REPORT OF THE II CPC

The Report of the II Central Pay Commission was placed before the Parliament on 30th November 1959 by the Finance Minister along with the decisions taken by the government on Minimum Wage, Dearness Allowance, General Provident Fund, House rent Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance and other issues. The recommendations of the II CPC were most disappointing. Further, government did not take any decision making improvements on the recommendations. The workers and their unions were enraged. There was serious resentment among all sections of the workers.

NFPTE Federal Executive was held at Bombay on 5-8 December 1959 and discussed the whole issue in detail. It passed a resolution strongly protesting against the recommendations as well as the government decisions. It observed that the ‘workers are more disappointed after the recommendations of the II CPC, than before it was appointed.’ There was strong opinion that a strike should be organized immediately, but the leaders convinced that discussion with the government be held for getting improvements before any final decision is taken on strike.

The National Executive of Confederation which was held at Bombay on 9-10 December 1959 under the Chairmanship of Nath Pai, M.P. also expressed strong protest on the recommendations as well as on the decisions of the government. It was decided to meet the Prime Minister and discuss the matter. Along with that, it was also decided that a joint meeting of all the Federations/ Unions of C.G. employees be held to organize future programmes, if the government does not take favourable decisions.

Nath Pai. M.P., President of the Confederation, issued a statement against the unsatisfactory recommendations. A Protest Day was observed with massive participation on 7th January 1960 as per the call of the Confederation.

CONFEDERATION EXECUTIVE MEETING AT BOMBAY 23-24 JANUARY 1960

The Confederation Executive which met at Bombay on 23-24 January 1960  reviewed the entire situation and adopted a 12 Point Charter of Demands  as given below:

  1. Constitution of ‘Whitley Council’.
  2. Acceptance of the principle of Compulsory Arbitration.
  3. Compulsory GPF in its present form be withdrawn.
  4. For fixation of pay and pensionary benefits, 1.7.1957 should be the date.
  5. Formula of the Varadachariar Commission for grant of Dearness Allowance with suitable adjustment should be accepted.
  6. Status-quo should be maintained of the earned leave and casual leave. Industrial workers should be put on par with non-industrial workers in these matters and the operative staff should be made eligible for all public holidays or compensation thereof.
  7. Minimum Wage should be on the basis of the 15th
  8. Ceilings on increase as a result of fixation of pay should be lifted.
  9. Reclassification of cities should be done on the basis of present population; all state capitals should be classified as ‘B’ barring those with 10 lakh population and above. In places with high cost of living, adequate compensation should be provided.
  10. Efficiency Bar should be abolished.
  11. Weekly Off or Compensatory Off should be given to all.
  12. Confirmation in service to be ensured after one year service.

(It can be seen that many of the rights the employees are getting now were not available then, as the Charter of demands indicated). It was decided that the Charter should be ratified by all the affiliated federations /Unions of the Confederation. Talks were held between Nath Pai, Chairman of the Confederation, N.M.Joshi, General Secretary AIDEF and Peter Alvares, General Secretary, AIRF on the decisions of the Confederation. It was unanimously decided to move jointly against the II CPC recommendations.

BOMBAY CONVENTION ON 2-3 APRIL 1960

A Convention of Confederation, AIRF, AIDEF and NFPTE was held Bombay on 2-3 April 1960. NFPTE was represented by V.G.Dalvi, B.R.Bamotra, D.G.Nanotkar, B.W.Vaidya and R.S.Palsule. The Convention strongly protested the anti-worker stand of the government and took unanimous decision to go on Indefinite Strike with effect from 19th June 1960 on the following demands:

  1. Dearness Allowance to be paid on the basis of the First CPC recommendation @ Rs.5/- for every 20 points increase in the 12 monthly average of cost of living index 1947 = 100.
  2. Minimum Wage should be based on the norms prescribed by the First CPC.
  3. To set up a Standing Board consisting of equal representatives from employees’ Federations and officers of the various departments (government nominees) with a neutral Chairman to settle  all disputes / claims of any category of employees.
  4. No curtailment of any existing facilities, rights and privileges.
  5. To set up an Arbitration Board and recognize only one union in one industry.
  6. Withdraw the provisions of summary dismissal and punitive actions.

As part of preparing for a united struggle, a Joint Council of Action (JAC) was formed with V.G.Dalvi (NFPTE) as Chairman and Peter Alvares (AIRF) as Secretary.

The JAC organized Press Conference on 11th May. All the papers gave wide publicity to the views expressed by the JAC. As per the call of the Joint Action Committee, 25th May 1960 was observed as ‘Demands Day’ in all centres by holding rallies and meetings. 

NFPTE FEDERAL COUNCIL AT GAUHATI ON 19-25 APRIL 1960

It was at this juncture that the annual Federal Council of NFPTE was held at Guwahati from 19th to 25th April 1960. The FC was of the strong opinion that a struggle has become inevitable on the major demands of the P&T and central government employees. V.G.Dalvi and P.S.R.Anjaneyulu were elected as President and Secretary General.  (To be continued).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nath Pai