allowances, amenities, facilities etc. and other issues...
TRANSCRIPT
SECOND REPORT OF THE PAY COMMITTEEI 2001 .
ALLOWANCES, AMENITIES,FACILITIES ETC. AND
OTHER ISSUES IN RESPECTOF EMPLOYEES
OF RAJYA ·SAaHA RND10K SAIHA SECRETARIATS
(,
I SECOND REPORT. "OF THE
'PARLIAMENTARY PAYCOMMITIEE
Allowances, Amenities, Facilities etc. and otherissues in respect of employees of
Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats
Presented to
THE CHAI~MAN, RAJYJ\ SABHAAND
THE SPEAKER,LOK SABHAON
30TH AUGUST, 2001
Parliamentary Pay Committee Cell
August, 200l/Bhadrapada, 1923 {Saka}
CONTENTSSVBJEcr
The Committee. III ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Preface : .I. Introductory .II. Allowances, Amenities, Facilities etc. . .
SECI10NA-General2.1 Medical Facilities , .2.2 Accommodation Facility .2.3 Overtime Allowance II ••• II ••• II ••.•••••••••••• II ••••
2.4 Honorarium III III • III" 111.111. ~ •• 111.111 •••• III III • III •••
2~S Uniforms. III 111.111.111 III III ••• III •••••••••••••••••••• 111.111 •••••• III •••••• III III ••••••
2.6 Cadre Review , III •••• II ••• I ••••••••• J'if ••••••.•••••••
2.7 Parliamentary/Sessional Allowance .2.8 Risk AllowancelInsurance Coverage .2.9 Conveyance/Transport Allowance .2.10 Children Educational Assistance .2.11 Transport Facility .2.12 Uniformity in facilities-equal opportunities of
promotions .2.13 Concession to Employees' Ward .2.14 Catering facility. after office hours .2.15 Residential official telephone .2.16 Reimbursement of Newspaper expenditure .2.17 Holiday Home ~ .2.18 Special Pay .2.19 Night Duty Allowance .2.20 Compensatory Leave for Gazetted Officers .2.~1 Constitution of Grievance Redressal Cell .2.22 Training of Officers and Staff .................• ,•.............2.23 Constitution of Standing Parliamentary Committee ..2.24 Washing Allowance ~ .2.25 Honorarium to Reporters and Interpreters .2.26 pate of implementation of allowances etc. . .SECI10NB-Issues specific to Rajya Sabha Secretariat2.27 Casual Leave , .2.28 Welfare Cell .2.29 Abolition of co-terminus posts .2.30 Educational Allowance .2.31 Shift Duty System ; .2.32 Bonus interest for non-withdrawal' from GPF .
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-' Sp•••. :/ 2.33 CcJacessioaal Loans.. •..•••.....•..............................
2.34 Rajya Sabha Secref'anat 'E:mployees Association .2.35 Promotional Avenues ~
~:'~., 2.36 Joint Recruitment Cell .2.37 Uniform Entry Level in different Services ............•. ,2.38· Transfer P~licy .SECI10N e-Issues Specific to Lok Sabha Secretariat2.39 Functioning of O&M Unit .'2.40 Leave Travel Concession .2.41 Recruitment ~ .2.42 Deputation ~ '0' •.
2.43 Interaction of Secretary-General with E~ecutive. Council, Lok Sabha Employees Association
(~EA) ~ .2.44 Hindi Advisory and Implementation Committee .2.45 RestRoom e- •. ,e •.•.•••.•.•.•.•••••••••• -••••••••••••••••••••.•••
2.46 Medical Treatment for Retired Employees .2.47 Transfer .Poli~y ,.~.. ' _: ' .2.48 .Reservation for SCIST .. -..- , .•......................2.49 Commission for Governance of Einployees" on the
lin~H!,H~":o.f CoIllDlPDS ••••••,•••••••••••••••••••••••••••2.50 Ho'USe Rent AUowance .............................•...........2.51 'P,omotion of ResearchlReference AssistaJit' of
~A~RDI Service as Executive Officer/AssistantDirector it ••••••••••••••••••••....••.•••••••••••••. . ',- ,.,
Ill. Assured Career ,ProgressionIFinancial UpgradationScheme ~ e. ••
IV.V.
Re-designation of Under SecretarylDeputy Secretary .Reference made by the Speaker, Lok SaW. of a specificcase involving:::appQintment· of Officers fromcooul)onpanels. to differtitC~s in. Lok Sabha Secretariat andthe stated. anomalies thereon -.....................•. ~.:....• ;~.}\eferCDCC'aad,e' by ·,the Chairman, Rajya Sabba onstagnation in Verbatim' Reporting and Simultaueous' .Interpr~ta.tjonSo~ iathe;Rajya. SabbaSeeretariat .....Matters relatins"to?teNisionofscales- of pay ...........••. '~'.'.
SECTI8KA ~llcptcscntatiODS for review of,:~es of pay •SECTION B --Introduction of Special Grade·fur·.·StaffCar
'Drivers ~•....... ,:•........- .
'VII.
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.:VIII. Matter relating to age of ·retirementof Secretlri~-'..- General'ofRajya Sabha and Lok'Sabba ...•~ ~ ."APPENDIx,....Assure4.Career ProgressiOnlFinancial Upgradation
. "Scheme': ~'.~J •••••••.••••••• ~ ~: ••••••••••••••• -•••••••••• ~ •• ' ••• ~ ••.••••.••
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CI{.4J.~
Prof,;,Utnmated4y"'VeDkateswarlu," 'M~P.Chaimtan,t~"'Committee
MEMBERS
Sbri.Narayan: Datt Tiwari, M.P.,Cb~, Public AecountsCommittee
Shri Yashwant Sinha,MiDiIterofFillance '
Shri PramodMahajan,Minister. of, Parliamentary AffairsShri Pranab 'Mukherjee, 'M.P. (Rajya Sabha)
Shri Ram- Gopal Yadav, M.P. (Rajya Sabha)
Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Sh~~.C.Tripathi; ,,'SeCretary-General, R."jya Sabha
Lok" Sabha Secretariat
Shti,\ ••9'·C.':•••¥aIb6tra,SeCretitti:"(3~gerij~tc*' Sabha
- . ::: ... : ;.' :"'c ' ' '. - ' ~"", ' . ','. .
PREFACEI, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Pay Committee, having beenauthorised by the Committee to submit their Second Report on theirbehalf present the same.
2. The Speaker, Lok Sabha in consultation with the Chairman,Rajya Sabha constituted a Parliamentary Pay Committee on 20.11.19?8 toadvise the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, Lok Sabha on thechanges that are considered desirable in the structure of pay, allowances,leave .and pensionary benefits to the .Officers and all categories ofemployees of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats in the contextof the dec_ion of the Government of India on the recommendations of theFiftIt Central Pay Commission. The Committee submitted their FirstReport on 26.04.1999 to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, LokSab•••. The Report of the Committee mainly related to the scales of payfor Officers and Staff of both the Secretariats. The recommendations ofthe Committee made in the First Report were accepted by the Chairman,Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, Lok Sabha and were given effect tosimultaneously in both the Secretariats. The Committee had alsorecommended that they will deal with those matters referred to them otherthan pay scales separately. Meanwhile, the 12th Lok Sabha was dissolved.
3. The present Committee was appointed by the Speaker, Lok Sabha inconsultation with the Chairman, Rajya Sabha on 28.07.2000 to consider theunfinished items of work left out by the earlier Committee. TheCommittee concluded their deliberations on allowances, amenities,facilities etc. and other issues in respect of employees of Rajya Sabha andLok Sabba Secretariats and finalised their report -at..their sitting held' on28.08.2001.4. The Committee appreciate the work initiated/done by the earlierCommittee constituted during the term of the 12th Lok Sabha.
S. T~e Committee also wish to place on record their thanks to all thosewltohelped them in their work. III
NEWDEUU;August 30, 200i
BhadrafHlda 8, 1923 (Saka)
PROF. UMMAREDDYVENKATESWARLU,
Chairman.
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IINTRODUCTORY
1.1 The Speaker, Lok Sabha in consultation with the Chairman,Rajya Sabha constituted a Parliamentary Pay Committee on 20.11.1998to advise the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, Lok Sabha onthe changes that are considered desirable in the structure of pay,allowances, leave and pensionary benefits to the Officers and allcategories of employees of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats(RSSIL~S) in the context of the decision of the Government of Indiaon the recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission.
1.2 The Committee had received 293 memoranda/representations fromthe Officers and Staff of both the Secretariats. A total number of 134Officers and Staff belonging to various categories had appeared beforethe Committee and gave evidence/presented their cases for better payscales, improvement in conditions of service, better promotionalopportunities, removing of anomalies within the Secretariats. andbetween the Secretariats.
1.3 The Committee submitted their First Report on 26.04.1999 to theChairman, Rajya Sabha and. the Speaker, Lok Sabha. The Report of theCommittee mainly related t~ the scales of pay for Officers and Staff ofboth the Secretariats. The recommendations of the Committee made inthe First Report were accepted by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and theSpeaker, Lok Sabha and were .given effect to simultaneously in both theSecretariats. The Committee had also recommended that they will dealwith those matters referred to them other than pay scales separately.Meanwhile, the 12th Lok Sabha was dissolved.
1.4 On 28.07.2000 the Speaker, Lok Sabha in consultation with theChairman, Rajya Sabha reconstituted the Parliamentary Pay Committeeto consider the unfinished items of work vide Rajya Sabha BulletinPart II, No. 38232 and Lok Sabha Bulletin Part II, No. 1111, bothdated 28.07.2000. The text of the Bulletin is reproduced as follows:-
"The Speaker in consultation with the Chairman, Rajya Sabhaconstituted a Parliamentary Pay Committee on 20th November,1998 to advise the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker,Lok Sabha on the changes that are considered desirable in thestructure of scales of pay, allowances, leave and pensionarybenefits to the Officers and all categories of employees of theRajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats in the context of the
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decision of the Government of India on the recommendations of theFifth' Central Pay Commission.
The Committee submitted their First Report on 26th April, 1999 tothe Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, Lok Sabha. Therecommendations of the Committee made in their First Report wereaccepted by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, Lok Sabhaand were given effect to simultaneously in the Rajya Sabha and theLok Sabha Secretariats.
The Committee also recommended that they will deal with thosematters referred to them other than pay scales separately.
Accordingly, the Speaker, in consultation with the Chairman,Raj~a Sabha has been pleased to appoint a Parliamentary PayCommittee consisting of the following Members to consider theunfinished items of work-
Chairman, Estimates Committee Chairman(Prof. Ummareddy Venkateswarlu)Chairman, Public Accounts Committee Member(Shri Narayan Datt Tiwari)Minister of Finance Member(Shri Yashwant Sinha)Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Member(Shri Pramod Mahajan)Member of Rajya Sabha Member(Shri Pranab Mukherjee)Member of Rajya Sabha Member(Shri Ram Gopal Yadav)Both the Secretaries-General of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha will
be associated with the Committee.The .Committee will make their recommendations to the
Chairman, Rajya Sabha and Speaker, Lok Sabha as early aspossible."
1.5 The reconstituted Committee held their first sitting on 10.08.2000.While taking stock of the unfinished items of work, the Committee notedthat the predecessor Committee had already completed the work ofcollection 'of written and oral submissions from the employees of both theSecretariats. It was felt that the Committee might, therefore, straightawayproceed to consider the various pending items. Accordingly, they directedthe Secretariats to prepare a consolidated statement on such issues and onwhich submissions/suggestions had been received from the employees ofboth the Secretariats. The Committee also took note of the fact thatcertain additional\items had also been referred to them by the Chairman,Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, Lok Sabha. Broadly, the items of work tobe dealt with by the Committee were as follows:-
(i) Allowances, amenities, facilities etc.I
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(ii):ln their First Report the earlier Committee had observed thatthe designation/revised designation in respect of two categoriesof posts, viz. Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary would beconsidered and finalised later.
(iii) Subsequent to the submission of. the First Report by the .earlier, Committee, the Speaker, Lok Sabha had separately desired that
the Committee might also look into a specific case involving ,appointment of Officers from common panels to differentServices in LSS and the stated anomalies thereon.
(iv) A note had been received by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha fromShri Pranab Mukherjee, MP, Member, Parliamentary PayCommittee regarding the revised scale of pay granted to DeputySecretaries and equivalent.
1.6 The Committee initially considered the matter at their Second andThird sittings held on 15.09.2000 and 07.11.2000 respectively.1.7 Subsequently, at their Fourth sitting held on 28.11.2000, theCommittee observed that representations had been received from theemployees of both the Secretariats inter alia claiming some anomalies in
. the scales of pay as recommended by the Parliamentary Pay Committeein their First Report which had already been implemented anddemanding revision of scales of pay .in those categories. Since thepresent Committee were to- consider the unfinished items in terms of theBulletins on reconstitution of the Committee and as 'revision of scales ofpay had already been conclusively decided by the earlier Committee, itwas felt that perhaps, this matter was not strictly within the scope of'exaqtination of the present Committee. However, the Committeedecided to look into those cases, and if found desirable afterexamination on merits to bring the matter to the notice of the PresidingOfficers of both the Houses. The areas wherefrom representations hadmainly been received alleging anomalies/discrepancies in the scales ofpay related to the following:-
(i) Group 'D' employees(ii) Officers in the scale of pay of Rs. 8000-13500(iii) Officers in the scale of pay of Rs. 10000-15200(iv) Officers in the scale of pay of Rs. 12750-16500
1.8 The Committee further considered the issues at their Fifth sittingheld on 22.12.2000.1.9 At their Sixth sitting held on 11.04.2001, the Committee consideredvarious demands relating to allowances" facilities, amenities, etc. TheCommittee also decided to consider the issue regarding introduction ofSpecial Grade for Staff Car Drivers in the light of the implementationof the decision of the Government of India vide Orders dated15.02.2001.
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. 1.10 The Committee further received a reference from the Chairman,Rajya Sabha on stagnation in Verbatim Reporting and SimultaneousInterpretation Services in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat.
1.11 At the Seventh and Eighth sittings held on 13.08.2001 and20.08.2001, the Committee further considered the various issues. At theirsitting held on 20.08.2001, the Committee also heard Shri P.K. Bhandari,presently Director in Lok Sabha Secretariat on a representation submittedby him on 03.09.2000in the context of the reference made by the Speaker,Lok Sabha of a specific case involving appointment of officers fromcommon p~els to different Services in Lok Sabha Secretariat and thestated anomalies thereon. At their sitting held on 28.08.2001, theCommittee concluded their deliberations and adopted the draft Report.The Chairman was authorised by the Committee to finalise the Report ofthe Committee and submit the same to the Chairman, Rajya Sabha andthe Speaker, Lok Sabha.
1.12 During the course of examination, the Committee received commentsfrom the Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) vide theircommunications 5(25)E.III(A)197 dated 07.11.2000 and 13.01.2001 whichwere duly circulated to the Members of the Committee.
1.13 The demands received from the employees of both the Secretariats onallowances, amenities, facilities etc. were broadly as follows:-
(i) general nature pertaining to both the Secretariats(li) spec~c to RSS
<iii) specific to LSS
In addition to the above categories, demands were also made by theemployees of various nature including creation of posts, re-structuring ofServices, merger of posts, change of nomenclature of posts, parity withother Services in promotion, changes in Recruitment and Conditions ofService Orders, provision of residential telephones to all PrivateSecretaries to Chairman of Parliametary Committees, leave travelconcession to retired employees and their spouses, provision of attendantsto Under Secretaries etc. While some of these items have already beencovered in the First Report and some are being dealt with in this Report,certain others were to be looked into administratively.
1.14 The observations/recommendations of the Committee after examiningthe various issues are enumerated in the succeeding parts of the Report.
ITALLOWANCES, AMENITIES, FACILITIES· ETC.
Section A~eneral
2.1 Medical FacilitiesPresently, the employees of RSS and LSS are covered under the Central
Government Health Scheme (CGHS}Central Services (MedicalAttendance [CS(MA)] rules. While CGHS is applicable to the employeesresiding in CGHS covered areas, CS(MA) Rules are applicable in othercases. First Aid PostlMedical Centre at Parliament House/ParliamentHouse Annexe are primarily meant for Members of Parliament. However,the staff are also attended to normally in emergencies.
It was demanded inter alia that the employees of both the. Secretariatsshould be allowed to avail of the medical facilities available at the FirstAid PostlMedical Centre at Parliament House/Parliament House Annexe,the existing CGHS should be replaced with a suitable alternate scheme,compulsory medical check up be done of all the employees at least once ayear or in two years etc.
The Committee feel that the practice of providing medical faeilities tothe officers and staff of both the Secretariats in Parliament HouseiAnnexein emergencies may be continued. They do not agree for replacement ofthe CGHS Scheme. However, a scheme may be worked out. to.provide thefacility of me dical check up on optional basis to the employees in both theSecrretariats once in two years after completion of 40 years of age.
2.2 Accommodation Facility
From 1974 onwards the RSS and LSS are having their separate pools ofquarters for providing residential accommodation to ~heir employees. TheDirectorate of Estates have been making units of a~n~vailableto both the pools from time to time. For eligibility'~of·a~Dtdfquartersservice rendered in Ministries etc. prior to 01.01.198Sis reckoned. Theavailability of residential accommodation to the employees with referenceto the total strength is indicated in the following Table:-
Total Strength Number of Units ofAccommodation
430807
RSSLSS
10392100
Since 1987 no residential accommodation was placed at the disposal ofthe Lok Sabha despite persistent requests.
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Various demands were made before the Committee for improving theaccommodation facility in both the Secretariats. These included,procurement of additional units, especially in higher categories, hiring ofprivate houses on lease, counting of past service for determining theeligibility of allotment of accommodaiton, creation of a separate pool/priority category for women employees, allotment of quarters onfunctional basis etc.
The Committee were informed that in the case of RSS, on thecompletion of the INA residential complex which is presently under way,the level of satisfaction in respect of lower type of accommodation wouldincrease but it will remain unsatisfactory in respect of higher typecategories i.e. Type V and above. Efforts made to obtain additional unitsin those categories had not yielded any result so far. In the case of LSS,the present level of satisfaction was stated to be highly unsatisfactory.Efforts made by the Secretariat to improve the situation had also notyielded any concrete result. Considering the need for putting longllatehours of duties, particularly during the session periods, the Committee feelthat it is imperative to provide residential accommodation to employees inboth the Secretariats near to the Parliament complex. Concerted efforts,therefore, should be made to improve the satisfaction level in all categoriesin both the Secretariats.
The Committee note in this connection that the Ministry of UrbanDevelopment had recently allotted to LSS Pool, a plot of land withunauthorised clusters in Sector 2, R.K. Puram, New Delhi. TheCommittee recommend that the process of acquisition of vacant land andconstruction of quarters proposed for LSS in R.K. Puram be expedited.They desire that the authorities concerned should finalise a time-boundprogramm~ for completion of the project keeping in view the acuteshortage of accommodation to the employees., D 't'!
The Committee further recommend that additional units ofaccommodation, particularly, in Type IV and above be provided by theDirectQra,te;,~{E:~ta~es for the RSSILSS pools of residences or suitablesized plo1$ of Iand in any central area be provided for construction of thesehigher type of quarters.
As the RSSand LSS pools have only a limited number of quarters, theCommittee are of the view that creation of separate pools for womenemployees does not appear to be feasible at this stage.
The Committee also recommend that allotment of quarters be strictlydone in both the Secretariates on the basis of the rules/orders on thesubject.
2.3 Overtime ~llowanceOvertime allowance is presently granted to the employees of both the
Secretariat~ as per the orders of the Government of India on the subject as
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adopted from time to time. It was inter alia demanded by the employeesthat the rate of overtime allowance might be raised to Rs. 30-50 perhour, the current ceiling might be enhanced. from one-third of the workinghours per month to 100 hours or half of the working hours per month,persons in the Cleaner-Cum- Helper grade might also be given the overtimeallowance at par with Staff Car Drivers, etc. The Committee recommendthat the rates of overtime allowance prescribed by the I Government ofIndia may continue to be applied in both the Secretariats. -However, theceiling I from the present level of one-third of the amount payable formonthly working hours may be enhanced to half in respect of employeesother than staff Car Drivers and personal staff. The Staff Car Drivers andpersonal staff may continue to draw overtime allowance in accordance withthe present orders. The Committee further recommend that theadmissibility of the maximum overtime allowance to Cleaner-cum-helper~e made at par with Staff Car Driver.2.4 Honorarium
In pursuance of the recommendations of the earlier Parliamentary PayCommittee(s), the employees of the Secretariats who are required to sitlate in the office beyond 10 hours of duty in connection with the work ofthe House, Committees/Conferences and .other parliamentary work aregranted honorarium at the rates ranging from Rs. 10/- to Rs. 201- per day.An employee who is entitled to overtime allowance has the option to claimeither overtime allowance or honorarium for any particular day. Eligibilityfor payment of honorarium is subject to the upper limit of the basic payupto ~s. 35001- (pre-revised for gazetted officers).
It was demanded that the rate of honorarium should be enhanced toRs. 75-150 for non-gazetted officers and Rs. 100--200 for gazettedofficers, ceiling of basic pay of Rs. 3500/- (pre-revised) be dispensed withand the maximum ceiling of Rs. 5000/- as honorarium in the financial yearbe suitably revised.
The Committee recommend that this facility may be continued, to betermed as "Special Allowance" and granted as per the revised rates givenbelow:-
Existing rates (per day)Rs. 20/- for all GazettedStaff.Rs. 15/- for non-GazettedStaff (except for Group 'D~)~s. 101- for Group 'D'Staff2.5 Ubiforms
Presently, uniforms are provided in both theiSecretariats to certainspecified categories of employees only. It was demanded that uniforms be
Revised rates (per day)Rs. 60/- (Group 'A' upto levelof Director)Rs. 45/- (Groups 'B' & 'C')
Rs. 30/- (Group 'D')
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provided to all the employees irrespective of Services/categories to whichthey belonged. Various demands were also made about the quantity andquality of liveries to be provided. In the opinion of the Committee thedemand for provision of uniforms to all the employees in the Secretariatsmay not be accepted and uniforms may continue to be provided to theexisting specified categories only. As regards the quantity/quality of theliveries, the matter may be looked into administratively.2.6 Cadre Review
A de~and was made before the Committee that cadre review beundertaken atleast once in 3-5 years in all the cadres in both theSecretariats. The Committee considered the suggestion and arc of the viewthat such reviews should be held every 5 years in both the Secretariats.2.7 ParliamentarylSessional Allowance
Demands were made before the Committee for payment ofparliamentary/special/sessional allowance ranging from 10-30% of thebasic salary in view of the arduous nature of duties performed, particularlyduring session periods. After considering the matter in depth. theCommittee recommend that the employees of both the Secretariats begranted allowance during session periods to be termed as "OtherAllowances" as per the monthly rates given below:-
Group of Posts Amount(Rs).A 1000B 800C 600D 400
The a110wance may be made admissible at full rat~s for every calendarmonth in which Parliament is in session for atleast 15 days in that month.For session periods of less than 15 days in a month, the allowance may beadmissible at half the rate(s) prescribed for the full month. However, grantof overtime, special and other allowances will be mutually exclusive, i.e.the employees entitled for the aforementioned allowances would be eligiblefor only one of the same on a particular day/period.2.8 Risk AUowance/Insurance Coverage
The officers especially from the Watch & Ward Offices and DespatchRiders demanded that they might be paid risk allowance on the plea thatParliament Complex was a sensitive zone and protection of VVIPs entaileddanger of life. A demand was also made' for provision of additionalinsurance cover. In this connection, the Committee's attention has beendrawn to the fact that both the Secretariats have adopted the orders of theGovernment of India regarding grant of ex-gratia lump-sum compensationunder certain circumstances to the families of Central Government civilianemployees who die in harness in the performance of bonafide officialduties. Further, the employees of both the Secretariats are also covered
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under Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme. TheCommittee are, therefore; of the view that the existing orders/provisionswould reasonably take care of the element of risk.
.2.9 Conveyancelfransport Allowance
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Presently, the employees of both the Secretariats are granted transportallowance as per the orders of Government of India as adopted by theSecretariats. Reimbursement of conveyance charges to the employees onaccount of discharge of official duties is also governed by the orders ofGovernment of India on the subject.
It was demanded that the rates for the transport allowance be enhancedand also that the present ceiling for reimbursement of conveyance chargesof Rs. 150/- per month be removed.
In view of the fact that the Secretariats have already adopted theGovernment of India's orders in the matter of grant of transport allowanceand that conveyance is provided, although in a limited way, to officers whoare required to sit very late at night for discharging the duties, theCommittee do not favour enhancing the existing rates of transportallowance. However, in view of the split nature of duty in the case ofsanitary staff who are required to attend office twice a day, i.e. in themorning.as well as in the evening, upward revision may be made in theirexisting rate of transport allowance from Rs. 100/- to Rs. 2001- per month
O\log'jQq1:witheffect from 8Jii01I1J96. Grant of such enhanced .allowance berestricted to only those employees in the cadre of sanitary staff who rendersplit duties.
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The Committee note that as per the extant orders, employees areeligible for reimbursement of conveyance charges upto a maximum ofRs. 150/- per month only. In all other cases, concurrence of the Ministryof Finance was required. Keeping in view the nature of duties involvingimportant parliamentary work, the Committee recommend thatreimbursement of conveyance charges be made on actual cost basis withoutthe prescribed ceiling of Rs. 150/· per month and without any.reference tothe Ministry of Finance. However, reimbursements beyond the prescribedceiling (presently Rs. 150/-) may be granted only after their approval bythe respective Secretary-General.
2~10Children Educational Assistance
Presently, the employees of both the Secretariats are granted the facilityof reimbursement of children educational assistance"inaccordance with theorders .of the Government of India as adopted by both the Secretariats. Itwas suggested that full reimbursement of school fee of a maximum of twochildren might be made or the existing allowance might be revised suitably.
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In view' of the fact that the rules relating to the grant of childreneducational assistance have been revised by the Government of Indiawhich have also been adopted by both the Secretariats, the Committee donot find any need to revise the rates further.2.11 Transport facility
A demand has been made to augment the existing facility of providingstaff car/van etc. to the employees who are required to sit very late. TheCommittee note that after the grant of transport. allowance, transportfacility is strictly not permissible. However, keeping in view the functionalrequirements necessitating late stay in office, the Committee recommedthat the facility may continue to be provided particularly where theemployees are required to stay beyond 2200 hours subject to availability ofvehicles.
2.12 Uniformity in facilities/ equal opportunities of promotions
It was suggested that similar facilities should be provided to all officerswho are equivalent in their status i.e. on the basis of grades and not on thebasis of nomenclature. It was further demanded that if officers arepromoted in one Service, promotions should be made in other Servicesmore or less in the same proportion. Instances were also cited before theCommittee where officers in different Services recruited through commonexaminations were promoted at different points of time in LSS.
The Committee note that facilities are normally extended to categoriesidentified on the basis of pay scales and not on the basis of grades /nomenclature. However, certain facilities like residential telephones areprovided on functional basis. The Committee also note that as per theobservations by the Parliamentary Pay Committee (1999), there cannot beparity in Services within the Secretariat in determining promotionalavenues.
In the circumstances, the Committee are of the view that the mattermight be dealt with keeping in view the general principles laid down by theParliamentary Pay Committee (1999) and on need/functional basis.
2.13 Concession to Employees' Ward
It was demanded that special recruitment test should be conductedexclusively for the" children of employees who fulfil the minimumeducational qualifications prescribed for various posts in terms of therelevant recruitment Rules / Orders.
The Committee feel that the demand for special concession to theemployees' ward in the open recruitment examination may not beaccepted. However, appointment on compassionate. grounds to wards ofemployees who die in harness may continue fo be made as perRecruitment Rules and broadly keeping in view the orders of Governmentof India in the matter.
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2.14 Catering facility after office hoursIt was suggested that catering facility particularly for staff who are
_ required to sit late during session period might be improved. TheCommittee recommend that the matter might be looked intoadministratively keeping in view all the relevant factors.2.1S Residential official telephone
The Committee note that in both the Secretariats residential; officialtelephone is provided in accordance with the orders of the Government ofIndia to the officers of and above the level of Deputy. Secretary. Thisfacility was also extended to officers of the level of Under Secretary andbelow in certain cases on need; functional basis. Various demands' weremade before the Committee to extend the facility. The Committeerecommend that status quo may continue in the matter.2.16 Reimbursement of Newspaper expenditure
Presently, the facility of reimbursement of the expenditure incurred onnewspapers; magazines is available in both the Secretariats to the officersof the level of Executive Officer and above. It was suggested that the ratesof reimbursement might be doubled and also that the facility be extendedupto the level of Executive Assistant. The Committee recommend thatstatus quo may continue in the matter.2.17 Holiday Home
The Committee note that presently employees of the Secretariats wereallowed to have accommodation reserved for them in holiday homes runby the Directorate of Estates, Government of India. Demands were madefor extending this facility in MLA hostels, State Guest Houses, Traveller'sBungalow! etc. It was also demanded that the Secretariats might provide;set up their own Holiday Homes at selected places for the use of theemployees. The Committee are of the view that the present arrangementmay continue.2.18 Special Pay
The Committee note that alongwith pay and other admissibleallowances, incumbents to certain categories of posts were also grantedspecial pay in the pre-revised structure. Suggestions were received forprovision for grant of special pay in Certain categories. In this connection,the Committee note that the earlier Committee (1999) had recommendedthat in view of the revised pay scales, grant of special pay might bediscontinued. The Committee, therefore, feel that the suggestion for grantof special pay may not be accepted.2.19 Night Duty Allowance
The Committee note that orders of Government of India in the matterof grant of night duty allowance have already been adopted by both theSecretariats. It has inter alia been demanded that the existing rate of nightduty allowance might be enhanced. The Committee are of the view thatgrant of ,ight duty allowance to employees of both the Secretariats maycontinue In accordance with the extant rules; orders,2.20 Compensatory Leave. for Gazetted Omcers
The Committee do not agree with the demand for grant of compensatoryleave to the gazetted officers for attending office on holidays.
12
2.21 Constitution of Grievance Redressal CellIt was represented to the Committee that the mechanism available for
redressal of grievances in service matters in both the Secretariats was not- satisfactory. While a grievance cell consisting of officers exists in RSS, such
matters were dealt with by the Administration itself in LSS. Afterconsideration of the matter, the Committee are of the view that stepsshould be taken for evolving / improving an' appropriate mechanism tolook into the grievances of employees in both the Secretariats. TheCommittee also desire that both the Secretariats may examine thedesirability of setting up a body on the pattern of the Joint .ConsultativeMachinery (JCM) in Government of India separately in the respectiveSecretariats with a view to achieving greater efficiency and solvingproblems 'through joint consultation.2.22 Training of Omcers and Staff
A demand was made by the employees of both the Secretariats forproviding more opportunities for training within the country and abroad.After examining the various steps being taken for imparting trainingopportunities being provided to officers / staff by both the Secretariats, theCommittee feel satisfied with the existing arrangements. They, however,emphasise the need for making the training process more effective with aview to improving the quality of parliamentary administration.2.23 Constitution of Standing Parliamentary Committee
A suggestion was made that a Standing Parliamentary Committee onservice matters be set up to take care of anomalies which might arise in thewake of recommendations of the Parliamentary Pay Committee and theirimplementation. It was also suggested that such a permanent body mightalso look into service matters pertaining to both the Secretariats. TheCommittee do not favour the suggestion.2.24 Washing Allowance
Presently, washing allowance is being granted to the staff of Watch &Ward and specified Group 'C' and Group '0' staff at the rates of Rs. 7()1.,Rs. 6()1. and Rs. 5()1. per month respectively. Demands were made forincreasing the allowance as also for grant of equal' washing allowancewithout discrimination. In this context, the Committee note that as per theexisting orders in pursuance of the previous Committee (1986), theSecretaries-General are empowered to sanction upward revision in thewashing allowance rates consistent with the price rise from time to time.The Committee favour continuance of the existing arrangement.2.25 Honorarium to Reporters and Interpreters
The Committee note that based on the recommendations of the previousParliamentary Pay Committee (1986), Reporters / Interpreters ofRSS / LSS are presently paid honorarium at the rate of Rs. 80'- per dayfor covering conferences, meetings etc. of other Ministries/ departmentsetc. The Committee considered the revision of the rates and recommendthat the same be enhanced to Rs. 250'- per day.2.26 Date of implementation of allowances etc.
The revision of allowances etc. recommended in this Report may, unlessspecified otherwise, take effect from the first day of the monsoon sessionof Parliament commencing from 23.07.2001 and the arrears of pay andallowances due thereon may be paid in cash.
13
Section B-Issues specific to RaJya Sabha Secretariat
- 2.27 Casual Leave
It was demanded that the number of days of casual leave might beincreased from 8 to 18. The Committee do not find any valid justificationin the demand so as to depart from the rules in the Government of Indiagoverning grant/entitlement of leave which have been made applicable toRSS also.
2.28 .Welfare Cell
The ~ommittee considered the demand for creation of a Welfare Cellpertaining to the employees of RSS and feel that the matter could belooked into administratively.
2.29 Abolition of co-terminus posts
A demand was made for abolition of co-terminus posts and appointmentof departmental persons against such posts. The Committee note that co-terminus posts are created for appointment to the personal staff ofdignitaries like Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Leader of Opposition,Chairmen of Parliamentary Committees etc. Appointments to such postswere at the discretion of the dignitary concerned and in addition to theSecretarial staff attached with them. Since the nature of co-terminus postsis different from that of regular posts, the Committee do not favour thesuggestion.
2.30 Educational Allowance
The Committee considered the demand that persons possessing highereducational qualifications be granted additional increments as specialincentive. However, they are unable to accept the same.
2.31 Shift Duty System
A demand was made to evolve a shift system owing to long hours ofduty. The Committee note that shift system is already in existence basedon the functional requirements in certain Services. They, therefore, feelthat the matter could be decided administratively.
2.32 Bonus interest for non-withdrawal from GPF
It was demanded that a scheme might be introduced to provide for grantof bonus interest at the rate of half a percent to those employees who havenot with~rawn any advance from their OPF for a period of three years.
14,Since the Secretariats are following the Government of India rules/ordersin the matter, the Committee are of the view that the system may continueto be governed in accordance with the orders of the Government of Indiain the matter.
2.33 Concesslonal Loans
Demands were made for providing loans/advances with lower rates ofinterest to the employees. The Committee recommend that this may bebased on the orders of Government of India in the matter.
I2.34 Rajya Sabha Secretariat Employees AssociatiQn
It was demanded that an Association on the pattern of Lok SabhaEmployees Association might be formed in Rajya Sabha Secretariat also.The Committee feel that the matter could be looked into administratively.
2.35 Promotional Avenues
A demand was made that the Private Secretaries and Stenographersmight be considered for promotion as Executive OfficerlUnder Secretaryat appropriate stages. The Committee do not favour the suggestion as thenature of job and description of duties in the Private Secretaries andStenographers Service are altogether different from the Executive andAdministrative Service. Moreover, the qualifications required forappointment at the induction level of different grades in the. respectiveServices are different.
2.36 Joint Recruitment Cell
The Committee note that the Joint Recruitment Cell (JRC) was set upin pursuance of the recommendation of the Parliamentary Pay Committee,1974 to conduct recruitment tests for filling up vacant posts in both theSecretariats. During examination, the Committee received suggestions interalia for bifurcation of JRC into separate Recruitment Sections for eachSecretariat, rotation of management of JRC for fixed tenures between thetwo Secretariats so as to enhance the level of participation of RSS, handingover of direct recruitment for RSSlLSS. toUPSC, SSC etc. After takingnote of the present fuctioning of the JRC and the demands in all theirimplications, the Committee favour continuation of the existing set up ofJRC"for both RSS and LSS with effective participation of both the
I
III
15Secretariats at all levels. Efforts should be made to formulate identicalRules for open recruitment, issue common advertisements and conductcommon open recruitment examinations/tests and joint list of successfulcandidates, as far as possible. Allocation can be made on the basis ofpreference given by the candidates/draw of lots.
2.37 Uniform Entry Level In different Services
A suggestion was made that entry level in all Services should be thesame as far as possible. The Committee do not favour this since the natureof job and description of duties associated with the posts in differentServices cannot be compared.
2.38 Transfer Policy
A demand was made for deployment/transfer of employees on a fixedtenure Ion rotational basis. Since the transfer policy can not be made rigidand some flexibility is necessary to allow longer tenures on need basis, theCommittee feel that the suggestion maybe dealt "with administratively.
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Section C-Issues specific to Lok Sabha Secretariat2.39 Functioning of O&M Unit
A suggestion was made that O&M studies pertaining to the LSS beentrusted to some outside agencies on the plea that the assessments madeby O&M were not satisfactory. The Committee have been informed thatreports prepared by the O&M Section are sent to the respective ServiceHeads for their comments and that action is taken by the competentauthority after taking into account all the relevant aspects. In view of theabove and also of the specialised nature of work in both Secretariats, theCommittee do not favour the suggestion.2.40 Leave Travel Concession
It was suggested. that encashment of earned leave up to 30 daysalongwith leave travel concession might be allowed to the employees tomeet the incidental expenditure. The Committee recommend that thefacility of leave travel concession may continue to be governed by theRules/Orders of the Government of India as adopted by the LSS.2.41 Recruitment
A demand was made that all recruitment to the LSS be done throughUPSCISSC, recruitment rules in respect of all Services be recast keepingin view the specific job requirements and taking into account the modernmanagement principles etc. The Committee have already dealt with theissues regarding recruitment elsewhere in the report. The Committee donot agree with the suggestion. As far as recruitment rules are concerned,the matter might be looked into administratively.2.42 Deputation
It was suggested that appointment of Officers on deputation basis to theLSS should be restricted. The Committee note that the Lok SabhaSecretariat (Recruitment and Conditions of service) Rules, 1955 providefor deputation as a method of appointment. Since in the exigencies ofadministration, appointment through deputation may have to be resortedto from time to time, the Committee are not inclined to agree with thesuggestion. .2.43 Inter~ction of Secretary-General with Executive Council, Lok Sabha
Employees Association (LSEA) I:
It was represented to the Committee that a fixed duration of time on aspecific day of the month might be fixed for the Secretary-General to hearthe Members of the Executive Council of the Lok Sabha EmployeesAssociation and review various issues with wider repercussions on thefunctioning of the Secretariat. Since the Secretary-General is understood tohave been interacting with the representatives of LSEA from time to time,the Committee feel that the matter could be sorted out administratively.2.44 Hindi Advisory and Implementation Committee
A suggestion was received that a Parliamentary Committee beconstituted to promote Hindi in LSS. The Committee observed that theworking of both the Secretariats is not exactly similar to that in theGovernment of India. The two Secretariats function as units to assist in the
17
smooth fuctioning and transaction of business· in the Houses. TheSecretariats have separate Editorial and Translation Service which lookafter the appropriate uses of Hindi in day today work. This Service is alsoresponsible for translation of papers relating to transaction of business inParliament, Debates, Questions, Committee Reports etc. The Services aremanned by personnel who are proficient in Hindi. Besides, the twoSecretariats have Hindi Reporters, Interpreters, Private Secretaries andStenographerslfypists to cater to the Hindi needs of the House and theSecretariats. In the circumstances, the Committee are of the view thatthere is no need for constitution of a separate Parliamentary Committeefor the purpose. .
2.45 Rest Room
A demand was received for provision of a rest room for male staffmembers who might have to stay at night. The Committee feel that thematter could be dealt with administratively.
2.46 Medical Treatment for Retired Employees
Some retired employees of LSS demanded that the CGHSlMinistry ofHealth might be asked to empower Secretary-General, Lok Sabha forgrant of permission for treatment of retired employees in referral/recognised hospitals like, AIIMS, Apollo, Batra, Escorts etc. as in thecase of serving employees. Since the retired employees of the Secretariatare governed by the Government of India Rules/Orders, the Committeedo not favour the proposal.
2.47 Transfer Polley
It was demanded that the Officers of the LSS should be transferred aftera specific period, say five years, to other branches. The Committeeconsider this as an administrative matter which may be dealt withappropriately keeping in view the overall requirements of the Secretariatand in the best interest of transaction of parliamentary work.
2.48 ReJrvation for SCIST
A suggestion was made to extend the benefits of reservation to SCISTemployees upto the level of Under Secretary. The Committee note thatreservation is extended in the Secretariats in accordance with theconstitutional provisions/orders of the Government of India whereby thebenefit of reservation in the case of promotion by selection is to beextended up to the lowest rung of Group A post. In RSSlLSS, the post ofExecutive Officer and equivalent constituted the lowest rung in Group A.The post of Under Secretary and equivalent is a higher post above thelevel of Executive Officer and equivalent. In the circumstances, theCommittee feel that the benefit of reservation cannot be extended upto thelevel of Under Secretary. .
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2.49 Commission for Governance of Employees on the lines of House ofrCommons
It was demanded that a Commission on the lines of the House ofCommons in the United Kingdom (UK) might be formed for therecruitment and governance of LSS employees. In this connection, theCommittee note that the administration of the House of Commons, UK isgoverned by the House of Commons (Administration) Act, 1978 enactedby the House of Commons. The service conditions of the employees of the.LSS are ~gulated by the Lok Sabha Secretariat (Recruitment andConditions of Services) Rules, 1955 framed in terms of the provisionscontained in Article 98 of the Constitution of India. The structure ofServices/cadres in the House of Commons and in the LSS is different.Since the R&CS Rules have served well in the administration of both theSecretariats for more than 45 years, the Committee feel that the presentsystem may continue.2.50 Hous, Rent Allowance
A demand was made that house rent allowance should be granted to theemployees in accordance with market rent and should be determined on ayear to year basis. Since the LSS is already following the orders ofGovernment of India in the matter, the Committee do not agree with thesuggestion for formulation of separate provisions in the matter.2.51 Promotion of ResearchlReference .Assistant of LARRDI Service as
Executive Officer/Assistant DirectorIt was demanded by ResearchlReference Assistants of L.AJRRDIS that
they may be promoted as EOILO/COIPO in scale Rs. 22<;M)-4000 (pre-revised) in LAFEA Service in terms of R&CS Orders of 198~ or they maybe promoted to the post of Assistant Director as per the recommendationof the previous Committee (1986). The Committee after examining thematter with reference to the existence of various Services in the Secretariatand related aspects are .unable to accept the demand.
III,
ASSURED CAREER PROGRESSIONIFINANCIALUPGRADATION SCHEME
3.1 Various categories of employees of both the Secretariats demandedformulation of a suitable scheme with a view to providing relief on accountof stagnation for want of vacancies/non-availability of higher posts.3.2 The Committee observed that in the Rajya Sabha and Lok SabhaSecretariats, there were a large number of categories of posts where theemployees were stagnating in their respective posts for periods rangingfrom 11 to 20 years of service and more due to either non-availability ofvacancies in the promotion grade or 'non-availability of posts in thehierarchy. Further, there are certain categories of isolated posts where nocareer progression was available to the incumbents.3.3 Keeping in view the general principles laid down by the ParliamentaryPay Committee (1999), the Committee recommend a scheme called asAssured Career Progression/Financial Upgradation Scheme as indicated inthe Appendix for implementation in both the Secretariats with a view toredressing the grievances of such employees on account of the stagnationfor want of vacancies/non-availability of posts and giving them relief interms of financial benefit.
19
IV~EDESIGNATION OF UNDER SECRETARYIDEPUTY
SECRETARY
4.1 The earlier Committee (1999) had laid down certain general principlesfor determination of scales of pay, career progression etc. of the employeesin Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats. Applying the generalprinciples, the Committee in their First Report submitted to the PresidingOfficers-OIl26.04.1999 had recommended revised scales of pay in respectof all categories of posts in both the Secretariats which have since beenimplemented in both the Secretariats.4.2 One of the general principles adopted by the earlier Committee wasthat rationalisation of Service structure, pay scale, designation etc. keepingin view the functional requirements. Accordingly, in their First Report, theCommittee had recommended designations/revised designations to allcategories with the exception of two, namely, Deputy Secretary and UnderSecretary. It was observed by the Committee in the Report thatdesignation/revised designation in respect of those two cases would beconsidered and finalised by them later.4.3 The Committee after considering the whole matterrecommend that thepost of Under Secretary and Deputy Secretary in both the Secretariats becontinued to be operated with the same designations.
'"
20
V
REFERENCE MADE BY THE SPEAKER, LOK SABHA OF ASPECIFIC CASE INVOLVING APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FROMCOMMON PANELS TO DIFFERENT SERVICES IN LOK SABHA
SECRETARIAT AND THE STATED ANOMALIES THEREON5.1 Subsequent to the submission of the First Report by the earlierCommittee. the Speaker. Lok Sabha had separately desired that theCommittee might also look into a specific case involving appointment ofOfficers from two common panels of 1985 to different Services in LSS andthe stated anomalies thereon. The relevant facts of the case areenumerated in the succeeding paragraphs.5.2 On the basis of recruitment examinations held in 1984 and in 1985. twocommon panels were formed-the first dated 09.01.1985 consisting of 16persons and the second one dated 07.10.1985 containing 10. forappointment to the post of Legislative Committee Officer (LeO) etc ..Research/Reference Officer(RO) and Assistant Editor in the Legislative.Financial Committee. Executive and Administrative Service (LAFEAS);the Library, Research, Reference. Documentation and Information Service(LARRDIS); and the Editorial and Translation Service respectively. Outof the 16 persons who had figured in the first panel. 12 were appointed inLAFEAS (one subsequently shifted to LARRDIS). three in LARRDISand one in the Editorial and Translation Service. Similarly. seven out of 10persons from the second panel were appointed in LAFEAS and three inLARRDIS. The Parliamentary Pay Committee of 1986 recommended therevised pay scale of Rs.30OQ-4500(previously Rs. 700-1300) to the post ofRO in LARRDIS with revised designation as Assistant Director. whereasLCO etc. in LAFEAS were recommended revised pay scale of Rs. 2200-4000 (previously Rs. 650-1200) with revised designation as ExecutiveOfficer/Legislative Officer etc. and Rs. 2200-4000 (previously Rs. 650-1200) for the post of Assistant Editor in Editorial and Translation Service.w.e.]. 01.01.1986. The next promotional post in LAFEAS and LARRDISfor the grades recommended was in pay scale of Rs. 3500-5000 as againstRs. 1100-1600 for officers belonging to LARRDIS and Rs. 1200-1600 fortheir counterparts in LAFEAS in the pre-revised structure. On theimplementation of the ,recommendations of the Parliamentary PayCommittee, persons some of whom ranking senior on the common panelsformed in 1985 and appointed as LeOs were placed' in the pay scale ofRs.2200-4000 whereas persons some of whom lower in merit on the saidpanels but appointed as ROs were placed in higher pay scale of Rs. 3000-4500. It was represented that this created anomaly in the pay scales of thepersons appointed from the said common panels and affected their career
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22
prospects adversely. Further, according to the representationists, thisanomaly/disparity was further aggravated by introduction of anintermediary post of OSD/AD in pay scale of Rs.3OO0-4500w.e.f.01.01.19~8 in LAFEAS which was done administratively and at variancewith the recommendations of the Pay Committee as otherwise in thenormal course their next promotional prospect would have been asUnder Secretary in the pay scale of Rs. 3500-5000 as had beenrecommended by the Pay Committee. It was also stated that thesepersons were further put into another disadvantageous position in termsof new R&CS Orders of 1989 issued after the submission of the Reportsof the Pay Committee which inter alia raised the eligibility conditionfrom five to eight years for consideration for the next higher post ofUnder Secretary whereas their counterparts on the common panelsailocated in LARRDIS were required to put only three years of serviceas Assistant Director for consideration for the next higher post ofDeputy Director in the scale of Rs. 3500-5000. These stated anomaliesresulted in representations/demands from affected EOs/LOs for theirplacement in the scale Rs. 3000-4500 w.e.f. 01.01.1986 and, eventually,in the constitution of a departmental anomalies committee (hereinafterreferred to as the departmental committee) by the then Speaker,Lok Sabha on 29.05.1991 inter alia to look into them.5.3 The I departmental committee submitted their two Reports, first on17.05.1991 and the second on 29.05.1991. While dealing with the statedanomalies mentioned above, the departmental committee in their FirstReport inter-alia recommended that 26 officers in the grade of LCOetc. and 11 in the grade of Assistant Editor may be considered forpromotion to the grade of Assistant DirectorlEditor in the scale ofRs.3000-4500 by upgrading or creating 37 new posts in the respectivegrades. This course of action had been recommended by thedepartmental committee in order to accommodate the affected officers inthe common panels dated 09.01.1985 and 07.10.1985.5.4 In a note recorded on 11.06.1991 the then Secretary General (SG)had mentioned that the reports of the departmental committee werepersonally examined by him and had offered his comments thereto. Thethen SO was not in favour of accepting the recommendations of thedepartmental committee mainly on the grounds that theirimplementation would lead to creation of structural imbalance in theService, L cause cascading effect on other Services, result in extendingundue benefits to. persons who had not appeared/qualified theexaminations etc. He was also inter alia of the view'that there could notbe parity of Services. The file was marked to the then Speaker, LokSabha. However, the same was returned back to the SG on 19.07.1991with the following remarks from the then Secretary to Speaker, LokSabha:-
"DIe is returned without orders plesse"
23
Thus no orders either in acceptance or rejection were passed by the thenSpeaker on the recommendations of the departmental committee.
-5.5 Some of the Officers in LAFEAS filed a Writ Petition before the HighCourt of Delhi seeking relief inter alia against the stated anomaly referredto above(CIWPNo. 358 of 1991 in the matter of Shri P.K. Bhandari andOthers Vs. Speaker, Lok Sabha and Others). During the course of theproceedings, the attention of the High Court was also drawn by thepetitioners to the Report of the departmental committee. The High Courtin its judgement in the case delivered on 30.08.1999 inter-alia observed asunder:-
" .... In view of the foregoing discussions, it was just and proper andtherefore, in the interest of justice that the DepartmentaVAnomalycommittee report be placed before the Hon'ble Speaker forappropriate consideration and orders. This may be done within aperiod of 2 months from today. If any party is aggrieved by anysubsequent action pursuant to the consideration of the said report bythe Hon'ble Speaker they may adopt such proceedings as may beavailable to them in law in order to redress the grievances arisingfrom the consideration of the report of the DepartmentaVAnomalycommittee by the Hon'ble Speaker pursuant to this judgement .... "
5.6 Meanwhile, submissions were made before the Parliamentary PayCommittee (1999) through representations by some ofthe employees ofthe Secretariat pointing out what they termed as anomalies arising out ofthe implementation of the recommendations of the Pay Committee (1986)including the stated anomaly under reference. Taking note of the same,the Pay Committee (1999) in para 3.2 (8) of their First Report hadobserved as under:-
"Efforts should be made to resolve the anomalies after theimplementation of the recommendation of the Parliamentary PayCommittee of 1986."
5.7 While examining the matter in pursuance of the Orders of the DelhiHigh Court d,ted 30.08.1999, the Speaker, Lok Sabha on 27.10.1999 tooknote of the observations of the Pay Committee (1999) in their First Reporton the.subject and desired that the matter be referred to the ParliamentaryPay Committee when re-constituted. Thus, the matter stood referred to thepresent Committee.
,!til
5.8 After examining the case in its implications, the Committee are unableto recommend implementation of the report of the departmentalcommittee on the matter under consideration. In their opinion, the casemay, therefore, be treated as closed.
VIJ
REFERENCE MADE BY THE CHAIRMAN. RAJYA SABHA ONSTAGNATION IN VERBATIM REPORTING AND SIMULTANEOUS
INTERPRETATION SERVICES IN THE RAJYA SABHASECRETARIAT
I6.1 Creation of certain posts in the grades of Senior ParliamentaryReporter (Rs. 12000-375-16500) and Senior Parliamentary Interpreter(Rs. 12000-375-16500) by abolishing an equal number of posts in theimmediate lower grades of Parliamentary Reporter Grade-I (Rs. 10650-325-15850) and Parliamentary Interpreter (Rs. 10000-325-15200),respectively. was proposed for the promotion of persons who had beenstagnating in the grades of Parliamentary Reporter Grade-l andParliamentary Interpreter and was submitted for consideration ofChairman. Rajya Sabha.6.2 Chairman. Rajya Sabha observed that since the Parliamentary PayCommittee had been constituted and the matter regarding the introductionof an Assured Career ProgressioDlFinancial Upgradation Scheme for allthe officcrsrncmbcrs of staff of both the Secretariats was already underconsideration of the Committee. the proposal to alleviate stagnation and to
. streamline the cadre structure in the Verbatim Reporting and SimultaneousInterpretation Services might be considered by the Parliamentary PayComlmittee.6.3 The Committee considered the matter andere of the view that thestagnation in these Services will be suitably taken care of by the AssuredCareer ProgressioDlFinancial Upgradation Scheme being recommendedelsewhere in the Report. The Committee are also of the opinion that thematter regarding the streamlining of cadre structure may be decidedadministratively.
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VII- MATTERS RELATING TO REVISION OF SCALES OF PAY
Section A-Representations for review of Scales of Pay
7.1 The Committee received several representations from employees ofRSSLSS requesting for reviewing some of the recommendations made bythe predecessor Committee in the matter of revision of scales of pay whichhad already [been implemented' by both the Secretariats. The areaswherefrom representations had mainly been received alleging anomalies!discrepancies in the scales of pay related to the following:-
(i) Attendants/Messengers-Demands for higher scales of pay in thegrades in Messengers Service were received mainly on the plea thatthe percentage of increase of pay in the grades was smaller-hotproportionate to the increase in certain other categories in theSecretariats.
(ii) Officers of the level of Executive Officer in the scale of pay ofRs 8000-13500-The Officers in this category pleaded that thedifference in the pay vis-a-vis the immediate lower grade(Rs. 7450-11500) was limited to about. two increments only.According to them this had resulted in some anomalies wherebysome juniors in the grade were drawing more pay than the seniors.They also maintained that they were merely placed in thereplacement scale without any additional benefit.
(iii) Office~s in the level of Assistant Director in the scale of pay ofRs. lOOOO-15200-The Officers have demanded higher pay scalesinee according to them there had been no increase in the payscale with reference to the provisional scales of pay granted tothem.
(iv) Officers in the level of Deputy Secretary in the scale of pay ofRs. 12750-16500-The representationists· have stated that themaximum pay in the case of Deputy Secretaries and equivalent vis-a-vis their immediate junior grade namely, Under Secretaries andequivalent (Rs. 12000-16500) was the same, namely, Rs. 16500. Inview of this, Officers of the level of Deputy Secretary havedemanded for a higher pay scale. They also maintained that theywere merely placed in the replacement scale without any additionalbenefit.
7.2 The issue mentioned at (iv) above also figured in the note received bythe Chairman,. Rajya Sabha from Shri Pranab Mukherjee, MP, a Memberof the Committee.
I
",25
26
7.3 The Committee examined the matter in depth and do not favour re-opening of revision of scales of pay in any category as alreadyimplemented in pursuance of the recommendations of the earlierCommittee. However, the Committee recommend grant of two advanceincrements to the employees of both the Secretariats in the followingcategories of scales of pay with effect from 01.01.1996:-
(i) Group 'D' employees in the scales of pay of Rs. 2750-70-3800-75-4400 and Rs. 3050-75-3950-80-4590
(ii) Rs., 8000-275-13500
(iii) Rs. 10000-325-15200
~iv) Rs. 12750-375-16500
27Section B-Introduction of Special Grade for Staff Car Drivers
7.4 Presently, there is a separate cadre for Staff Car Drivers in RSS1.,SSwith the following hierarchy of posts:-
S.No. Grade Scales of Pay
1. Ordinary Grade2. Grade II3. Grade I
Rs. 4000-6000Rs. 4500-7000Rs. 5000-8000
Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances andPensions, Department of Personnel and Training vide Office MemorandumNo. 4301~4-96-Estt.(D) dated 15.02.2001 announced a revised promotionscheme for Staff Car Drivers whereby in addition to the existing threegrades, a Ihighergrade (termed as Special Grade) in the scale of Rs. 5000-8000 was introduced w.e.f. 08.11.1996. These orders also provided forapportioning of the posts of Staff Car Drivers among the four grades in theratio as mentioned under:-
Grade Percentage
Ordinary GradeGrade II .Grade ISpecial Grade
30303505
Demands were made for introduction of Special Grade and apportioningof posts in the percentage prescribed in the orders of Government of Indiain both RSS and LSS.7.5 The Committee considered the matter and accordingly recommendintroduction of Special Grade in the scale of pay of Rs. 5500-9000 andapportioning of posts of Staff Car Drivers in the ratio a~prescribed by theGovernment of India in both RSS and LSS with effect from 08.11.1996.
J
VIII~ATTER RELATING TO AGE OF RETIREMENT OF
SECRETARIES-GENERAL OF RAJYA SABHAAND LOK SABHA
8.1 The Office of the Secretary-General of Rajya SabhaILok Sabha isdistinct. in many ways. It demands demonstrated/tested aptitude, focussedorientation ,and specialised experience. Although no single statuteenumerates his powers or duties, the role" of Secretary-General in theparliamentary set up is vital. He is the repository of the accumulatedwisdom of the House, the custodian of its culture and traditions and a linkbetween succeeding Houses and their changing membership. He heads theSecretariat which serves the supreme representatives of the people, withoutany partiality to their political or other opinions or their party affiliations.The evolution of the Office of the Secretary-General over the years. haswitnessed accretion to its duties, functions and responsibilities.8.2 The conditions of service of the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha in thematter of leave, pension and age of retirement are governed by the FourthSchedule to the Lok Sabha Secretariat (Recruitment and Conditions ofService) Rules, 1955. Similar provisions have also been laid down in theFourth Schedule to the Rajya Sabha Secretariat (Recruitment andConditions of Service) Rules, 1957. According to these provisions, the ageof retirement of the Secretaries-General of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha is60 years.8.3 On 20.04.1990, the Chairman, Rajya Sabha and the Speaker,Lok Sabha appointed a Committee of Parliament to advise in regard to thestructure of pay and allowances and other terms and conditions of servicefor the posts of Secretaries-General of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha in thecontext of the decisions of the Government of India on therecommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission and the Report of theParliaIllentary Pay Committee (1986-1989). The Committee inter aliarecommended that the pay scales, position and status etc. of theSecretaries-General of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha may be the same asthat of the highest official on the executive side, viz. the CabinetSecretary. In regard to the age of retirement, the Committee reiteratedand confirmed the recommendation made in the Second Report of theParliamentary Pay Committee (1988) that the same may be 60 years in thecase of Secretaries-General of Rajya SabhaILok Sabha as against 58 yearsfor other categories of staff (except Group D). The recommendations ofthe Committee were accepted by the then Chairman, Rajya Sabha and thethen Speaker, Lok Sabha on 23.05.1990.
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8.4 While the age of retirement of Secretaries-General continued to be 60,the retirement age of other categories of staff underwent changes fromtime to time since the promulgation of the Recruitment and Conditions ofService Rules of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats mentioned inparagraph 8.2 above. The initially stipulated age of 55 years was revised to58 in 1962 in respect of other categories of staff. Subsequently, both theRajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariats adopted Order No. 2501212197-Estt. (A) dated 29.5.1998 issued by the Government of India, Ministry ofPersonnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Department of Personnel andTraining) whereby the retirement age of all Government Servants wasenhanced from 58 to 60. Thus, the retirement age of other categories ofstaff of both the Secretariats was also raised to 60 years which is in voguetoday.
8.5 In the House of Lords in United Kingdom (UK), the tenure of officeof the Clerk, the counterpart of the Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha is byLetters I Patent till the age of 65. In the House of Commons in UK, theClerk, 'the counterpart of the Secretary-General, Lok Sabha is appointedby the Queen on the advice of the Speaker. He is appointed for life but,by convention, retires at the age of 65. In the Australian Parliament, theClerk of Senate is appointed until the age of 65 or earlier retirement orresignation. Similar/almost similar position prevails in certain otherCommonwealth Parliaments also.
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8.6 The Committee' after having examined all the aspects in relation to theposition of the Secretary-General in the Parliamentary set up recommendthat the age of retirement of the Secetary-General, Rajya Sabha and theSecretary-General, Lok Sabha may be raised from 60 to62 years.
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APPENDIXAssured Career PrOlression/Financial Upgradatioll (ACPIFU) Scheme
(See para 3.3 of the Report)
I..The, ACPIFU Scheme shall come into force with effect from 09.08.1999.The ACPIFU Scheme envisages merely palcement in the higher pay scale/grant of financial benefits (through financial upgradation) only to theemployees concerned on personal basis and shall, therefore, neitheramount to functional/regular promotion nor would require creation of newposts for the purpose.
2. This scheme is intended to provide financial relief to employees whohave put in the prescribed period of service in a grade/post but cannot bepromoted to the next higher grade/post for want of vacancies/posts.
3. Under this scheme. every employee appointed in a particular grade!scale rf pay shall be allowed two financial upgradations during his entirecareer span. An employee shall become eligible for the first upgradation
. after completion of a period of 12 years of regular service in the respectivefeeder grade/post in respect of posts/grades in all Groups and the secondafter completion of 24 .years of regular service in the Secretariat.
4. In the case of an employee who has been recruited to isolated posts!scales of pay where there arc no further promotional avenues in thehierarchy, two financial upgradations shall be given to the next higherscales of pay available in the Secretariat after completion of 12 years and24 years of service from the date of his induction to the isolated post.
5. An employee who is already placed in the next higher scale of payunder this Scheme shall not be entitled for another financial upgradationbefore his regular promotion to the grade/post. This. however shall not beapplicable to employees who arc holding isolascd.....posts!grades.
6. The financial upgradation to be given under this scheme will be in thenext higher scale of pay in accordance with the existing hierarchy in thecadre/category of grades/posts within the respective Services to which theincumbent belongs. Where an employee is already appointed in the highestsale of pay available ina Service. the financial upgradation will be givenin the next higher scale of pay available in the Secretariat subject toprovision made in para 12. In case of isolated posts which do not havedefined hierarchical grades/scales. the financial upgradation will be givenin the next highergradclscale of pay available in the Service to which theincumbent belongs.
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7. The financial upgradation under the ACPIFU Scheme shall be purelypersonal to the employee and shall have no relevance to his seniorityposition.
8. There shall be no change in strength of the cadre of higher grade/post~onscquent on placement of an employee in the higher scale of pay underthe ACP!FU Sdl~me.
9. Where an employee is recruited to a particular grade/post andsUbs,q.u~ntly .switches over to another cadre/line, his previous se~vice .inthe angmal post/grade shall not be counted for the purpose of financialupgradation in the new eadrelline. He will be entitled to the first financialupgradation in the new cadre after completion of the prescribed period of12 years of service in the new cadre.
lO. On placement in the higher scale of pay. the incumbent shan continueto perform the .duties of his original post/grade and will continue to holdthe old designation till such time' as he is actually promoted on occurrenceof a vacancy .. In ease of isolated posts/grades. the post/grade held by anindividual shall get upgraded. to the next higher scale but shall be filled atits original level when vacated.
11. Placement in the higher scale will entail only the financial benefit ofhigher post/grade/pay scale and associated entitlements like HBA.allotment of Govt. eecommodauon. and advances etc. Other entitlements!facilities. if any. attached to higher post/grade like invitation to ceremonialfunctions. deputation to higher posts/grades etc. which arc dependent onstat~s of th~ ,employee shall .continue to be determined with reference tohis lower post/grade/scale of pay. '1",
12. The highest scale of pay up to which the proposed financialupgradationshall be available will be upto the level of Director. Beyondthis level. there shall be no financial upgradation and higher posts/grades.if any. in the hierarchy shall be filled strictly on vacancy basis .
."13. On placement to next higher grade/post under the ACPIFU Scheme.tbe full benefit of pay fixation in the higher/scale of pay as in case ofpromotion to the higher grade/post shall -bc given. Thus on actualpromotion in the normal course on occurrence of the vacanty. no furtherfinancial benefit shan accrue.
14. ~re an employee who has been ,laced in the higher scale of payuh.rdlts'~eme later. refuses functional promotion to the higher grade!post involving higher responsibility on ,Ihe occurrence of the vacancy. heshal~ be rcvc~ to the lower scale of1>ayand his pay shall be refixed atthcstagc where he would have reached in the n0r.ma1 course. While givingthe higher scale of pay under this Scheme. an undertaking should be taken
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32that the employee shall occupy the regular promotion on occurrence of thevacancy, and in case he refuses to accept the higher post/grade, he shaIl bekept out of this ACPIFU Scheme.15. In the matter of disciplinary/penalty proceedings, grant of benefitsunder the ACP Scheme shall be subject to rules governing normalpromotion. Such cases shall, therefore, be regulated under the provisionsof the relevant disciplinary Rules adopted by the Secretariat.16. The proposed ACPIFU Scheme contemplates merely placement onpersonal basis in the higher pay scale/grant of financial benefits only andshaD not amount to actual/functional promotion of the employeesconcerned. Since orders regarding reservation in promotion are applicableonly in tEte case of regular promotion, reservation orders/roster shall notapply to the ACPIFU Scheme which shall extend its benefits uniformly toall eligible SC/ST employees also. However, at the time of regular/functional (actual) promotion. it shall be ensured that all reservationorders are applied as is normally done.17. Introduction of the Scheme should in no way affect normal promotionavenues on the basis of vacancies. Attempts needed to improve thepromotional prospects on functional grounds by way of organisationalstudy, cadre review or other administrative measures should not be givenup on the ground that ACP/FU Scheme has been introduced.18. The financial upgradation proposed under this Scheme shaIl be subjectto fitness and screening thereof by a Screening Committee to beconstituted for the purpose.19. For interpretation of any of the provisions under this Scheme orinadequacies in implementation, if any, the decision of the Chairman,Rajya Sabha and the Speaker, Lok Sabha shaIl be final in respect of RSSand LSS I respectively.
SIGNATURES OF THE MEMBERS IN TOKEN OF ADOPTION OFTHE SECOND REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY PAYCOMMITTEE ON ALLOWANCES, AMENITIES, FACILITIESETC. AND OTHER ISSUES IN RESPECT OF EMPLOYEES OFRAJYA SABHA AND LOK SABHA SECRETARIATS
(UMMAREDDY VENKATESW ARLU)
(VASHW ANT SINHA)
(PRAMOD MAllAJAN)
tll\
I •
(pRANAB MUKHERJD)
/, "'')~(RAM oom YADAV)
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I have gone through the Second Report of the .Parliamentary PayCommittee which was appointed by the Chairman of Rajya Sabha and meon 28th July, 2000 to consider the unfinished items of work left out by theearlier Committee on matters relating to the employees of the Rajya Sabhaand Lok Sabha Secretariats in the context of the decision of Governmentof India on the recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission.The First Report of the Committee (constituted during the term of12th Lok Sabha) which was submitted on 26th April, 1999 mainly relatedto the scales of pay for employees of both the Secretariats.
The Committee have done very useful work and have considered allnecessary aspects objectively and judiciously. The Committee have had theadded advantage of the Minister of Finance, being a Member of theCommittee, I congratulate the Committee for the very good work done bythem. I
I accept the recommendations made in the Report and direct that therecommendations may be implemented immediately.
The Report may be given effect to simultaneously in the Rajya Sabhaand Lok Sabha Secretariats after obtaining concurrence from Chairman,Rajya Sabha.
}~'L~JD/J),""I
(KRISBAN KANT) 0 JCbalrman, :HajyaSabha
(G.M.C. OGI)Sp~aker,Lok Sabba