Copy of Memorandum submitted by the confederation on behalf of Stenographers

POINTS  FOR SUBMISSION  BEFORE  THE 7^TH CENTRAL PAY COMMISSION

          The  Confederation of  All  India Central Government Stenographers  Association, (CAICGSA) representing the voice  of  Stenographers  working in various  Central Government   Departments throughout the country is formed to safe guard the interest of Stenographers working in Central Government  Departments across the country.  The  6^th CPC invited the  CAICGSA on 5-3-2007 during its personal hearing held at  Chennai for hearing our views on revision of pay structure.

As you are kindly aware that Stenographers are the backbone of the Bureaucratic work force.  We are less in numbers but our role assumes greater significance in the day-to-day discharge of duties by all Officers of the Central Government.

We anticipate good career progression and expect sympathetic consideration of the VII CPC in settling all outstanding issues, including the anomaly created while implementing the 6^th Pay Commission’s recommendations. 

Consequent on sudden differentiation of the Cadre equality created by the Department of Personnel & Training, in contravention of the recommendation of the VI Pay Commission  we seek to render justice among its workmen and to place them equally so as to collectively share the benefits of pay with absolute parity among themselves as mentioned in para 3.1.10 at page 121 of its report.

The VI Pay Commission report has highlighted that  establishing the  principle of equal work for equal pay i.e., treating all Stenographers i.e., CSSS cadre and subordinate cadres equally and stressed the need for ensuring full parity between these two cadres right from this state i.e., from 1.1.2006.

         

Before going into the merits of this case this Confederation would like to place before you Sir, the facts about historical parity till 4^th Pay Commission and the fight by this Confederation for pay parity on par with the Central Secretariat Stenographers since the Constitution of the 5^th CPC.

            Summary of Pay scales from 1to 6^th Pay commissions:

Pay Commission	Non-Secretariat	Central Secretariat
First	Rs.160-330	Rs.160-330
Second	Rs.210-425	Rs.210-425
Third	Rs.425-700 (Gr-II)	Rs.425-800
Fourth	Rs.1200-2040 (Gr.III) Rs.1400-2600 (Gr-II)	Rs.1200-2014 (Gr.’D’/Gr.III) Rs.1400-2600 for Gr.II/PA From this pay commission onwards disparity was created by grant of higher pay scale of  Rs.1640-2900to Gr.II/PA vide order dated 31.07.1990.
Fifth	Rs.5500-9000-Gr.I Rs.5000-8000-Gr.II Rs.4000-6000-Gr.III	Rs.5500-9000 (Gr-II/PA) Subsequently revised to Rs.6500-10500 w.e.f. 15.09.2006. Rs.4000-6000 (Gr.’D’/Gr.III)
Sixth	Gr.II – PB-1 Rs.5200-20200 GP.2400(Gr.III renamed as Gr.II) Gr.I – PB-2 Rs.9300-34800 GP 4200 Gr.I(Gr.II & Gr.I merged) PS – PB-2 Rs.9300-34800 GP 4600 Sr.PS. PB-2 Rs.9300-34800 GP 4800 After 4 Years GP 5400/- in PB-2	Gr.’D’ – PB-1 Rs.5200-20200 GP 2400 (after 5 yrs. PB-2 Rs.9300-34800 GP 4200) Gr-‘C’ PB-2 Rs.9300-34800 GP 4600 PS  Rs.9300-34800 GP 4800 (After 4 yrs. 9300-34800 GP 5400 in PB-3). PPS  Rs.15600-39100 GP 6600 in PB-3 Sr.PPS Rs.15600-39100 GP 7600 in PB-3 PSO Rs.37400-67000 GP 8700 in PB-4

Stenographers in all  the Departments/Offices of Secretariat and non-Secretariat Service are placed in the same Pay Band & Grade Pay at the initial stage by the 6^th CPC.  However, steadily anomalies have cropped up and Stenographers in non-Secretariat Service are treated indifferently which will be clear from the above table.    

          From the above work study it will be crystal clear as to how the 6^th CPC has prejudiced the Stenographers cadre.  We are not against better pay scales to other categories of staff.  But at the same time, we have a strong feeling that the Pay Commission has not given justice to our cadre.

 

8.1.    The Pay scale of Grade-C/PA of Central Secretariat Service was Rs.5500-9000 till 14.9.06.  It was increased arbitrarily to Rs.6500-10500 w.e.f. 15.9.06 vide Department of Personnel and Training OM No.20-29/2006/CS-II(CS-I) dated 25.9.96 after formation of VI CPC.

It is pertinent to mention here that the argument of the government so far has been that the Stenographers working in CSSS cadre and the subordinate services are not having equal work and responsibility.  The DOPT O.M.No., 10/4/99-CS-II dated 1.11.1999 has given an elaborate picture about the duties of Sr. Principal Private Secretaries/ Principal Private Secretaries/ Private Secretaries/ PAs/ Stenographers working in Central Government departments including Ministries.  Nowhere the O.M. differentiates CSSS cadre Stenographers and subordinate services Stenographers by way of separate allocations of duties and responsibilities.  Further the above O.M. dated 1.11.99 refers to DOPT O.M.No.10/11/87-CS.II dated 14.2.1988, also maintains uniform role and duties of PA to Stenographers by referring to O.M.No.29/10/57 O.M. dated 3.7.1964.  In addition to the duties not mentioned in the above O.Ms., the Subordinate service cadres are performing so many other important duties.  The same was brought to the perusal of the VI Pay Commission in the form of a memorandum when this Confederation was invited to participate in the personal hearings by the Hon’ble Justice Srikrishna, Chairman of the VI Pay Commission on 5^th March 2007 at Chennai. 

Actually, the subordinate stenos are in fact doing lot of diversified work which is voluminous in nature comparatively in a tough work environment with additional duties and responsibilities, as practically, the Stenos in administrative offices of subordinate services have to spearhead and motivate the operational offices under them in implementing the government policies and programmes at the grass root level.

VI Pay Commission has rightly recorded this which is reproduced below:-

3.1.1 “The Secretariats are chiefly involved in matters relating to formulation of policy and ensuring that the policies are executed in a coordinated and effective manner.  Actual execution of these policies, however, is left to field agencies outside the Secretariat which may be either attached or subordinate offices or quasi-government/ autonomous/ public sector undertakings.

3.1.3. Higher pay scales have been in the Secretariat may have been justified in the past when formulation of proper policies was of paramount importance.  The present position is different.  Today, the weakest link in respect of any government policy is at the delivery stage.

Field offices are at the cutting edge of administration and may, in most cases, determine whether policy turns out to be success or a failure in terms of actual benefit to the consumer.  Accordingly, the time has come to grant parity between similarly placed personnel employed in field office and in the Secretariat“.

All the Stenographers throughout the country were / are recruited through SSC whether they are in CSSS or Subordinate Service. This practice is prevailing since the inception of Staff Selection Commission, the premier recruitment agency of the Government of India, working under the Ministry of Personnel, Grievances and Pension. The Stenographers who choose ‘X’ ‘Y’ or ‘Z’ group are appointed accordingly either in CSSS or subordinate service.  This shows that the earlier principles of Recruitment were framed with a view to help all, equally and based on merit, they were given postings accordingly to the group selected by them at the time of recruitment and the number of posts vacant in each group at the time of advertisement.

Further,  for selection of Stenographers under combined recruitment by SSC the qualifications prescribed – educational and technical, method of recruitment – written and followed by technical examinations conducted, the pay scale for all the groups i.e., ‘X, Y or Z’ are the same.  Nowhere the advertisement issued by SSC mentioned that those who opt for Secretariat service will be given more pay in the form of different pay scales compared to others posted in subordinate service.

  The VI Pay Commission has therefore rightly observed that future recruitments should be made with sufficiently knowledgeable persons with computer background and advanced work skills. The DOP&T should have followed this advice  of VI CPC in toto, which has been accepted by the Government, as they knew very well that from Kashmir to Kanyakumari the younger generation who appear for the Govt. Recruitments are Graduates/Post Gradutates and above with computer background. It is pertinent to mention here that both CSSS and Subordinate service Stenographers are working with senior officers only, who are of All India Cadre Officers and have the facility to work both at H.Qrs., (CSSS) as well as anywhere in India i.e., Subordinate service.  Hence the level of work output is same for both Stenographers as both have to work under the same senior officers in one time or the other.

         

It is also to be mentioned here that in subordinate service, even the entry level stenographers are attached to senior officers whereas in CSSS only sufficiently senior is given the opportunity to work with senior officers.  For Gr.’D’ & Gr.C/PA Direct recruitment in CSSS and Subordinate offices are  done through SSC only. Because of their placement in CSSS as Grade D (entry level Steno), they can appear for  departmental Exam, after completing 3 yrs. of regular service in the entry grade and climb for further promotions in the ladder and reach the position of Class-I Officer upto JAG level.  They will also get promotions easily, as enough vacancies are being created in time and periodical cadre restructuring is done for them. This facility is not available for Stenos of subordinate services, who have no promotion at all and their promotions arise only when physical vacancies arise.  Even in that also, distinction is created by awarding them different Grade Pay  with an intention to keep CSSS cadre  one level higher than subordinate cadre.

          However, the DOP&T has cleverly tried to protect the interest of CSSS Stenographer cadre by overriding the principle of ‘equality’ that was recommended by a Constituted Higher Authority i.e., the VI Pay Commission which is totally an injustice meted to Stenographers working in Subordinate services.  They revised Recruitment Rules for CSSS Stenographers. If  the DOP&T intent  to recruit really suitable candidates with sufficient educational and technical background to suit the needs of the present environment, they could have framed uniform recruitment rules for all Stenographers throughout the Country, right from entry level, based on the recommendation of the VI Pay Commission. However, just to divide, as if, creating an impression that to work in CSSS, one has to be more talented than their counterparts at subordinate services, is totally imaginative and to create a divide overlooking the recommendations of VI Pay Commission.  Mere geographical limits cannot be a reason for treating a set of employees outside Delhi in a step-motherly attitude as far as pay and allowances are concerned.

The DOP&T thereby created an unnecessary divide by framing new Recruitment Rules, just to safeguard the interests of CSSS Stenographers, who have been considered as their favourite child, (ever since the fourth Pay Commission) thereby tried every method and the authority at its command to frame service rules to push the subordinate stenographers back in the race, without any reason,   deliberately to seal their fate in promotions / grant of  Grade Pay etc., which this Confederation to place before your Honour for justice, after waiting patiently all along.

           

Hence, the new Recruitment Rules framed by DOPT is unjust, arbitrary and violation of Article 14 exclusively for Stenographers in CSSS who were also recruited by the Staff Selection Commission, the recruiting authority, who have all along been recruiting the Stenographers through Combined Competitive Examination for CSSS and Subordinate Services. 

We seek your kind intervention and recommendation/ directions to DOPT to frame uniform Recruitment Rules for Stenographers of CSSS and subordinate Service, right from entry level as future recruitments is likely to create a difference between CSSS and subordinate service stenos. 

Para 3.1.10 of the VI Pay Commission states, “Keeping in view the general principle envisaging multi-skilling and de-layering that this Commission is recommending for the entire Government, no justification exists for maintaining a distinct Stenographers cadre in any Government office”   “there is a need for ensuring full parity between these two cadres right from this stage”.

In Para 3.1.14 , of the recommendation it is stated that in accordance with the principles in the earlier paragraphs of the recommendation parity between field offices and secretariat offices is recommended. The same has been accepted by the Govt. vide Section II of Part B of First Schedule of CCS (RP) Rules, 2008.

MF notification F.No.1/1/2008-IC dated 29^th August 2009 under Government of India’s decisions-

(1)                               1-clarification to Note 2A below rule 7 of CCS (RP) Rules 2008 states “in call cases of upgradation of posts as a result of recommendations of Sixth CPC, the fitment table attached to the O.M. of even No. dated 30.8.2008 corresponding to the pre-revised scale shall be used for the purpose of determination of pay in the pay band”. 

(2)                               2 “(i) Where all posts in one are pre-revised scales are merged with higher pre-revised scale and given a common replacement scales, grade pay the suitability of the incumbents need not be assessed for granting them higher replacement pay scale/ grade pay and the incumbents will automatically be granted the replacement scale/ grade pay as recommended by the commission”.

Stenographers of CSSS and subordinate services fall under this category.

This was not followed in true principle by the DOP&T, which has, with an intention to isolate the subordinate service, created a distinction between them and CSSS and deliberately violated the recommendation of the VI Pay Commission and introduced Model Recruitment Rules for Stenographers of all Categories in Subordinate offices which will have a damaging effect on the promotion prospects of serving employees, (who are already suffering without time bound promotions and facing indirect sealing of their promotional prospects due to non-convening of DPCs periodically) as if they were second category employees within its own administrative set up,  creating a cloudy impression that they have  different/ little workload as compared with their CSSS counterparts.

         

This Confederation feels here that to quote the Judgement pronounced in the OA 164/2009 Delhi Principal Bench (D-8) will be very much relevant here, wherein there is a mention that before IV CPC stenographers of CSSS and Field Offices were holding the posts and had identical pay scale (Rs.1400 scale)  In 1991 only CSSS Gr.C Steno got 1640.

Fourth Pay Commission’s observations are:-

8.41 The scale Rs.425 (pre-revised) covers posts of Assistants and Stenographers in different Ministries/ Departments, auditors under C & AG.  The recruitment is either through competitive examination or by promotion from the scale of Rs.330-560.

8.44 Considering the duties and responsibilities of these posts and the fact that promotions to these are made from more or less similar levels, we recommend that all categories of posts presently covered by the scales a) 425-800 b) 425-700 c) 440-750 d) 470-750 and e) 440-750 may be grouped together and given the scale of Rs.1400-2300. This was accepted by the government.  But in violation of the recommendations of IV Pay Commission, the CSSS cadre Gr.II/PAs were granted 1400-2600 which was later extended to subordinate office Gr.II stenographers also vide order dated 4.5.1990.  CSSS cadre Gr.II/PAs pay again revised to Rs.1640-2900 vide order dated 31.7.1990, leading to disparity amongst the equally placed employees.

It is clear from the above facts that there was historical parity amongst the CSSS and subordinate Stenographers.  But the recommendations of  Pay Commissions were  bypassed just to favour a section  of employees working under the same government in the Central Secretariat.

The grounds that substantiate this Confederation’s plight for seeking justice are given below:-

1.      The Pay Commissions have all along maintained equality for Stenographers Cadre up to Fourth Pay Commission, as mode of Recruitment was same for all. Suddenly after the implementation of the Fourth Pay Commission Report, the pay of Assistants &  Stenographer Gr.C of Central Secretariat was raised to Rs.1640/- w.e.f. 1.1.1986 from  Rs.1400/-, thereby creating anomaly among the Central Secretariat and Subordinate Cadres, in Stenographer Cadre.  The Stenographer Cadre is a common cadre and wherever they work, they perform same or similar duties (as per DOPT O.M. dated 1.11.1999) and hence the disparity created within the cadre, that too created by the DOP&T itself is arbitrary/unreasonable. 

2.      This injustice continued in the Fifth Pay Commission also, (from 1.1.96) without equating the officials of the same cadre (Central Secretariat & Subordinate service). Some Stenographers working in field offices were fortunate enough to get this disparity removed by approaching various CATs, whereas many Stenographers working in subordinate services could not get the benefit of equation with that of CSSS Cadre..

Here the observations of the Hon’ble Supreme court in the case Indrapar Yadav Vs. Union of India (1995 (2) SLR 248) are quoted, to strengthen our case for parity:-

“Those who could not come to the court need not be at a comparative disadvantage to those who rushed in here. If they are otherwise similarly situated, they are entitled to similar treatment if not by any one else, at the hand of this court”.

1.      After setting up of the 6^th Pay Commission, the ray of hope of equality among the cadres was felt as the Chairman Hon’ble Justice Shri Srikrishna and Learned Members of the VI Pay Commission who gave a patient listening to the feelings during the personal hearing with members of this Confederation and after analyzing the work duties and responsibilities of the Cadres have very correctly EQUATED the Central Secretariat and  Subordinate Cadres and merged  and upgraded those in the pre-revised basic pay scale of Rs.5000/-, Rs.5500/- to Rs.6500/- (Rs.6500/- is equated with Stenographer Gr.C of Central Secretariat)  in the subordinate services and equated them with Stenographer Gr.C of Central Secretariat and granted them the pay scale of PB-2 Rs.9300/--34000/- with Grade Pay of Rs.4200/-.

  In   violation of the Constitutional Authority, the Pay Commission,  the DOP&T has arbitrarily revised the Grade pay of Stenographers of CSSS Cadre to Rs.4600/- from 1.1.2006 vide order dated 16.11.2009  instead of Rs.4200/- and subsequently placed them one level above the subordinate service Stenographers thereby creating inequality among the cadres again.  In the above order reads “ With the issue of the O.M. dated of even No. dated 13.11.2009 the grade pay of Rs.4600 has already been introduced in the case of office staff in field offices”.  In reality  Stenographers working in subordinate services are denied minimum fixation in the pre-revised upgraded scale of Rs.6500-10500 grade pay of Rs.4600 as on 1.1.2006 on the ground that they were not in the pay scale of Rs. 6500 as on 1.1.2006 but only placed in 6500 scale by way of merger of scales of pay of Rs.5000, 5500 with the higher pre-revised scale of Rs.6500.

          Further, as prayed in the Memoranda of this Confederation to the VI Pay Commission during personal hearings has awarded grant of three MACP promotions to all Cadres so as to justify equality among the workforce in recognition of the valuable service rendered by them to the Govt., irrespective of where they work, whether in Central Secretariat or at Subordinate Services.    The MACP that is being awarded to Central Secretariat Services is again higher by one level i.e., instead of awarding Grade Pay of Rs.4200/-, Rs.4600/- and Rs.4800/- to them on similar platform with subordinate service Stenographers,   Central Secretariat Service Stenographers were awarded at higher Grade pay  of  Rs.4600/-, Rs.4800/- and Rs.5400/- which is  against the principles of natural justice and created inequality among the cadres, thereby violating the Provisions contained in Article 14 of the Constitution.

2.      In regard to promotional avenues also, where the Central Secretariat Stenographers have seven promotional ladders, from entry level Grade ‘D’ in PB-1 with GP 2400 to PB-2 GP 4200 after completing 5 years, then promotion to Gr.C /Gr.II in PB-2  GP 4600, Private Secretary in PB-2 GP 4800, After 4 years as PS PB-3 with GP 5400,  Principal Private Secretary in PB=3 GP 6600, Sr. PPS in PB=3 GP 7600, PSO in PB-4 GP 8700.  Whereas  the Subordinate Service Stenographers have only three actual promotional ladders i.e., Gr.II PB-1  GP 2400 to  Gr.I in PB=2 GP 4200, PS in PB-2 with  Grade pay of Rs.4600/-, Sr. PS in PB-2 with GP Rs.4800/- and after completion of 4 years in Sr. PS grade very rarely to PB-2 with GP Rs.5400/-. 

          The confederation fervently request the Hon’ble Chairman and Members of the VII CPC to consider our long pending demands and order full parity.

Upgradation of  grade pay of Grade-II stenographers:

Grade-II :   The The DOPT upgraded   the post of Grade-III stenographers into grade-II, retaining the same grade pay of Rs.2400/- with the  Pay Band of Rs.5200-20200   Now the Grade-II cadre is the feeder cadre and there is wide gap between the GP of  Grade-II and Grade-I.  When the earstwhile grade-II post was merged with Grade-I, the new upgraded post of Grade-II should have been retained the grade pay of Rs.4200/-.  The Grade-II Stenographers are above the grade  of UDCs in all  Central Government establishments and additional qualification of Stenography and Computer knowledge besides adequate skill in English require to perform the duties of Stenographer.  A Stenographer who is assisting the Executive Officer of the administration shoulder responsibility in sharing the burden of the Officer in all Official work, which  paves the officer to concentrate more on productivity.

 So, we request to enhance the entry grade pay scale from the Present grade pay of  Rs.2400/- to grade pay of  Rs.4200/-in  PB-2 Rs.9300-34800

Enhancement of GP of Grade-I Stenographers.

          The  Stenographer cadre in field offices(Other than CSSS) are the most affected cadre denying adequate promotional opportunities.  99 percent of the stenographers are to retire  from the entry grade or only few gets one promotion  that too after a gap of  20 to 25 years.  But unfortunately the next grade pay is much lesser though the  Grade-I post is classified as Groub-B, Non-gazetted.  Our promotional avenue became a standstill when the Grade-II & Grade-I(Rs.5000 and Rs.5500/-) were merged to Rs.5500/- scale and  merged in the lower GP of Rs.4200/- only.  It is therefore, fervently requested to  enhance the grade pay of Grade-I Stenographer from the present GP of Rs.4200/-  to Rs.4600/- or equal GP, as a Stenographer  working in Field office has to work minimum 20 to 25 years to reach the post Grade-I Stenographer.

     So, we request to enhance the  grade pay  from Rs.4200/- to  Rs.4600/-in PB-2  Rs.9300-34800

Enhancement  of  GP of PS post:

          Only few stenographers  gets one or two year of service to work in PS post  after  a dedicated service of  30 to 35 years(  In a State in a department one or two posts of PS only exists) the GP is reduced to Rs.4600/-, though the post of  classified as Group-B Gazetted.  Whereas the  PS posts of CSSS gets GP of Rs.4800/-(they gets privilege of  automatic upgradation to Rs. 5400/- after 4 years).  The Post of PS were equal to Assistant Director equivalent  till IV CPC.

          We request the VII CPC to recommend upgradation of the status of PS  posts to  Group-A cadre  enhancing the grade pay to Rs.5400/- considering the importance of the posts as only Sr.Administrative Grade Officers  are eligible to have PS  posts.

         

Enhancing the  GP of Sr.PS and re-naming the post as PPS:

The Sr. PS posts exists in non-sectt service only and that too with lesser GP of Rs.4800/-.  Whereas  in CSSS the post is in the elevated stage of  PPS with GP of Rs.6600/-.  This may kindly be equated and  the post of Sr.PS renamed as PPS in non-Sect. office with  GP of Rs.6600/-.  In state head quarters the Central Government department heads are  equal to Additional Secretary and above ranks and in CSSS  those officers are  provided with  PPS posts.  In  non-sectt. Service hardly one steno gets a chance to become Sr.PS that too after a dedicated service of  30 to 35 years.  It is therefore, requested to upgrade the post of Sr.PS  and equate with CSSS as PPS with the GP of Rs.6600/-.

 

 Recruitment  to  the cadre of Stenographer Grade-II

          It is suggested to  make recruitment  to the cadre of stenographer Grade-II   along with the graduate level examination now being conducted by SSC, enhancing the minimum qualification from Matric standard to Graduate, with computer and  Stenographic knowledge.

There should be only one common cadre for Central Sectt and Subordianate office and disparity existing should be removed by merging steno in to one single cadre on All India Basis.

         

Grade-II Stenographers(entry grade) are recruited through a very stiff open competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Commission.    The stiffness of the examination may be adjudged from the facts enumerated below:-

a. The Examination consists of two parts viz (1) Written test (2) Stenography test.

b.  After qualifying in the written test only a person can appear in the stenography test.

c. No general person can appear in this examination excepting a person who has vast knowledge in Stenography and English and having a minimum speed of 80/100 wpm in shorthand can apply for this examination.

d. To know the stenography every person has to take strenuous practice and patience.

e. “Stenography” is a system of phonographic shorthand which was founded by Sir Issac Pitman and invented this system in Nineteenth Century.

f. In the present days during the busy schedule of officers, any officer can not deny the help of stenographer.

          g.  In whole world stenographer is recruited for this specialized job.

Change of Designation/Nomenclature:

The present designation `Stenographer’ was given from the time immemorable when the work of a stenographer was confined only to taking dictation and typing.  At that time the typing work was done in manual typewriter.  Over the years both the office and the style of functioning of office has undergone considerable changes with the development of technology and human resource.  i.e. in the case of Stenographers mere taking dictation and typing has been changed and the style of working was advanced with the use of modern office equipments/technologies.  With the wide and effective use of computer, fax, internet, email etc. the style of doing the work has changed a lot.  Employees are asked to give more output.  New techniques are experimented for getting more work done with the existing staff strength.  In this context we strongly feel that the necessity of changing the very old designations in order to match with the time very important and essential.  For doing this, the Government does not want to bear additional financial burden.  On the other hand employees are motivated in an effective way without any cost to the government. Moreover, at least a change in designation will be a kind of relief to those who are stagnated in same grade/designation for many years for want of sufficient vacancies in higher grades.  Under these circumstances we humbly submit the following suggestions before the respected Commission to change the existing designations of Stenographers for kind favourable consideration euqal in both  CSSS and Subordinate Offices  

Existing	Proposed
Stenographer Gr.II	Jr.Executive Secretary
Stenographer Gr.I	Executive Secretary
Privater Secretary	Sr.Executive Secretary
Sr.Private Secretary	Principal Executive Secretary
PPS	Executive Officer/OSD

The change in the designations as proposed above does not make any financial implication as there is no change in the Pay Band or Grade Pay but will be a motivation/self boost to the employees carrying the above designations.

          Better  promotional opportunities are very less in the cadre of Stenographers.  Now  a days  all the Stenographers are highly qualified  with additional qualification in software  and highly skilled in English language.  In private sector/oil  sector, the stenographers are  getting more  promotional opportunities  and even they are allowed to  shift/change their cadre and are given managerial capacity for the better administrative interest.  As their trained skills can be utilized for bettermint.  It is suggetsted to  introduce  such an option to  Stenographers in Central Government service also and  while  changing the nomenclature the role of stenographers may be utilized for managerial/supervisory duties  with a vision to utilize their services for the bettermint of the  administration.

MACP

    The three level MACP may be changed to 4 level promotion during the completion of  8 years, 16 years, 24 years and 30 years, since the most of the new recruits come to the Govt services between the ages 28 to 30 years, and the promotional opportunities in many cadre are very less.

      It is also suggested to  introduce  GP/scale on promotional hierarchy while granting MACP for getting minimum benefits on promotion.

GRADE PAY:

The present Grade pay system is not favor to the Govt. employes, since   it is proposed with a marginal increase and in uniform manner. In some stages, it gives the benefit of Rs.200/ only during promotions which  is not sufficient to meet two meals cost. The promotion of the official has to be honored by giving some additional benefits not less than minimum Rs.2000/= from one Grade pay to another Grade pay, then only the officials will opt the promotions. At present, most of the promotions were denied by the Govt.officials for the main reason of financial hardship. Hence, the minimum increase of  Pay must be Rs.2000/= during the promotions from one Grade to another Grade.

           

Increment

In fact the single date increment system has brought lot of  anomalies. In our opinion, the commission must recommend, for administrative expediency, two specific dates as increment dates. Viz. 1st January and 1st July.

 Those recruited/appointed/promoted during the period between 1 Jan and  June, will have their increment date on l January and those recruited/appointed/promoted between 1st July and 31st December will have it on 1st July next

This apart the Commission is required to specifically recommend that those who retire on 30th June and 31st December are granted one increment on the last day of their service.

Rate of  Increment may be increased from 3% to 5%.

Allowances & Advances

The existing allowances need to be retained. They are at a realistic level having been evolved by successive Pay Commission over detailed deliberations. Other than HRA & HBA, all allowances/advances are to be multiplied by 2.5 times according to the ratio of Dearness allowance and inflation.

The rates of all the above allowances shall automatically increase by 25% whenever the Dearness Allowance payable on the revised pay bands goes up by 50%.

  

HOUSE RENT ALLOWANCE:

The existing rate of HRA  is not felt sufficient.   The classification of cities may  be  treated as A and A1 only  by retaining the  percentage as  30  and 25, as  in any ‘C’ class city  the rent rate is very high and ordinary employees can’t manage.  It is suggested to introduce two slab system as A1 and A2 only  so that all categories of officers/employees are treated equal.

ENCASHMENT OF EARNED LEAVE:

The Govt. official may be permitted to encash the Earned Leave up to 15 days every year. Now, 10 days are allowed at the time of availing LTC only. It will increase the man power in the office.

CONVERSION OF HALF PAY LEAVE:

The officials may be allowed liberally to convert the half pay leave as EL at the time of need of the Govt. official without any condition

REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES:

The present prescribed rates are not sufficient to meet the medical expenditure of the  Govt.officials. It may be increased according to the average claim of the leading Hospitals. In respect of major deceases, the actual rate charged by the approved Hospital is  to be reimbursed.

ESIC scheme can be introduced/extended to Government sector employees also.

CHILD CARE LEAVE:

Now  child care  leave is  entitled  only for female employees.   It is felt that the scheme may please be  extended to male employees also  with maximum of 1 year leave as care of  father is also felt to be extensive for a growing child.

SPECIAL ADVANCE OR PERSONAL LOAN

In all the Banks, the bank employees are allowed to get personal loan at a lower rate of interest of SB rate 4% to meet the urgent family expenses of the Govt.official for their children higher education and marriage expenses. This may be allowed once is a year upto the limit of their 5 Times of Basic pay+Grade pay recoverable in 20 installments. It will reduce the financial hardship.

PAYMENT OF BONUS:

The recommendations of the 5th CPC & Bazle Karim Committee Report which are yet to be acted upon by the Government. The present system of Productivity linked bonus is the product of bilateral agreements and cannot be changed through unilateral decisions. What is needed is that the Government must issue necessary guidelines to enable all departments to enter into such bilateral agreements with their staff unions so that the adhoc bonus system presently in vogue in many departments could be abolished. The minimum bonus prescribed Rs: 2500/= was raised as Rs:3500/= per 30 days is not sufficient to meet their festival expenses of all members minimum to 4 persons. It may be recommended to raise to Rs.6000/- for 30 days, then only the purpose for it is declared will serve its intention.

 It is suggested to extent  Bonus to all  officers/officials   all irrespective of ranks ie, right from Secretary level officers as the contribution of all includes in increasing the productivity.

  

HOUSE BUILDING ADVANCES: 

It may be raised to 60 times if Basic pay+ Grade pay and recoverable in 240 installments or the remaining number of years multiplying in months, The simple rate constant interest may fixed as 8% for which providing a house to every citizen is the Govt.policy.

   

TRAVELLING ALLOWANCE:

The present scheme of food allowance is felt to be unfair as  in  rural  areas getting a receipt  from small hotel is a task and  the current rate is also not sufficient as for a breakfast minimum rate comes above Rs.70/-.  It is suggested to re-introduce DA rates  by increasing the  DA rate considering the  prize rise.( ie, equal to food charge)

 LEAVE TRAVEL CONCESSION [LTC]       - At present LTC is  allowed once in two years for Home town and once four year for All India.  Govt. Official may be allowed to avail the LTC with out the condition to return from the last point in short cut route,  and may be allowed to visit some stations in different route also. 

DA MERGER: 50% DA merger as done before submission of last 6^th CPC report

INTERIM RELIEF:   PRAY FOR  immediate 20% INTERIM RELIEF

PENSION:

• Commutation table has to be revised by two time of the existing rate.
• Instead of the new Pension scheme of 2004, the statutory pension scheme must be allowed to the employees who had joined in the Department on or after 01.01.2004.
• The existing pensioners pension has to be revised as per the new formula for the new pay fixation with a minimum pension of Rs. 8500/=.

At present, the enhanced pension is being allowed after attaining the age of 80, it may be considered after attaining the age of 75 years

NEW Projected  PAY SCALES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF 7^TH CPC W.E.F. 01.01.2016  for the cadre of Stenographers both  CSSS and Non-Sectt(common)

6th CPC PAY STRUCTURE				Projected PAY STRUCTURE OF 7TH CPC
Pay Bands	Grade Pay	Pay in the Pay Band		Pay Band	Grade Pay	Pay in the Pay Band	Pay Scale
Stenographer-Grade-II ( to be renamed as Jr.Executive Secretary)
PB-2 9300- 34800	4200	9300	13500	30000-100000	15000	30000	45000
Stenographer Grade-I (To be renamed as Executive Secretary)
9300-34800	4600	12540	17140	40000-100000	18000	35000	52000
Private Secretary(To be renamed as  Sr.Executive Secretary)
9300-34800	4800	13350	18150	40000-100000	20000	40000	59000
Sr.Private Secretary((To be renamed as  Principal Executive Secretary both in CSS and non-Sectt as common) ( After completion of 4 years in PS grade an NFSG  is to be given)
15600-39100	6600	15600	22200	50000-150000	24000	50000	75000
PPS ( Executive Officer/OSD) both in Sect and non-sectt as common)
15600-39100	7600	18750	26350	50000-150000	28000	60000	88000

CHQ- PB No.17

Kollam-South India

30^th June 2014                                                            (M.Harisuthan)                                                                                                        Secretary General,CAICGSA