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Òkjrh; Áfrj{kk etnwj Lka?k (AN ALL INDIA FEDERATION OF DEFENCE WORKERS) (AN INDUSTRIAL UNIT OF B.M.S.) (RECOGNISED BY MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, GOVT. OF INDIA) CENTRAL OFFICE: 2-A, NAVEEN MARKET, KANPUR 208001, PH & FAX : (0512) 2332222 MOBILE: 09415733686, 09235729390, 09335621629, WEB : www.bpms.org.in Ref: BPMS / AGENDA / 90 th D-JCM (4/1/M) Dated: 10.07.2013 To, The Under Secretary (D/JCM), Govt. of India, Min of Defence, Sena Bhawan, DHQ PO New Delhi -110011 Subject:- Agenda Items for the Meeting of the Steering Committee of the 90 th Departmental Council (JCM) of the Ministry of Defence. REF: - MOD letter No. 5(2)/2013/D(JCM), Dated: 04 th July, 2013 Sir, With reference to your letter quoted above, I am submitting Agenda Points on behalf of this federation s JCM Members in Steering Committee as Annexed to this letter, for your kind perusal & inclusion please. Besides these points, some of this federation s members might have sent their agenda points directly to your office, kindly accept those points also for the said meeting. Kindly acknowledge. Thanking you. Yours Sincerely Encl:- As above (M P SINGH) General Secretary Page 1

(Annexure of BPMS / AGENDA / 90 th D-JCM (4/1/M) Dated: 10.07.2013) Point No. 1: Redeployment of Civilian employees of Stationery Depots: I would like to reflect the concern of civilian employees of various Stationery Depots, functioning under Directorate General of Ordnance Services. It is learnt that disbandment order of the Depots have been issued by MOD on the report submitted by the high level committee appointed for restructuring of the Stationery Depots. Being stakeholder of the organization, all the recognized federations of MOD should have been consulted before taking such decision but till date nothing has been done in this regard though this federation has brought this matter to the notice of DGOS. In these Depots maximum no. of employees including labourer and NIEs have completed their 25-30 years of service and they are reluctant to get transferred anywhere else at the age of 52-57 yrs which is average age of the employees in the Depots. Further, in case of transfer their seniority may get affected. Hence, you are requested to intervene into the matter so that the grievances of civilian employees of Stationery Depots may be redressed and issue necessary directives to the concerned authorities of DGOS to consult the recognized federations forthwith and till then disbandment order should be kept in abeyance. Point No. 2: Constitution of the negotiating machinery at Chief Engineer Command/Zone Level for settlement of disputes between civilian employees in MES and the Government: There are three tiers negotiating machinery in Ministry of Defence; (i) Lowest Level, (ii) Middle Level, (iii) Top Level. In these machinery the grievances of civilian employees are redressed properly in all the Directorates except MES because at lowest level JCM-IV Level is functioning and negotiating with Commander Works Engineer and at Middle Level JCM-III Level is functioning and negotiating with the Adjutant General in presence of E-in-C. Between these two levels various policies like promotion, transfer etc for civilian employees are being framed/implemented by the Chief Engineer Command/Zone but there is no mechanism to negotiate with concerned authorities. Hence, you are requested to issue necessary directives to the concerned authorities of MES that a meeting will be held once in 06 months between JCM-IV Level members and the Chief Engineer Command/Zone. Point No. 3: Payment of Overtime Allowance to certain categories of Class IV Staff (erstwhile) viz. Cook, Masalchi, Dhobi, Mali & Barber posted Ord Fy Hospitals. In Ordnance Hospitals Medical Assistants, Ward Sahayak, Ward Master, Blood Transfusion Assistant, Operation Room Assistant, Operation Room Technician, Pharmacist, Laboratory Technician, Nursing Staff, LDC, UDC, Office Superintendent, Durwan, Store Keeper, Cook, Masalchi, Dhobi, Mali & Barber are being paid Overtime Allowance according to the proviso of the Factories Act, 1948 except Cook, Masalchi, Dhobi, Mali & Barber who are being paid Overtime Allowance as per instructions issued vide DOP&T O.M. No. 15012/3/86-Estt.(Allowance), dated Page 2

19.03.1991 on Overtime Allowance to Central Govt. employees which is Rs. 6.25 to 12.50 per hour. Removal of this disparity is under consideration in MOD since January, 2013 which needs redressed without further delay. Point No. 4: Restructuring of Cadre of Artisan Staff in Defence Establishments in modification of recommendations of 6 th CPC: Your attention is invited to Para 2(a) of MOD I.D. No. 11(5)/2009-D(Civ-I), Dated 23.07.2012 based on DoP&T I.D. No. 7680/12/CR dated 13.07.2012 which states as under:- 2 (b) Para 8 of Annexure I of DoP&T O.M. No. 35034/3/2008-Estt.(D) dated 19.05.2009 of MACPS provides that promotion earned in the post carrying same grade pay in the promotional hierarchy as per recruitment rules shall be counted for the purpose of MACPS. Financial upgradation under MACPS in respect of Master Craftsman will be in the same grade pay of Rs. 4200/- as that of the promotional post of Chargeman. It is worth to mention here that Master Craftsman of upto 31.12.2005 or those Industrial Employees who were granted ACP-II in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/-, have been granted the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- due to MACPS-III on completion of 30 yrs regular service. But Accounts Offices have issued instructions to withdraw the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/. This letter should be cancelled because in the Directorates/Hqrs of MOD (OFB/DGQA/DGAQA/MES/DGOS/Air Force/Navy etc.), Master Craftsman in not a feeder grade for Supervisory Post {Chargeman (Tech)/Junior Engineer} as per relevant SRO. MOD is wrongly interpreting that Industrial Employees are entitled for GP 4200 instead of granting the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600, under MACPS-III. PC of A (Fys) had already clarified to grant 3 rd MACP in the GP of Rs. 4600/-. Hence recovery order is illegal. Therefore, you are requested to issues necessary clarification to grant 3 rd Financial upgradation in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4600/- to Master Craftsman who have completed 30 yrs regular service and eligible for 3 rd MACP. Further, Pension of such retiring employees should be calculated on Rs. 4600/- instead of Rs. 4200/-. Point No. 5: Granting of Additional increment @ 3% on grant of 2 nd financial upgradation under MACP to Senior Nursing Staff: It is submitted that prior to introduction of 6 th CPC, the Nursing Staff in OFB/MOD was drawing the pay as under:- 1. Sr Nurse Gr - II Rs. (5000 8000) 2. Sr Nurse Gr-I / Rs. (5500 9000) Staff Nurse 3. Matron Rs. (6500 10500) Vide SRO 21(E), dated 09 09.2008 MOD published the notification CDS (RP) Rules, 2008 and vide its Section II, Part B of First Schedule the Pay Band and Grade Pay of Nursing Staff has been changed as under 1. Sr Nurse Gr - II Rs. (5000 8000) to Rs. (7450 11500) PB-2 GP 4600 Page 3

2. Sr Nurse Gr-I / Rs. (5500 9000) to Rs. (7500 12000) PB-2 GP 4800 Staff Nurse 3. Matron Rs. (6500 10500) to Rs. (8000 13500) PB-3 GP 5400 Due to this upgradation of Pay Scales/Grade Pay & introduction of MACP, Senior nursing staff, who have been granted 1 st ACP prior to 01.01.2006 is drawing less pay in the same Pay Band & Grade Pay in respect of her junior when both are granted 2 nd MACP. The senior person gets only one increment @ 3% as fixation benefit (from 4800 to 5400) and the junior gets 02 increments @ 3% as fixation benefit (from 4600 to 4800 & from 4800 to 5400) and due to this senior is drawing less salary in comparison to her junior from the date of 2 nd financial upgradation under MACP. Such anomalies have already been rectified in respect of Senior Matriculate erstwhile Gp D employees vide MOD ID No. 27(2)/2012-D (Civ.I), dated 02.07.2012 by granting an additional increment @ 3% to erstwhile Matriculate Gp D employees who are drawing less pay than their non-matriculate junior Gp D employees after granting 2 nd financial upgradation under MACP. Therefore, you are requested to take appropriate action to grant an additional increment @ 3% to Sr Nurse Gr-I / Staff Nurse who are drawing less pay than their junior Sr Nurse Gr-II after granting 2 nd financial upgradation under MACP. This issue is under consideration in MOD which should be expedited. Point No. 6: Co-relation of piece work according to the pay scales of 6 th CPC: The recommendations of 6 th CPC have been implemented w.e.f. 01.01.2006 but the correlation of piece work has not been done which causes financial loss to Piece Workers. This issue is running between OFB & MOD. In this regard several meetings have been conducted in OFB. This issue should be resolved without further delay. Point No. 7: Overtime Allowance to Piece Workers in OFB: OTA between 44¾ to 48 hrs is being paid on the minimum of the pay scale of 5 th CPC which is causing financial loss to Piece Workers as they are getting less pay in comparison to Day workers. This issue is also pending since long. Hence, priority should be given to settle this issue. Point No. 8: Earned Leave to Industrial Employees: Necessary orders should be issued for Granting of 30 days Earned Leave to those Industrial Employees who are governed by the leave rules under the Factories Act, 1948. It is adversely affecting the terminal benefits of retiring employees. This also is an old issued which needs to be settled forthwith. Point No. 9: Management of Group C & D MES Personnel to manage the existing shortage and make optimum use of the existing manpower: E-in-C s Branch letter No. B/20148/PP/E1C(1), Dated 27.08.2007 has been issued on Management of Group C & D MES Personnel to manage the existing shortage and make optimum use of the existing manpower. This letter stipulates that the LTO may also be resorted to rationalizing the staff so as to neutralize the imbalance caused by TTP and CML postings. Further, the competent authority, i.e., DG (Pers) has identified the following categories of posts / appointments as sensitive appointment:- JE (Civil), JE(E/M), JE (QS&C), Supervisor B/S I/II, Storekeeper Gde I/II, Office Superintendent & UDC/LDC. It is worth to be noted that the posts of Civilian Motor Driver and Meter Reader have never been identified by DG (Pers) for LTO. Page 4

Subsequently, E-in-C s branch consulted all the recognized federations of MOD vide E-in- C s Branch letter No. B/20148/PP/E1C(1), Dated 10.09.2009 to incorporate some amendments based on suggestion/comments forwarded by various unions/associations and CEs Command but CMD/Meter Reader have not yet been identified for LTO. It is unfortunate to note that some of the CEs Commands are issuing transfer order in respect of Civilian Motor Drivers / Meter Readers under the LTO whereas these categories have not been identified by the DG (Pers) and the Chief Engineers of Command cannot and should not amend/modify the policies without consulting the stakeholder (recognized federations of MOD) and without approval of E-in-C s Branch. This should be looked into. Point No. 10: Implementation of Court verdict in favour of Non-Petitioners to avoid unnecessary litigations regarding Granting of House Rent Allowance: This Federation has requested the MOD on 29.08.2012 that non-petitioner civilian employees of MOD (Ordnance Factories and their allied establishments like DGQA, Accounts etc.) who have taken House Building Advances from the Government and other agencies may be granted the HRA from the date of vacating the Govt accommodation. Vide MOD I.D. Dy No. 1535/D(JCM)/2012, dated 06.11.2012the Under Secretary D(Estt/NG), DDG (Pers) of DGQA, Jt. CGDA (AN) of CGDA, Dir (IR) of OFB have been requested to take appropriate action. But it is unfortunate to note that the matter is still pending. This needs to be expedited. Point No. 11: Continuation of Risk Allowance to Central Government employees: Vide DOP&T O.M. No.21012/01/2010-Estt.(Allowance), Dated 18.10.2012 it has been communicated that the amount of Risk Allowance would be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%. But, vide DOP&T O.M. No. 21012/01/2008-Estt.(Allowance), Dated 18.06.2012 the payment of Risk Allowance has been extended up to 31.12.2012 or till further order, whichever is earlier. It is requested that necessary O.M. should be issued for the continuation of the Risk Allowance for Central Government employees beyond 31.12.2012. Point No. 12: Granting of award of Special Increment for achieving excellence in All India Civil Services Athletic Tournament: BPMS rep raised the point in the JCM-III Level Council Meeting held on 16 th Feb, 2006 and the same was reiterated in 3 rd General meeting held on 30.05.2007 & 4 th Steering Committee meeting held on 11.09.2007 regarding granting of Special Increment to the employee (Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Small Arms Factory, Kanpur). Shri Singh had participated and secured 1 st position in the tournament conducted by Central Civil Services Sports Board in the year of 1998-99 and it has been clarified vide G.I., DoP&T, O.M. No. 6/1/85-Estt (Pay-I), Dated 16.07.1985, 07.11.1988 & 08.06.1989 that the tournaments conducted by Central Civil Services Sports Board are recognized as events of National importance for the purpose of availing the benefits. As per above O.M. and as per Para. 25.14.1.3 (IV-a) & 25.14.4 of DGOF Procedure Manual (Administration) 2004 (Incentive for Sports Persons), he was entitled for 03 increments for achieving 1 st position in Decathlon event at National level. It is also clarified in Para. 24.14.2(d) of DGOF Manual that all events of sports will be considered for increment. Page 5

It is painful to note that the matter is still unresolved for so many years. This needs to be expedited. Point No. 13: Revision of Special Pay to Staff Nurse working in Operation Theatre: Special Pay was granted to Nursing Staff @ Rs. 60/- per month who were working in (a) Operation Theatres, (b) Intensive Care Units of the Ordnance & Ordnance Equipment Factory Hospitals/Clinics vide MOD letter No. 7(2)/87/I/D(Fy.II), Dated 06 th March, 1989, forwarded by OFB letter NO. 073/AL/A/M, Dated 17.08.1989. This Special Pay @ Rs. 60/- per month was being granted as per recommendations of 04 th CPC. Subsequently, on the recommendations of 5 th CPC the Special Pay @ Rs. 60/- per month was doubled to Rs. 120/- with effect from 01.08.1997 in the Ministry of Railways in terms of Railway Board s letter No. E(P&A)I-88/SP-1/MH-2, Dated 18.01.1990 & 25.01.1990. It is to be noted that the Resolution adopted by Govt of India on the recommendations of 06 th CPC which is published in the Gazette of India by Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) No. 1/1/2008-I.C. Dated 29 th August, 2008, wherein Para 08 of Part-B states that Govt of India has accepted the 6 th CPC recommendations of doubling of the Special Allowance and this allowance will be increased by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance payable on revised pay scales goes up by 50%. Hence, necessary orders should be issued to revise the Special pay/allowance for the Staff Nurse working in Operation Theatre of the hospitals of Ord & Ord Eqp Fys as under:- w.e.f. 01.8.1997 Rs. 120/- per month w.e.f. 01.09.2008 Rs. 240/- per month w.e.f. 01.01.2011 Rs. 300/- per month. This matter is also under consideration in MOD since 05.04.2012, which needs to be expedited. Point No. 14: Revision of Nursing Allowance to all Nurses working in Dispensaries. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Nursing Section) O.M. No. Z.28015/71/2008-N, Dated 19 th Nov.2008 (Annexed) states that as per Resolution adopted by Govt of India on the recommendations of 06 th CPC which is published in the Gazette of India by Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) No. 1/1/2008-I.C. Dated 29 th August, 2008, the President has pleased to enhance the Nursing Allowance to Rs. 3200/- per month w.e.f. 01.09.2008 and the Nursing Allowance will be payable to all Nurses whether working in Dispensaries or in Hospitals. So the Nurses working in the Dispensaries {for example; Ord Equipment Factory Hazratpur (U.P.)} should also be granted the Nursing Allowance @ Rs. 3200/- per month w.e.f. 01.09.2008 and thereafter @ Rs. 4000/- per month w.e.f. 01.01.2011 as per 6 th CPC recommendations of increasing this allowance by 25% every time the Dearness Allowance payable on revised pay scales goes up by 50%. But MOD ID No. 4/2/09 D(Civ-II), Dated 12.08.2009 (Annexed) states on the subject matter that in the case of civilian nursing staff working in Clinics/Dispensaries they will get Rs. 600/- per month as Nursing Allowance, whereas the nodal Ministry, i.e., Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Nursing Section) does not discriminate among the nurses for the purpose of Nursing Allowance whether they are posted in Hospital/Dispensary/Clinic. This matter is under consideration in MOD since 08.08.2012 which needs to be expedited. Page 6

Point No. 14: Granting of Grade Pay Rs. 1800 to widow employee appointed on compassionate ground in 223 ABOD (DGOS): Smt Prem & Smt Shakuntala Devi is working in 223 ABOD under DGOS and both of them are not getting the minimum of the Grade Pay Rs. 1800/- in spite of instructions issued by competent authorities of MOD/GOI that a compassionate ground appointed widow not fulfilling the requirement of educational qualification may be granted the Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/-. To comply the instructions of the MOD/GOI on the subject matter, this federation also requested the Commandant as well as DGOS to take appropriate action vide this federation s letter of even no. dated 11.02.2013 & 08.04.2013 but nothing has been done till date. This should be looked into. Point No. 15: Granting of HPCA/PCA to all categories of Para Medical Staff working in Hospitals etc.: On the demand of Staff Side in Joint Consultative Committees, the Govt of India has introduced the Hospital Patient Care Allowance and Patient Care Allowance in respect of the Group C & D (Non-Ministerial) working in Hospitals, Dispensaries in the Central Government on the rates revised from time to time. In this continuation, vide Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Hospital Section) O.M. No. Z 28015/119/2012-H, dated 17.12.2012 order has been issued for doubling the existing rate of payment of HPCA/PCA to all eligible Group C & D employees working in hospital, dispensaries and organizations in the Central Government from the period w.e.f. 01.09.2008 and the amount will be automatically raised by 25% every time the Dearness allowance on the revised pay structure goes up by 50%. It is worth to mention here that due to implementation of recommendations of 6 th CPC, all the Group D employees have been granted the Grade Pay of Rs. 1800/- and some of the posts of Para Medical Staff have been granted the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200 and above. Further, Department of Personnel & Training vide their S.O. 946 (E), dated 9 th April, 2009, re-classified the posts on the basis of Grade Pay and accordingly the Grade Pay of Rs.1800/- has been classified as Group C and the Grade Pay of Rs.4200/- has been classified as Group B. In such circumstances, all the eligible erstwhile Group D employee are entitled for HPCA/PCA even re-classification of posts, but erstwhile Group C employees who have been reclassified as Group B like Radiographer having the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200 may be deprived from the HPCA/PCA. Contrary to above, the Nursing Personnel of all categories at all levels working in Central Govt/UT hospitals/institutions have been authorized for Nursing Allowance / Uniform Allowance / Washing Allowance. Hence, necessary instructions should be issued so that all the categories of Para Medical Staff irrespective of their Classification may be granted the HPCA/PCA subject to fulfilling other conditions. Point No. 16: Remove the artificial restriction of 40 days PLB for AOC, Navy, Air Force, EME & Ordnance Factories. The PLB should not be less than the Adhoc Bonus of 30 days. Point No. 17: The regularized casual/adhoc service may be counted for the purpose of ACP/MACP benefits by implementing the Supreme Court Judgment which is implemented for a section of the Naval Employees. Page 7

Point No. 18: Trade Union rights may be given to all the Defence Civilian Employees up to Chargeman category and also for employees working in Military Hospitals, Training Centres, Station Hqrs, & SRO-17E Areas. Point No. 19: Grant of Four Grade Structure to the Fire Engine Drivers of Navy, DGOS and other Defence Establishment at par with Ordnance Factories and DGQA. Point No. 20: Grant of Four Grade structure for Armament Mechanic of NAD. Point No. 21: Creation of Chargeman post at par with other Defence Establishments in MES. Point No. 22: Promotion to the post of Supervisor (NT) from Leading Fireman: Norms Relaxation of in OFB: Hon ble CAT/Principal Bench, New Delhi in OA No. 1396 of 2008 Shri M.R.Meena Vs Union of India has ordered that parity should be maintained between Leading Hand Fire with other feeder grades (viz. LDC, Photographer, Telephone Operator-II & Subedar Durwan) for the promotion to the post of Supervisor (Non-Technical). According to existing SRO 30, dated 14.07.2010, Ministry of Defence, Ordnance Factories, Supervisor (Non-Technical) and Telephone Operator Grade-II Group C Posts Recruitment Rules, 2010, 50% vacant posts of Supervisor (Non-Tech) will be filled up by promotion from Photographer, Telephone Operator Grade-II, Subedar Durwan and Leading Hand Fire. This fifty per cent post of Supervisor (NT) may be filled up by 64% from the Leading Hand Fires in the Pay Band I Rs. (5200 20200) plus Grade Pay of Rs. 2000/- with five years of regular service in the grade and possessing any of the following qualification:- (a) having passed the Senior Fire Supervisory Course from Defence Institute of Fire Research, Ministry of Defence, New Delhi; or (b) having passed the Sub Officer s Course from National Fire Service College, Nagpur or any other recognized institute; or (c) having passed Station Officer s Course or Assistant Divisional Officer s or Divisional Officer s Course from National Fire Service College, Nagpur or any other recognized institute; or (d) Degree in Fire Engineering from Nagpur University or any other recognized institute; or (e) having passed Graduateship from Institute of Fire Engineers United Kingdom or Graduateship from Institute of Fire Engineers India It is to be noted that this fifty per cent post will be be filled up by 17% from amongst Telephone Operators in the Pay Band-I Rs. (5200 20200) plus GP Rs. 1900/- with 08 years regular service; 12% from Subedar Durwan in the Pay band of Rs. (4400 7440) plus GP Rs. 1600/- with 14 years regular service in the grade; 7% from Photographer in the Pay band I Rs. (5200 20200) plus GP Rs. 1900/- with 08 years regular service. From above it is seen that Leading Hand Fire should have more qualification in comparison to the other feeder categories for Supervisor (NT) whereas all the incumbents have to perform the same responsibility with the same Grade Pay, i.e. Rs. 2400/- (Pre Revised Rs. 4000 6000). It is to be kept in the mind that Vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) Notification G.S.R. 622(E), dated 29.08.2008 CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 has been introduced and the Page 8

First Schedule Part-B, Section-II states that Station Officer s pay scale Rs. (4000 6000) (Fire Fighting Staff) has been upgraded to Rs. (4500 7000) and revised to GP Rs. 2800/-, whereas Supervisor (NT) is being granted the GP Rs. 2400/- on promotion from the post of Leading Hand Fire. Thus, the provisions of SRO 30 have not been framed considering the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 as the qualification of only one of the feeder posts Leading Hand Fire has been enhanced but the Grade Pay of promotional post Supervisor (NT) for Fire Fighting Staff has not been enhanced to Rs. 2800/-. Therefore, your attention is invited to Rule 6 of SRO 30 which empowers the Central Government to relax the provisions of these rules to any class or category of persons and you are requested to take appropriate action so that existing Leading Hand Fire incumbents who are not fulfilling the requisite qualification may also be promoted to the post of Supervisor (NT) by granting relaxation in qualification as mentioned hereinabove. Point No. 23: Granting of Credit Facility to Govt Employees by Recognized Private Nursing Homes in emergencies: Your attention is invited to Para 10. of F.No. S.11011/30/2006-CGHS Desk.II, dated 15.10.2007 regarding Empanelment of Hospitals and Diagnostic Centers under CGHS, Kanpur, for treatment and diagnostic procedures and fixation of package rates, which reads as under; 10. In case of emergencies, empanelled hospitals shall not refuse admission nor demand payment from any CGHS beneficiary on production of valid CGHS card, issued by competent authority and provide treatment on credit basis and submit the bills to the concerned authority. It is very painful to bring to your notice that none of the private nursing homes recognized under CGHS in Kanpur (U.P.) is extending this credit facility to Central Government Employees and their family members. Even in emergency, without depositing the advance, such recognized private nursing homes refuse to attend the patient though he/she produces the valid CGHS Card. This creates discontentment amongst the Group C and erstwhile Group D employees who are low paid and unable to afford the expenses of medical treatment in emergency. Therefore, you are requested to intervene into the matter and issue necessary directives to the concerned authorities so that the recognized private nursing homes may be compelled to provide treatment on credit basis and submit the bills to the concerned authority in emergent cases in respect of the Government employees (at least Group C and erstwhile Group D ) and their family members who are governed by the rules of CGHS. Point No 24: Exemption of Road Toll Tax to Defence Civilians: Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways have issued a notification vide Notice No. NH-11065/12/2003-P&M, dated 15.09.2004 to Secretary, PWD of all States/Union Territories and National Highways Authority of India clarifying that the provisions of Indian Tolls (Army and Air Force) Act, 1901 is applicable to all States and National Highways whereby Army personnel are exempted from paying tolls on roads and highways in the States/Union Territories for their private vehicles irrespective of whether they are on duty or not. This Federation has firm belief that the defence civilians are also integral part of Defence Forces and they perform their duties in almost similar conditions of uniform personnel without any Page 9

extra financial benefits. Hence, they (Defence civilians) also deserve to be granted the benefits to some extent on par with uniform personnel. Therefore, you are kindly requested to take appropriate action so that Defence Civilians may also be exempted from paying tolls on roads and highways in the States/Union Territories for their private vehicles. Point No. 25: Commander Works Engineer (MES) should be delegated the powers for making reimbursement of expenses incurred on medical treatment in emergency cases and for granting permission to CGHS beneficiaries to obtain treatment in a private hospital recognized under CGHS etc. (M P SINGH) General Secretary Page 10