Friday, March 31, 2023
Thursday, March 30, 2023
ପେନସନ ଏକ କର୍ମଚାରୀର ସାମ୍ବିଧାନିକ ଅଧିକାର
ଓଡିଶାର ସର୍ବାଧିକ ପ୍ରସାରିତ ସାପ୍ତାହିକ ଖବରକାଗଜ #ସମୀକ୍ଷା ସହ ଏକ ବିଶେଷ ସାକ୍ଷାତକାର। ସମ୍ପାଦକ, ସମ୍ପାଦନା ମଣ୍ଡଳୀ ଓ ସମୀକ୍ଷା ପରିବାରର ସମସ୍ତ ସଦସ୍ୟଙ୍କୁ ଅନେକ ଅନେକ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ।
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
One Nation, One Pension
One Nation, One Pension
Bruhaspati Samal
General Secretary
Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers
Odisha State Coordination Committee
Mobile: 9437022669, eMail: bsamalbbsr@gmail.com
The Central Govt. employees including Railways and all the State Govt. employees along with teachers are in continuous struggle since the New Pension Scheme, now National Pension Scheme (NPS) was given effect from 01.01.2004 and became applicable to all new entrants to central government services (except the Army, Navy and Air Force) only with an Executive Order on 22.12.2003 as a part of the implementation of the new economic policy following the IMF-World Bank policy on pension reforms. Subsequently PFRDA Act was passed in 2013 in the Parliament and legally came into force with effect from 01.02.2014 through a Gazette Notification. While some State Governments like Odisha implemented it from 01.01.2005, some like West Bengal and Tamilnadu are still under Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Further, due to the rigorous agitational programmes of the employees and workers, some State Governments like Jharkhand, Rajastan, Chhatisgarh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have already declared to rollback to OPS. The Govt. of Andhra Pradesh has offered its employees a guaranteed pension of 33% of the last basic pay without any monthly deduction from the employees’ salary as done under the NPS, i.e. 10% of employee’s salary every month in addition to 14% similar contribution by the employer. Similarly, the Govt. of Maharastra is now thinking to exit from NPS.
While our hon’ble MPS and MLAs are enjoying multiple pensions under OPS, it is a matter of surprise that apart from NPS and OPS, there are some categories of employees in various States and Establishments who have no pension at all (NoPS). The Nation has also One Rank One Pension scheme (OROP) scheme under which uniform pension is paid to armed forces personnel retiring at the same rank with the same length of service, regardless of when they completed their service or retired. Further, recently in January 2023, the High Court of Delhi came in the case of Srinivas Sharma vs Union of India and held that that personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) comprising BSF, Assam Rifles, CISF, CRPF, Indo Tibetan Border Police, National Security Guard (NSG) and Seema Suraksha Bal with total of 11,09,511 shall be governed by the OPS. On the other hand, various Trade Unions of the country are in action mode to demand a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs.9000/- for the workers in the unorganized sector.
Thus, during the period of last 20 years from 2003 to 2023, the struggle for OPS is getting momentum. Now under the banner of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), all the Central Govt. employees including Railways and all the State Govt. employees along with teachers are accelerating the movement. On the backdrop of such movements on one hand and the decision of various State Governments to rollback to OPS on the other, now, the Hon’ble Finance Minister on 24th March, 2023 has declared to set up a Committee to propose changes for improvising NPS. But the demand of the employees and workers is not to improve, but to scrap NPS including PFRDA Act, 2013 and restore OPS. Since 2024 is the year of General Election, it is quite evident and familiar with the ruling parities to come up with several promises and manifestos in the pre-election year for motivating the voters. Thus, there is nothing for the employees to be surprised with the formation of the proposed NPS Committee. Since the employees have several bitter experiences how the Govt. has moved away from its written assurances earlier with regard to pay and pension, now the functionality of the proposed Committee on NPS seems to be quite apprehensive. It is just an eye-wash to overcome the election year only.
In a democratic welfare country like India, there shouldn’t be separate principles at least with regard to pension, i.e. one for the people and another for the people’s representative, one for the defence personnel and another for the civilians, one for the organized sector, another for the unorganized sector etc. Pension is neither a bounty, nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer, nor an ex-gratia payment. It is a payment for the past services rendered. It is a social welfare measure rendering socio-economic justice to those who in the heyday of their life ceaselessly toiled for the employer on an assurance that in their old age they would not be left in the lurch. Any kind of discrimination amongst employees and workers should be forbidden. The Right to Equality, one of the Fundamental Rights enshrined both in the Preamble and under Article 14 to 18 of the Constitution of India states that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India. Equality before the law means like should be treated alike. The right should be exercised without distinctions of race, religion, wealth, social status or political influence. Thus, there should not be several categories of pension in a welfare country like India. The Govt. of India is now giving several clarion calls like; One Nation - One Ration Card, One Nation – One Election, One Nation – One Identity Card, One Nation – One Fertilizer, One Nation – One Uniform, One Nation – One Language etc. In the same analogy, why can’t we go for One Nation – One Pension? Since the law says to treat equally all, now time has come to think in this regard more seriously to provide equal pension to all without any distinctions in the category of employees or political influence.
Hope, the proposed NPS Committee will study in details the drawbacks of various pension systems now prevailing in the India, viz; NPS, OROP, NoPS etc., guide the Central Govt. for ensuring a single pension system irrespective of categories of employees and workers with a minimum guaranteed amount subject to maximum 50% of the last pay drawn as given under OPS to honour the Constitution and to suggest for repealing NPS under PFRDA Act 2013.
******
The Central Board Trustees (CBT) EPF recommends 8.15 % rate of interest to EPF subscribers for FY2022-23
Ministry of Labour & Employment
The Central Board Trustees (CBT) EPF recommends 8.15 % rate of interest to EPF subscribers for FY2022-23
Posted On: 28 MAR 2023 11:13AM by PIB Delhi
The 233rd meeting of Central Board of Trustees, EPF was held today in Delhi under the Chairmanship of Shri Bhupendra Yadav, Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Forest & Climate Change. The Vice-Chairmanship of Shri Rameshwar Teli, Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Petroleum & Natural Gas and Co-Vice-Chairpersonship of Ms. Arti Ahuja, Secretary Labour & Employment and the Member Secretary Smt. Neelam Shami Rao, Central P F Commissioner were also present during the meeting.
The Central Board recommended 8.15 % annual rate of interest to be credited on EPF accumulations in members’ accounts for the financial year 2022-23. The interest rate would be officially notified in the government gazette after approval of Ministry of Finance, following which EPFO would credit the rate of interest into its subscribers’ accounts.
The CBT recommended the amount balancing both the growth & surplus fund to have safeguards.The recommended rate of interest of 8.15% safeguards the surplus as well as guarantees increase income to members. In fact, the rate of interest at 8.15 % and the surplus of 663.91 Crores is higher than the last year.
The Board’s recommendation involves distribution of more than Rs. 90,000 crores in the members’ account on the total principal amount of about Rs 11 lakh crores which was Rs 77,424.84 crores and Rs 9.56 lakh crores respectively in the FY 2021-22. The total income recommended for being distributed is highest till date. The growth in income and the principal amount is respectively more than 16% and 15% as compared to last financial year 2021-22.
EPFO over the years has been able to distribute higher income to its members, through various economic cycles with minimal credit risk. Considering the credit profile of the EPFO investment, the interest rate of EPFO is higher than other comparable investments avenues available for subscribers. EPFO has consistently followed a prudent and balanced approach towards investment, putting highest emphasis on the safety and preservation of principal with an approach of caution and growth.
EPFO being one of the largest social security organization has stayed true to its objective by maintaining and providing its subscribers with the high assured interest rate even during the periods of volatility in equity and capital markets. A blend of conservative yet progressive approach of investment followed by EPFO has made it a wise option for PF members.
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Last date for linking of PAN-Aadhaar extended
Ministry of Finance
Last date for linking of PAN-Aadhaar extended
Posted On: 28 MAR 2023 2:48PM by PIB Delhi
In order to provide some more time to the taxpayers, the date for linking PAN and Aadhaar has been extended to 30th June, 2023, whereby persons can intimate their Aadhaar to the prescribed authority for Aadhaar-PAN linking without facing repercussions. Notification to this effect is being issued separately.
Under the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961(the ‘Act’) every person who has been allotted a PAN as on 1st July, 2017 and is eligible to obtain Aadhaar Number, is required to intimate his Aadhaar to the prescribed authority on or before 31st March, 2023, on payment of a prescribed fee. Failure to do so shall attract certain repercussions under the Act w.e.f. 1st April, 2023. The date for intimating Aadhaar to the prescribed authority for the purpose of linking PAN and Aadhaar has now been extended to 30th June, 2023.
From 1st July, 2023, the PAN of taxpayers who have failed to intimate their Aadhaar, as required, shall become inoperative and the consequences during the period that PAN remains inoperative will be as follows:
- no refund shall be made against such PANs;
- interest shall not be payable on such refund for the period during which PAN remains inoperative; and
- TDS and TCS shall be deducted /collected at higher rate, as provided in the Act.
The PAN can be made operative again in 30 days, upon intimation of Aadhaar to the prescribed authority after payment of fee of Rs.1,000.
Those persons who have been exempted from PAN-Aadhaar linking will not be liable to the consequences mentioned above. This category includes those residing in specified States, a non-resident as per the Act, an individual who is not a citizen of India or individuals of the age of eighty years or more at any time during the previous year.
It is stated that more than 51 crore PANs have already been linked with Aadhaar till date. PAN can be linked with Aadhaar by accessing the following link https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/pre-login/bl-link-aadhaar .
Confederation, Odisha CoC writes to DG, CGHS requesting renewal of the contract period of the outsourced workers of CGHS WCs in Odisha
No. Confdn-Odi / CGHS –
03 /2023
Dated at Bhubaneswar the
28th March, 2023
To
1.
The Director General, CGHS
252-A,
Nirman Bhawan
Moulana
Azad Road, New Delhi
2.
The Director, CGHS
A-545,
Nirman Bhawan
Moulana
Azad Road, New Delhi
(director_cghs@ymail.com) / (director_cghs@cghs.nic.in)
Sub: Request for immediate renewal of the contract period of the outsourced
workers of CGHS WCs in Odisha.
Respected
Sir,
It has come to the notice of this Confederation that in the absence of
adequate regular staff, the CGHS Offices and Wellness Centers in
Odisha are being managed somehow by outsourcing in Group 'C’ & ‘D' cadre
till now. But we are constrained to bring to your kind notice that although the
period of continuance of their service is ending this March 2023, no
permission has yet been issued by your office for renewal of the contract
period beyond March, 2023.
As known, though the Additional Director, CGHS, Bhubaneswar has
written a series of letters to the your office in this connection starting from
26th December, 2022, it seems
that no tangible action has been taken so far by your Office with a deaf ear to
such a sensitive issue.
It is needless to reiterate that in absence of regular staff in the
vacant posts of CGHS Wellness Centers, the outsourced staff are managing the
day to day work i.e dispensing of medicines, nursing, sweeping, scavenging and
orderly works etc and are the backbone of CGHS Wellness Centers in Odisha. If
timely permission is not granted in this regard, the said staff will be
withdrawn and the Wellness Centers may be closed which will be a bolt from the
blue to the beneficiaries.
The case being such, it is our earnest appeal to kindly have a generous
look into the case and issue appropriate instructions to the Additional
Director, CGHS, Bhubaneswar to extend the services of the such workers
till regular appointment is made to
avoid any unnecessary escalation of the issue in future.
Expecting an early action with a kind reply to us at the earliest, Sir,
With deep regards,
Yours
sincerely,
(BRUHASPATI SAMAL)
General
Secretary
Copy for
kind information and necessary action to the Additional Director, CGHS, Unit – IV, Bhubaneswar – 751
001. (ad.bh@cghs.nic.in).
(BRUHASPATI SAMAL)
General Secretary
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Irrelevant replies by a BJP Spokes person on relevant questions regarding NPS & OPS
Dear Comrades,
Kindly watch the video. Realize how incorrect and irrelevant replies are given by a BJP Spokes person to the correct questions on NPS and OPS.
Let's try to continue successfully for correct implementation of the series of agitational programmes already scheduled by NJCA / JFROPS throughout the year 2023 to scrap NPS and restore OPS.
Our united struggle can guve us justice.
NJCA, Zindabad.
Bruhaspati Samal
General Secretary
Confederation of C G Employees and Workers
Odisha State CoC &
JJoint Convenor, NJCA, Odisha
ଏନପିଏସ ସମୀକ୍ଷା ପାଇଁ କମିଟି ଗଠନ ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ
ପ୍ରିୟ ସାଥୀଗଣ,
ମୋର ଯାହା ହୃଦବୋଧ ହୁଏ, ଶ୍ରମିକ କର୍ମଚାରୀଙ୍କ କ୍ରମାଗତ ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନରେ ଚାପର ବଶବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ହୋଇ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ଅର୍ଥମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଏଭଳି କହିଛନ୍ତି। ଏହା ଧର୍ମକୁ ଆଖିଠାର ମାତ୍ର। ଏନପିଏସର ସମୀକ୍ଷା ନୁହେଁ ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଉଚ୍ଛେଦ ସହ ଓପିଏସ ଲାଗୁକରିବା ଆମର ଦାବି।
ଏମାନେ ଏହିଭଳି ଅନେକ କଥା ଆଗରୁ ମଧ୍ୟ ସଂସଦରେ କହିଛନ୍ତି। ସର୍ବନିମ୍ନ ମଜୁରିକୁ ଟ.୨୬୦୦୦କୁ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ସହ ମଜୁରି ନିର୍ଦ୍ଧାରଣ ସୂତ୍ରର ସଂଶୋଧନ ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ୟ ୨୦୧୬ରେ ପିଆଇବି ଦ୍ୱାରା ପ୍ରେସ୍ ରିଲିଜ କରି ଏମାନେ ଆମର ଅନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ କାଳ ଧର୍ମଘଟ ଡାକରାକୁ ସେ ସମୟରେ ନିଷ୍ଫଳ କଲେ ଏବଂ ପରେ କହିଲେ କି କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସରକାରଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ସେମିତି କୌଣସି ପ୍ରସ୍ତାବ ବିଚାର ପାଇଁ ସ୍ଥଗିତ ନାହିଁ। ଏବେ ତା'ର ପୁନରାବୃତ୍ତି ହେବା କିଛି ବିଚିତ୍ର ନୁହେଁ। ତେଣୁ ଜାତୀୟ ଯୁଗ୍ମ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରିଣୀ ପରଷଦ ୨୦୨୩ ପାଇଁ ଏନପିଏସ ଉଚ୍ଛେଦ ଦାବିରେ ଯେଉଁସବୁ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମ ହାତକୁ ନେଇଛି, ତାହା ନିରବଚ୍ଛିନ୍ନ ଭାବେ ଚାଲୁ ରହିବା ଉଚିତ।
= ବୃହସ୍ପତି ସାମଲ =
ସାଧାରଣ ସମ୍ପାଦକ
କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସରକାରୀ କର୍ମଚାରୀ ଓ ଶ୍ରମିକ ପରିସଂଘ
ଓଡିଶା ରାଜ୍ୟ ସମନ୍ବୟ ସମିତି ତଥା
ଯୁଗ୍ମ ଆବାହକ
ଜାତୀୟ ଯୁଗ୍ମ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରିଣୀ ପରିଷଦ, ଓଡିଶା
Friday, March 24, 2023
Cabinet approves release of an additional instalment (4%) of DA to Central Government employees and DR to Pensioners, due from 01.01.2023
Cabinet
Cabinet approves release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners, due from 01.01.2023
Posted On: 24 MAR 2023 9:12PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today has given its approval to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to Central Governments employees and Dearness Relief to Pensioners with effect from 01.01.2023. The additional instalment will represent an increase of 4% over the existing rate of 38% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate against price rise.
The combine impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs.12,815.60 crore per annum.
This will benefit about 47.58 lakh Central Governments employees and 69.76 lakh pensioners.
This increase is in accordance with the accepted formular which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Monday, March 20, 2023
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Annual General Body meeting of NFPE, Bhubaneswar to implement 2023 year long programme of NJCA /JFROPS against NPS
A grand General Body Meeting of National Federation of Postal Employees, Bhubaneswar Divisional Branch was held today on 19.03.2023 in the premises of Bhubaneswar GPO under the guidance of Com. Bruhaspati Samal, General Secretary, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers (CCGEW) and Joint Convenor, National Joint Council of Action (NJCA), Odisha. A detailed discussion was held to implement the year long agitational programmes of the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS) as scheduled by CHQ, New Delhi.
Apart from Com. B Samal, the meeting was addressed by Com. Rabindranath Dhal, President, CCGEW and NJCA, Odisha, Com. Pratap Chandra Dash, President, Odisha State Govt. Retired Employees Federation and Com. Prasanta Kumar Mohanty, President, Odisha State Govt. Employees Coordination Committee and Vice-President, NJCA, Odisha.
Addressing the meeting the leaders stressed upon the historic judgement on 17th December, 1982 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in D S Nakra versus Union of India case which states, "Pension is neither a bounty, nor a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer, nor an ex-gratia payment. It is a payment for the past services rendered. It is a social welfare measure rendering socio-economic justice to those who in the heyday of their life ceaselessly toiled for the employer on an assurance that in their old age they would not be left in the lurch". According to the historic observation of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, pension creates a vested right subject to CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 which are statutory in character since enacted in exercise of the power conferred under proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution of India. Thus introduction of NPS just through an Executive Order at the sweet will of the Govt. has not only violated the statutory provision guaranteed under Constitution of India, but also the historic decision of the Hon’ble Apex Court as above.
At last, it was unanimously resolved to conduct a mass rally in the state capital, Bhubaneswar on 26th April, 2023 by NJCA, Odisha with the seven point charter of demands which includes the demand to scarp NPS and restore OPS, Constitution of 8th Central Pay Commission, Payment of 18 months D A Arrear, Regularization of Contractual, Contingent and Part-time Workers including Gramin Dak Sewaks with Status and Pension etc. The proposed rally will be participated by the employees, pensioners and their family members of all Central and State Govt. employees and pensioners including teachers, Railway employees and pensioners of Odisha and to submit a memorandum to the Hon’ble President of India through the Governor of Odisha. Before that a mass public lunch hour demonstration will be held in all work places on 21st March, 2023.
The meeting was successfully conducted under the leadership of Com. Dipti Ranjan Mohanty, Asst. Circle Secretary NFPE (P-III), Odisha Circle and assisted by Com. Lingaraj Sahoo and Com. Gobardhan Barik, President, NFPE (P-III) and NFPE (P-IV), Bhubaneswar Divisional branch respectively.
The vote of thanks was given by Com. Suratha Kumar Khuntia, Asst. Secretary, NFPE (P-III), Bhubaneswar Division.
= BRUHASPATI SAMAL =
General Secretary
Confederation Odisha State CoC &
Joint Convenor, NJCA, Odisha
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