Cabinet nod to wage policy framework for PSU workers, setting up of women centres
NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Wednesday allowed central public sector enterprises (CPSES) to negotiate the eighth round of wage revisions with their workers. A press statement issued after the meeting said that the “management of CPSES would be free to negotiate wage revision for workmen where the periodicity of wage settlement of five years or 10 years had expired generally on December 31, 2016”.
But the Cabinet has also clarified that no budgetary support will be given for any wage increase. It also instructed CPSES to ensure that negotiated wages go not exceed existing pay scales of executives and non-unionised supervisors.
There are about 12.34 lakh employees in 320 CPSES. Of these, 2.99 lakh are board level and below board level executives and non-unionised supervisors.
For the remaining 9.35 lakh employees who are a part of the union, salaries are decided by trade unions and CPSE managements following government guidelines.
NOD TO MAHILA SHAKTI KENDRA
The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to set up the Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra (PMMSK), which will provide an interface for rural women to approach the government for availing their entitlements and empower them through training and capacity building.
To start with, 920 such centres will be opened in 115 most backward districts. These will provide services to rural women — from imparting skill training to making them digitally literate, providing assistance to victims of sexual abuse to taking measures to improve the declining childsex ratio. Over three lakh student volunteers from local colleges will be engaged in such centres.
RAJNATH TO VISIT RUSSIA FROM NOV 27
The Cabinet also gave its approval for signing an agreement on cooperation between India and Russia on combating terrorism and organised crime in the two countries. It is likely to be signed during an upcoming visit to Russia of an Indian delegation that will be led by home minister Rajnath Singh. It will take place from November 27-29.
“India and Russia have a long history of close cooperation in international fora on matters of mutual interest. With the rise in terrorism and organised crime, it is imperative for countries to work together to combat all forms of terrorism,” a statement said.
INDIA’S MEMBERSHIP FOR EBRD APPROVED
The Cabinet also approved India’s membership for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a move which will help it obtain funding in various areas, including services and manufacturing.