Mexico City, Jul 2 : Anti-establishment leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador swept to victory in Mexico’s presidential election today, in a political sea change driven by voters’ anger over endemic corruption and brutal violence.
According to exit polls, the sharp-tongued, silver-haired politician known as “AMLO” won by a large margin over his two main rivals, who both conceded defeat shortly after the polls closed — laying to rest concerns that a deeply divided country could face prolonged uncertainty over the winner.
Thousands of ecstatic supporters flooded central Mexico City’s Zocalo square and Alameda park, celebrating to the sounds of mariachi music as Lopez Obrador slowly made his way there from his campaign headquarters in a motorcade, swarmed by huge crowds.
“The government was failing. We needed a real change,” said one elated supporter, Jose Gutierrez, 44.
Runner-up Ricardo Anaya of the conservative National Action Party (PAN) and third-place candidate Jose Antonio Meade of the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) both congratulated Lopez Obrador and wished him success.

One more country to the Left. Congratulations!

2018 NOVEMBER 15TH NATION WIDE ONE DAY STRIKE OF
CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES
10 POINTS CHARTER OF DEMANDS OF CONFEDERATION
1. Scrap New Contributory Pension Scheme. Restore old defined benefit Pension Scheme to all employees.
2. Settle 7th CPC related issues including increase in Minimum Pay and fitment formula, HRA arrears from 01-01-2016, MACP Bench Mark, promotional heirarchy and date of effect from 01-01-2006, Option-I for pensioners and anomalies arising out of implementation of 7th CPC recommendations.
3. Fill up all vacant posts. Reintroduce Regional Recruitment for Group B & C posts. Withdraw orders for abolishing posts lying vacant for more than five years. Revive all posts abolished during 2001 to 2008 under Annual Direct Recruitment plan as per May 2001 orders of former NDA Government.
4. (a) Regularisatin of Gramin Dak Sevaks and grant of Civil Servant status. Implement remaining positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra committee report.
(b) Regularise all casual and contract workers including those appointed on or after 01-09-1993.
5. Ensure equal pay for equal work for all. Remove disparity in pay scales between Central Secretariat Staff and similarly placed staff working in field units of various departments.
6. Stop closure of Govt. establishments and outsourcing. Withdraw closure orders of Govt. of India Presses. Stop proposed move to close down salt department. Stop FDI and privatisation of Railways and Defence department.
7. Implement 7th CPC wage revision and pension revision of Autonomous body employees and pensioners. Grant Bonus to Autonomous body employees pending from 2016-17 onwards.
8. Remove 5% condition imposed on compassionate appointment.
9. Grant five time bound promotions to all Group B&C employees. Complete Cadre Reviews in all departments within a time-frame.
10. (a) Stop attack on trade union rights. Ensure prompt functioning of various negotiating forums under the JCM scheme at all levels.
(b) Withdraw the draconian FR-56(j) and Rule 48 of CCS Pension Rules 1972.
If necessary, affiliates can add their own departmental wise issues as PART-II of the charter of demands.

The attack on the working class and Public Sector Employees, in particular, are mounting day by day. The entire working class and peasantry are on struggle path. The indefinite strike of GDS Employees is the latest mass struggle. The Long Pending Demands of FCI Employees are not settled yet. The assurance given by the Administrative Department and FCI Management to Staff unions regarding the commencement of wage revision process is in the paper even after a lapse of 18 months.

Food Corporation of India operations are under serious threat of privatisation. Subsidy received every year by FCI was lower than claimed for from the GoI. On an average only 67 per cent of subsidy claimed was released by the GoI over the last five years because of which FCI had to borrow from other costlier means of finance .FCI Employees are delayed and denied their rightful wage revision w.e.f 1-1-2017 and pension w.e.f 1-1-2007 due to the stringent conditions imposed by the Finance Ministry & lackadaisical attitude of Government missionaries respectively. Compassionate appointments have become a mirage in FCI. Trade Union rights are denied. Punishment and victimization of employees become a hobby of the management. Periodical meetings of Current Recognised unions in FCI has become mere talking shops without any positive results. Legitimate demands are inordinately delayed and denied. In FCI some posts have died due to no recruitment.

It is in this background the All India Coordination of FCI & WH Unions has decided to fight back these retrograde policies by mobilizing the entire FCI employees by unleashing intensive campaign throughout the country culminating in a strike. To declare the campaign programme and the strike, an “All India Coordination of FCI & WH Unions” under the leadership of Dr. A Sampath MP and Dr Asim Bala Ex- MP will be held at Lucknow on 26th June 2018 Tuesday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Eminent trade Union leaders will attend the Convention. Venue of the National Convention is Ravindralaya, Motilal Nehru Marg, Charbagh Lucknow(Uttar Pradesh). About 1000 delegates from all states will attend the Convention. (From FCI Union)

Kerala LDF government respects and honours sports persons. During its two year stint, the Pinarayi Government appointed 157 sports persons. This includes sportsmen dismissed by central government for trade union activities.

(Now it came to my memory about a foot ball star terminated from service for participating in the 1968 Central government employees strike – Telegraphman Shri M.Prasannan. Prasannan was a good player and was the captain of the Calicut Telephones Football team which was several times champion in the A Teams tournament at Calicut. Probably, the termination was a blessing in disguise. He was selected to the Indian Football team and played for famous Indian teams.)

My Hearty Greetings to all – Id-Mubarak.

We remember you Com. Kunhanandan!

It was two years back on this day, 14th June 2016, that you left us, after the fatal disease caught up with you. All were under the impression that you were improving, but fate decided otherwise.

Since your entry in the P and T Department, you have become an active worker of the union and within a few years became a beloved leader of the workers. You were sincere to the core and was never hesitant to express your opinion and point out mistakes, whenever and wherever they occur. Despite family responsibilities, you were always in the front of the activities and struggles. I still remember the various struggles and strikes with your great contribution. I remember your coming to Delhi and staying in the union office helping the CHQ in its most difficult times.

After retirement from service you have taken the responsibility of leading the AIBDPA, the organisation of the retired employees of BSNL as also that of CGPA, the Central Government Pensioners’ Association. Till you vacated the post in the last All India Conference of the AIBDPA due to ill health, you were the All India treasurer. I still remember our discussion at Tirupati AIC when I insisted to you to continue the post and your inability to do so. In fact, at that time I did not have an iota of information that you were not well. It came to my knowledge, when you became seriously ill and was hospitalized.

After retirement from service, you took up many responsibilities as part of your political commitment and earned the appreciation of the people in your area.

Whenever I came to Kozhikode from Delhi, you came to my home either alone or with your son and we had frank discussions. After AIBDPA formation, you took initiative in strengthening it. Kozhikode comrades still mention about the passion with which you wholeheartedly met all and strengthened the organisation.

Of course, you gave similar importance to the family. Your children seemed to be your close friends. Your close attachment to the family is never forgotten. Amidst busy engagements also, you found time to take the family for tours to many important places in India. You were a guide to many friends who wanted to go on tour.

Your life was never wasted. You have greatly contributed to the welfare of your family friends, comrades and the organisation.

We still remember you Com. Kunhanandan, as if you are amongst us. Your life continues as an inspiration for all of us, your family, friends and comrades!

Despite strong protests from the Central Trade Unions as also the service associations, the government offered 75% share of Air India to corporate. But no private company showed interest in buying this historic PSU, well knowing that the government will come down to their terms.

What was feared has become reality. The government has offered all the 100% shares now for sale. Let us see the Tamasha, but we have to oppose and defeat the move.

Birth rate and death rate are less in Kerala compared to other states. In such a situation, whether population could be controlled ?

Birth rate and death rate are less in Kerala compared to other states. In such a situation, whether population could be controlled ?