Important Decision Taken in the 49th National Council JCM Meeting Chaired by the Cabinet Secretary; Compassionate Appointment Issue Also Moves Forward

New Delhi, May 11: In a major development for defence civilian employees, especially former Ordnance Factory employees, the Government of India has taken two significant decisions during the 49th meeting of the National Council Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) held under the chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary.

The two key issues were strongly raised by representatives of the All India Defence Employees’ Federation (AIDEF), Comrades C. Srikumar and R.S. Reddy, during the meeting.

One of the most important matters discussed was the extension of the “Deemed Deputation” period for employees of the erstwhile Ordnance Factories who are presently working in the seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).

The Cabinet Secretary informed the meeting that the demands of defence civilian employees had been examined in detail by the Committee of Secretaries. After consultations with the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), Department of Defence Production (DDP), and the Ministry of Law, it has been decided that a recommendation would be sent to the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGOM) to extend the Deemed Deputation status of former Ordnance Factory employees till their retirement.

Once implemented, this decision will ensure that employees continue to retain their status as Central Government and Defence Civilian Employees until retirement. The process for issuing the necessary government notification is expected to begin shortly.

Positive Stand on Compassionate Appointments

Another important issue discussed in the meeting was compassionate appointments in the seven DPSUs. On this matter, the Cabinet Secretary directed the Department of Defence Production to obtain legal clearance from the Ministry of Law and issue appropriate instructions for providing compassionate appointments to dependents of deceased employees.

The Secretary of the Law Ministry, who was present in the meeting, assured that approval would be granted within seven days of receiving the proposal. The Department of Defence Production also assured that the proposal would be forwarded to the Law Ministry at the earliest.

AIDEF Calls It a Historic Victory for Employees

AIDEF has described both decisions as a historic victory achieved through the long struggle, legal battle, and continuous movement of defence civilian employees. Federation leaders stated that these decisions would safeguard the future of lakhs of employees and their families and would prove to be a landmark step in protecting the rights of defence civilian workers across the country.