National Convention of CG Employees
08 Friday Jun 2018
Posted in Uncategorized
Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI
Kerala LDF Government Marches Ahead (9) – Public Schools of International Standard
08 Friday Jun 2018
Posted in Kerala LDF Government
During the last two years of LDF rule, 45,000 High Tech class rooms organised.
School Uniforms and Text Books supplied before opening of the schools. These were being supplied after many months under the UDF government.
All schools, one after another, to be converted to international standards. Already many schools converted.
100% literacy already reached.
More and more students joining the government schools.
Kerala LDF government moves ahead in its educational programmes.
Kerala LDF Government Marches Ahead (8) – 2.19 lakh people given from CM’s Disaster Fund
07 Thursday Jun 2018
Posted in General, Kerala LDF Government
It is a great achievement for the Kerala UDF government. Since it came to power two years back, the government has distributed Rs. 423.32 crore to 2.19 lakh people from its disaster fund.
This is great achievement for a small state like Kerala.
Nipah Virus – Kozhikode District almost normal, but with utmost caution
07 Thursday Jun 2018
Posted in Kerala
The Nipah virus cases causing 17 death had stunned the Kozhikode city and nearby places. 17 people have died including 3 in nearby Malappuram district. No new cases have been intimated for the last about one week. The stunned city is slowly coming back. But the state government and the health authorities are taking all steps to contain the onslaught.
The health authorities are fully prepared for any fresh cases which will be reported. All the present arrangements will continue for some more time.
Kerala LDF Government Marches Ahead (7) – 187 houses completed
07 Thursday Jun 2018
Posted in Kerala LDF Government
As part of completing the unfinished houses of poor people, the Kerala government has completed construction of 187 houses during last year. There were a total of 237 application for assistance to complete the unfinished houses and the balance will be completed shortly.
This is part of the LIFE Mission which aims at own homes for all the families in Kerala. The Pinarayi Government has taken this great responsibility so that Kerala will become a state with nobody without a home.
Next step is construction of houses to those, who have land but unable to build a house. There are 1203 in this list. The third programme is to construct houses for those who do not have land or house. 9257 persons are in this list.
Withisnthis tenure of the government all this will be completed in a time-framed manner.
Com. G.L.Dhar passed away.
07 Thursday Jun 2018
Posted in Obituary, Tributes
Com. G.L.Dhar, Secretary AITUC passed away yesterday. He was one of the senior leaders of the Confederation of Central Government employees and led many a struggle of the Central Secretariat workers in Delhi. He was personally known to me for a long period. A few months back I have met him in the AITUC office and he helped me in getting a copy of the “Five Glorious Days” written by Com. S.A.Dange on the 1960 CGE strike. His death is a great loss to the TU movement.
My Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, friends and comrades!
Kerala LDF Govt. Marches Ahead (6) – Reduces the petrol price by Re.1/-, Waiving of agricultural loans
06 Wednesday Jun 2018
Posted in Kerala LDF Government
While the central government is increasing the price of petrol almost every day and despite strong demand that it should be reduced by lowering the central taxes, no action was taken. Of course one paisa on litre was announced! But the Kerala LDF government, reduced its taxes by Re.1/ to give relief to the people.
While the Central Government is not prepared to fix remuneration price of agricultural products and waiving of the agricultural loans as assured in its election manifesto, the Kerala LDF government has announced waiving of the agricultural loans.
This is the difference. While the BJP government at the centre is completely refusing the give some relief to the common people reeling under the increased price rise, the Kerala LDF government with its limited finance is supporting and helping the people.
Kerala LDF is people friendly, Central government is corporate friendly.
Great Victory of GDS Workers – Congratulations!
06 Wednesday Jun 2018
Posted in General
Tags
“BIG SALUTE TO ALL THE FIGHTING GDS — HATS OFF
WE HAVE WON THE BATTLE
UNION CABINET APPROVED GDS COMMITTEE REPORT
FULL DETAILS WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER
GDS UNIONS HAVE COME OUT WITH FLYING COLOURS
16 DAYS INDEFINITE STRIKE CALLED OFF
IF ANY ADVERSE CONDITIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE GOVT ORDERS,
IF MAJOR POSITIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DILUTED,
GDS UNIONS SHALL RESORT TO NATIONWIDE AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME AGAIN
CONDUCT NATIONWIDE VICTORY RALLIES AND CELEBRATIONS”
(From NFPE Website)
Hearty Congratulations to the three lakh GDS workers, who were on strike for the last 16 days from 22nd May 2018 and who stood firm in their agitation without any wavering, which compelled the Central Government to come down from their unjustified stiff position and accept the fully justified demand of the workers to implement the Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report on GDS!
It was a battle, in which the government surrendered before the rock-like unity and determination of the workers. Its efforts to divide and confuse the workers did not fool the latter. The entire Postal regular workers gave solidarity and support to the strike. In Kerala, the regular workers joined the strike for 10 days in solidarity without raising any of their own demands, which is an unprecedented and heroic act. Their continued solidarity and support showed their highly developed camaraderie. All praise to them.
This was a struggle, which was focussed by the newspapers, social media, TV channels and even Doora Darshan. The people supported it, because they knew the pitiable condition of the GDS workers, how shabbily the government was dealing with them. It is a shame on the Government that it continues to treat the GDS, who serves the entire lakhs of common people in the country, mainly in the villages, in the same way as the colonial rulers (British) treated them.
All the Central trade Unions, irrespective of their political ideology supported the strike and gave all help. Many Members of Parliament wrote to the government demanding discussion and settlement of the demands. Service organisations also fully supported and extended solidarity.
As the Chairman of the Samara Sahaya Samithi (Strike Aid Committee) of the GDS Strike at Kozhikode, I could see how complete was the strike, how determined were the GDS comrades, how the regular Postal workers were extending full support, how the trade unions and service associations were standing with the striking workers. This was unprecedented. There was complete ban on public programmes etc. in Kozhikode District due to the deadly attack of Nipah Virus causing death of some patients and there were connected security and safety arrangements. Hence no public demonstration or rallies were held. But the striking GDS workers coming to about 200, majority of them women, reached the Head Post Office premises every day and sat on dharna till afternoon and sometimes evening. The Samara Sahaya Samithi ensured that every day, leaders of many organisations including the Central trade Unions visited the site and, addressed and inspired the workers. Financial assistance was provided by them to support the strike. Wide publicity was given in the dailies with photoes and write ups of the miserable state of the GDS and the injustice done to them by the government. Local TV channels showed the pictures of dharna etc. and gave daily reports.
On the 16th day the strike today, six GDS comrades, including two women, sat on hunger strike. By about 15.10 hours, the information was received that the Government has issued Press Release on the decision of the Government accepting wages, allowances, fitment etc. recommended by the Kamalesh Chandra Committee. Within an hour, information was received that the GDS All India Unions have met and decided to withdraw the strike on the basis of the decisions of the government.
Leaders of CITU, INTUC, AITUC were there as also many service associations including Postal and BSNL, which were all together in the undivided P and T Department. The decision of the All India Unions were announced which was accepted with great applause and slogan shouting. All the leaders who spoke thanked the Members of Parliament, who took up the issue with the Government, the Kerala Chief Minister and Labour Minister who raised the issue with the Central Government, and also all those who supported the strike.
This valiant struggle has once again shown, as in the case of the Kisan March in Maharashtra and the Electricity workers strike in UP against privatisation, that united and determined struggle with the support of the people will succeed, despite the arrogance and anti-worker policy of the central government.
Congratulations to the GDS workers for their magnificent strike and victory!
Great Victory for GDS Strike – Government Issues Press release Wage Structure and Allowances
06 Wednesday Jun 2018
Posted in General, TU News - India
The Central government, which was sleeping or keeping silence for the last 16 days while the entire three lakh Grameen Dak Sevak were on complete strike causing shut down of more than 1,29,500 Branch and Sub Offices in the country and postal service at standstill, has issued a Press Release to day at about 15.35 hours intimating approval of the wage structure and allowances as recommended by the Kamalesh Chandra Committee, thus partly accepting the demands raised by the workers. The GDS All India Unions, which have spearheaded the strike fully supported by the regular workers, called off the strike after the government’s decision.
Hearty Congratulations to the GDS workers who were on strike and to the Postal workers who wholeheartedly supported the same.
The Government Press Release is reproduced below:
PIB PRESS RELEASE
Cabinet approves Revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts
Posted On: 06 JUN 2018 3:16PM by PIB Delhi
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts. The revision in the wage structure would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 1257.75 crore (Non recurring expenditure – Rs 860.95 crore and Recurring expenditure of Rs.396.80 crore) during 2018 -19.
3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will be benefitted by this wage revision.
Details:
i. Time Related Continuity allowance (TRCA) structure and slabs have been rationalised. The total GDSs have been brought under two categories viz. Branch Postmasters (BPMs) and other than Branch Postmasters namely Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPMs).
ii. The present 11 TRCA slabs will be merged into only three TRCA Slabs with two levels each for BPMs and other than BPMs.
iii. Introduction of new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) will be as below:
Minimum TRCA of two types of proposed categories of GDSs as per working hours / levels
S.No. Category Minimum TRCA for 4 Hours / Level 1 Minimum TRCA for 5 Hours / Level 2
1 BPM Rs. 12000/- Rs. 14500/-
2 ABPM/Dak Sevaks Rs. 10000/- Rs. 12000/-
Dearness Allowance will continue to be paid as a separate component, and also revised from time to time whenever it is revised for Central Government Servants.
It is decided to continue the calculation of the ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs.7000 as basic TRCA + DA till such time a new scheme is devised.
Arrears for the period 1.1.2016 to the date of implementation will be paid by increasing the basic TRCA drawn during the period by a factor of 2.57. The arrears will be paid in one instalment.
vii. Annual increase at the rate of 3% and the same may be given on 1st January or 1st July of every year as the case may be based on the one time written request of GDSs.
A new Risk and hardship Allowance has been introduced. Other allowances Viz. Office maintenance allowance, Combined duty allowance, Cash conveyance charges, Cycle maintenance allowance, Boat allowance and Fixed Stationery Charges have been revised.
Implementation strategy and targets:
The revision would result in improving the wages, allowances and discharge benefits of Gramin Dak Sevaks resulting in providing efficient & cost-effective basic postal facilities in the rural area. The proposed increased emoluments will enable him to improve his socio-economic standing.
Impact:
The Branch Post Offices are the fulcrum for provision of Communications and financial services in the village and are located in remote areas. The Post Master has to deal with large sums while making payments to customers; hence accountability is already built into his work. The enhanced remuneration will increase the sense of responsibility. Moreover, with the roll out of the India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), the CDS network is expected to play a key role in the process of financial inclusion of the rural population.
Background:
The Extra Departmental system in the Department of Posts was established more than150 years ago to provide basic, economical and efficient postal services in the rural areas where there was no justification for engaging full time regular employees. One Lakh Twenty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred forty-six (1,29,346) Extra-departmental Branch post offices are primarily manned by Gramin Dak Sevak Branch Postmasters. In addition, Gramin Dak Sevaks other than Branch Postmasters are also working in Branch, Sub and Head Post offices. The main features of the engagement of Gramin Dak Sevaks are that they work for part time ranging from 3 to 5 hours per day and supplement their income from other vocations so as to have adequate means of livelihood for themselves and their families. They remain in service up to the age of 65 years.
NFPE AND FNPO DECLARES FIVE DAYS RELAY MASS HUNGER FAST IN FRONT OF CPMsG OFFICES ON 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th and 13th JUNE 2018
05 Tuesday Jun 2018
Posted in Postal Service
CIRCULAR ISSUED BY NFPE AND FNPO. HUNGER STRIKE DEMANDING IMMEDIATE IMPLEMENTATION OF KAMALESH CHANDRA COMMITTEE REPORT FOR GDS
The historic strike of three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks has entered 15th day. Six round of discussions held so far has failed to reach an honourable settlement due to the indifferent and negative attitude of the Govt. and Postal Board. “Call off the strike first, then we will discuss” attitude of the Central Government cannot be accepted by any Unions. The sugar-coated appeals of the Secretary, Department of Posts could not create any impact on the striking GDS. Nobody resumed duty. Percentage of the strike reached all time high on 4th June (Monday). All attempts of the Govt. and Postal Board to break the strike have miserably failed.
GDS are becoming more and more restive and anger and protest is growing day by day. The situation may go out of control of the Postal Board and Officers, as happened in Hyderabad on 04.06.2018. About 7000 GDS including 1000 ladies mobilized in front of the CPMG Office and protested for about five hours. GDS on strike are committing suicide and sudden deaths are taking place every day. In this situation, a full-fledged meeting of the Postal JCA will be held shortly and the possibility of All India solidarity strike will be explored in all seriousness.
In the meantime, the NFPE and FNPO has decided to organize five days mass relay hunger fast (10am to 5 pm) in front of all Chief PMsG Offices on 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th and 13th June 2018 demanding immediate implementation of Kamalesh Chandra Committee Report. The striking GDS Unions has already given call for indefinite relay hunger fast in front of all Divisional Offices from 6th June 2018.
As a second phase of programme Secretary General NFPE AND FNPO and All India office bearers and General Secretaries of it’s affiliated unions will sit on two days relay Hunger Fast on 18th and 19th June 2018 in front of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi.
We have given a Joint letter of PJCA to Secretary, Department of Posts, informing that NFPE and FNPO will be compelled to join the strike if strike demand is not settled immediately by accepting the reasonable demands of the striking GDS Unions (Letter published separately).
NFPE and FNPO calls upon all its affiliated unions and Circle/Divisional Secretaries to make the five days relay hunger fast in front of Circle Offices a grand success by mobilizing huge participation of employees. Also extend full support and help to the indefinite relay hunger fast of striking GDS unions in front of all Divisional Offices from 6th June 2018.
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