Marwaris are generally rich and better of. Many of the big business houses in India are Marwaris. They have got palatial houses and spend huge amount to the extend of Rs.50-60 crores for a marriage. The middle class Marwaris also try to emulate marriages in the same which put them in financial troubles. This same problem exists all over India in all communities. How to curb this wasteful spending?
It is reported in today’s Sunday Times that the elders in Rajasthan Marwari families have put restrictions on big ticket spending for marriages. It says that marriage to be held in the village only and the invitees to be limited mainly to family members. Sweets to be limited to two and the barat also to be toned down.
If the restrictions are violated, the family will be socially boycotted.
The report says that due to the community restrictions, the wasteful  expenditure and lavish arrangements have come down. Of course, there is small section, which is not happy, which wants to show off.
Such restrictions can be emulated by others also.

A meeting of the All India Co-ordinating Committee of Public Sector Trade Unions was held at BTR Bhawan today 30 August 2014. About 150 comrades were present.
Com. Tapan Sen, General Secretary presided. Com. A.K.P., President inaugurated the meeting. The main issues to be discussed was presented by him.
Com. Swadesh Dev Roy, Convener, presented the Back Ground Paper with   explanations. Large number of comrades participated in the discussion. The meeting continues for tomorrow.

Noted Historian Bipin Chandra passed away today. He was a specialist of Political and Economic History. He has taught in JNU and other universities.He was 86. We lost a progressive historian.

The government has decided to fix the minimum pension to Rs.1,000 from September as agreed with trade unions earlier. Now lakhs of EPF Pensioners are getting pension far less than Rs. 1,000. According to reports, this will benefit about 28 lakh pensioners.
The wage ceiling for EPF will now be raised to Rs.15,000 from the present Rs. 6,500.

The EPFO in its meeting on 26 August 2014 has declared 8.75% interest for EPF Account holders for the year 2014-15, as in last year. The demand of the central unions to icrease the interest to 9.5% was not accepted. At the same, the EPFO proposal to give 8.7% interest was strongly opposed by unions and could not be implemented.

Well attended Dharnas were organised  in a large number of SSAs on 26th August on the demands of the casual and contract workers as per call of BSNLCCWF. Members of BSNLEU and AIBDPA also participated in good numbers. Both the unions have fully extended support and solidarity.
The next programme of agitation is on 25 September when Dharnas at Circle level will be organised.
Bhubaneswar CEC Meeting of BSNLCCWF  has also called upon the workers to observe 2014 as “The Year of the Casual Contract Workers”. As such we have to settle the major issues of the workers this year. Let us prepare for further struggles, if the issues are not settled.

As per call of BSNLCCWF, massive dharnas were organised in a large number of SSAs by Casual/Contract workers demanding settlement of their important issues. BSNLEU and AIBDPA workers also participated in many places. Detailed reports will be posted later.
The next programme is Dharna in front of circle offices on 25 September 2014. Make full preparations for the same to make it a grand success.

Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated today that the government will invest Rs. 20,000 crore for provide mobile services to 55,000 villages. This will be provided through the Universal Service Obligation Fund. We appreciate the announcement of the Minister.
But from past experiences, we do not know whether this will be implemented. Such assurances in the past were dishonoured.
The USOF has got funds accumulated only because the funds due to BSNL were not paid. Even the sactioned amount of Rs. 1250 crore for 2013-14 is yet to be paid.

Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated today that for providing mobile connectivity to 55,000 villages in the country, the government will invest Rs. 20,000. This will be done through the Universal Service Obligation Fund(USOF).
Many such assurances were given at the time of UPA government also, but not implemented. That is why funds have got accumulated in USOF.Even the dues for BSNL was curtailed. Amount approved about Rs. 1250 crores for 2013-14 is yet to be paid.
We hope that it will not be repeated by the present government.

The DoT  is proposing to bring in a new rule for checking foreign made telecom equipment for security risks. It is not understood why such a decision was not taken earlier, despite various reports of security leaks.