Following our tradition of offering a free platform to all we publish here the version of Executive Director of NCUI Mr N Satya Narayan on the issue of salary-hike of NCUI Project officers. His words are being published without any editing-Editor
This is in reference to the blog posted on 25th March, 2014 on www.indiancooperative.com on the subject of Woes of Field Project Staff. It is informed that the information posted about the committee and its reporting were completely misleading.
I wish to set the records straight in following words.
A committee was formed in the month of August, 2013 consisting of 4 members one member from the Ministry of Agriculture, one member from NCDC and other two are from NCUI out of which Chairman of the Committee is Executive Director, NCUI Shri N.Satya Narayana.
Immediately after constitution of committee in the month of September, 2013, committee met twice to study the records and acquaint themselves about the problems/situation of the field projects and necessities of the cooperative movement.
After study at Head Office with least minimum of the expenditure, the committee divided into two and visited 4 projects on sample basis and submitted interim report in the month of October itself because of which Management of NCUI could increase the salaries of field project employees by 35%.
Further it is to mention that due to non-receipt of information from project offices and retirement of one of the committee members, committee could not submit its report by December, 2013. However, it submitted its report by the end of the financial year.
The non-payment of the salaries up to the expected level to the field project employees was not on account of the report but due to non receipts of requisite grants from the Ministry. Grants received for UDS Projects (general) Rs.20.25 lakhs which is almost negligible for the total salary of the project employees.
The committee report in nutshell follows
“In view of the necessity of improving socio-economic conditions of the people living mainly in rural areas, (poorest of the poor), the continuance of the cooperative education field projects is highly justified for promoting
(i) cooperative awareness amongst the members and also Board of Directors,
(ii) diversifying and developing the business of primary cooperatives,
(iii) the relevance of strong cooperatives and
(iv) promoting SHGs in rural economy
And in such a scenario it is strongly believed that the number of such projects in the country should be increased at least one in each newly formed state for wider coverage and impact.
Hence the employees of the projects who have achieved the targets should be paid the salary as proposed in the EFC Memo by increasing their existing salary to the level mentioned in EFC Memo. The revised salary structure may be implemented during the current financial year 2013-14.
Further due to high inflation and to maintain minimum living standards, the salary of them need to be increased by 10% to the candidates who will achieve the targets during next financial year 2014-15. Here it may be noted that even after the above increase the salary of them could not go beyond the total salary of the Lower Level Clerks of the Govt. of India.
It is observed that earlier the field staff was covered under the Central Pay Commission recommendations. However, later on their salaries were converted into consolidation one. Considering the hardships being faced by the field staff due to this decision and keeping in view their high qualification, experience and the tough conditions in which they have to work, it is recommended that the pay scales need to be restored to the field staff.
If it is not possible immediately, this recommendation may be considered from the 13th five year plan onwards and matter may be taken up with the GOI well before the proposals for 13th FYP are formulated. At present, field project scheme is being implemented on 50:50 sharing basis i.e., 50% of the cost is given by GOI and 50% by NCUI. If the pay scales are restored, it will entail more expenditure and therefore it is proposed that from 13th FYP onwards the scheme may implemented by NCUI and the expenditure may be shared in the ratio as given below:
a) 25% by NCUI out of cooperative education fund,
b) 25% from of the interest earnings of Corpus Fund for Cooperative Training and gap in resources provided to it by the GOI and
c) Remaining 50% by GOI under the existing scheme of NCUI Cooperative Education Field Projects”.
— By N Satya Narayana, Executive Director, NCUI