Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER : XX – BIRTH OF NFPTE

25 Saturday Jul 2020

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CHAPTER – 20
BIRTH OF NFPTE
Since 1953 onwards events took a turn. The U.P.T.W under the leadership of Com.K.Ramamurti was already relentlessly trying for realignment and Shri.Dalvi, leader of the Postmen Union was also ever in favour of realignment and establishment of one organization of P&T workers. The All India Conference of the U.P.T.W which met at Nagpur from the 25th to 30th October, 1953, was attended by Shri.Dalvi and Shri. W.B.Kulkarni, a representative from Bombay branch of the Telegraph Traffic Staff Association (Ministerial). In the open session of the Conference there was thread-bare discussion on realignment and a decision was taken to begin with effecting realignment with renewed vigour. The All India Telegraph Union which was all through giving stubborn opposition to any unity move ceased to do so since the headquarters was transferred to Delhi and Shri. P.S.R.Anjaneyulu became the General Secretary, who in right earnest began working for unity move. Shri.Birendra Nath Ghosh .M.A.B.L., General Secretary of the All India Postal and R.M.S.Union in consultation with a section of its members who were in favour of some sort of realignment, came out for negotiation . Com. Ramamurti was already ever ready for negotiation with all. Com.Ramamurti and Shri. Birendranath Ghosh with a view to laying down the background for realignment, entered into a bilateral agreement which is as follow:
“The Union of Post and Telegraph Workers and the All India Postal and R.M.S. Union are of the opinion that a united front of the P&T Workers can best be formed by mutual agreement between the Unions themselves, and that the pattern of such unity should be of the nature of establishment of autonomous sectional Unions and a Federation of such sectional Unions. The end in view can be achieved by transforming the Union of Post and Telegraph Workers as a Federation to which the Sectional Unions shall be compulsorily federated.
“The All India Postal and R.M.S.Union and the Union of Post and Telegraph Workers are, further, of the opinion that, with a view to enable practical realization of the objective, and expedite the building up of such unity, it will be advisable to initiate the transformation of the UPTW as a federation in stages it not forthwith, achieve unity in each and thus ultimately convert the UPTW as a full-fledged federation.
“In pursuance of the above programme of establishing a united front of the P&T workers, the All India Postal and R.M.S Union and the Union of Post and Telegraph Workers agree that, with effect from in schedules I,II and III by the appropriate bodies of the two unions (1) the UPTW shall function as a Federation in respect of the All India Postal and RMS Union and as a Union in respect of other Sections and (2) the All India Postal & R.M.S Union shall function as a Union federated with the U.P.T.W.
“On conclusion of settlement with other Unions, the U.P.T.W shall function progressively as a Federation and ultimately convert itself as a full-fledged Federation.
“In token of the above terms of agreement arrived at subject to rectification by appropriate bodies we affix our signature below on the 9th April 1954 at New Delhi.”
Sd/- (K.RAMAMURTHI) SD/- (BIRENDRA NATH GHOSH)
Secretary General General Secretary,
Union of Posts and Telegraph Workers All India Postal & R.M.S Union
(Central headquarters) Camp- Delhi 9/4/54
The main defect of the above agreement was that it was signed by signatories in their personal capacity. None of them had even consulted their Working Committee before negotiating, drafting and signing the agreement. Members of those Unions expressed their surprise at reading the contents of the agreement. According to many, had this agreement been implemented , it would have resulted in fully rebuilding the All India Postal and R.M.S.Union and liquidation of U.P.T.W at the same time, it was doubtful if the very name U.P.T.W would have survived as the name of the Federation while another Federation duly recognized by the Government was already in existence.
The Working Committee of the U.P.T.W met in Kali Bari, New Delhi from the 15th April, 1954 under the Presidentship of Com. B.N.Ghosh to discuss the Ramamurthi-Biren Ghosh agreement on realignment. The Working Committee however adopted a resolution recommending ratification of the agreement to the Supreme Council, but it was the Government’s schemes on realignment are out which were in the offing.
During the pendency of the Working Committee meeting, I as President of the U.P.T.W had the occasion to lead two deputations of the Working Committee members to the Hon’ble Minister, Shri. Jagjiwan Ram and to the Director General, Shri. H.L.Jerath. The deputation had general discussion on realignment and there was general agreement almost on all points. It was declared by the Hon’ble Minister that those of the Unions which will not join the realignment scheme of the Government will not be allowed to enroll new members and they would die their natural death. Shri. H.L.Jarath also repeated the same thing.
During April, May and June 1954, the different Unions had series of discussions amongst themselves and also with Government and on the basis of those discussions ultimately the Government’s proposal on realignment of Unions were released vide D.G.P&T letter No.SPA-351-20/47 dated 2-7-1954.
The Director General of Posts and Telegraphs realignment proposals as contained in his letter No. SPA.351-20/47 dated the 2nd July 1954 were as follows;
“With a view to enable the representatives of the staff to associate themselves with the administration and with a view to provide a suitable machinery for discussions of subjects concerning general policy and the welfare of the staff, the question of realignment of all the existing Unions was mooted in 1948 and discussed in a conference. Not much head way could, however, be made then. Fresh attempt were made in 1951, when the matter was again discussed but had to be given up as a complete agreement could not be reached. A renewed attempt was made early this year and a scheme of realignment was circulated to the Unions to elicit their opinion. Replies received have been very encouraging and show that a majority of them have expressed in favour of the scheme outlined by Government. Government have, therefore, felt that the time has now come to realign the Unions on these lines:-
(a) There shall be:
(1) One All India Union of Class III employees (excluding postmen etc.) of the Postal arm of service. This will be called “The All India Postal Employees Union –Class III.”
(2) One All India Union of Postmen (employees of allied cadres ) and Class IV employees of the Postal arm of service. This will be called “The All India Postal Employees Union Postmen and Class IV”.
(3) The All India Union of Class III employees (excluding Mail Guards etc.) of the R.M.S arm of service. This will be called “The All India R.M.S Employees Union –Class III”.
(4) One All India Union of the Mail guards etc. and the Class IV employees of the R.M.S service. This will be called “The All India R.M.S Employees Union Mail Guards and Class IV.”
(5) One All India Union of Class III Employees of the Telegraph Traffic arm of Service. This will be called “The All India telegraph Traffic Employees Union-Class III.”
(6) One All India Union of Class IV employees of the telegraph Traffic arm of service. This will be called “The All India Telegraph Traffic employees Union –Class IV.”
(7) One All India Union of Line Staff and Class III employees (excluding Line staff) of the Telegraph Engineering arm of service. This will be called “The All India Telegraph Engineering Employees Union Class III.”
(8) One All India Union of Line staff and Class IV employees of the Telegraph Engineering arm of service. This will be called “The All India Telegraph Engineering Employees Union –Line staff and Class IV.”
(9) On All India Association of the employees of all administrative offices (including T.R.A.Os.) This will be called “The All India administrative Offices Employees Association –Class III&IV.”
(B) There will be corresponding Branches at the circle and Divisional levels except in the case of the All India Administrative Offices Association which will function as on All India Association only. The All India bodies alone will form into a Federation. The Federation will be called the National Federation of Posts and Telegraphs Employees.
(1) The Question of formation of Unions for Industrial Workers and a federation for such Unions will be dealt with separately.
(2) The new Unions except those referred to above will not be recognized by Government hereafter. There will be only one Federation. The Unions which accepted the realignment scheme will be deemed to have surrendered their recognition automatically. Affiliation shall not be denied to any legally constituted local Union.
(3) The constitution of the realigned All India Unions and the Federation will follow the lines of democratic organizations, broad details of which are given in the annexures. The Constitution of the Unions at the circle and Division levels will be formed by the Federation.
(4) The Federation shall not have the powers to disaffiliate or expel any Union. The Federating Units shall not have the right to secede from the Federation.
(5) The questions of disposal of assets and liabilities etc. of the existing Unions would be left to the Unions to decide between themselves in consultation with the members by a majority of vote after re-elections take place.
(C) No Union should take up individual cases.
(D) All the Unions will have almost an identical Constitution. An outline of the Constitution for the Federation and each of the All India Unions referred to in para (A) above is appended.
(E) The Unions will function under democratic principles as broadly indicated in the annexures. The Federation shall have no power of interference in the internal management of the Unions except in so far as may be specified in the Constitution and /or invited to do so by the affiliated Unions.
2. Channel of communications: All the nine All India Unions and the Federation shall have the right of representation to the Director General. In case of disagreement with the D.G, the Federation will have the right to represent the matter to the Minister of Communications through Director General. At the Circle level all the Circle branches of the Unions will correspond with the Head of the circle. At the Divisional level only the Divisional Branch of the Union will correspond with the Divisional Heads. Other local branches in a Divisional unit, if any, will correspond with the Divisional Head only through the main Divisional branch of the Union.
3. In order that this scheme may be implemented without loss of time it has been agreed that the Realignment scheme should start from the Divisional levels. The Branch Secretaries of all the present unions may form an ad-hoc body to conduct the elections to form the realigned Unions in a Divisional Unit. If the Unions so desire the service of the Director, Postal Services concerned would be made available to them to act as a Chairman to this body for the first election purpose only. These elections will be held within two months of the announcement of the Scheme by Government. With in the third month all the newly formed branch Unions may elect their representatives to the Provincial bodies. The Circle Secretaries of the Circle Bodies of all the present Unions may form an ad-hoc body at the Circle level and will supervise the elections of the branches. If desired the head of the Circle would be made available to act as Chairman of this body for election purpose only.
4. An ad-hoc body will also be formed at the All India level consisting of the General Secretaries of all the existing Unions and they may draft and give such directions on the majority of votes as may be suitable to the Circle ad-hoc bodies in regard to the conduct of the elections under the Scheme. The Senior Deputy Director General will be made available if desired to act as Chairman to this ad-hoc body.
4(a). The ad-hoc bodies at the different levels would decide on the disposal of the assets and liabilities of existing Unions.
5. The election for the All India bodies under the Realignment Scheme should be finalized within three months of the formation of the new Provincial Bodies under the Scheme. For preparing the electoral rolls of all the members of the existing Unions in a Division/CTO/DTO, each union will be asked to intimate in writing the names of its members belonging to each arm of service to the Director, Postal services who will then draw up an amalgamated list of officials of each arm. They will then elect their office bearers. Those who were not members of any union on 1-7-54 will not take apart in the elections.
6. Simultaneously with the formation of the All India bodies, the Federation will also be formed on the lines the Constitution indicated in the annexure to this Circular.
7. During the interval and until the realigned Unions are formed at the Circle and Central levels, the ad-hoc bodies will manage the affairs as the duly constituted managing body of the realigned Unions. At the branch levels amalgamation of membership will take place immediately after the elections.
8. After the realignment is implemented, officials of one arm of the service will be eligible to join the recognized realigned Union of that arm only.
9. The process of implementation of the Realignment Scheme, referred to in para 1 above will commence from 1st August 1954. Election to the Divisional bodies, Circle bodies, the All India Bodies and the Federation may if possible be completed by 1st October 1954 at the latest to synchronize with the All India Postage Stamps Centenary celebrations and the inauguration of the International Stamp cum Postal Exhibition.
10. I may mention that it has been my cherished desire to associate the workers in the administration of this great public utility department. This whole-hearted co-operation of the majority of the Unions has offered me an opportunity to fulfill the mission of my service in the Department. I do hope that the P&T Unions and the staff will now enthusiastically implement these instructions in the larger interest of the staff so that the next step of establishing Whitley Councils may be taken up.”
Sd/- H.L.Jerath DIRECTOR GENERAL

My reaction on the D.G’s circular found its way in the form of the stirring appeal appearing in “The Telepost” of July, 1954, which runs as follows:
“The long expected scheme of Government on realignment of P&T Unions is now before us. There is no denying the fact that much to our satisfaction, the scheme has envisaged a democratic procedure for affecting unification of numerous unions into a single Federation of nine Unions without the right of secession by the constituent units. But there are many loop-holes which are likely to defeat the very object of the prospects which has reached this present stage after hard endeavour of six long years by all the Unions in existence, under constant pressure and urge from their mass of general membership. The task before us today is not to reject the scheme straightaway, but to make further effort for improvement of the scheme through joint effort of all Unions and their general members who, and not the Government, hold the key for achieving unity by minimizing the number of unions and for compelling all to come under the banner of the Federation.
”On behalf of the Union of Posts and Telegraph Workers, I earnestly appeal to the leaders of all P&T Unions to take stock of the present situation , rise to the occasion and make every possible endeavor to bring unification of the Unions on a permanent basis through this scientific process of realignment under a rigid Federation. I earnestly appeal to the P&T workers in general and members of all the Unions in particular, to rise the occasion and exert themselves so that the unity move materializes and the legitimate demands for security of service, establishment of full trade union rights and other rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India are fully realized through the common single machinery to be established.
“I appeal to all unions to take immediate steps to call forthwith at a common place the meeting of Central executives of all Unions for the purpose , take a collective decision and approach the Government.”
The All India Telegraph Union at its meeting held at Bombay on the 16th July 1954 accepted the Government’s realignment scheme with certain reservations.
The Supreme Council of the U.P.T.W which was held in the Free Masons Hall, Janpath, New Delhi, from the 5th to 8th September 1954 was presided over by me. There was a proposal moved by Shri. B.P.Chatterjee for having one Union of Postal and R.M.S.Workers and another proposal was moved for continuance of the U.P.T.W. Both the proposals were rejected by the House. From the Chair I read the resolution regarding acceptance of Government’s proposals for realignment which was approved by all amidst cheers.
September 1954 was loaded with history. Union after union was marching along a straight road to broader form of unity by accepting the proposal for realignment. Shortly after the All India Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union at a meeting held at Delhi accepted the realignment scheme. And during September almost all the major unions accepted the scheme and surrendered their recognition.
Consequently, the Government vide their Memo No. SPA.351-20/47 dated 18-10-1954 withdrew recognition of the following unions:-
1. Union of Posts and Telegraph Workers.
2. All India Postal and R.M.S union.
3. All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union.
4. All India Telegraph Union.
5. All India Telephone & Telegraph Engineering Union.
6. All India Telegraph Workmen’s Union.
7. All India Telegraph Line staff Union.
8. Federation of P&T Unions.
In view of the agreement concluded by the Telegraph Traffic Staff association (Ministerial) with the Unions which had accepted Government realignment scheme on the Telegraph Traffic side, the right of entertaining references and other privileges appertaining there to granted to them was also withdrawn vide the same memo of Government.
Just with the withdrawal of recognition of the Unions, ad hoc committees were formed at the Central, Circle and local levels to function during the interim period. It was originally decided that realignment would take place on the 1st October, the Postage Stamp Centenary date but as some of the Unions were still thinking as to whether to accept the realignment or not, matters were delayed. The All India Telephone Revenue Offices Union came later on to join the realignment scheme, and the Central body of the All India Administrative Offices Employees Association did not join although the branch unions in most of the places expressed their desire to join the realignment scheme.
It must be admitted in this connection without any hesitation that Com.K.Ramamurthi, Secretary General of the U.P.T.W acted as the high-priest in working for bringing the realignment scheme into reality and most of the credit goes to him. Other Union’s leaders joining the realignment scheme had also contributed largely towards its implementation. Shri.V.G.dalvi since 1948 onwards had always worked for bringing the realignment scheme into reality and thereby set a new era in the field of P&T trade union movement.
According to the schedule time prescribed the All India Ad Hoc Committee held all the All the India Conference of all realigned Unions at Vinaynagar, New Delhi from the 21st to 24th November 1954 to complete formation of the nine Unions and the National Federation of P&T Employees.
The Joint session of the nine All India Conferences of the realigned P&T Unions was held at Vinaynagar, New Delhi at 5 pm on Sunday the 21st November 1954 to mark the fulfillment of the long cherished desire for establishing one organization for the entire P&T Employees in India. One thousand delegates representing three lakhs of P&T workers mustered strong in the Conference to give their verdict in favour of establishing nine All India Unions compulsorily federated in the “National Federation of P&T Employees “which was also unheard in the into existence during the pendency of the Conference. The deliberations of this great assemblage were conducted by a presidium consisting of Sarbasree Dewan Chamenlal , Rohini Roy , Harin Shah, Bhupendra Nath Ghosh and Mrs. Nayama Haider.
This grand assembly was inaugurated by Shri.Jagjivan Ram, Minister for Communications , who in his inaugural address, expressed heartfelt satisfaction to see the long cherished dream for P&T Unity coming into reality.
The members of the presidium one after the other addressed the conference. Shri.B.N.Ghosh in the course of his address thanked the authorities and the workers for working together in bringing the realignment scheme into a reality.
Shri.Ramamurti in the course of his speech offered his warmest tributes to the martyrs and warriors of the P&T trade union movement and thanked the authorities for helping the unions in bringing about the realignment.
Shri.V.G.Dalvi, Shri.G.C.Khanna Shri.Dholoo Ram , Shri.Harminder Singh Shri.P.S.R.Anjaneyulu Shri.P.S.Mukherjee and Shri. Basant Singh, the General Secretaries of the realigning unions also spoke. The session terminated amidst loud cheers of “Long Live P&T Workers Unity.”
Thereafter the nine All India conferences were held separately from the 22nd to 24th November 1954 under the Presidentship of Sarbasree G.P.Gopal, B.N.Ghosh, Ambika Prasad, M.A.Jabbar, Baldev Prasad Srivastava, Rohini Roy, K.G.Bose, C.P.Venkataraman, and Mrs. Nayama Haider. Lively scenes were noticed in all the nine Conferences.
The nine Conferences adopted constitutions of the respective nine Unions, elected office bearers and one hundred Federal Councillors. Thus nine autonomous Unions came into existence.
On 24th November 1954 at 4.30 P.M one hundred Federal Councillors representing the nine federating Unions met at Vinayanagar, New Delhi under the Chairmanship of Veteran P&T Union Leader, Shri.K.S.Pitkar.
Shri.K.Ramamurti moved the following resolution:
“This meeting of the Federal Councillors representing realigned P&T Unions resolves that the National Federation of P&T Employees be hereby established on this day, the 24th November, 1954.”
The resolution was seconded by Shri. G.P.Gopal and carried unanimously.
Thus the National Federation of P&T Employees came into being.
The Council adopted a constitution and elected the following office bearers:-
Shri.V.G.Dalvi, Bar-at-Law President
Mrs.Nayama Haider, M.L.C Vice President
Shri.K.S.Pitkar Vice President
Shri.B.N.Ghosh Secretary General
Shri.D.G.Nanotkar Secretary
Shri. Makhan singh Treasurer
From the 25th November, 1954 onwards the Federation and the nine federating Unions simultaneously began functioning. The Nine Unions already stood recognized and the recognition of the Federation was yet to be got from the Government. The Federation on the 14th of December applied to the D.G.P&T for grant of recognition.
After a hard struggle of long 30 years the P&T workers of India were able to set up a single organization in the shape of the National Federation of P&T Employees which sprang up through the will and determination of nine All India Unions to federate—never to secede nor ever to be expelled but to work for the benefit of the workers as a perpetual monument.
On assuming the charge, I issued the following statement under the caption “Tasks Ahead”:-
“The immediate task before the National Federation of P&T Employees which represent two lakhs and fifty thousand workers of the great public utility department is to educate each and every one of the workers as to how to increase efficiency of the Department-motto being “service Before Self”- and to consolidate and co-ordinate the activities of the federating Unions in a way as would bring about complete solidarity amongst the rank and file of the workers so that this organization may grow rapidly into a fighting force- to fight against all injustices, to counteract all retrograde steps which are believed to be in contemplation and to protect the rights and privileges hitherto enjoyed including absolute security of service. As soon as the Federal Executive meets and outlines its policy and programme, it should be the task ahead of each and every member of the Federation to implement them within the scheduled time.
“Introduction of assistant Inspectors’ post, direct recruitment of Class II Officers in Telegraph Traffic, New Recruitment Order , R.M.S. Reorganisation, Post -51candidates case, counting of entire dearness allowance as special pay, I.P.O Examination of 1952, Reinstatement of victimized workers of P&T Unions and last but not the least the Revision of scales of pay of all categories of staff including the E.D.As vis-à-vis demand for a Second Pay Commission are matters of moment and need be given top priority. The separation of P&T Budget, rationalisation of rates policy are already on the agenda and yet this list is in no way exhaustive. Let us, therefore, consolidate all our energy and devise ways and means as to how and in what way success can be achieved on all issues and problems awaiting solution.
“P&T Federation- Zindabad”
(Concluded)
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Train Journey 19 – Accident on Uppal – Warangal route

25 Saturday Jul 2020

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Kerala P and T Joint Circle Conference was going to be held at Kollam on 13 -16 of May 1992. I had to attend. Chennai comrades wanted me to cover Chennai on the way and to attend some meetings. Hence started from New Delhi at 22.30 hours on 7th May  by T.Nadu Express along with  Com.K.M.Pillai. Some CITU books given by Com. E.Balanandan to be delivered to Kerala. I spent time reading a Sherlock Holmes purchased from Railway Station.

Unfortunately there was a serious  accident on Uppal – Warangal route, before our train reached Warangal. All trains were delayed for many hours. Food supply affected. No food in the night. The train which was to reach at Madras in the morning, reached there by 22.30 on 9th, delayed by 10 hours.

Com. J.Renganathan, Federal Councillor, C.K.Narasimhan, Hariharan and other leaders were waiting at the station. They were disappointed. All the three meetings and receptions arranged in Madras, expecting that we will reach there in the morning had to be cancelled. What to do!

Of course, we had discussion next day morning in which Coms. A.K.Saramma, All India vice-President, JR, and others participated. They came to the station and  gave a warm send off to us. I boarded the West Coast Express at 12.00 hours and started for Calicut. No reservation, but  RMS comrades in the station ensured that I get a comfortable seat in  the ordinary compartment.

I could anyway attend the Kerala Circle Conference.

 

 

REMEMBERING COM. M.S.RAJA by K.K.N.Kutty

25 Saturday Jul 2020

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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On 14th July, evening at about 7.00 PM my telephone rang. The voice on the other side was of Com. Pijush Roy from Kolkata. He phoned to know whether what has been conveyed to him about Raja was fact or not. It was totally unbelievable and terribly sorrowful when Raja’s death was confirmed by Com. Sreekumar, President of the All India Audit and Accounts Association. Only a few days back I had a telephonic talk with him.. He appeared to be keeping fine. On 14th he had to go to the hospital for he was having some discomfiture. He suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed at the hospital itself. He could not be saved despite the best efforts of the Doctor.

During his long stay at Delhi, he had not suffered any ailments warranting hospitalization. He was however in constant difficulties of back-pain and got some relief from the massaging treatment he took from the Ayurvedic hospital at Trissur. He had no known cardiac problem so long as he was at Delhi. His untimely death was very sorrowful to his friends and his family members. It was really sad that neither his wife nor his son could be near him when he met the death on 14th July, evening..

Com.M.S.Raja took voluntary retirement in November, 2019, a few months before the end of his service career on superannuation. From 2004 to 2019, he was on foreign service on deputation to work as the Secretary General of the All India Audit and Accounts Association, New Delhi, to which position he had been elected continuously in all the triennial conferences held since 2004. He had been staying alone at the Audit Association’s Head quarters at Ghaziabad. Only when his son, on completion of his education and having received employment at Gurgaon, Com. Raja had some solace and company.

Com.Raja came forward to take over the post of Secretary General of AIAAA in 2004 pretty well knowing that he will have to leave his family, (his wife and son )at Mumbai. Ms.Nandini was employed at the Custom Department, Mumbai and she was not able to go over to Delhi, having the responsibility of looking after her aged father. Com.Raja was the natural choice of all the delegates of the all India Conference of the Association.

Com. Raja was fully aware that the position of the Secretary General of AIAAA was a seat of thorns. By 2004, the AIAAA which had been one of the mighty, militant and united organization of the CGEs had begun to slide down . It was a herculean task even for a leader like Com.Raja who had the highest level of conviction, courage, dedication, mass appeal, sense of sacrifice and the capacity to work hard to bring it back to its past glory.

I came in intimate contact with comrade Raja only after his election to the position of the Secretary General of AIAAA, though on many occasions earlier, I had the opportunity to meet and interact with him at Mumbai . He was an extremely straight forward person, a quality perhaps not in demand in the present day world. He never minced words. He had the capacity to tell what he felt without any sophistication, rather bluntly. The very fact that such admirable character will fetch few friends and more foes did not daunt him at all. Nor did he make any attempt to change it. There were many factors that led to the organizational weakness of AIAAA. Some of them were consequences of earlier decisions. But the most important was that the Government and the C & AG administration played an extremely pro-active role to ensure its units are either made defunct or weakened. Its chequered history was full of the life and struggle of quite a number of eminent persons, to be emulated by all those who are connected with the trade union movement.

Maharashtra unit of AIAAA was at Mumbai. It had played a sterling role in the building up of the organization. It is from this unit the leaders like com. E.X. Joseph rose to the eminence. He was one of the founding members of the all India Association. When Com.Raja took over the leadership of the Mumbai Unit, it was a pale shadow of its glorious past. It was the sagacity, courage and leadership qualities of Com.Raja that changed the scenario.. He could bring the movement of the Audit and Accounts employees of Mumbai to its premier position. It emerged under his leadership as one of the best performing units of AIAAA. His sterling personality and unique position made him the natural choice for the post of the General Secretary of the Co-ordination Committee of CGEs, the state unit of the Confederation of CGE & W. Perhaps next to Delhi and Kolkata, Mumbai had the largest number of Central Government employees as most of the GOI departments had their offices at Mumbai. This apart, the biggest unit of Atomic Energy Commission, BARC was located in Mumbai. Being the biggest urban agglomeration in the country, Mumbai had its peculiar problems. In the united struggle of the working class, initially against the LPG and later against the neo-liberal economic policies, the Audit Employees movement under the leadership of Com. Raja had played a vital role. He was closely associated with all the Central Trade Union Centres at Mumbai and had a warm relationship with the movement of State Government employees and Railway workers. He was a well known figure amongst the leaders of all organizations of Mumbai.

It was with that rich experience he landed at Delhi. Within no time, however, he could realize that working from the CHQ , divourced from the exhilarating crowd support, that are ever present at the work spots in the field formations, was a different cup of tea. The demonstration of the sheer strength of the movement often opens the doors of even unwilling authorities at the field formations for a meaningful negotiation. The discussions with an adamant bureaucracy at the apex level were mostly procrastinating and fruitless. As an astute person, he realized that unless the units which are varied both in size and attitude are brought into a minimum level of functioning, insurmountable though, it was difficult to bring the organization to its past glory. It was to accomplish this daunting task he spent most of his time as the Secretary General of the All India Association. He undertook extensive tours to know the reality of the situation obtaining in various Units and mobilize them to ensure that the collective decisions are uniformly carried out. He succeeded to a great extent is borne out of the extensive participation of the employees and officers in the mass casual leave programme organized in 2010.

His tenure as the Secretary General of the Association had been turbulent. The C&AG administration unleashed the worst form of victimization. It appeared that the Govt. and the C& AG Administration had jointly decided to wipe out the organization. Even peaceful demonstration to express resentment of the employees was met with stern, strong and unheard of reprisals. The extensive victimization giving charge sheet to about 12,000 employees must have been an unprecedented action. The utter un-tenabilty of many of the vindictive actions could be seen from the way these cases were got quashed by the courts in the country. But the purpose ostensibly was to create a fear psychosis and terror in the minds of the ordinary employees and thereby weaken the organized functioning of the Association. It must be said to his credit that he could and did withstand the onslaught with conviction, courage and determination. Pretty well knowing that the response from the members and units in the given situation might not be good, he thought it right and need of the hour to commit the organization to the path of struggles while endorsing the call of the Central Trade Unions for strike action against the neo- liberal economic policies of the Government. On a quite number of occasions I was witness to the sheer lack of appreciation for his efforts both from his colleagues and undoubtedly from his permanent critics. That however, did not dither him nor did he waver from the chosen path. The organizational weakness which surfaced especially after the heavy doze of victimization unleashed by the authorities had its adverse impact on the financial stability too. His stay at Delhi leaving his family behind was also beset with financial difficulties and he had not been able to draw his salary every month. That had been the nagging problem till his retirement.

He had been a tower of strength for all of us, especially for me, in the day to day functioning of the confederation. Beset with innumerable problems and financial difficulties, he found time to work for the confederation. The place Com.Vyas was living, some time at Mandir Marg, then at North Avenue and lastly at Feroze Shah Road, was the centre for all of us to meet and discuss the issues concerning the CGE movement. Com.Raja unlike others had to travel quite a distance to reach the city as he was living in Ghaziabad. It used to take not less than 2 hours to traverse the distance. It was only when the Metro was extended to Vaishali, his travel problems eased to some extent. Despite all these problems he used to attend the meetings and contribute immensely to the decision making process.

At the time of preparation of the memorandum to the 7th CPC, the centre of activities was shifted to Manishinath Bhawan, Rajouri Garden, where the ITEF CHQ had been located . Com.Raja stayed there on a number of days as most of the discussions had to be conducted during night sessions. After the death of Com . Vyas, Com.Raja succeeded him to the Standing committee of the Staff Side in the JCM., National Council. His contribution during the preparation and formulation of issues, while tendering evidence before the Commission and later at the negotiation with the Government had all been praiseworthy.

One of the special and sterling qualities, I could notice in him and wanted to imbibe but failed miserably, was his ability to tell what he felt without any sophistication and follow it up with a wonderful laugh to make the ambience normal and jovial. Like his mentor Com.Vyas, Com.Raja was also fond of preparing good food. I do not know whether it was by compulsion of circumstances or really he enjoyed it. I had on innumerable occasions stayed with him at his residence in Ghaziabad. In fact I had found solace in his company and those were really unforgettable days. It is during those days, I could get a fair picture of his life, his family and the ambience in which he spent his childhood. Having born in a feudal landlord family of Kerala, he was supposed to have a wonderful and joyful childhood. That was not the case was the truth. He was a very active participant in student movement of Kerala. From St. Thomas College, Trissur, he was elected as a councillor to the Calicut University. He was also a member of the District Committee of SFI during his college days. His commitment to the ideology, which he realized to be the best for the humanity, had been his forte. He never dithered at any point of time, and also had no hesitation to express his differing opinions and views on contemporary issues quite bluntly.

He had often expressed his wish to settle down at his native village, construct a house on the plot which he had inherited, to be in the midst of his old friends and spend the evening of his life away from the maddening crowd of cities and towns. He was to begin the construction of that dream house. He went over to Trissur with that in mind but got bogged down due to corona Virus . Those remained as mere wishes.

His death has saddened all those with whom he had come in contact and established friendship. It is quite impossible for them to obliterate his image from their minds as he had such a strong and pleasing personality. His immortal and inimitable style of loud laughter to dispel the smog of despair in the ambiance shall linger on as an indelible impression of his personality, perhaps without death. It is only with sorrowful tears I can bid adieu to you, comrade.

-K.K.N.Kutty

Train Journeys 18 – Journey to Mansa, Bhatinda

25 Saturday Jul 2020

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1992 April 17.
A few months only have passed after Bhopal AIC of E.III Union and Com.Moni Bose and myself elected as General Secretary and President of the Union, defeating the four decades’ GS Com.O.P.Gupta and his team. Workers all over the country were enthused that a new progressive leadership has come. Every circle wanted the new leadership to attend their conferences. Bhatinda District Union leaders invited me to attend their Conference to be held on 18th and 19th April 1992 at Mansa. I agreed.

Started for Mansa in the morning train by ordinary compartment. The train was going very slowly, stopping in almost all stations. After some time the train stopped and even after much time did not start. Engine break down. Another engine was connected much later and train started. It was an old type of engine, steam engine running on coal. I had thought that such old engines were gone. But no. Slowly, slowly it reached Mansa at about 20.00 hours. The station was only dimly lit. Real cold though winter season was almost over. Everybody in woolen dresses, but I did not bring. I got down waiting for our comrades. Five – six persons, their faces covered, with long country made guns approached me. I was terrified. It was the time when there were continued confrontations between police and terrorists. It turned out that they were our comrades welcoming me. We got introduced. They told that it was not safe to go out in night without guns. I was thinking that they will arrange stay in some hotel, telephone exchange or Gurudwara. They said it is not safe and took me to the residence of Com. Prathap Singh. The houses were built in such a way that the partition walls seemed to be same. It was spacious inside and after food, I slept heavily. I was very tired.
By about 06.00 hours, the host came to the room with a cup of hot tea telling that his wife told him that Kerala people will take tea very early morning. Women always are aware of such small and intricate matters. It was very good tea.
The Divisional Conference went on for two days. Com. N.K.Jeet was the District Secretary, who always stood with our progressive group. (Now he is Advocate in Punjab High Court, I am told).Returned next day to New Delhi.

Date for submission of Life Certificate of SAMPANN Pensioners extended up to 30-11-2020 as requested by AIBDPA

24 Friday Jul 2020

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AIBDPA HAD DEMANDED EXTENSION FOR SUBMISSION OF LIFE CERTIFICATE OF SAMPANN PENSIONERS UPTO 30-11-2020.
NOW DOT HAS ISSUED CLARIFICATION EXTENDING THE DATE FROM 30-06-2020 UPTO 30-09-2020 .

Train Journeys 17 – Journey in RMS compartment to Amritsar

23 Thursday Jul 2020

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During 1990s a good number of struggles were organised by the Confederation of CG Employees as also NFPE and NFTE. It was a practice to send leaders from Central Head Quarters, Delhi to the states to organise the struggle. Com. Des Raj Sharma, then Dy. General secretary P.IV union and I were allotted to tour Punjab Circle. I was happy that there was company in the journey.

The plan was to go directly to Amritsar, the last point, and then return to cities Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh one after another. Com.Desh Raj Sharma was a sincere and dedicated leader who was also very hard-working. He gave excellent assistance to Com. K.Adinarayana, then General Secretary, P.IV. Com. Deshraj told me not to worry about arrangements, he will do whatever needed. ‘You be at the railway station in time’, he said. I was in the station with bag etc.sufficiently early, as is my usual habit. Deshraj reached in time and the train has arrived. He took me to the RMS compartment. There used to be RMS compartment in all important trains to carry the postal articles and also to sort them from the train itself and deliver at the concerned stations. It was very heavy and hard work. Some times there will be sleeping berths for the off duty officials to rest. It was early morning and we sat discussing union matters, also with the RMS staff. They also liked the presence of two general secretaries and discussion of union matters.I asked Deshraj why travel in RMS compartment? He told me that ‘you do not know the rush in the train going to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple to which many passengers will be there.’
In whichever station the train was stopping, postal luggage and articles were being put in. After some time, the space was full and we had to sit on the articles. At Ludhiana, which is a big manufacturing city of woolen clothes, sports articles, cycles etc. luggage after luggage was being put in. We had no place to sit except on the bags almost touching our heads to the roof of the compartment. The RMS staff were also in difficulty, but that is their duty and they are adjusted to it. I was worried, but Desh Raj was smiling.You have to learn to travel during rush hours, he said.

Somehow we reached Amritsar and got down. There was a good meeting. The same in all the cities one after another. But I insisted that henceforth we will travel only in the regular compartments. He agreed. Thus the journey in RMS compartments was over.

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER : XVIII REALIGNMENT TALKS

23 Thursday Jul 2020

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CHAPTER – 19
REALIGNMENT TALKS
The Union of Posts and Telegraph Workers which came in to existence on the 13th August, 1947, during two and a half years of its functioning, was able to build itself up as a powerful fighting organization and did not remain as merely a petitioning body. The members of the U.P.T.W got a new way of thinking. The very functioning of Postal, R.M.S Telegraph and Telephone together as a compact body had created a force which was considered by the Government as a permanent menace to it. It must be admitted that even other P&T Unions which were functioning independently outside the U.P.T.W could not escape from its influence. Removal of Com.Gupta gave relief to those who had tabled the no-confidence motion against him but the action of the Supreme Council was deplored by many who were imbibed with real trade union spirit and did not like to confine the activities of the Union to petitioning only. Removal of Com.Gupta no doubt gave a temporary satisfaction to the P&T authorities, but this organization which sustained a set-back for the time being due to internal disunity and repression could shortly overcome it. The progressive elements once again with slow but steady pace began to be on the march. The U.P.T.W again as it seems found a place in the bad books of the Government.
While the U.P.T.W was passing through a crisis, the other P&T Unions such as the All India Postal & R.M.S Union, the PMG’s Office Staff Union, the All India Telegraph Workmen’s Union, the All India Telegraph Revenue Offices Staff Union, the All India Telegraph Line staff Union, the All India Telegraph and Telephone Engineering Union gradually got themselves affiliated to the Posts and Telegraph Federation of which Dewan Chaman Lal was the President. The All India Telegraph Union which was keeping away from the Federation also got itself affiliated to the Federation in 1952. As this Federation was a loose one the federating Unions were functioning not only independently but also were often putting contradictory demands, which gave the authorities an opportunity to reject them.
Com.K.Ramamurthi who succeeded Com.Om Prakash Gupta, on assuming charge of the Union of P&T Workers, found himself confronted with three problems. Firstly the situation created by introduction of two labour bills in the Parliament, viz, Labour Relations Bill 1950 and the Trade Unions Bill 1950. Secondly reinstatement of those who were still in custody. And thirdly, realignment proposal of the Government which was still before the Unions. All the Central Trade Unions and other Unions in private and public sectors rose as one body in their protest against these black bills. All the labour leaders and section of the members of Parliament belonging to opposition raised a country wide agitation against the bills. The P&T Unions which were then functioning in four groups, viz., the P&T Federation, the All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, the U.P.T.W and the All India Telegraph Union played their part well and raised their voice of protest against the Bills which were aimed at isolating the civil servants from the field of labour and denying them the right of organizing as trade unions and the power of collective bargaining. The P&T Employees, the Railway Servants and a few other categories of staff of the Government services enjoyed certain concessions and privileges even under the alien administration. These rights were sought to be withdrawn. Had the Bills been passed, the civil servants and their organizations would have been reduced to the status of mere supplicants, functioning as petitioning bodies.
While the fundamental rights of organization were intended to be withdrawn, the Government did not think it prudent to formulate any measure to regulate labour relations with millions of their servants.
The Work Committees of the staff Councils as provided in the Bill were the most detestable instruments for breaking the solidarity of Unions. They could not solve the problem.
Sri.Guruswamy, the General Secretary of the Railwaymen’s Federation in one of his speeches said: “The more the shocks, the greater would be the resistance. And this would grow to formidable proportions, if not today, tomorrow and force the civil servants to seek political amelioration of service conditions.”
Shri.Ashok Mehta, who was then connected with the Hindu Mazdoor Sabha, issued a special call to the P&T workers and stressed the need to co-ordinate and centralize all their efforts to get the two black Labour Bills scrapped. The Union of Post and Telegraph Workers in fact observed an anti-black-bills day on the 29th January, 1951. All the P&T Trade Unions were more or less critical about the Bills. Everybody thought that unionism specially in the public sector was imperilled. The Railwaymen’s Federation under the leadership of Shri.Guruswamy was up and doing to counteract the Government’s attempt for the very passing of the Bills.
The agitation took such a turn that the Government had no other way but to withdraw the Bills. The P&T Unions in this respect played their part well.
The Negotiating Committee which was appointed by the Supreme Council meeting of the U.P.T.W held on the 24th February, 1949 met the Honb’le Minister, Shri. Rafi Ahmed Kidwai on the 7th February, 1950. This deputation amongst other items discussed the question relating to release and reinstatement of the P&T worker who were arrested in connection with the strike notice of the U.P.T.W.
The deputation consisted of
Offical side
The Honob’le Shri. Rafi Ahammed Kidwai
The Honble Shri. Kurshidlal
Mr.V.K.R.Mnon, Secretary to the Communications Ministry
Mr.H.L.Jerath, Sr.DDG
Mr. R.C.Vaish, D.D.G (SE)
Mr.S.R.Sud, Director (SE)
Union side
Mr.S.Guruswamy, leader
Mr. Thulasiram, President
Mr.K.S.Pitker
Mr.K.Ramamurti
Mr. V.P.Menon
Mr.Hemchandra
Mr. K.V Rao
Mr. N.P.Subramaniam
Mr. M.Bhattacharjee
Mr. J.K.Maitra
The Hon’ble Minister said the P&T administration had nothing to do with the detention of the workers but however so far as reinstatement in service of those under suspension was concerned, expeditious action would be taken. Shortly after this on the 7th March, 1950 Coms. Tapan Mustafi, Rai Krishna Banerjee and Abhoy Mukherjee who were under suspension after release, were called to duty. Coms.Provat Ghosh , Gouri Datta and myself were reinstated on the 2nd June 1950. Reinstatement of Com . R.N.Saha took place in November 1950 while Com. R.P.Chatterjee was not reinstated before the 31st December, 1950. In fact, during 1950 most of the permanent workers in custody were released and reinstated. Com.V.S.Menon was not however released before 4-1-1950 and was later on reinstated on 25-5-1951. Com.K.G.Bose after his release on 31-5-49 was proceeded against under Conduct Rules and dismissed from service on 05-10-53. Com. Saroj Mohan Chatterjee who was released from jail on 31-5-49 was dismissed from service on 11-4-51. Com. Durgesh Banerjee who was reinstated was subsequently removed from service under S.N.S Rules. Misses Asim Banaerjee, Susil Chakravarthy, Sachin Banerjee of Telephones were reinstated during this period. The year 1950 was a very odd year for Bengal Circle and it was a tremendous burden on the U.P.T.W leadership to tackle the situation. It is not worthy that the P&T workers of Bengal in spite of harassment and continued oppression stood the test and maintained the dignity and tradition of the P&T trade union movement.
The U.P.T.W during 1951 once again took the initiative to give the realignment scheme a practical shape. An agreement was once again signed by the General Secretaries of U.P.T.W, All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, All India Telegraph Workmen’s Union, All India Postal & R.M.S Union in regard to the revised scheme for bringing about realignment of Unions which would ensure a rational and scientific growth of the trade union movement in the P&T services.
The agreement provided for dissolution of all existing unions and establishment of sectional unions as well as the central Federation. The agreement was signed on the 15th March, 1951. The representatives had further agreed to confer again on the 30th March, 1951 to draft the constitution of the realigned unions and the central Federation. But it is a fact nothing happened on the 30th March. Shri. R.S.Srivastava , General Secretary of the All India Postal and R.M.S Union did not arrive. Com.Gianchand Khanna of the Telegraph Workmen’s Union was unwell and Com. P.C.Chatterjee of the All India Telegraph Union flatly refused to attend the meeting. He rather preferred to give a trial to the Government ‘s latest scheme which was to the effect that the Union of Post &Telegraph Workers should surrender the R.M.S membership to the All India Postal and R.M.S Union, its Telegraph membership to the All India Telegraph Union, its Engineering membership to the All India Telephone and Telegraph Engineering Union, its Line staff membership to the same engineering Union, its Class IV membership to the All India Telegraph Workmen’s Union and its Circle Office membership to the ALL India Administrative Offices Association and its Postmen and other Class IV membership to the All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, retaining its structure the Postal (Class III) section only. The U.P.T.W did not agree to this. It is difficult to say as to whether the Government or the different unions were responsible for burying alive the realignment proposal for the time being.
Had the proposal for realignment of P&T Unions on trade basis with a strong central Federation which came from the Government side as early as in 1948 been accepted, the entire P&T trade union movement would have advanced on a different line. The leadership of various unions preferred to remain disunited and divided. The P&T workers took initiative in 1946 and through their struggle there came the Good Conduct Pay and the Pay Commission. The 1949 struggle of the P&T(U.P.T.W) brought about increase in dearness allowance but in 1951 the leadership of the trade union movement in the public sector passed into the hands of the Railwaymen’s Federation which served the Government with strike notice and as a result the Government came down and increased Rs.10/- as dearness allowance. The P&T Organisations which were then functioning under four groups viz. P&T Federation, U.P.T.W, Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, A.I.T.U could not make a joint effort and take the lead. A section of the leadership of the P&T trade union movement keenly felt this and in right earnest began working out the scheme for bringing in to being one organization. The days were rapidly changing. During foreign rule the Government believed in ‘divide and rule’ policy. But in independent India, the position was not so. The Government had been trying to bring about one organization of the entire P&T workers through process of realignment. The workers were trying for it. A section of the reactionary leadership here and there had been putting all obstructions to it. The sincere element in the organization did not however stop. The Government poking was also there.
The alignment Conference which was to meet on the 30th March actually met on the 15th May, 1951, under the Chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister for Communications. The Hon’ble Minister took great interest in bringing about unity in the P&T organizations. Almost all the unions took part in the conference and an Implementation Committee with the following persons was formed.
1. Shri. K.Ramamurthy(U.P.T.W)
2. Shri. P.S.Sreenivastava (A.I.P.R.M.S.U)
3. Shri. P.C.Chatterjee(A.I.T.U)
4. Shri.V.G. Dalvi (A.I.Postmen & Lower Grade Staff Union)
5. Shri. G.C.Khanna (A.I.T.W.U)
The display made by the leaders of some of the unions in the Minister’s meeting was not at all commendable but I refrain from giving the name of those reactionary leaders.
It was agreed that there will be 8 unions, one for Class III and one for Class IV for each of the four arms of the department, viz., Postal ,R.M.S, Telegraph Traffic and Telegraph Engineering. It was further agreed that it will be open to the Postal and R.M.S. wings to function as a joint union for Class III employees of the Postal and R.M.S . branches and that similar option would be provided on the Telegraph Traffic and Telegraph Engineering side as well. Since the All India Telephone Revenue Accounts Union and the All India Administrative Offices Association do not come within the purview of the workers’ unions, they will not be considered for the scheme of realignment. The question of reorganizing them into one union or association will be taken up separately.
The P&T Industrial Workers will continue to be represented by a separate union and will not be within the scheme of realignment.
The All India Postal Accountants Association, the All India R.M.S Inspectors’ Association and All India Postmasters’ Association would cease to exist as separate entities.
It was further agreed that the realignment of unions would be completed by the 31st October, 1951. The Committee as per decision was to meet again in the Minister’s room on 31st May, 1951.
The Implementation Committee which met on the 16th May, 1951 with Shri. H.L.Jerath in the Chair agreed to disagree on all points from one another. The Committee again met on the 17th in Shri.Jerath’s room. After some discussion, Messrs. Chatterjee, G.C.Khanna and R.S.Srivastava abruptly left the meeting. Com. Dalvi and K.Ramamurti remained inside. The withdrawal of three members of the Implementation Committee from the meeting created such an atmosphere that the proposed meeting with the Ho’ble Minister on the 31st May, 1951 also did not take place. Thus the curtain rung down on the second phase of realignment talks.
The P&T workers wanted unity. Therefore this walking out of a section of leadership was not enough to kill the unity move which was coming from the rank and file of the common workers of this great P&T department having a glorious past.
Consequent on the serving of strike notice by the All India Railwaymen’s Federation, the Government no doubt increased dearness allowance by Rs. 10/- but simultaneously the President promulgated on July 12,1951 an ordinance empowering the Government to prohibit strikes in essential services, which runs as follows:
“The ordinance, which is called Ordinance No.1 of 1951 gives power to the Government to issue notifications prohibiting strikes in any of the specified essential services for such areas and for such periods as may be deemed necessary.
“This notification will, in the first instance remain in force for six months but are renewable for a similar period. Penalties have been provided for persons who go or continue on strike in the notified services and also for the persons who instigate strikes in the notified services or render financial aid for these illegal strikes. The penalties includes imprisonment.”
A Press Note issued by Government stated:
“It has come to the notice of the Government that persons employed in various other essential services which are also connected with the movement of food, or other activities essential for the maintenance of the life of the
community are likely to go on strike either in sympathy with the Railwaymen or for other reasons.
“The Government have come to the conclusion that all measures should be taken to safeguard the welfare and the interests of the people at large against the consequences that may follow from sections of essential workers going on strike. They have, therefore, decided to take powers to prohibit strikes in certain essential services.”
It is noteworthy that while the strike movement launched by the Union of Post and Telegraph Workers was suppressed by the Government by applying the Preventive Detention Act, the strike movement launched by the Railwaymen’s Federation in 1951 was combated by the Government by promulgating an ordinance empowered to Government to prohibit strikes in essential services. On both the occasions, although the Government stopped the strike by using different methods, under the Trade Disputes Act, both the Railwaymen’s Federation and the P&T workers Union were entitled to go on strike after serving 14 days’ notice. The Government therefore went against their own act and suppressed the movement. It was therefore evident that in spite of provision in the Act entitling the Government servants in essential service to go on strike, the Government did not allow them to adopt the course. Even the Postal Strike in 1946 was declared by the Government to be illegal although the strikers were legitimately within their rights to go on such strike under the Defence of India Rules. And it took the workers six years to get the half of strike period pay.
With the abandonment of realignment proposals, the leadership of many of the two dozen unions heaved a sigh of relief and continued to function merrily throwing mud on each other. It is not that all the unions played the same game. There were exceptions to this. It is not my intention to name them but I may mention here that some of the big unions at least had most undemocratic constitutions which helped their leaders to function in a despotic manner. Suspension of branches and branch office-bearers was a daily occurrence. Evidently, such process was hindrance to the growth and expansion of the unions. The All India Postal & R.M.S Union, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Union and the All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union had more or less constitutions on the same lines and democratic in nature. The constitution of the Indian Telegraph Association and the All India Telegraph Union were almost alike, undemocratic in nature. The Central Working Committee functioning at the headquarters could bring the entire organization into non existence with out consulting the membership and even the General Committee. After the merger had taken place the membership of the I.P.T.U and I.T.A joined the U.P.T.W. The A.I.T.U kept out of the merger with the belief that being the only union of the Telegraphists, all would gradually join it, but in fact such a calculation did not materialize. Although the telegraphists in general were favour by inclined to have a pure union of theirs, still the A.I.T.U did not flourish. Many remained with the U.P.T.W and many more preferred to remain non-members because of the undemocratic constitution of the A.I.T.U. The progressive section of telegraph members of the U.P.T.W left it and joined the A.I.T.U with a view to work within that Union, to democratize it and also to put pressure on the centre to join one organization through process of realignment.
Attempts were made at the Agra conference of the All India Telegraph Union in 1951 to change the constitution and to run the union on a more democratic basis. But this could not be achieved because the President of the Union gave a ruling that the Conference of delegates elected by the branch was merely an advisory body. According to him the All India Committee was the only competent and supreme body to do all such things. He held out that the earlier Conference was held in 1935 and during sixteen years from 1935 to 1951 the All India Committee was dealing with all constitutional questions and that system should continue even now. A large number of delegates disagreed and staged a walk-out and the Conference transacted its business as usual on the strength of the ruling by the Chair. But this Conference paved the way for better functioning of the union later on. The All India Committee once more met at Delhi from the 12th to 15th May, 1953 under the chairmanship of Dewan Chamenlal and changed the constitution to a certain extent keeping in view the pressure and the views expressed by the delegates at Agra Conference. At this meeting of the All India Committee, it has decided to setup the headquarters of the A.I.T.U at New Delhi and Shri. P.S.R. Anjeneyalu was elected as General Secretary. The Calcutta Central Headquarters also went on functioning with Shri.B.C.De as General Secretary for a few months. However there was a settlement. A joint All India Committee meeting of the Delhi group and also of Calcutta group was held in November, 1953. Shri.P.S.R Anjaneyalu was unanimously re-elected General Secretary of the All India Telegraph Union to function from New Delhi. From this time onwards, the A.I.T.U began to work with a changed outlook and began to support the realignment scheme.
The All India Postal & R.M.S Union after its revival at Allahabad in 1947 – 48 was functioning from there with Shri.Raghubhans Sahai Srivastava as its General Secretary. This Union had its branches in U.P., Bihar, Calcutta and later on branches were started at Bombay and Madras and the General Secretary-ship passed into the hands of Shri.Birendra Nath Ghosh, M.A.B.L, and began functioning from Calcutta. The R.M.S. Branch of the U.P.T.W consisting of members from “C”,”N”,”H” Divisions dissolved the branch and rejoined the All India Postal & R.M.S Union. The members of the All India Postal and R.M.S Union specially of Calcutta Postal Branch were deadly opposed to any realignment scheme which would not allow functioning of All India Postal and R.M.S Union, on sentimental grounds. They had a special fascination for the very name. The groups of R.M.S members who left the U.P.T.W and joined the R.M.S Union which was a branch of the All India Postal and R.M.S. Union in Calcutta had no such feelings. The group began working within the Union to bring about some sort of realignment through agreement. (To be continued)

Red Salute to Captain Lakshmi on her 8th death anniversary

22 Wednesday Jul 2020

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23rd July 2020 is the 8th death anniversary of Captain Lakshmi, the legendary head of the women’s regiment of Indian National Army, headed by Subhas Chandra Bose.

Born in Anakkara, Kerala on 24th October 1914 to the well known couple Shri Swaminathan and Smt. Ammukkutty Swaminathan, both activists in the freedom movement, she was well educated, passed MBBS and practiced medicine for some time. Later, joined the Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) led by Subhas Chandra Bose and became the Captain of the Rani Jhansi Regiment marching to Delhi from Burma as part of the struggle to free India. But after the British victory in the II World war, she was arrested along with many of the INA leaders and sent to India for trial.

Lakshmi married Captain Saghal of the INA later. Lakshmi Saghal started practicing medicine in Kanpur, where she was settled. Two daughters, Com.Subhashini Ali and Smt. Anisa Puri. Dr. Lakshmi was a solace to the poor patients, whom she treated free. She Joined CPM(I) and contested for the post of President of India as a candidate of the left parties, but lost. She was a Member of the Rajya Sabha as a candidate of CPI(M).

Captain Lakshmi passed away at the age of 97 on 23-07-2012. Daughter Com. Subhashini Ali is PB Member of the CPI(M) and leader of AIDWA. Captain Lakshmi will always be an inspiration for the people of this country and especially women.

I had the opportunity to meet her at Delhi as also at Kanpur and visit her home. Later also I could go there and meet Com. Subhashini Ali in connection with our activities in U.P. She was very helpful.

Red salute to Com. Lakshmi Saghal on her 8th death anniversary!

AIBDPA writes to CMD BSNL on provision of FTTH at the residences of retired BSNL employees with concession.

22 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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AIBDPA/ BSNL-FTTH/2020 22nd July, 2020

To

Shri P.K. Purwar,

CMD, BSNL,

Bharat Sanchar Bhawan,

Janpath,

New Delhi -110 001

Sir,

Sub: – Provision of FTTH at the residences of retired BSNL employees with concession – reg.

Ref: (1) BSNL CO No.2-7/2007-PHA dated 20-07-2007.

(2) BSNL CO No.2-6/2005 dated 03-06-2011.

We wish to bring to your kind notice the following issue for favourable consideration.

BSNL Retirees have been provided with rent free residential land line connection and granted broadband with concession vide orders referred to above.

You may be aware of the fact that in many places landline phones are not being maintained due to shortage of staff and lack of accessories. As such the services are virtually denied to the retirees. In the case of broadband, the assured speed of a particular plan opted is not at all available in the sub premises.

Now, BSNL is concentrating on FTTH and many broadband subscribers, including pensioners are switching over to FTTH. So, we request you to kindly grant concession to Retirees in FTTH, as in the case of broadband.

It is regretted to point out that our repeated requests to grant concession in broadband to DOT Retirees are yet to be considered. We would request you once again to extend the same concession being given to BSNL retirees to the DoT Retirees also.

Awaiting early positive action and

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

K.G. Jayaraj

General Secretary

CC: (1) Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi-110 001

(2) Shri S.K. Gupta, Director (Finance), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

(3) Shri Vivek Banzal, Director (CFA), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

(4) Shri Ashutosh Gupta, GM (Admn.), BSNL CO., Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

(from AIBDPA Website aibdpa.com)

Train Journeys 16 – To Calcutta AIC

22 Wednesday Jul 2020

Posted by in Train Journeys

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1981 December. All India Conference of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III is to be held at Calcutta from 29th December 1981 to 2nd January 1982. Starting the conferences in the last week of the year and ending in the first week seems to be tradition with NFPTE and affiliated unions. The second Federal Council at Calcutta ( 28.12.1955 – 02-01-56), third Federal Council at Hyderabad ( 26.12.1956 – 01.01-57), Fifth Federal Council at Jaipur ( 26.12.1958 – 31.12.58), eighth Federal Council at Madras ( 27.12.1963 – 01.01.64) and so on.  It will be very cold in the northern India, but it is the time for marriages, festivals, conferences. It is the time of holidays also. With layers of warm clothes and good food, time for enjoyment.

Myself Circle Secretary of the major Telephone District, Calicut. ( For a few years major districts were  treated as circles). This AIC going to be very important since decision to be taken for  Strike called by the Central Trade Unions. It was well known that OPG, GS, E.III was not in favour of  strike. Hence we had to put maximum pressure. More number of delegates required. We in Kerala decided to attend in large numbers. Calicut District alone 38 delegates.100 delegates from Kerala. E.III AIC was not much strict about number of delegates. Delegates from Calicut started on different dates according to availability train reservation. Myself, wife Pankajam, P.A.Velayudhan, Janaky Kutty and M.Kalliani started by the Howrah compartment in West Coast Express leaving for Madras at 00.15 on 25th December. Reached at 14.30 hours at Madras. Howrah Coach in the shunting yards till 20.00 hours. Lady comrades went to a relative’s house, took bath, food and returned. Myself and PAV in the train. We were afraid whether the snakes moving uninterrupted in the thick grass near the shunting yards will get in the compartment. Exactly at 20.00 hours train started for Calcutta. Took bath from train itself. Ate sweets and snacks brought from homes. A lot of other delegates also in this Coromandal Express. Reached Howrah in the early morning of 27th. Coms. Balu, Punnassery Balan and other delegates who reached earlier were waiting in station. By bus went to AIC Reception Committee office, took meals from exchange canteen and met senior leaders of Calcutta including Com. Ananata Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, Reception Committee. We went for a tour of the city in a bus. Visited many places including Botanical gardens. Com. Kalliani lost her bag in the bus, but somehow we managed to get it after going to the bus head office.

AIC addressed by Coms. Jyoti Basu (CITU) and Indrajit Gupta (AITUC). Mammoth procession in town in afternoon. Heated discussion about participation in the national strike. Coms.Moni Bose, PVC, myself and many comrades strongly demanded participation in strike, while OPG and followers tactically opposed. At last it was decided to strike ‘wherever possible’. I was elected Federal Councillor. New year day was celebrated in a big way by the delegates. On 3rd some of us went to the residence of Com. Moni Bose and had tea. All of us had a detailed tour of the historic city and visited many heritage sites. Fortunately we could hear Com.EMS addressing the rally in Parade Grounds in connection with the W.Bengal state Conference of CPI(M). Hearing three stalwarts in a few days.

Return journey became a big problem. Although we had booked the return tickets from Calicut itself, some tickets were in waiting list. Immediately on reaching Calcutta we had checked in the station, but they were still in W/L. Every day some of the delegates went to  railway station to find out whether  tickets  are confirmed. Negative. But at the same time, those who booked return tickets after reaching Calcutta had got reservation. There was something very very wrong going on. Even on 3rd January when enquired, no confirmation. We had to start by 17.00 hours on 4th.

Without confirmation, it will be almost impossible to travel. Tickets had to be  confirmed. I went to Railway Station in the morning and enquired. Tickets still not confirmed. Waited to meet  Chief Superintendent of the R/Station. Went to his office. He has not reached. It was on the 5th or 6th floor. The peon there started going down the lift with a wheel chair stating that the officer is arriving. I went along with him in the lift. The officer was sitting in the car. He was helped to sit in wheel chair, for which I also helped. Came up in the lift and to his room, myself also also helping. On reaching his office room, he told us to leave the room. I understood that he has to arrange himself seated in his chair, which he wanted to do without help.

After few minutes I was called to the room. I told him that even after one month of booking, our tickets are not confirmed, while even those booked by delegates after reaching Calcutta have been confirmed. First he said nothing could be done as it will be according to rules. Then I had to tell him that we are from telephones and will complain to higher authorities. Then he asked me to wait outside. In the meantime I went to the Union Secretary and told him about the difficult situation. After some time, I was called by the Superintendent. He got all the tickets confirmed, but in different different compartments. OK, at least all tickets confirmed.

We waited in the platform for the Coramandal train to arrive. Platforms congested due to heavy rush of passengers. Train arrived, not much time to start. We rushed to each compartment, got the concerned comrades to their respective berths. Somehow managed to put every body in the train.

By evening next day reached Madras. Got down. Visited some places in the city. Stayed in a hotel. By 11.30 on 5th started for Calicut by West Coast Express. Heavily slept in the night. Reached Calicut next day. Everybody tired, but happy and satisfied.