LOWER BUREAUCRACY OBJECTS TO FDI IN INSURANCE, RAILWAYS, AND DEFENCE

The lower bureaucracy has vehemently objected to the government’s decision for 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Railways and 49% FDI in Defence and Insurance, as per minutes of a meeting held in February which are now available in public domain.

The meeting on February 25 was chaired by Secretary (Personnel) Sanjay Kothari with senior officials on one side and representatives of the lower bureaucracy on the other, the latter termed as the staff side which also asked criticized the decision of allowing FDI in Insurance.

The Staff side demanded that the old pension scheme should be restored and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) should be abolished while amending the New Pension Scheme.

The Staff Side representatives also complained that presently the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary for resolving issues between the Staff and Official side is almost defunct which has caused much anguish and frustration and no meetings of the JCM were being held. “