IITs set up committee for incentive scheme to faculty

The IITs have set up a committee to evolve a performance-related incentive scheme (PRIS) to encourage well-performing teachers by giving them special incentives as available to ISRO scientists.

The committee, headed by IIT Madras Director Prof M S Ananth, comprises six members, including two from the IIT Faculty Federation. It is expected to submit its report by December 15, an IIT Director said.

The committee will study the existing PRIS in Indian Space Research Organisation where the scientists are rewarded with 20 to 50 per cent of their basic salary per month as incentive for their performance at organisation, department and individual levels.

"We hope the committee to submit its report before December 15. It will take into account the performance of teachers in terms of research work and publications and suggest a suitable incentive scheme," the director said.
Source: PTI

Casual worker not entitled to compensation: HC

The Delhi High Court has said a casual worker is not entitled to claim compensation from the principal employer in case he suffers an accident while performing the work under the direction and supervision of a contractor.

Justice V B Gupta said those availing the services of such casual employees through a contractor for their trade or business do not have to pay compensation in case any injury is caused to such workers in the course of work.

The court passed the order on an appeal filed by M/s Bhasin petrol pump challenging the order of Workmen's Compensation Commissioner awarding damages to a worker, Md Shoibuddin Khan on the ground that he was an "employee" under the meaning of the Workmen's Compensation Act.
Source: PTI

AI pilots threaten strike from Nov 24

Air India pilots today served the management a fresh ultimatum to sort out issues relating to salary and allowances in eight days, failing which they threatened to go on strike from November 24.

In a letter written to the NACIL Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Jadhav, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA), said "if issues, including that of pending arrears, are not addressed by November 10, the letter be considered a strike notice.

"This grievance letter be considered as a 14-day notice of strike under section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, by which strike shall be effective from 1700 hrs of November 24."

ICPA, the non-executive pilots' body of the erstwhile Indian Airlines, claims representation of 800 pilots.

It claimed that the company has not paid salary allowances, which constitute almost 70-80 per cent of their salary, since August.
Source:PTI

All-India Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers on base 2001- 100 for the month of September, 2009

All India Consumer Price Index Number for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) on base 2001=100 for the month of September, 2009 increased by 1 point and stood at 163 (one hundred and sixty three).

During September, 2009, the index recorded a maximum increase of 6 points in Mercara centre, 5 points in Kodarma centre, 4 points each in Jalpaiguri, Chandigarh, Howrah and Raniganj centres, 3 points in 7 centres, 2 points in 10 centres and 1 point in 28 centres. The index decreased by 2 points each in Ahmedabad and Bhopal centres and by 1 point in 9 centres, while in the remaining 16 centres the index remained stationary.

The maximum increase of 6 points in Mercara centre is mainly on account of increase in the prices of Rice, Horse Gram (Kulthi), Sugar, Gur, Firewood etc. The increase of 5 points in Kodarma centre is due to Rice, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Onion, Vegetable items, etc. The increase of 4 points each in Jalpaiguri, Chandigarh, Howrah and Raniganj centres is due to Rice, Wheat, Wheat Atta, Moong Dal, Goat Meat, Fish Fresh, Milk, Onion, Ginger, Vegetable & Fruit items, Sugar, Firewood etc. However, the decrease of 2 points each in Ahmedabad and Bhopal centres is mainly due to Arhar Dal, Groundnut Oil, Fish Fresh, Onion, Vegetable Items etc.

The indices in respect of the six major centres are as follows :

1. Ahmedabad - 156

2. Delhi - 152

3. Bangalore - 171

4. Kolkata - 163

5. Chennai - 153

6. Mumbai - 162

The point to point rate of inflation for the month of September, 2009 is 11.64% as compared to 11.72% in August, 2009.

Centre plans to set up 7,000 libraries

With an aim to encourage reading habit among people, the Centre is planning to set up about 7,000 libraries having computers with internet facility across the country, a large chunk of which may go to rural areas.

These libraries will be opened as part of the National Mission on Libraries (NML), the Centre's initiative to revitalise the public library movement in the country.

Sources said the Culture Ministry has sent a set of recommendations in this regard to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who holds charge of the ministry.

The new libraries, if the proposals are accepted, will be equipped with modern gadgets and broadband connectivity besides being networked with other leading libraries, educational and cultural institutions.
Source:PTI

Bank unions demands wage revision, regulated working hours

Bank employees unions today said despite robust business growth of public sector lenders, salary revision of officers and employees is pending for the last two years and asked the managements to take necessary action."The bank employees and officers' salary revision are due from November 1, 2007 ...the present offer of IBA for 17.5 per cent increase in salary is far below the expectations. We want at least 25 per cent,"AIBOC General Secretary G D Nadaf told at a press meet on the sidelines of the tenth National Council Conference of United Bank Officers' Association.

He further said branches are suffering from acute shortage of officers and so the existing ones have to work overtime and even on holidays.

"We have demanded regulated working hours for officers and recruitment of adequate number of officers to take care of the need of the branches by filling the existing vacancies in the banks," Nadaf said.

The union is also opposed to merger and acquisition of public sector banks and instead pitched for nationalisation of private lenders.

"We have also suggested to the Finance Minister to nationalise private sector banks for better financial inclusion and also to cater to the needs of common man," Nadaf said
Source:The Economic Times