The 33rd Conference of the All India Accounts and Audit Officers Association held in Nagpur on 29th and 30th August 2008 discussed the problems confronting the Central Government Employees’ & Officers in particular and the working Class of this country in general in the background of developments at the national and international level. The conference notes that the uncontrolled inflation has resulted in spiralling prices making the living conditions of the working Class including the middle class to which majority of Central Government Employees’ & Officers belong miserable. The meeting notes that even after the implementation of VI CPC recommendations real wages has eroded as a result of inflation.
The conference notes with concern the decision to implement the recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission with effect from 1.1.2006 without considering any of the demands made by Staff Side JCM and Officers Organisations. The VI Central Pay Commission while agreeing to grant the wages linking with raising prices and Dr.Ackroid’s formula had erred in adopting the norms. The selection of wrong basis for the calculation of the minimum need for a family based on price level created by a newspaper and ‘adhoc’ addition of 20% towards housing transport and medical needs of the Employees’ totally ignoring the 25% addition towards social obligation and educational need, has resulted in lesser minimum wage minimum pension/family pension to the employees in the lower strata and officers up to Group ‘B’ level. The assumption that the Group D scales are going to be subsumed in the future and providing the ‘minimum wage’ at the level of “Group C” entry stage had thrust upon a permanent injustice on the Central Government Employees and Pensioners. The failure to provide equal fixation benefit for all grades of Central Government Employees by adopting the multiplication factor of 2.625 of pre revised basic pay, the proposal to introduce revised price Index for Central Government Employees as well as an adverse commutation table, withdrawal of existing benefits like CGHS, CCA, benefit of fixation on promotion at the rate of 10 percent of grade pay and pay in pay band with a minimum benefit of Rs.1000, denial of loans and advances at reasonable rates from consolidated fund of India, and denial of Interest free advances to the lower strata of employees etc, coupled with introduction of the contractorisation and outsourcing at the level of Joint secretaries and above has increased the discontent among the Central Government Employees and Officers.
It is therefore demanded that the Government of India should discuss the proposals made by the ‘Staff side – JCM’ and the other Employees’/pensioners’ Federation/Officers’ Confederation with a view to settle the ’above said anomalies’ at an early date. This 33rd Conference of All India Accounts and Audit Officers Association, therefore, endorsed the “18 point Charter” finalised by the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers and authorise the National Executive to endorse the programme of action finalised by the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, including the decision to participate in the “Indefinite Strike” action during December’08 if such an action is inevitable.
In respect of the Employees and Officers working under the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the Conference notes with dismay that the VI Central Pay Commission totally ignored the demand made by the employees and officers Federations. It further negated the basic foundation of wage fixation in the IA&AD by introducing an argument that the parity of pay scales between the central secretariat employees and the IA&AD employees were never agreed to by the Government of India ignoring the conscious decision taken by the conclusions of the IV and V Central pay Commission in this regard. This decision has contributed to merge the Cadre of SOs (Group B non-Gazetted) and AAOs (Group B Gazetted) into a single pay band and placement of Divisional Accounts Officer cadre above the level of AOs though the Divisional Accountants are not expected to qualify in the SOG Exam and are supervised by the AOs in their functions. Such action has resulted in the negation of the benefit accrued to the Employees/Officers of IA&AD after prolonged struggle which was also based on an arbitration award under the scheme of JCM as well as the decision of the Government of India represented by the Group of Ministers based on merit. The denial of the benefits of restructuring in the IA&AD enjoyed from 1.4.1984 and endorsed and expanded by the IV and V central pay commissions has to be highlighted and protected by suitable organisational action. The continued denial of Group ‘A’ status to the Sr.AOs, the arbitrary conditionality of age restriction of 53 years for entry into the cadre of Group ‘A’, failure to enhance the percentage of promotional avenue to the Sr.AOs to 50% of the Group A sanctioned strength and other organisational grievances which are listed in the charter of demands merit further pursuance with C&AG of India. The task of getting adequate TA & DA on tour for IA & AD employees also needs continued attention.
It is noted with concern that the cadre of AOs/Sr.AOs were not subjected to review so far. The Officers serving in the Central Government enjoy promotional avenues as well as ACP up to the level of Joint Secretaries. The Government of India has now extended the benefit of ACP to the Group “A” services as well. The Conference therefore authorises the National Executive Committee to initiate the ‘Dialogue” to explore the possibilities of “Cadre review” of SAO/AOs in the IA & AD.
The Conference therefore authorises the National Executive to draw suitable programme of action in the event of a failure to get a negotiated settlement with C&AG. The Conference notes with satisfaction the progress made in Joint struggles by the Group ‘B’ and promotee Officers through the Confederation of Central Government Officers and the Joint Struggle by Co-ordination Committee of Audit and Accounts employees and Officers Organisations. The Conference also authorises the National Executive to develop the Co-ordination and to implement the call given by these mass organisations.
The result of Computerisation, Contract employment and outsourcing of employees coupled with unscientific reduction of Staff strength based on the recommendation of the ‘task forces’ appointed by the C&AG, failure to fill up the vacancies under the lower level and the failure to operate the leave reserve etc has thrust enormous work load on the AOs & SAOs. We are also concerned with the wilful negation of the C&AG of India in discharging his Constitutional functions under the guise of Audit Plan, Performance Audit, arbitrary reduction of “Audit Paragraphs” under the Suo-motto reviews, waiver of basic accounting checks of classification and restriction placed on the normal checks while authorising the Entitlement functions to the State Government Employees and the constraints under which the officers in IA&AD are subjected to work. Our demand for sanction of adequate staff for “Local Body Audit Function” and continued reluctance to bring the public Sector organisations like LIC, Banks under the audit purview of the C&AG of India also merit sustained struggle till these demands are achieved. To achieve these objectives the Conference authorise the National Executive to organise Convention and improve the public awareness about the role of audit in the parliamentary democracies. Regarding the demands listed in the departmental Charter the National Executive committee can take up at departmental level and authorises for fruitful negotiations.
The Conference also notes the harmful effect of the uncontrolled price rise and ever increasing inflation in the house hold of our Officers/employees besides the poor and unorganised sector. The Conference was of the opinion that the organisation cannot be silent spectator when anti-employee decisions are thrust on the working class. The Conference was of the unanimous decision that the organisation shall resist the anti employee decision of the Government by organising joint struggles with other trade unions and mass organisations. The Conference also resolved to fight the “New pension Scheme”, attempts to take away CGHS by introduction of Health Insurance scheme and investment of pension/PF funds in speculative market etc. with our full strength and to defeat them in the interest of the nation.
All these can be achieved only when our unity is maintained and developed. To this end we authorise the National Executive to initiate dialogue/ discussions with other organisations in the IA&AD to bring them all under “one umbrella” In this connection our efforts to secure recognition for P&T Audit, Railways and Defence Audit Associations early shall continue. Workers of the World unite shall be our guiding principle.
The Conference further authorises the Secretariat to take appropriate action for the pursuance and implementation of the above policy and programme decision from time to time in consultation with various decision making forums of the organisation.
Sd/-
President of the Conference
The conference notes with concern the decision to implement the recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission with effect from 1.1.2006 without considering any of the demands made by Staff Side JCM and Officers Organisations. The VI Central Pay Commission while agreeing to grant the wages linking with raising prices and Dr.Ackroid’s formula had erred in adopting the norms. The selection of wrong basis for the calculation of the minimum need for a family based on price level created by a newspaper and ‘adhoc’ addition of 20% towards housing transport and medical needs of the Employees’ totally ignoring the 25% addition towards social obligation and educational need, has resulted in lesser minimum wage minimum pension/family pension to the employees in the lower strata and officers up to Group ‘B’ level. The assumption that the Group D scales are going to be subsumed in the future and providing the ‘minimum wage’ at the level of “Group C” entry stage had thrust upon a permanent injustice on the Central Government Employees and Pensioners. The failure to provide equal fixation benefit for all grades of Central Government Employees by adopting the multiplication factor of 2.625 of pre revised basic pay, the proposal to introduce revised price Index for Central Government Employees as well as an adverse commutation table, withdrawal of existing benefits like CGHS, CCA, benefit of fixation on promotion at the rate of 10 percent of grade pay and pay in pay band with a minimum benefit of Rs.1000, denial of loans and advances at reasonable rates from consolidated fund of India, and denial of Interest free advances to the lower strata of employees etc, coupled with introduction of the contractorisation and outsourcing at the level of Joint secretaries and above has increased the discontent among the Central Government Employees and Officers.
It is therefore demanded that the Government of India should discuss the proposals made by the ‘Staff side – JCM’ and the other Employees’/pensioners’ Federation/Officers’ Confederation with a view to settle the ’above said anomalies’ at an early date. This 33rd Conference of All India Accounts and Audit Officers Association, therefore, endorsed the “18 point Charter” finalised by the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers and authorise the National Executive to endorse the programme of action finalised by the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, including the decision to participate in the “Indefinite Strike” action during December’08 if such an action is inevitable.
In respect of the Employees and Officers working under the Indian Audit and Accounts Department, the Conference notes with dismay that the VI Central Pay Commission totally ignored the demand made by the employees and officers Federations. It further negated the basic foundation of wage fixation in the IA&AD by introducing an argument that the parity of pay scales between the central secretariat employees and the IA&AD employees were never agreed to by the Government of India ignoring the conscious decision taken by the conclusions of the IV and V Central pay Commission in this regard. This decision has contributed to merge the Cadre of SOs (Group B non-Gazetted) and AAOs (Group B Gazetted) into a single pay band and placement of Divisional Accounts Officer cadre above the level of AOs though the Divisional Accountants are not expected to qualify in the SOG Exam and are supervised by the AOs in their functions. Such action has resulted in the negation of the benefit accrued to the Employees/Officers of IA&AD after prolonged struggle which was also based on an arbitration award under the scheme of JCM as well as the decision of the Government of India represented by the Group of Ministers based on merit. The denial of the benefits of restructuring in the IA&AD enjoyed from 1.4.1984 and endorsed and expanded by the IV and V central pay commissions has to be highlighted and protected by suitable organisational action. The continued denial of Group ‘A’ status to the Sr.AOs, the arbitrary conditionality of age restriction of 53 years for entry into the cadre of Group ‘A’, failure to enhance the percentage of promotional avenue to the Sr.AOs to 50% of the Group A sanctioned strength and other organisational grievances which are listed in the charter of demands merit further pursuance with C&AG of India. The task of getting adequate TA & DA on tour for IA & AD employees also needs continued attention.
It is noted with concern that the cadre of AOs/Sr.AOs were not subjected to review so far. The Officers serving in the Central Government enjoy promotional avenues as well as ACP up to the level of Joint Secretaries. The Government of India has now extended the benefit of ACP to the Group “A” services as well. The Conference therefore authorises the National Executive Committee to initiate the ‘Dialogue” to explore the possibilities of “Cadre review” of SAO/AOs in the IA & AD.
The Conference therefore authorises the National Executive to draw suitable programme of action in the event of a failure to get a negotiated settlement with C&AG. The Conference notes with satisfaction the progress made in Joint struggles by the Group ‘B’ and promotee Officers through the Confederation of Central Government Officers and the Joint Struggle by Co-ordination Committee of Audit and Accounts employees and Officers Organisations. The Conference also authorises the National Executive to develop the Co-ordination and to implement the call given by these mass organisations.
The result of Computerisation, Contract employment and outsourcing of employees coupled with unscientific reduction of Staff strength based on the recommendation of the ‘task forces’ appointed by the C&AG, failure to fill up the vacancies under the lower level and the failure to operate the leave reserve etc has thrust enormous work load on the AOs & SAOs. We are also concerned with the wilful negation of the C&AG of India in discharging his Constitutional functions under the guise of Audit Plan, Performance Audit, arbitrary reduction of “Audit Paragraphs” under the Suo-motto reviews, waiver of basic accounting checks of classification and restriction placed on the normal checks while authorising the Entitlement functions to the State Government Employees and the constraints under which the officers in IA&AD are subjected to work. Our demand for sanction of adequate staff for “Local Body Audit Function” and continued reluctance to bring the public Sector organisations like LIC, Banks under the audit purview of the C&AG of India also merit sustained struggle till these demands are achieved. To achieve these objectives the Conference authorise the National Executive to organise Convention and improve the public awareness about the role of audit in the parliamentary democracies. Regarding the demands listed in the departmental Charter the National Executive committee can take up at departmental level and authorises for fruitful negotiations.
The Conference also notes the harmful effect of the uncontrolled price rise and ever increasing inflation in the house hold of our Officers/employees besides the poor and unorganised sector. The Conference was of the opinion that the organisation cannot be silent spectator when anti-employee decisions are thrust on the working class. The Conference was of the unanimous decision that the organisation shall resist the anti employee decision of the Government by organising joint struggles with other trade unions and mass organisations. The Conference also resolved to fight the “New pension Scheme”, attempts to take away CGHS by introduction of Health Insurance scheme and investment of pension/PF funds in speculative market etc. with our full strength and to defeat them in the interest of the nation.
All these can be achieved only when our unity is maintained and developed. To this end we authorise the National Executive to initiate dialogue/ discussions with other organisations in the IA&AD to bring them all under “one umbrella” In this connection our efforts to secure recognition for P&T Audit, Railways and Defence Audit Associations early shall continue. Workers of the World unite shall be our guiding principle.
The Conference further authorises the Secretariat to take appropriate action for the pursuance and implementation of the above policy and programme decision from time to time in consultation with various decision making forums of the organisation.
Sd/-
President of the Conference
