**Executive Summary**
On May 11, 2026, the Cabinet Secretary chaired the 49th meeting of the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) to discuss 24 agenda items submitted by the Staff Side. The meeting coincided with the Diamond Jubilee of the JCM Scheme, which has institutionalized dialogue between the Government and its employees since 1966. The session focused on resolving employee grievances and reviewing welfare matters currently under active consideration by various Ministries and Departments.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Meeting Context and Significance**
* The meeting marked the 60th anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) of the JCM Scheme, established in 1966.
* It served as the 49th official gathering of the National Council, following the 48th meeting held on June 26, 2021.
* The framework is designed to facilitate continuous dialogue and cooperation between the Government and its workforce.
**Organizational Participation**
* **Chairmanship:** Conducted under the Cabinet Secretary.
* **Staff Side:** Represented by Shri Raghavaiah (Leader), Shri Shiv Gopal Mishra (Secretary), and 28 other representatives.
* **Official Side:** Comprised of Secretaries and senior officials from key departments, including the Secretary (Personnel) and Secretary (Department of Expenditure).
**Deliberations and Progress**
* A total of 24 specific agenda items submitted by employees were discussed in detail to find amicable solutions.
* Three Standing Committee meetings and ongoing Departmental Council meetings at the Ministry level have supported the National Council's efforts since 2021.
* The JCM mechanism was credited with resolving numerous employee grievances and leading to the revision of various service instructions and guidelines.
**Commitment to Welfare**
* The Government reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a constructive consultative mechanism.
* Several issues raised during the session are currently under active consideration by the relevant Ministries and Departments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government Employees (Staff Side)**
**Impact**
Employees are directly affected by the outcome of the 24 agenda items discussed, which concern their welfare, service conditions, and the resolution of long-standing grievances.
**Action Required**
Staff Side representatives must continue to participate in sustained dialogue and use the JCM framework to bring forward departmental and national-level issues for consultation.
**Concerned Ministries and Departments (Official Side)**
**Impact**
Key departments, such as Personnel and Expenditure, are tasked with reviewing and potentially revising instructions and guidelines based on the National Council’s deliberations.
**Action Required**
Ministries must provide active consideration to the agenda items discussed and continue holding Departmental Council meetings to deliberate on specific employee welfare matters.
Key Entities Referenced
National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM): The highest-level body within the consultative framework responsible for dialogue and resolving grievances between the government and its employees.
Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) Scheme: An institutional framework introduced in 1966 to promote harmonious relations and resolve issues concerning service conditions and employee welfare.
Cabinet Secretary: The high-ranking official who chairs the National Council (JCM) and oversees the deliberations between the Official Side and the Staff Side.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions: The nodal ministry responsible for the administration of the JCM mechanism and the formulation of personnel-related policies.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
49th Meeting of National Council (JCM) Held
Under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary
Posted On: 11 MAY 2026 8:17PM by PIB Delhi
The 49th meeting of the National Council of the Joint Consultative Machinery (JCM) was held today at
3:00 PM in the Conference Hall, Seva Teerth, under the Chairmanship of the Cabinet Secretary.
The meeting was attended by Shri Raghavaiah, Leader of the Staff Side, and Shri Shiv Gopal Mishra,
Secretary of the Staff Side, along with 28 other representatives of the Staff Side. The Official Side was
represented by Secretaries and senior officials from key Ministries and Departments, including the
Secretary (Personnel) and Secretary, Department of Expenditure.
At the outset, the Chairman welcomed all participants and congratulated the members, particularly the
Staff Side, on the completion of 60 glorious years of the JCM Scheme. He noted that the Scheme,
introduced in 1966, is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee year in 2026.
Highlighting the importance of the JCM framework, the Chairman stated that since its inception, the Joint
Consultative Machinery has played a pivotal role in institutionalising dialogue and consultation between
the Government and its employees. A total of 48 meetings of the National Council (JCM) have been held
so far.
It was further noted that meetings of the National Council are conducted under the Chairmanship of the
Cabinet Secretary in the presence of representatives from both the Staff Side and Official Side, as
envisaged under the Scheme. The 48th meeting of the National Council was held on June 26, 2021,
following which three meetings of the Standing Committee were also convened. In addition, Departmental
Council meetings continue to be held at the Ministry level to deliberate upon matters concerning employee
welfare and service conditions.
The Chairman observed that continuous deliberations under the JCM mechanism have helped resolve
several issues and grievances of employees, leading to revisions in various instructions and guidelines in
their interest.
During the 49th meeting, 24 agenda items submitted by the Staff Side were discussed in detail. Healthy
and constructive deliberations took place on each item, with both sides making sincere efforts to arrive at
amicable solutions in the interest of employees. Several issues are already under active consideration of
the concerned Ministries and Departments.
The meeting reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to maintaining a constructive consultative
mechanism and promoting employee welfare through sustained dialogue and cooperation.******
NKR/AK/AV
(Release ID: 2260005) Visitor Counter : 281
Read this release in: Urdu , ही