It is being said that the senior citizens are the assets of the nation. But, what the central government is doing for them. Even after years of introducing old age pension, the Rs. 200/ has not been increased so far. Senior citizens and their orgnisations have been demanding to get it increased; but no action on the part of the central government.

During Covid period, the Centre withdrew the train ticket concession available to the aged people, above 58 for women and above 60 for men. Demand to restore the concession has not been agreed.

In comparison, Kerala and a few state governments have increased the old age pension. The Kerala LDF government has increased the pension from Rs. 600 to Rs.1600 and being paid at their homes. Two governments, two policies towards senior citizens.

It is one year since the railways withdrew the train ticket fare concessions extended to the senior citizens in the name of Corona. Seniors are compelled pay the full charges now, almost double what they have been paying earlier. This is quite injustice.

SCFWA demands that the concessions be restored.

8 March 2021 – Women’s equal rights in health and safety at work and in society

06 Mar 2021

STOP to domestic violence against women!

The World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), the oldest trade union international representing 105 million workers in 133 countries on the five continents, offers a warm internationalist greeting to the working woman, the female trade unionist, the female militant of each country and continent on this International Working Women’s Day, March 8, 2021.

The class trade union movement has always stood alongside the just demands of the women of the working class; it has been the one which turned the claims of women into claims of its own; the one which fought by implementing in its ranks the true equality between the male worker and the female worker. In fact, thousands of working women have offered the most valuable thing they possessed, their own lives, to the cause of the true emancipation of the whole society from the chains of capitalist exploitation; the emancipation of both working men and women. The WFTU is proud of its women martyrs, offered by its affiliates to the struggle for a more just society.

Although 164 years have passed since the day that the textile workers of New York shed their blood for the demand for better working conditions, hygiene and safety, even in 2021 the women of the working class and the other popular strata have to face the same barbarous capitalist system; a system that wants women to be unemployed or poorly paid slaves at home, while at work they continue to be exposed to non-existent hygiene and safety measures or even to be attacked by the bosses, whatever the form of this abuse may be.

The coronavirus pandemic and the new world crisis of capitalism have deteriorated the position of working women, of women from the popular strata. The new forms of work that are gaining ground have placed a greater burden on the shoulders of working women who, in addition to “domestic slavery”, are now forced to work under flexible hours, without labor or union rights. Moreover, at the same time that international capitalism re-promotes racist theories with new intensity and puts weapons in the hands of racist murderers, working women of color are triply exposed to the barbarism of the system.

At the same time, in the midst of this new crisis, the imperialists and the transnationals are sharpening their offensive, they continue to shed the peoples’ blood through the escalation or the beginning of new interventions; interventions that uproot millions of people from their homes. Women and girls from the popular strata, female refugees and expatriates are once again paying the highest price.

The capitalist system neither wants nor can provide solutions to the problems of working women. On the contrary, through its false theories and  mechanisms, it seeks to convince the female worker that her enemy is the working man; that supposedly the solution to popular problems is found in the so-called theories of “gender struggle”, “feminist strikes” and so on. It seeks to hide that the fundamental contradiction of society is not between male and female workers, but between capital and labor; between those who produce everything and those who produce nothing.

The WFTU, paying tribute to the militant traditions of the radical women’s movement and placing in the front line the demands of contemporary manual and intellectual workers, claims:

• Global protection of all women and men of the working class against the pandemic, with safe and free vaccines for all, guaranteeing universal and free access to the healthcare system
• Fully guarantee the right of girls to a free and qualitative educational system, which will teach them the laws of motion of nature and society
• Effective hygiene and safety measures in workplaces
• Support for unemployed women, young mothers and couples, guaranteeing the right to motherhood without any employer intimidation or precondition
• Effective support measures for refugee and immigrant women who are doubly exposed to imperialist wars and criminal networks of traffickers

The great family of the WFTU is committed to continue on the path of struggle and disobedience for the victory of the struggles and the achievement of the demands of the female workers of the class-oriented trade union movement; for the true emancipation from the chains of double exploitation against women, for a world without capitalist exploitation.

Long live March 8!

The WFTU Secretariat

Com.M.Krishnan (66), former Secretary General, NFPE and Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has passed away.He was admitted in the PRS Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram on 22-02-2021, having tested positive for Covid-19 . His condition became critical on 28-02-2021 and was shifted to the Medical College hospital very late in the night; could not be saved. He breathed his last at early morning on 01-03-2021.Com. M.Krishnan was a great leader, orator and held several positions in the trade union movement. He belonged to Kasaragode in Kerala and started his union activities as Divisional Secretary, P 3 union of NFPTE and became the Convener, Local Co-Ordination Committee of P& T Unions. He rose to lime light very soon with his capabilities in leading the organisation in many struggles and oratory skills.Then he was elected as Circle Secretary of P3 and Convenor, Kerala Circle Co ordination Committee. Finally elevated to the post of General Secretary, P3 and Secretary General NFPE. He also took up the responsibility of Secretary General of Confederation and led several struggles during this period. His contributions to the Pensioners movement are also noteworthy.The unexpected and shocking passing away of Com.M.Krishnan is a great loss to the entire Trade Union and progressive movement in the country. AIBDPA dips it’s banner in respect of the departed beloved leader, Com.Krishnan and conveys heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and Comrades.

Red Salute Comrade M.Krishnan.!

The Supreme Court has ruled that, payment of salary and pension are the right of the government employees and the government which has delayed the payment of salary and pension should pay interest at an appropriate rate. The Hon’ble Andhra Pradesh High Court had given a judgement stating that, 12% interest per annum should be paid for the delayed pension. An appeal was filed in the Supreme Court on this matter.  Hearing case, justices Y. Chandrachud and M.R. Shah, ruled that salaries constitute the rightful entitlement of the employees and are payable in accordance with law. Likewise, payment of pension is also a rightful entitlement. However, the Supreme Court reduced the rate of interest from 12% to 6%. (BSNLEU Website)

Demonstrations were organised in district levels on 26th February 2021 as per call of AIBDPA on the major demands of the Pensioners.

DENIAL OF IDA INSTALLMENTS TO BSNL PENSIONERS-

KERALA HIGH COURT ISSUES INTERIM ORDER ON WRIT PETITION FILED BY AIBDPA .

Dear Comrades,

As you are aware, AIBDPA is the only organization intervened on the DPE OM dated 19-11-2020 freezing three installments of IDA due from 01-10-2020-01-01-2021 and 01-04-2021 to the employees of CPSEs. We took up the issue with the hon’ble Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, writing a detailed letter on 22-11-2020 stating that the DPE OM is not applicable to BSNL pensioners as it is specifically mentioned in the OM that the freezing is applicable to Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors. We again wrote to the Minister when the Assistant Solicitor General deposed before the High Court of Kerala  in a case filed by FACT Employees Association, that the OM is applicable only to the Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors.  DPE itself issued a clarificatory order dated 08-01-2021 based on the Kerala High Court order, stating that the freezing of IDA is applicable only to the Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors of the CPSEs and it is not applicable to other employees including workmen.

AIBDPA wrote another letter on 09-01-2021 to the Minister quoting the DPE OM dated 08-01-2021 and demanding to cause necessary action for issuing formal orders for the payment of two installments of IDA due from 01-10-2020(5.5%) and 0-1-01-2021 (6.1%) to BSNL pensioners. DPE responded to this letter and forwarded our letter to DoT, being the administrative Department,for necessary action on 04-02-2021 with copy to AIBDPA. CHQ , then wrote to Secretary, DoT attaching the letter of DPE and demanded early action to issue necessary directives to the banks and post offices for disbursement of the two IDA installments to BSNL pensioners.

But having no positive response or action either from DPE or DoT, CHQ filed a writ petition in the High Court of Kerala on 26-02 2021 through Advocate V V Suresh. The Hon’ble High Court accepted the case and issued an interim order directing the respondents not to deny the IDA installments to BSNL pensioners. The counsel appearing for the government asked time for the counter affidavit/ reply and our advocate argued strongly that the stand of the government has already been stated by the Assistant Solicitor General in similar cases of this court to the effect that freezing is applicable only to Executives and Non-Unionised Supervisors and no time is necessary. However, the High Court allowed time and also issued an interim order in our favour on today itself. Details will be intimated after receipt of the certified copy of the judgment.  It is significant to get an interim Order on the same date of admission of the case.

YES, COMRADES; WE ARE ALMOST TO THE ACHEIVEMENT.

With warm greetings,

K G Jayaraj General Secretary AIBDPA

79. AT HOME, KOZHIKIDE

After a long stint of stay at Delhi, now have returned back to Kozhikode, Kerala. In the first few days went to Telephone Exchange, Post Office, Bank, Gas agency,  met old comrades and arranged telephone connections, ration cards, gas connection and bank accounts.

Got sufficient time to read books. While in Delhi, reading was mostly done in trains and flights while travelling. Got more time to attend to AIBDPA, the pensioners’ organization of BSNL and DOT of which I continues as Advisor. Attended to activities of BSNLCCWF, organization of  BSNL Casual and Contract Workers and CGPA, Central Government Pensioners Association. Utilised the time to meet old friends and comrades, as also many new comrades.

I took membership of the Senior Citizens Friends Welfare Association (SCFWA) at the initiative of Comrades P.V.Chandrasekharan, M.Bhaskaran and T.Devi. Attended Corporation and District Conferences of the Association.

4^th State Conference of SCFWA was held at Tagore Centenary Hall Kozhikode on 23-24 November 2017, to which I was also a delegate. When the agenda for election came,I was  told that they have decided to elect me as an office-bearer. Thus I was elected as State President along with existing office-bearers Shri Amaravila Ramakrishnan (General Secretary), P.V.Chandrasekharan, T.Devi (Vice-Presidents) and others.

It cannot be said that I had no connection with senior citizen’s organization earlier. I was member of Senior Citizens’ Forum for some time after my retirement, which was formed at the initiative of well-known Advocate M.C.V.Bhattathiripad, Kuthuparamba, who was my cousin brother. But I was not active, since I was at Delhi and all connection was lost after some time.

All the office-bearers are having expert knowledge of the problems of senior citizens as also the social security measures being implemented by the state government and local bodies. They helped me to understand the issues. The experience of working in the Trade Union International of Pensioners and Retirees (TUI P&R) affiliated to WFTU, as a Member of its Technical Committee, helped me in my new responsibility.

Number of Senior Citizens is on the increase. While the number was around 90 crores all over the world a few years back, it is expected to be increased to 200 crores by 2050. In Kerala, there are 60 lakhs elders, more than 15% of the population. Almost the same ratio nationwide also. The longevity has increased. They require social security, health care and protection. The Left Front Government in Kerala is implementing many senior citizen friendly measures. Social security pension has now been increased to Rs. 1600 and will be paid at home. Central government is allotting only Rs. 200 per month. Centre has withdrawn the train ticket concession to senior citizens during the Covid-19 period.  There is scope for better growth of the organization. In the recently held State Conference of SCFWA held at Thrissur on 11^th  February 2021, I have been re-elected as President.

After re-settling at Kozhikode, published two books, one on the life of Com.N.P.Padmanabhan, the well-known militant leader of the P & T and central government  employees and former Secretary NFPTE, and the other on the Historic Strike of Central Government Employees on 19^th September 1968 jointly with Com. PVC. A book on the ‘Glorious Strike of Central government employees in July 1960’ is under preparation, on this sixtieth year of the 5days strike.

Family matters.

When I shifted to     Delhi in 1991, our son Shaji Narayanan was 19 years and daughter Mini  Narayanan 17 years old. Shaji passed B.A. from Malabar Christian College, passed M.Sc. and got job first in Brooke-Bond Company at Bangalore and later in Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL), Mumbai.  Mini studied in Malabar Christian College and passed B.Tech. from Regional Engineering College and joined an IT company in Bangalore. Both were activists of Students Federation of India (SFI) during their school/college days. Mini was vice-Chairperson of the College Union in REC. Shaji  took active part in SFI and DYFI. He practiced table tennis in YWCA and got prizes several times.

Mini used to travel by bus to REC Chathamangalam along with her college mate and neighbor Miss Suja. In the evening when they get down at the bus stop in the evening, Suja’s father and NGO Union leader Com.Damodaran used to accompany them.

After my shift to Delhi, the entire responsibility of maintaining family fell upon Pankajam. Had to supervise children’s studies, attend office, prepare food etc. Hence she got a transfer from the Trunk Telephone Exchange, Manachira to a nearby office at Vellayil on Gandhi Road, which was very near to our home – five minutes’ walk. Hence can come home to take meals and return. After Shaji went to Bengaluru getting job, she had to do purchasing also. After marriage of Mini, she was alone at home.

My elder brother’s son V.A.Ravindran Namboodiri, who was Engineer in Electricity Department, stayed with family in the upper portion of the house for some years. Afterwards, Com.M.K.Prabhakaran, employed in Telephones stayed with wife Santha and daughters. Later Coms. P.K.Damodaran and V.Bhagyalakshmi, both employed in Telephones, stayed.  This was helpful to Pankajam, who was alone.

As mentioned earlier, after retiring in August 2002, Pankajam shifted to Delhi and stayed with me. It was great relief to both of us.

Marriage of my daughter Mini with Shri P.Dilip Kumar, son of Shri K.M.Chitharanjan, former Additional Secretary in Kerala Government and Smt. Thankam staying at “Krishna Chaitanya” near Bilathikulam Temple, Kozhikode was solemnized on 29^th May 2000 at “Surya Kanthi Mandapam”, Kozhikode. The engagement ceremony was held at “Kalpaka Auditorium”. I was very happy that respected elder members of my family, S/Shri M.C.V.Bhattathiripad, Advocate, Prof. V.A.Kesavan Namboodiri, A.P.Namboodiri, K.A.Vasudevan Namboodiri, V.A.P.Namboodiri and others attended the function.

Since I was at Delhi and agitations were going on against privatization of telecom services, I could not come very early to make arrangements for the marriage and  personally  invite all  relatives, friends and colleagues. Even then, they came and blessed the newly married couple. Arrangements for the marriage, reception etc. were all made by our colleagues Comrades M.Balasubramanian, Balan Punnassery, M.P.Kunhanandan, M.K.Prabhakaran and others. After marriage, Dilip and Mini settled at Bengaluru, where both are employed in IT sector. Later purchased own flat. Daughter Arya Dilip has completed Xth standard now.

Marriage of Shaji with Sunila, daughter of Smt.Asha Hedavoo and Shri P.N.Hedavoo, Manager of Bank of India, Khandwa, Maharashtra was solemnized at Swathi Auditorium, Bengaluru on 14^th May 2004. Reception was held at “Calicut Towers” in Kozhikode attended by close relatives, friends and colleagues. Later another reception was held at Khandwa, at the bride’s place. Both are employed in U.K. in IT sector and settled there.  Two daughters, Saumya and Sneha, studying there.

After Shaji   settled in London, Pankajam and myself visited them four times, every time staying for one month only, since the union work at Delhi did not allow outstation stay for more than that. Once in two years or so they will come to visit us. But the stay could not be extended due to children’s study and difficulty to get leave. Keeps  in contact over telephone.

Most of the family members and close relatives are staying at Perincherry, near Mattanur in Kannur District.

All my brothers and sisters have expired leaving me alone. Eldest brother Prof. V.A.Kesavan Namboodiri passed away on 20^th October 1999. I was in Rajasthan when I got the sad news. Brother Sankaran Namboodiri died on 4^th January 1996, while I was in Delhi. Brother Parameswaran Namboodiri on 2^nd January 2003 again while I was in Delhi. Eldest sister Parvathi Anterjananm died on 1^st November 2005 and elder sister Sreedevi Anterjanam passed away on 28^th March 2012. I was away on tour or at Delhi, when all of the passed away. Unfortunately could not see them in their last moment.   

Sisters and brother of Pankajam, Smt. Visalakshy Amma, Kunhilakshmi Amma, Sathyabhama and Kumaran – all of the also expired during this period. We, the youngest of both the families, alone are the survivors.

Since being more than 25 years  away at Delhi and fully engaged in union activities, we could not participate in marriages and other ceremonies in our families. About deaths, I have mentioned earlier – we could reach only for the cremation or afterwards. Trying to make up for those losses now, by contacting friends and relatives. (to be continued)