Re-option opportunity for switching over to 7th CPC Pay Level
Reviewed to facilitate employees to exercise re-option to switch over to 7th CPC
NFIR
National Federation of India Railwaymen
3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi – 110 055
No. I/8/CRC/09/2019
Dated: 14/01/2020
The Cabinet Secretary,
Rashtrapati Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110004
Dear Sir,
Sub: Re-option opportunity for switching over to 7th CPC Pay Level-reg.
Ref: (i) Minutes of the 47th Meeting of National Council (JCM) held on 13/04/2019 under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary & DoP&T O.M. dated 13th June, 2019.
(ii) NFIR’s letter No. I/8/CRC/09/2019 dated 05/11/2019.
A copy of Federation’s letter dated 05/11/2019 relating to the issue of ‘re-option opportunity for switching over to 7th CPC Pay Level’ as raised in the 47th meeting of the National Council (JCM) held on 13th April, 2019 (para 4.5 of the minutes) addressed to the Cabinet Secretary, Government of India is enclosed for reference.
In this connection, NFIR desires to bring to the kind notice of the Government that the subject matter had also been discussed in the negotiating fora (PNM) at the level of Railway Ministry vide Agenda Item No. 20/2018. In its reply to the Federation vide letter dated 27/09/2019, the Railway Ministry has conveyed following decision based on the advice tendered by the Ministry of Finance vide I.D. Note No. 03-03/2018 E.III.A(V) dated 18/07/2019:-
“The matter has been considered and it is informed that the option for fixation of pay in the revised pay structure after the date of notification of the CCS (RP) Rules, 2016 i.e. 25/07/2016 cannot be exercised, as Rule of the said Rules provides for option only for promotion taking place up to 25/07/2016 (date of notification of the said Rules)”.
Federation desires to reiterate that it would be improper to restrict option opportunity only to a date during the period 01/01/2016 and 25th July, 2016 when the employees got promotion/financial upgradation later on within the option period of 90 days or beyond. This specific point however has not been considered by the MoF and also not properly appreciated by the Railway Ministry. Another important point needs to be considered is that if all the Government employees are required to be governed by 7th CPC pay levels only, then how and why instructions have been issued by the Government of India for enhancing the rate of Dearness Allowance applicable w.e.f. 01/01/2019 (raising the rate of DA from the existing rate of 148% to 154% w.e.f. 01/01/2019) to the employees continuing to draw their pay in the pre-revised Grade Pay/Pay Band of 6th Central Pay Commission. It is further brought to your kind notice that when 5th and 6th CPC pay structures were implemented opportunities for re-option were granted to the employees more than once. It would therefore be unfair to deny re-option opportunity now for switching over to 7th CPC pay levels. It is unfortunate that those promoted during the option period of 9Olays from 25th July, 2016 have also been denied re-option opportunity to switch over to 7th CPC from the date of promotion.
NFIR, therefore once again solicits kind intervention of the Cabinet Secretary and requests to get the matter reviewed to facilitate employees to exercise re-option to switch over to 7th CPC.
Federation may kindly be advised of action taken in the matter.
Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Dr. M. Raghdvaiah)
General Secretary
Source: NFIR