Category Archives: General

IAS Officer suspended for checking the PM’s Chopper.

18 Thursday Apr 2019

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New Delhi, Apr 18 : The Election Commission has suspended a high-ranking poll observer deputed to Odisha on charges of “dereliction of duty” with regard to “SPG protectees” — in a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

According to an EC order, Karnataka cadre IAS officer Mohammed Mohsin was suspended for “actions contrary to the instructions of the Commission concerning SPG protectees” on April 16 — the day SPG-protectee Prime Minister Modi visited Sambalpur to address an election rally.

The EC took the action against the general observer of Sambalpur on the basis of a report submitted by the district collector and the deputy inspector general of police.

Modi was stated to have been held up at the place for nearly 15 minutes because of Mohsin’s “actions”. The officer allegedly checked PM’s chopper in violation of norms.

“Checking of the prime minister’s chopper, undertaken at Sambalpur, was not in accordance with the EC guidelines as SPG protectees are exempt from such checking,” said an official in Bhubaneswar without elaborating.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s helicopter was also checked by EC flying squad personnel in Rourkela on Tuesday.

A similar check was carried on another Cabinet Minister also. (Ganashakti)

“Save Democracy” – Verify at least 50% votes by VVPAT- Opposition parties

14 Sunday Apr 2019

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Raising doubts over the credibility of EVMs, a number of opposition parties Sunday said they will move the Supreme Court again to demand verification of at least 50 per cent of votes by paper trail.

Opposition parties, including the Congress, Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Samajwadi Party, CPI and CPI(M), jointly addressed a press conference to highlight the issue of transparency in the election process and protection of voter rights with a call to “save democracy”.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “programming” electronic voting machines to win the Lok Sabha elections, while his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Chandrababu Naidu said 21 political parties have demanded verification of VVPAT paper trails of 50 per cent of the EVMs.

Naidu on Saturday had met Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora to raise the issue of EVM malfunctioning.

The demand by the parties comes in the peak of the election season.The first of the seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls was held on April 11. (Ganashakthi)

SC Decision on Rafale case – Leaked documents can be allowed.

10 Wednesday Apr 2019

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The Left parties Wednesday hailed the decision of the Supreme Court allowing leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of the Rafale judgement and alleged that Narendra Modi government was compromising on national security.

Continuing his attack on the ruling party, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said that through the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, the government “promoted cronyism”.

“Modi and his govt have compromised national security for corruption and cronyism in an important defence deal.

“They tried to evade accountability, denied a JPC, hid price from CAG, tried to first mislead, then stall any hearing in Supreme Court. Important that culprits are booked,” he tweeted.

In a setback to the Modi-led government at the Centre a day ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha election, the Supreme Court Wednesday allowed leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of its Rafale judgement and dismissed the government’s preliminary objections claiming “privilege” over them.

“Modi and his minions have falsely claimed that they have a ‘clean chit’ in the Rafale scam.

“But the proofs have come tumbling out one after another. It has been the most corrupt and most compromised govt in India’s history. Now is the time to throw it out,” he said.

CPI National Secretary, Atul Kumar Anjaan said the Supreme Court’s decision has completely “exposed” the Modi government.

“The Modi government has been exposed layer by layer in the Rafale scam. “The SC has rejected the claims made by the Centre that the documents related to the deal had been stolen. Now, it is clear that the Modi government has done some scam in the Rafale deal,” he said.

Modi’s and Gujarat CM’s photo in Air India Boarding Pass – withdrawn after out rage.

26 Tuesday Mar 2019

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There is no limit to what the government will do to give publicity to the Prime minister and BJP officially. The latest is the Air India Boarding Pass featuring Prime Minister Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
There was much outrage as the pictures violate the Model Code of Conduct.

Air India now has decided to withdraw the boarding passes featuring the pictures of PM and Gujarat CM, following the outrage. Similarly, Railways also had to withdraw its tickets recently, featuring the PM after TMC complained to the Election Commission.

Russian Communists protests against wrong economic policy of Russia

25 Monday Mar 2019

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Russian Communist supporters carry flags and banners protesting in downtown Moscow on March 23, 2019. Thousands of Communist supporters protested against social economics policy of Russia’s Government.

Demonetisation to white wash black money – CPI(M)

22 Friday Mar 2019

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CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury Friday said demonetisation was to “whitewash” black money, amidst reports that the current cash in circulation has jumped by more than 19 per cent from the pre-note ban days.

Media reports have indicated that the cash in circulation has jumped by 19.14 per cent to Rs 21.41 lakh crore as on March 15 this year from the pre-demonetisation level of Rs 17.97 lakh crore on November 4, 2016.

“Demonetisation by Modi on a whim, against all advice from RBI, was a way to whitewash black money. We know how jobs and lives were destroyed by notebandi. Now claims like ‘cashless’ economy also have turned out to be false and misleading Jumlas. #DemonetisationDisaster,” Yechury tweeted. (Courtesy: Ganashakti)

Com. AKG remembered on his 42nd death anniversary

21 Thursday Mar 2019

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22nd March 2019, is the 42nd death anniversary of Comrade A.K.Gopalan, veteran working class leader, PBM, CPI(M) and the first opposition group leader in the Indian Parliament. He died on 22nd March 1977 after a long illness.

Com. AKG, as he is popularly called was an indomitable fighter of the working class and toiling masses. His entire life was full of struggles for the downtrodden people. He was arrested and put in jail many times both by the British as well as the Indian rulers. Com.AKG who was in the forefront of the Independence struggle was in jail even on 15th August 1947, on the day India got Independence, even though almost all the freedom fighters who were in jail were released.

Comrade AKG could not tolerate injustice. Wherever injustice was being done he jumped in to the struggle against the onslaught. There are any number of such struggles which AKG led and succeeded. It was the three great leaders, Coms. P.Krishna Pillai, E.M.S.Namboodiripad and AKG who built and strengthened the Communist Party in Kerala.

I had the opportunity to meet Comrade AKG several times and seek his guidance. During many of his visits to Calicut along with his wife, Com. Susheela Gopalan, who herself was a senior leader, Member of Parliament and later Minister in Kerala, I had the fortune to receive them at the Railway Station and to bring them to the house where they were to stay. One such time, AKG was ill and for many weeks he was not able to speak due to illness. Myself along with Com. M.Balasubramanian, the Dist. Secretary E.III Union,  went to the Railway station and took him to the house of Advocate P.K.Kunhirama Poduval where they used to stay. After reaching Calicut, two senior doctors, Dr.CBC Warrier and Dr. N.S.Venugopalan checked him and stated that he was better. In fact AKG was able to speak bit by bit. That day the Confederation of Central Government Employees, of which I was the convener, had arranged a meeting in the Mudalakkulam maidan in connection with an All India strike next day. I very meekly asked the doctors whether I can request AKG to address the strike meeting. AKG immediately agreed and the doctors consented provided he would not speak more than five minutes. AKG agreed to the condition and it was decided that he will address the meeting.

The news that Com.AKG will address the meeting in the evening of the day spread like wildfire. Irrespective of party affiliation, people in thousands gathered at the maidan to hear Com.AKG, his first speech after several weeks. The meeting started in time and after welcome etc. Com.AKG was requested to address. He started speaking and the audience sat in pin-drop silence to hear their beloved leader. The stipulated period of five minutes was over, but he continued speaking. Then Com.Suseela Gopalan, who was also on the stage, reminded him the doctors’ advice. He laughed away the request, openly telling the public that he knew when to stop. All were very much worried. Then Com. M.K.Kelu (Keluettan), one of the senior most leader of the CPI(M) who was also present, openly requested him to stop his speech considering his health. The audience also in one voice supported the request. Then and then only, AKG stopped his speech, thanked all and sat down. Such was his love for the people who even in the face of severe illness could not stop interacting with them.

I remember another incident which again shows the tenacity of Com. AKG in fighting against all attacks on the working class. It was during the 1974 Railway Strike demanding Bonus. The strike was to start from 8th May but due to mass arrest of the leaders and workers and victimisation, it started two days earlier. The Central government met the strike with utmost cruelty and vengeance. Tens of thousands of workers were arrested and jailed. Railway Quarters were searched and even the family members were beaten and harassed not finding the striking workers. In many quarters, water connection, electricity connection etc. were cut. In Calicut, the procession organized in support of the strike was attacked and people beaten and two news paper reporters also badly beaten and hospitalised. It was terror unleashed for the railway workers and their families.

It was at this time that Com. AKG along with Com. Suseela Gopalan arrived at Calicut. He was not at all well and the doctors advised complete rest. When I reported to him about the serious situation, he wanted to go to the railway quarters immediately. Though we tried to stop him going, he was adamant. We started for the Railway Colony. He stopped at the entry to the colony and told we will walk. Com.A.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran NGO Union leader and some other comrades also reached by the time. We were about 6-7 people and led by Coms AKG and Suseela we started slowly walking in to the colony through the small road. Women and children who alone were in the houses saw AKG and started joining us. Within a few minutes, it became a jatha and culminated in the school premises inside the colony. By the time, police also came to the spot. Party comrades also reached. A loudspeaker was brought and Com.AKG started speaking. The police, without knowing who it was speaking, came forward and threatened to arrest. AKG told him that ‘I am AKG and you can arrest me’. The poor policeman was dumbfounded and became silent. By that time senior police officers came and the situation became normal. AKG spoke consoling the families of Railwaymen and told that nothing will happen to them, and also warned the police officers that he will come and sit there in dharna if the harassment continues. Within a few minutes the meeting was over after Com. Suseela Gopalan also addressed.After this incident, there was a halt to the harassment of the families in the colony.

It was his forceful speech along with that of Comrade Nath Pai and other opposition leaders in the Parliament against the victimisation of Central Government employees who participated in the historic July 1960 strike that compelled the Jawaharlal Nehru government to take back all the thousands of workers who were dismissed or suspended.

Com.AKG was one of the senior CPI(M) leaders who was not arrested and jailed, being very sick. When he came to Calicut during the period myself and Com. N.Ramesh, then Divl. Secretary of E.III Union went to meet him. He was very tired and sick, but asked about the situation in Calicut. When coming back, he told us ” your job is not to get arrested, but to continue the resistance work against the Emergency and safeguard your workers.” Probably he might have been hinting at my being taken in to custody by Special Branch and questioned for hours a few days back.

He was sick and was under treatment for many months. During this period Com. T.K.Karunan, then leader of Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Workers , came to my rented line house near Sreekandeswarapuram and handed over a letter stating that he had gone to meet AKG at Alappuzha hearing that he was not well. He told that Com.AKG was always his beloved leader,despite that he is in CPI. The letter was in the handwriting of Com. Suseela and signed by AKG. I can not disclose the details, but whatever was required, it was done immediately.

Com. AKG died on 22nd March 1977. The Congress party was rooted out in the election, but probably he might not have known the same as he was in coma. The news of the death of the dear leader was a shock to all. His body was brought to his home place in Kannur District. Through out the way in all district headquarters, thousands of people came to pay homage to the departed leader.  The condolence meeting held at Kalliasseri was attended by more than ten thousands of people. Almost all the PB members were present except Com. Jyothi Basu. While speaking, Coms. E.K.Nayanar and Mrs. Kamalam continued by others broke in to tears and wept due to emotions and memories. Such was the close relation of Com. AKG to all whom he met.

All those who came in contact will have many such incidents to remember. He was very close to all and was loved by all.

I pay my respectful homage to the memory of this great revolutionary and working class leader on his 42nd death anniversary!

High handedness of the DOT/Government – Salary not paid to BSNL Employees

01 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, General

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Strong protest demonstrations were held all over India before Telephone Exchanges/GM Offices demanding immediate payment of the monthly salary for February 2019.Salaries are being paid on the last date of the month. But the February salary has not been paid so far on the plea that the management has got no money to pay. This is atrocious.

It is well known that BSNL has become loss making, only due to the anti-BSNL, Anti-PSU policy of the government and the mismanagement of the top level management. When the company was in profit, large scale corruption also took place. Various suggestions have been given by the unions/associations for improvement of the services as also for development. In order to favour the private telcoms, all kinds of restrictions were put on BSNL to ensure that it does not grow and make profit. BSNL was not allowed even to buy mobile lines, when there was good demand. Still the employees worked hard and ensured that better service is provided.

By the predatory pricing started by Reliance Jio, all companies have become loss making, including Jio itself, though by manipulation of accounts, it shows a small profit. This has been exposed by telecom experts. BSNL is also in loss. All private companies are taking loans and managing the services. But though BSNL is having only the minimum loans, despite repeatedly requested by BSNL management, it is not allowed to take loans by DOT. The fact that NITI Ayog has proposed either to privatise or close BSNL, though denied later, shows that Government is determined to destablise BSNL to favour Reliance Jio, which is owned by Mukesh Ambani, the close friend of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

If BSNL has been allowed to take loan, the salaries could be paid. The contract workers in BSNL have not been paid wages for about three months or more. These are all part of the government proposal to privatise or close BSNL. The revival plans proposed by government are nothing but proposals to close the PSU.

As per the call of All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB), Circle and District Unions have been meeting M.P.s and presenting Memorandum on the survival of BSNL and requesting to pressurize the government to help BSNL to survive and improve. It has been pointed out that if BSNL is not in the field, the entire 100 crores and mobile subscribers of all companies will have to pay at least three or four times the charges, since the private telecom will raise it as was in the case of petrol prices. To stop this increase in charges, the presence of BSNL is unavoidable.

Along with the M.P.s, the leaders of all political parties may be approached so that it becomes an important issue in the election as also afterwards.

5 Airports to Adani – Protests galore

25 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, General

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Five airports, including Thiruvananthapuram is being handed over to Adani on the basis of tenders given by the corporate. It is clear that certain mischief might have taken place. The employees and people of Thiruvananthapuram are on agitation against the handing over.

Kerala Government constructs accommodations for Migrant Workers.

25 Monday Feb 2019

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The Kerala LDF Government has taken special initiative for the housing of the large number of migrant workers, including from UP, Bihar, W.Bengal and other northern states. Residential complexes constructed for their accommodation. A special programme called ‘Aawas’ is planned and cards are also issued in this connection.

Kerala has got lakhs of migrant workers doing various jobs in the state. Kerala government understands their difficulties and requirements. It is to be remembered that a large number of Keralites are working in gulf countries, US, Canada, Australia etc. and the government very well understand the problems of the migrant workers. Migrant workers also realise that Kerala is one best place to work and that there is no discrimination to them in Kerala.