CM's appeal fails to move JAC
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 10 2018:
Asserting that the State Government has already given concrete assurance to implement the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission, Chief Minister N Biren has appealed to all employees to come back to their duties but the JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO has turned down the Chief Minister's appeal.
Replying to a query raised by media persons while visiting two veteran journalists and two retired Justices today, Biren while pointing out that an MoU has been already signed for implementation of the 7th Pay, appealed to all employees to come back to their duties.
The MoU was signed between the State Government, MGSF, MSSA and MSPU.
There were gaps of 3 to 4 years when the 5th Pay and 6th Pay were implemented in the State but this time there is a gap of only two years.
The 7th Pay would be paid in cash with effect from 2020, Biren said.
The JAC's demand is covered by the MoU.
Even though the MoU was signed by some other employees' bodies, it does not make any difference to the end result, the CM continued.
The Government wishes to deal the issue in a friendly and soft manner but befitting actions would be initiated as per law if the 28 lakh people of the State are put at stake, he warned.
He then appealed to all employees not to compel the Government to initiate such measures but come back to their duties.
On the other hand, JAC of AMTUC and AMGEO secretary general Biken Laitonjam said that they have studied the MoU signed between the State Government with three organisations.
The MoU is unacceptable to the JAC and it would carry on the ongoing cease work strike which completed 80 days today.
"Our agitation is for implementation of the 7th Pay with effect from January 2016 but the modality of payment or implementation can be worked out together with the Chief Minister", Biken said.
The CM sent invitation for talks twice but the JAC responded that invitation for talks should be made one day in advance and warrant of arrest, show cause and transfer/posting orders should be revoked first, he continued.
The fitment factor has been divided into three categories viz; 3.68, 3.00 and 2.57.The MoU was signed on the lowest fitment factor (2.57), he decried and questioned why the lowest category was chosen for the State employees and pensioners.
As per the MoU, 7th Pay would be implemented from April 1, 2020 while allowances from April 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020 would be deposited against GPF or EPF accounts at the pre-revised rate.
There is nothing worth considering in the MoU, Biken asserted.
Plan size for the 14th Finance Commission (2015-20) was fixed at Rs 35,000 crore and it took into account 7th Pay salaries and allowances.
As such, the 7th Pay should be implemented with retrospective effect from 2016, he reiterated.