State and UTs, in which at least two member should be employee representatives.   If the committee found an employees work Excellent or Outstanding should be considered for such increment.

7. IMPACT ON OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Salary structures in the Central and State Governments are broadly similar. The recommendations of the Pay Commission are likely to lead to similar demands from employees of State Governments, municipal bodies, Panchayati Raj institutions & autonomous institutions. To what extent should their paying capacity be considered in devising a reasonable remuneration package for Central Govt. employees?

Ans.: The Salary and Wages structure given to Central Govt. Employees should be at par with the post held, irrespective of Organization of Central / State Government. 

8. DEFENCE FORCES

8.1 What should be the considerations for fixing salary in case of Defence personnel and in what manner does the parity with civil services need to be evolved, keeping in view their respective job profiles?

Ans.: We have no comments or objections on the decisions of Pay Commission as well as Central Government. 

8.2 In what manner should the concessions and facilities, both in cash and kind, be taken into account for determining salary structure in case of Defence Forces personnel.

Ans.: Refer answer given in 8.1.

8.3 As per the November 2008 orders of the Ministry of Defence, there are a total of 45 types of allowances for Personnel Below Officer Rank and 39 types of allowances for Officers. Does a case exist for rationalization/ streamlining of the current variety of allowances?

Ans.: Refer answer given in 8.1.

8.4 What are the options available for addressing the increasing expenditure on defence pensions?

Ans.: Refer answer given in 8.1.

8.5 As a measure of special recognition, is there a case to review the present benefits provided to war widows?
Ans.: Refer answer given in 8.1.

8.6 As a measure of special recognition, is there a case to review the present benefits provided to disabled soldiers, commensurate to the nature of their disability?

Ans.: Refer answer given in 8.1.

9. ALLOWANCES

9.1 Whether the existing allowances need to be retained or rationalized in such a manner as to ensure that salary structure takes care not only of the job profile but the situational factors as well, so that the number of allowances could be at a realistic level?

Ans.: We suggest to  retain all the existing Allowances and also suggest to increase the percentage of HRA from 20% to 30%, ISDA minimum 25%, Hard Area Allowances minimum 30 %. All the Allowances except DA should be exempted from Income Tax.

9.2 What should be the principles to determine payment of House Rent Allowance?

Ans.: HRA should be minimum of 30%  to Port Blair City or at par with “A” Class City as a special case, keeping in view of market rate and cost of living at Port Blair City.

10. PENSION

10.1 The retirement benefits of all Central Government employees appointed on or after 1.1.2004 a re covered by the New Pension Scheme(NPS). What has been the experience of the NPS in the last decade?

Ans.: New Pension Scheme should be abolished and the Old Pension System should be retained in the largest interest of Government servants.

10.2 As far as pre-1.1.2004 appointees are concerned, what should be the principles that govern the structure of pension and other retirement benefits?

Ans.: We suggest the same principal and pattern of Pension scheme to be adopted of pre- 1.1.2004.

11. Strengthening the public governance system
11.1 The 6th CPC recommended upgrading the skills of the Group D employees and placing them in Group C over a period of time. What has been the experience in this regard?

Ans.: Decision of 6th CPC was good but still required periodical in-service training for skill development and up-gradation for  promotion to function as skilled Group “C” Employees.

11.2 In what way can Central Government organizations functioning be improved to make them more efficient, accountable and responsible? Please give specific suggestions with respect to:

a) Rationalization of staff strength and more productive deployment of available staff;
b)Rationalization of processes and reduction of paper work; and
c) Economy in expenditure.

Ans.: a) Staff strength should be increased or decreased based on the work load / requirement of  all Organisation’s for smooth functioning. Which should be surveyed / reviewed periodically at an interval of 5 (five) years. This is also possible through re-structuring of employees cadre. And for increase of productivity and development of the Organsiation workers should be given appropriate training from time to time.
b) We suggest to implement single file system and reduce the number of channel of process and also reduction of paper works by adopting modern technology and technical know-how.  
c) Unwanted Expenditure  should be curtailed. And motivation should be given to such Organization minimize the expenditures. Modern technologies should be introduced to control the expenditure. Paper work  is to be reduced. Replacement of old machineries, equipments etc.  are to be done 

12. TRAINING/ BUILDING COMPETENCE

12.1 How would you interpret the concept of “competency based framework”?

Ans.: Citizen Charter should be strictly implemented and responsibility should be fixed on the concerned Officers.

12.2 One of the terms of reference suggests that the Commission recommend appropriate training and capacity building through a competency based framework.

a) Is the present level of training at various stages of a person’s career considered adequate? Are there gaps that need to be filled, and if so, where?

Ans.: Not sufficient,  induction Training should be given to all Govt. Employees at the time of entering into Govt. Job and time to time trainings and refresher courses  be conducted on post basis to get good output.     

b) Should it be made compulsory that each civil service officer should in his career span acquire a professional qualification? If so, can the nature of the study, time intervals and the Institution(s) whose qualification are acceptable, all be stipulated?
           
Ans.: Yes,  professional qualification is compulsory in Civil Service Officers to perform their duties more efficiently. Qualification certificate obtained from a recognized Institution should be entertained. 

c) What other indicators can best measure training and capacity building for personnel in your organization? Please suggest ways through which capacity building can be further strengthened?

Ans.: Latest technical know-how training and other refresher courses will boost the work culture and  good governance of an employee in capacity building.

13. OUTSOURCING

13.1 What has been the experience of outsourcing at various levels of Government and is there a case for streamlining it?

Ans.: We do not recommend for outsourcing at various level because of non- accountability  and responsibility.

13.2 Is there a clear identification of jobs that can be outsourced?

Ans.: Yes,  we do agree for outsourcing, where lacking of required qualified personnels for a special nature of Job.

14. REGULATORY BODIES
14.1 Kindly list out the Regulators set up under Acts of Parliament, related to your Ministry/ Department. The total number of personnel on rolls (Chairperson and members + support personnel) may be indicated.

14.2 Regulators that may not qualify in terms of being set up under Acts of Parliament but perform regulatory functions may also be listed. The scale of pay for Chairperson /Members and other personnel of such bodies may be indicated.
14.3 Across the Government there are a host of Regulatory bodies set up for various purposes. What are your suggestions regarding emoluments structure for Regulatory bodies?

Ans.: For point No. 14.1 to 14.3, we do agree with the decision recommended and taken by the Pay Commission and Central Government. Thus, we have no suggestion as such.

15. PAYMENT OF BONUS
One of the terms of reference of the 7th Pay Commission is to examine the existing schemes of payment of bonus. What are your suggestions and observations in this regard?

Ans.: We suggest minimum adhoc Bonus of Rs. 10000/= for all Central Govt. Servants up to Group “B”.  However, the Productively Link Bonus scheme may continue as it is.
Thanking You.
Your faithfully,

Sd/_

S.K.MAJUMDAR
GENERAL SECRETARY

e-mail : majumdar_swapankumar@yahoo.co.in 

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