Air Travel on LTC/FSP - clarification

The circular No. 2-5/2003-PW dated 26th February 2010, received from the Assistant Secretary(Perl), Secretariat, Andaman & Nicobar Admn. states that:

" Reference is invited to Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) OM No: 19024/1/2009-E.IV dated 13.07.2009, on the subject of 'Air Travel on official account - both domestic and international', endorsed to all HODs/Offices, vide Adminstration's No:2-5/2003-PW dated 12.08.2009. The above OM stipulates that all cases of air travel both domestic and international, where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the official concerned may travel only by Air India.

It is clarified that these instructions do not apply to those officials who are entitled to ship fare and their claim is restricted to FSP/LTC as per entitlement.

The above position is brought to the notice of all concerned for appropriate action in the matter. "

Union Budget 2010

Press Statement

The Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands observes with concern that the Union Budget 2010 presented in the Lok Sabha today by the Finance Minister is most disappointing as it does not address any of the issues raised by the central government employees organizations. There is no relief for the employees belonging to lower and middle categories from the income tax. Neither the maximum amount which is not chargeable to tax (first slab) has been nor the savings limit enhanced in real sense. The most objectionable aspect of the increase in indirect taxes has come in the form of a 5% increase in customs duty on crude petroleum along with a Rs. 1 per litre increase in central excise duty on petrol and diesel, thereby causing an overall increase of Rs. 2.50 per litre on the prices of petrol and diesel. Raising the prices of diesel and petrol will further fuel all-round inflation in the economy at a time when the people are reeling under the sky-rocketing prices. In accordance with the government’s privatisation policy, the Budget proposes to resort to disinvestment of central public sector undertakings to the tune of Rs. 25,000 crores. The Budget is silent over the demand of central government employees to lift the ban on creation of posts and recruitment in central government.

D Ayyappan

General Secretary

NGOs' Association

Annual General Body Meeting of Kadamtala Branch

Press Statement

The Annual General Body meeting of the Kadamtala Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was held on 21st February, 2010 at Kadamtala. Shri Masilamani, Assistant Engineer, APWD, Kadamtala was the Chief Guest in the Inaugural Session. Addressing the employees he stressed the need of collective bargaining rather than individual fight to achieve various demands of government employees and appreciated the activities of the Association. Shri SC Biswas, President and Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary also addressed the meeting. Shri Tapan Sen, Secretary, Kadamtala Branch, presented the working report and audited accounts since last general body meeting. Resolutions on various issues/demands concerning the government employees posted at Kadamtala were discussed and adopted in the meeting. A large number of employees attended the meeting.

Upgraded Grade Pay for the post of Lower Grade Clerks/Higher Grade Clerks

3-9/CC/2010 11.02.2010

To

The Secretary to the Govt. of India,
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension
Department of Personnel & Training,
North Block,
New Delhi – 110 001.

Sub: Upgraded Grade Pay for the post of Lower Grade
Clerks/Higher Grade Clerks - regarding.
--------------
Sir,

This Association has been representing to the Govt. of India and the A & N Administration for the last several years to enhance the scales of pay of Lower Grade Clerks and Higher Grade Clerks working under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The educational qualification for recruitment to the post of Lower Grade Clerk was raised to Class XII with computer education and typewriting essential, through an amendment in the Recruitment Rules during the year 1994. In the Central Secretariat and subordinate offices and also in the States and other UTs, the entry level qualification for the post of LGC still remains to be Class X.

Similarly, the duties and responsibilities of the Lower Grade Clerks and Higher Grade Clerks are higher than those of their counterparts in the Central Secretariat Services of the Govt. of India and subordinate offices. Manual of Office Procedure of the central government and that of the A & N Administration clearly reveal that HGCs and LGCs working under the A & N Administration are performing higher nature of duties. Being Dealing Assistants, LGCs and HGCs in the Andaman and Nicobar Administration are required to deal with complicated cases of various kinds and, thus, shoulder responsible work.

Even though the matter was placed before the successive Central Pay Commissions and central government in the past, the scales of pay of LGCs and HGCs were not enhanced. The Sixth Central Pay Commission during its visit to these islands had assured this Association to consider the above demand favourably but nothing positive was recommended despite such an assurance.


To add insult to injury, on the recommendations of the Sixth Central Pay Commission, the Group D staffs have been brought at par with the Lower Grade Clerks. When the Group D staff have been brought to Group C category, the existing employees in the lowest category of Group C should have been upgraded atleast to the next scale of pay/Grade Pay in order to remove the heart-burning among the latter.

Under the circumstances, this Association would request you kindly to examine this matter objectively and issue necessary orders upgrading the scales of pay/Grade Pay of Lower Grade Clerks and Higher Grade Clerks working under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, treating it as a special case.

Yours faithfully,


(D. Ayyappan)
General Secretary
Cell: 9434260430

Copy to:
1. The Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, North Block, New Delhi – 110 001, for kind information and favourable action.
2. The Joint Secretary(UT), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, North Block, New Delhi – 110 001, for information and necessary action please.
3. Comrade KKN Kutty, Secretary General, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers, A/2, 95, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi – 110 027 for necessary action.
4. The Chief Secretary, A & N Administration with the request to take up the matter with Govt. of India.


General Secretary

ADHOC REGULARIZATION

According to a FAX MESSAGE by the Special Secretary cum Director(Education) sent to all DDOs working under the Directorate of Education, Port Blair

Ref: F.NO. 2-4/Estt./Edn./903 dated 17.02.2010

"ALL DDOs UNDER THIS DIRECTORATE ARE DIRECTED TO FURNISH THE DETAILS OF THE PGT/GTT/PST/CI AND OTHER TEACHING STAFF THOSE ARE INITIALLY APPOINTED ON ADHOC BASIS WITHOUT ANY BREAK ALONG WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS TO THIS DIRECTORATE BY 10TH APRIL 2010 POSITIVELY FOR CONSIDERATION FOR REGULARIZATION. NO APPLICATION WILL BE ENTERTAINED BY THIS DIRECTORATE AFTER 10TH APRIL 2010 "

Visit of Com. K Ragavendran, Working President of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers

No.3-12/CC/2010 17.02.2010.

News Item

The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association organized a meeting of government employees and workers at Port Blair today (17.02.2010) evening. Addressing the meeting, Shri K. Ragavendran, Working President of the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers, New Delhi, who is currently on a visit to these islands, said that the 6^th Central Pay Commission and the Govt. of India had rejected the demand for need-based wages of Rs. 10,000/- as the minimum wages for central government employees. Referring to the practice prevailing in central public sector undertakings, where wage revision is carried out in every five years, Shri Ragavendran demanded that Central Pay Commissions should be set up after every 5 years instead of the present ten years. He said that the pay hike now received by central government employees cannot match the ever-increasing prices. He criticized the central government for not settling various issues which arose after the introduction of 6th CPC and which were taken up by the Staff Side. He dealt with a number of demands/issues of central government employees. He called upon the government employees and workers to participate in the agitational programmes being conducted by the employees’ organizations all over the country. Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association also addressed the meeting which was presided over by Shri SC Biswas, President of the Association. A large number of government employees and workers working under the A & N Administration and central government departments attended the meeting.

Press Statement

3-12/CC/2010 02.02.2010

Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association today (2.2.2010) met the Secretary (Perl), A & N Administration and discussed with him various issues pertaining to the clerical cadre staff. The Secretary (Perl) assured him that the process of financial upgradation under ACP/MACP for Lower Grade Clerks and Higher Grade Clerks will be completed very soon. General Secretary also demanded immediate decision on the Association’s demand for restructuring of the Amalgamated Clerical Cadre in order to remove stagnation among the clerical cadre staff. The Secretary (Perl) promised early action on the matter.

Restructuring of Forest Department Clerical Cadre

3-3/CC/2010 29.01.2010

To

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,

Andaman and Nicobar Islands,

Port Blair.

Sub: Restructuring of Forest Department Clerical Cadre –

regarding.

--------------

Sir,

I draw your kind attention towards this Association’s demand, submitted to you earlier, for restructuring of Forest Department Clerical Cadre. It has been noticed that no cadre review in respect of clerical staff has been undertaken by the Forest Department for the last several years despite the fact that there is all-round stagnation among the clerical cadre staff and the work load in the department has increased due to various factors. Higher Grade Clerks, Head Clerks and Office Superintendents are stagnating for a considerable period during the last more than one decade. Ban on creation of posts imposed by the central government during 1999 has further aggravated the situation.

It has further been noticed that while the cadre review and restructuring of Forest Officers are carried out from time to time, the lower level staff working in the offices are destined to stagnate. There is no denying the fact that the workload in the department has increased manifold over the years, but the number of clerical cadre staff is not increased and they are over-burdened with various types of works. The cadre review/restructuring has not been carried out for the lower level staff despite a recommendation of the Fifth Central Pay Commission to that effect.

We have noticed that resentment is growing among the Clerical Cadre staff working under the Forest Department due to the sheer neglect of their genuine grievances by the higher echelons of the Forest Department.

I would, therefore, request your goodself kindly to examine this issue and take immediate necessary steps for the cadre review/re-structuring of the Forest Department Clerical Cadre so that the stagnation among the clerical staff can be minimized to a great extent.

Action taken in the matter may please be intimated to this Association.

Yours faithfully,

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Delay in financial upgradation under Tourism Dept.& IP division

3-3/CC/2010 20.01.2010

To

The Director (IP&T),

Andaman and Nicobar Islands,

Port Blair.

Sir,

It has been reported to this Association that financial upgradation under the earlier ACP Scheme and MACP are due for a large number of employees working under the Tourism Department and IP Division. Personal requests made by the employees concerned to the authorities in the department have not yielded any fruitful result so far. This has created resentment among the employees.

I would, therefore, request you kindly to look into this matter personally and take immediate steps to clear all the ACP/MACP cases so that the employees concerned may get their due and rightful financial benefits.

Action taken in the matter may please be intimated to this Association.

Yours faithfully,

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Illogical insistence on vigilance certification

3-3/CC/2010 19.01.2010

To

The Chief Secretary,

Andaman and Nicobar Administration,

Port Blair.

Sub: Illogical insistence on vigilance certification by

Heads of Departments and Administrative

Sections for Clerical Cadre Staff - regarding.

-----------

Sir,

It has been noticed that the process of promotion and award of ACP to Amalgamated Clerical Cadre Staff are unduly delayed for the last few months thereby denying the benefit of promotion and financial upgradation in time to the employees concerned. One of the reasons, it is learnt, for the delay is the newly introduced system of vigilance clearance certification by Heads of Departments and administrative sections in the Secretariat.

Under the new system, vigilance clearance of the clerical cadre staff working in any of the subordinate departments has to be certified by the concerned Head of Office, Heads of Department and administrative section of the department. Due to poor communication facilities and scattered nature of the territory, collection of information from various offices in the outstations, particularly from southern group of islands, and seeking further clarifications, etc take long time thereby delaying the entire process.

It has further been noticed that such a system is superfluous considering the fact that both the Personnel Department and Vigilance Department are certifying the suitability of the employees for promotion/award of ACP. Introducing 2 - 3 more channels for vigilance clearance has proved to be redundant and unnecessary and serves no fruitful purpose and hence illogical.

This situation can be averted if the newly introduced system of vigilance certification by Heads of Departments and administrative branch in the Secretariat is dispensed with. Resentment among the clerical cadre staff, particularly among the Lower Grade Clerks who are waiting for their first financial upgradation in service, is growing.

I would, therefore, request your goodself kindly to look into this issue personally and dispense with the superfluous system of vigilance certification by Heads of Departments and administrative secretaries so as to speed up the process of award of financial upgradation under ACP/MACP and also to remove undue delay in promotion to various posts under the Amalgamated Clerical Cadre.

Yours faithfully,

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Cell: 9434260430

PICS from Annual General Body Meeting of SATB

Annual General Body Meeting 2010

The Annual General Body Meeting of South Andaman Teachers' Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers' Association was held today (13.02.2010) at Govt. Sec. School, Delanipur, Port Blair. Ms. Archna Arora, Principal Secretary(Education), A & N Admn. was the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Session. Addressing the teachers, Ms. Archna Arora dealt at length various issues/problems of teachers working under the Education Department and explained the steps taken by the Administration to resolve it. She assured the teachers that the Administration will examine all the demands put up by the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers' Association and take favourable action wherever it is possible after taking the views of the Association. Regarding inclusion of Part B higher Grade Pay to certain left-out categories of teachers, Ms. Archna Arora informed that the matter has already been taken up with the Govt. of India and asked the Association leaders to pursue the matter also at their level in Delhi. Regarding transfers and postings of teachers, Ms. Arora said than an Establishment Board has already been constituted by the Administration for this purpose. She reminded the teachers of their responsibility to teach honestly and with dedication.

Shri. Lawrence Fernandez, former President of the Association, who was the Guest of the Honour at the Opening Session, called upon the teaching community to strengthen the Association so that their problems and demands can be taken up further with the authorities concerned. Shri K G Das, former General Secretary of the Association also addressed the meeting. Shri Sadanand Rai welcomed the Chief Guest and others in the meeting. Earlier, on arrival at the venue of the meeting, Ms. Archna Arora was given a rousing reception by the teachers.

The Organisational Session of the Association started with the paying homage to departed leaders and teachers who died during the last one year. A condolence resolution was moved by Shri. T S Sreekumar. Shri Venkat Rama Rao, Secretary, South Andaman Teachers Branch of the Association presented the Report on the functioning of the SATB for last one year while Shri. N G Karmakar, Treasurer presented the Audited Accounts. Teachers participated in the discussion on the reports. Draft resolutions on various demands issues were moved by Shri. R Surendran Pillai, Joint Secretary, SATB which were adopted by the meeting after discussion.

Shri. S C Biswas, President and Shri. D Ayyappan, General Secretary also addressed the meeting. Shri. A K Sharma presided over the organisation session. A large number teachers working in various schools at Port Blair and South Andaman areas attended the meeting. Shri. P Jay Murthy proposed Vote of Thanks.

Annual General Body Meeting

SOUTH ANDAMAN TEACHERS' BRANCH

of

Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers' Association

HOLDS

ANNUAL GENERAL BODY MEETING

on Saturday the 13th February 2010

at Govt. Secondary School, Delanipur, Port Blair

Ms. Archna Arora, IAS

Principal Secretary (Education)

Andaman & Nicobar Admn.

has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest of the Inaugural Session

Comrade Lawrence Fernandez

Ex-President of NGOs' Association

will be the Guest of Honour

All Teachers working in South Andaman and Port Blair areas are requested to attend the meeting and make it a grand success.