Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modiji,
In June 2016, my article “Union Government Should Provide Pension Scheme For Navodaya Vidyalaya Employees To Make Their Future Fearless”, got published in Merinews.com
I forwarded the publication to Hon’ble Prime Minister in July 2016, details as follows;
PMOPG/E/2016/0259010, dt: July, 24, 2016, related to pension scheme for the employees of Navodaya Vidyalaya. The above representation was forwarded from your office, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samithi headquarters, in its reply dt: Aug. 5, 2016, states that, ‘In this regard, it is to inform you that the matter of Pension under CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 to employees of Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti who joined before 1st January, 2004 was taken up with the Ministry of Finance but was not found feasible. However, approval has been accorded to extend the New Pension Scheme to all regular employees of NVS joining on or after 1st April, 2009. An option was also given to the regular employees of NVS who joined before 1st April, 2009 to continue with the existing CPF Scheme or to join the New Pension Scheme.’
As I was not satisfied with the clarification or replies given the officials, for my grievance nos. PMOPG/E/2016/0313104 & earlier one PMOPG/E/2016/0282206 & PMOPG/E/2016/0259010 sent to your Hon’ble Office via “Write to the Prime Minister”, again I sent emails to your Hon’ble Office on the matter on Sept. 19, 2016 and Oct. 2, 2016, for which communication is awaited.
Respected Sir, I am placing before you the facts related the Pension Demands of the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti Employees for your kind consideration and perusal.
Firstly, The Government of India in reply to Unstarred Question No. 2752, then Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource Development answered in the Lok Sabha on 13.03.2013 “The employees of JNVs appointed before 01.01.2009 has not been found eligible for the grant of pension under CCS (Pension) Rules. 1972 as the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS), an autonomous organisation, was registered after 01.01.1986 the cut-off date for determining the eligibility of employees of autonomous bodies, for this pension under CCS (Pension) Rules 1972. These employees have been representing for this pension and some sections of them had proceeded on strike with effect from 06.02.2013 for fulfillment of their demands, of which the major demand related to grant of pension. The strike has been withdrawn with effect from 15.02.2013 after assurance from the government that all their legitimate demands would be sympathetically considered in a time bound manner.”
“The government has approved the introduction of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) for all regular employees of NVS, joining on or after 01.04.2009. Those employees who had joined the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti on regular basis before 01.04.2009, including those appointed prior to the year 2004, shall have the option either to continue with the existing Contributory Provident Fund Scheme or to join New Pension Scheme.”
Secondly, STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 237 FOR 26.08.2013 ASKED BY SHRI MOTILAL VORA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING DEMANDS OF STAFF OF JAWAHAR NAVODAYA VIDYALAYAS
(a) to (c) : A statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
(a)&(b) The teaching and non-teaching staff of some of the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) had proceeded on strike with effect from 6.02.2013 for fulfillment of various demands relating to their service conditions. The studies of the students were seriously disrupted due to this strike close to the annual examinations and it was of serious concern to the Government as Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas have been setup to enable talented students from rural areas to progress at faster pace to compete with their urban counterpart on an equal footing. After detailed discussions with the representatives of various Staff Association of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, the strike was called off with effect from 15.2.2013 with an assurance to the employees for a sympathetic consideration of all the genuine demands. A list of 23 demands put forward by teaching and non-teaching staff of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas is annexed.
- The major demand of the employees was for introduction of Pension-cum-GPF Scheme under Pension Rule 1972 for the employees recruited before 1.1.2004. For this inter-ministerial consultations have already been started and are presently at an advanced stage. Some demands related to service conditions like up-gradation of pay scales, sanction of additional posts, some allowances and other miscellaneous demands relating to day to day working conditions of the JNVs.
- Detailed discussions have already been held by the Ministry and the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti with the representatives of the employees. Several demands require consideration by different Ministries/Department of Government of India and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS). 15 of the 23 demands have already been settled.
(c) Does not arise.
Thirdly, In reply to the D.O letter no. 7CPC/48 (A&F)2014, dated: Aug. 8, 2014 (contents of it not known), the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Headquarters did gave it’s version to the 7th Pay Commission members vide F. No. 20-2/2014-NVS(Estt), dated: Aug. 19, 2014, on the matter of Grant of Pension said “Since the Samiti has been provided 100% funds by the Ministry of HRD, the employees are eligible for pensionary benefits which is normally applicable to similar categories in autonomous organisations of Government of India vis, KVS, NIOS, CTSO etc,b besides proposing to consider grant of medical benefit to all NVS Employees after retirement.”
As I have been informed by certain section in the Government Circles that, a citizen’s petition will not be taken into account by your office. I hope that, turns out to be a false one in my case and get a resolution.
I am not a politician or a rich person, but if I get your support I may be able to do something for the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti Employees so that they may not have fearless future after retirement.
I and on behalf of the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti Employees do hope that, my representation and the All India Navodaya Vidyalaya Association’s representation F. No. AINVSACEC/PRC/Feb-09, dt: Feb. 2, 2016, the Union Cabinet will sympathetically consider and grant Regular Pension to all the employees with NVS since it’s inception instead the options New Pension Scheme or Contributory Provident Fund Scheme.
A favourable and early resolution in this regard highly appreciable.
Thanks.
Yours Sincerely,
TR. Madhavan.
