Saturday, July 27, 2013

EDITORIAL, BHARATIYA POST, AUGUST 2013

THE MESSAGE IS LOUD AND CLEAR
The 9th Federal Council of NFPE held at Hyderabad from 9th to 13th June 2013, gave a clarion call to the five lakhs Postal and RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) to be ready for an indefinite strike, in case our demand for setting up of seventh Central Pay Commission (CPC) and merger of DA with pay is rejected by the Central Government. The conference in one voice also demanded the Government to withdraw the Contributory Pension Scheme and scrap the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill. It further decided that even if Pay Commission is appointed, if the Government refuse to include the revision of wages and service conditions of GDS in the term of reference of the CPC and grant the DA merger benefit to GDS, entire employees shall go on indefinite strike.

The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, the united fighting organisation of Central Government Employees, in its 24th National Conference held at Kolkata from 4th to 6th May 2013 has taken a historic decision to go on indefinite strike demanding constitution of seventh CPC, DA merger, scrapping of New Pension Scheme and the settlement of the 15 point charter of demands. The decision of the Confederation clearly reflected the aspiration and commitment of about 28 lakhs of Central Government Employees and about 40 lakh Central Government Pensioners. Unlike in the past, this time, the Confederation has rightly decided to project the GDS demands as one of the main demands and in the 12th December 2012 strike the GDS participated in the strike en-masse as per the call given by NFPE, even though the so-called recognized union of GDS has not even given strike notice.

Finally, as in the past, as a logical corollary, the Railway and Defence employees Federations have also decided to go for an indefinite strike raising the 7th CPC and DA merger demand. Due to conscious and persistent effort made by Confederation, especially its versatile and undisputed leader Com. S. K. Vyas Ji, a joint meeting of AIRF, AIDEF and Confederation was arranged on 29th July 2013 and Joint Council of Action (JCA) is formed, the JCA decided to organize various campaign programmes, culminating in indefinite strike. As a first step it is decided to submit a letter to the Government listing out the demands and also its time-bound settlement. The seven point charter of demands includes setting up of 7th CPC, DA merger, compassionate appointment, regularization of GDS and Casual Labourers, Scrapping of PFRDA Bill, removal of bonus emolument ceiling, functioning of JCM and implementation of arbitration awards. Even though in the past, the dominant leadership of the National Council JCM has taken a stand that as GDS do not come under JCM, their demand cannot be included, this time the Confederation and NFPE leadership could convince them and they agreed for inclusion of GDS demands also.



Thus a situation has emerged wherein the entire Central Government employees stands united and determined to realize just and genuine demands. The message is loud and clear. Now it is the duty and responsibility of each and every one of us to carry the message to the grass-root level workers and build up broadest unity among the rank and file. Once such a rock-like unity for struggle is achieved, no Government can reject our justified demands. Time is short. Let us awake, arise and unite.

Probation period of PA/SA

Directorate vide memo No. 60-3/2013-SPB-I dated 8/7/2013 has clarified that ás per revised Recruitment Rules for the post of Postal Assistant / Sorting Assitant notified on 3rd November 2011, the period of probation is the same i.e. two years but the provision of Examination for confirmation has been discontinued and clearance of probation period is to be decided by the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC). It is also clarified that who have not yet cleared the confirmation test may not be subjected to confirmation examination but may be assessed for clearing their probation after taking into consideration their performance during the induction training, the special report /ACRs and any other relevant input. If they are not found up to the mark, their probation period may be extended as per the Government's instructins. In such cases, PAs/SAs shall be considered for clearance of probation period from a prospective date and not with retrospective effect.

Issue of Identity Cards to Central Govt. Pensioners reg.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Confederation News - National Secretariat Meeting


CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS
(CENTRAL HEAD QUARTERS)
1st Floor, North Avenue Post office Building, New Delhi – 110001
Circular No. 2/2013 Dated – 23.07.2013

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING
22.07.2013 – NEW DELHI

CONFEDERATION DECIDES TO TAKE STRIKE BALLOT FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE


Dear Comrades,

The first meeting of the National Secretariat of the Confederation was held at New Delhi on 22.07.2013. Com. K. K. N. Kutty, National President, presided. The following office bearers were present:

Com. S. K. Vyas (Advisor), Com. K. K. N. Kutty (President), Com. M. S. Raja (Working President), Com. Giriraj Singh (Vice President), Com. M. Durai Pandian (Vice President), Com. N. Somaiah (Vice President), Com. M. Krishnan (Secretary General), Com. K. V. Jayaraj (Asst Secretary), Com. Pijush Roy (Asst. Secretary) Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas (Asst. Secretary), Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee (Financial Secretary), Com. G. Mani Achari (Org. Secretary) Com. R. P. Singh (Org. Secretary) Com. Arup Chatterjee (Org. Secretary).

The following office bearers applied for leave/expressed their inability to attend:

Com. R. N. Parashar (Asst. Secretary) Com. C. P. Sobhana (Org. Secretary) Com. Venkata Subramanian (Org. Secretary), Com. K. P. Rajagopal (Secretary)

The following office bearers could not reach due to train late/cancellation:

Com. T. Narasimhan (Vice President), Com. B. Krishna Gaud (Asst. Secretary), Com. Nilesh D. Nasare (Org. Secretary) Com. P. Suresh (Org. Secretary) Com. V. Nageswara Rao (Org. Secretary), Com. T. Satyanarayana (Org. Secretary), Com. T. K. R. Pillai (Auditor).

The following comrades were absent:

Com. Ashok B. Salunke (Vice President), Com. Ashok Kumar Kanojia (Org Secretary) Com. R. Seethalakshmi (Org. Secretary), Com. Y. Purohit (Org. Secretary).

Before Commencement the meeting paid homage to Late Com. Samar Mukherjee, Ex-MP and Veteran Parliamentarian by observing two minutes silence.

Com. S. K. Vyas, Advisor, in his opening remarks, explained the background of events which led to the formation of a Joint Council of Action of Railway (AIRF) Defence (AIDEF) and Confederation and also pointed out its weaknesses and limitations. He stressed the need to further strengthen the unity. He opined that on the 15 point charter of demands, Confederation must conduct its own independent campaign and agitational programmes. If the Railway and defence Federations come forward for serious agitational programmes including indefinite strike we must join such campaign and strike action.

Com. K. Raghavendran, Ex-Working President, Confederation also addressed the meeting. Thereafter discussion on all agenda items took place.

The following are the main highlights and decision of the National Secretariat meeting

1. Review of 24th National Conference held at Kolkata from 4th to 6th May 2013

Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General made a brief presentation of the Conference proceedings, which was approved by the house after discussion.

2. 15 Pointes charter of demands and future course of action.

The meeting decided to organize independent campaign and agitational programmes culminating in indefinite strike. The specific decisions were:
(i) To organize state level joint strike conventions of C-o-C with the participation of all affiliated unions/Associations/Federations during the month of August 2013. Whereever the C-O-C functioning is not satisfactory or has no participation of district units, efforts must be taken to revamp the committee.
(ii) To organize mass Relay dharna at different places in all important stations during the first week of September 2013 (from 02.09.2013 to 07.09.2013).
(iii)To conduct nationwide strike ballot during the last week of September 2013 (On 25, 26 and 27th September) Model of the ballot will be sent later.
(iv)To convene the Central Working Committee/Central Executive committee meetings of all affiliated unions/Associations/Federations before the 1st week of October 2013. All India Office Bearers of the Confederation may be invited to attend the meeting.

3. Joint programme of AIRF, AIDEF and Confederation:
It was decided to make all out effort to further strengthen the Joint council of action (JCA) and also to launch serious agitational programmes culminating in indefinite strike before December 2013.

4. Formation of State Committees and District Committees
It was decided to reorganize the COCs which are defunct or not functioning satisfactorily. This is to be done when the state level strike campaign conventions are organized. Participation of representatives of all affiliates should be ensured in the conventions.

5. Conducting of All India Mahila Convention of the Confederation.
It was decided to conduct two day’s All India Mahila Convention at New Delhi in the 3rd week of October 2013. C-O-C Delhi has agreed to host the Mahila Convention. Delegate fee shall be Rs.600/- per delegate. Participation of maximum number of Lady comrades from all states/affiliates should be ensured.

6. Organising Trade Union Education Camp:
It was decided to hold the Trade Union Education Camp at Mumbai in November/December 2013. Number of participants shall be 150 (maximum). Delegate fee Rs. 600/- per delegate Postal, ITEF, Audit & Accounts and Atomic Energy delegates accommodation shall be arranged by their respective Federations. C-O-C Mumbai shall function as the Reception committee. Date and Venue will be intimated later.

7. Publication of journal
Decided to publish a monthly journal. Name of the journal shall be “CONFEDERATION NEWS” (subject to availability at RNI) Editorial Board shall consist of Com. S. K. Vyas (Advisor) Com. K. K. N. Kutty (President) Com. M. S. Raja (Working President) Com. M .Krishnan (Secretary General) com. K. P. Rajagopal (Secretary) and Com. Vrigu Bhattacharjee (Financial Secretary).

8. Financial Review:
Financial Secretary shall present the actual picture in the next meeting. Meanwhile letters should be sent to all affiliated unions to remit the arrears of quota immediately.

9. Letter from ITEF and reply
A letter received from Secretary General, ITEF and the reply given, regarding the election of new office bearers of the Confederation was presented in the meeting by the Secretary General, Confederation. It was decided to send an appeal letter to the ITEF requesting them to resolve the issue amicably.

10. Affiliation to new organizations:
The application for affiliation received from the following two organisations was considered and it is decided to grant affiliation subject to their accepting the terms & conditions for affiliation.
(i) Indian School of Mines Karmachari Sangh, Dhanbad.
(ii) Song and Drama Division Employees Associations, New Delhi

11. National Convention of Central Trade Unions on 6th August 2013.
The available National Secretariat members/leaders at Delhi will attend the convention on 6th.

President, Com. K. K. N. Kutty in his concluding remarks, briefed decisions taken in the meeting. The meeting ended at 5 PM.

IMPLEMENT THE DECISIONS

All office Bearers, State Committees, other C-O-Cs and Affiliated Unions/ Associations/ Federations are requested to implement the above mentioned decisions of the National Secretariat meeting, WITHOUT FAIL.

This may be treated as most urgent/important,

Fraternally yours,
(K. K. N. Kutty) (M. Krishnan)
President Secretary General
Mob: 09811048303 Mob: 09447068125

RECONSTITUTION OF POSTAL SERVICES STAFF WELFARE BOARD FOR THE PERIOD FROM 01.04.2013 TO 31.03.2015 (Department of Posts Order dated 04th July -2013 placed below)

 


Saturday, July 20, 2013

A Story about Change - Chapter 2

Change can be difficult. The question to always ask is “What else is possible? How can I make it possible?