Context: To resolve disputes between the Government as an employer and the employees. The Prime Minister will meet staff representatives in the national-level Joint Consultative Mechanism (JCM) for the first time in 10 years.

• One of the key issues expected to be discussed during the meeting is the potential restoration of the old pension scheme.

About Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM)

• It is a platform for constructive dialogue between the representatives of the staff side and the official side for peaceful resolution of all disputes between the Government asemployer and the employees.

• The scheme was introduced in 1966 with the objectives of promoting harmonious relations and securing the greatest measure of cooperation between the Central Government as the employer and the employees.

• The scheme is a non-statutory one mutually agreed upon between the staff side and the official side.

The scheme covers all regular civil employees of the Central Government, except:

• The Class-I services;

• The Class-II services, other than the Central Secretariat Services and the other comparable services in the headquarters organization of the Government;

• Persons in industrial establishments employed mainly in a managerial or administrative capacity, and those who are being employed in a supervisory capacity drawing salary going beyond grade pay of Rs.4200/- per month;

• Employees of the Union Territories;

• Police personnel.

Joint Councils

• The scheme provides for the setting up of joint councils at the National, Departmental and Regional / Office levels.

• The National Council, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, is the apex body.

• The scope of the Joint Councils includes all matters relating to conditions of service and work, welfare of employees, and improvement of efficiency and standards of work, provided, however, that in regard to matters of recruitment, promotion, and discipline, consultation is limited to matters of general principles only, and individual cases are not considered.

• The National Council deals only with matters affecting Central Government employees generally, such as pay of common categories of staff, allowances, etc.,

• The Departmental Council deals with matters affecting only the employees in the Ministries/Departments concerned.

• The Office/Regional Councils deal with regional or local issues only.