EPIC STRIKES  OF 11 TH JULY, 1946 & 1960

1. The Historic P&T Strike of  July 1946.

The All India Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union, led by V. G. Dalvi ( He  was the first President of NFPTE formed in 1954), Bar-at- Law, issued Strike notice to start from 11th July 1946 on the 12 major demands of the employees.

After the strike started in the major cities, it spread like wild fire all over India. Later it developed in to a P&T strike.

The AITUC and other TUs, fully supported tbe strike. Solidarity strike was organised by AITUC in various states. Left parties wholeheartedly supported the strike. Massive demonstrations participated by tens of thousands were held in Bombay, Madras, Calcutta and other cities. In  Bengal ( Assam  included) more than 15 lakhs participated.

Jyoti Basu in his book has stated  that the solidarity demonstration and rally held in Calcutta  on 29th July 1946 was the biggest Calcutta has ever seen till that date. The strike in Bengal was led by Comrades B. N. Ghosh ( Dada Ghosh ) and K. G. Bose.

The entire communication system was paralysed. British Government was compelled to call the union leaders. DG P&T discussed the demands with union leaders V. G. Dalvi, R. S Dharia etc. on  24 – 25 July 1946 and an agreement was reached accepting all the dremands. In Bengal it continued till 3rd August as certain specific issues were pending. Those were also settled and strike withdrawn.

Main Achievements :

1. Revision of pay structure.
2. So far there was no pension for lower grade employees. The same was granted.
3. Discrimination against group C and D employees in leave, holidays etc was removed.
4. Departmental promotion increased to 50%
5. Rs. One crore allotted  as ‘ Good Conduct Pay”. All employees including ED got Rs. 5 as Good Conduct Pay.
6. Leave Rules modified.  etc. etc.

The 1946 P&T strike is also treated as part of the Freedom Struggle.

2. Five Days Strike by CG Employees in 1960.
   The first Historic Strike of Central Government employees in independent India was organised under the leadership of Confederation of CG Employees (including NFPTE), AIRF and AIDEF.

The indefinite strike from 11, July 1960 was made inevitable due to the adamant stand of the Jawaharlal Nehru government which refused  fruitful discussion on  the demands of the CG employees, including Need Based Minimum Wage, DA on the basis of Cost of Living index etc.

In order to crush the strike, the central government issued  Essential Service Maintenance Order ( ESMO) through which those who go on strike could be arrested and jailed for six months with a fine of Rs. 500. Those who instigated strike will be punished by jail term of one year and a fine of Rs. 1000/-.

The strike started on 11 th July 1960. The communication system was completely paralysed. The trains did not move. The CG offices stayed closed. The government arrested and jailed thousands of employees including women,  dismissed and terminated thousands.

The AITUC and other left trade union and Left parties supported tbe strike. Many of them were also jailed including  some Members of Parliament.

It became difficult to continue the strike under such cruel victimisation. The strike was called off on 15th July, the fifth day of tbe strike.

Five striking Railway Comrades became martyrs after they were shot down by police at Dohad Workshop when they refused to work. Two comrades in Kerala also became martyrs.

Heated debate took place in the Parliament against the dealing of the strike by the government. Struggles were organised against victimisation. By about 4 years, all dismissed / terminated were taken  back on duty.

The immediate result was the appointment of  Das Commission followed by Gajendra Gadker Committee to enquire in to the demands of the employees for grant of DA on the basis of the Cost of Living Index.

“The year 1960 will be remembered for many events, but the Five Glorious Days of the Central Govt Employees’ Struggle in the month of July will be unforegettable in the History of the Indian Trade Union Movement ” ( from the Resolution of the Cederal Council of NFPTE )

V A N…..  03.07.2026