50. BHOPAL ALL INDIA CONFERENCE

All  India Conference of All India Telecom Engineering Employees Union Class III, affiliated to NFPTE (E.III Union in short) held at Bhopal, capital of M.P., from 24^th to 29th October 1991 was an important session, which resulted in many unexpected changes in my life and work.

Unity was restored in NFPTE and E.III Union. But still there were differences in attitude to be taken towards anti-worker policies of  government, on issues of the workers as well as on agitational programmes. P and T Department was bifurcated in January 1985 in to Postal and Telecom Departments. The hidden agenda was to privatise the much profitable telecom services step by step, keeping the comparatively loss making Postal Department with government. Of course Postal department was in loss only  due to the below cost services offered as  popular measure.

Consequently, NFPTE was also bifurcated in to NFPE and NFTE in the Federal Council held at Calcutta from 17^th to 21st March 1986. NFTE was comprised of five unions in telecom sector, including bifurcated union of CGM Office Administrative Employees Union. NFPE was comprised of five unions in Postal side including the bifurcated union of PMG office Administrative Employees Union.  Instead of the 9 unions in NFPTE, there were now 5 unions in both NFTE and NFPE.

I could feel the sadness of delegates in the bifurcation of NFPTE,  in which  all section of P and T workers were together and participated in glorious strikes and faced victimisation. It was just like partition of a joint family. It was unavoidable since department had already been bifurcated. Hence, except a few delegates, everyone supported bifurcation.

The interesting thing was that leaders of both progressives as well as revisionists groups were in a way happy on bifurcation.  O.P.Gupta, who became Secretary General of NFTE and his revisionist group was happy that all  five unions in NFTE were headed  by his group, though rival group was also there in each union. N.J.Iyer – K.Adinaraya progressive group was happy that they were in good majority in NFPE with all unions, except R.IV in their influence. Only Com. V.A.Harsulkar, General Secretary, T.III Union, opposed  bifurcation, if my memory is correct.

(In Kerala, despite bifurcation, Unions affiliated to both NFPE and NFTE functioned in co-ordination, continued with the joint circle conferences till BSNL was formed in 2000. But still NFPE with affiliated unions and BSNLEU are functioning in the same ‘P and T House’. Co-ordination continues at Circle and lower levels).

E.III Union is the biggest union in NFTE, having  maximum membership. Since formation of NFPTE in 1954, O.P.Gupta continued as its General Secretary for about four decades, with good support base. Most of the Circle Secretaries are comrades who have been brought up by him and his staunch supporters. A dismissed Central employee, who was appointed as office secretary of the then union in 1946, through his commendable work rose as the Joint Secretary of the Union of P and T Workers (UPTW) and later became first General Secretary of both E.III and R.IV Union in NFPTE. In the 1949 proposed strike, he was arrested and jailed for more than one year. In 1960 strike, again arrested and in jail. But by  middle of 1960s took the revisionist path. In 1971 Calcutta Federal Council took lead in walking out and submitting parallel list to government thus disrupting NFPTE. After bifurcation of NFPTE, he was the unquestioned leader in NFTE and E.III Union. No contest in the All India Conferences. His proposals were usually accepted

Although a minority in E.III Union, the progressive section had firm footing and was respected for the way they approached the issues. They waged sustained battle in the E.III Union for correct policies. In the struggle for Bonus, opposition to the Emergency, struggles against victimisation etc. they were in the forefront and exposed the revisionist leadership. Each All India Conference was a battle field between the two groups.

Till 1976, no office bearer post was given to progressive group. From 1976 Chandigarh Conference, where unity was restored, 3 posts of office-bearers were given to our group. Though later elected as Assistant General Secretary, I was never called to work at Central Head Quarters, Delhi. But went to CHQ and started functioning for which OPG did not object. But no important work was allotted to me.

One of the major demands of telecom workers was ‘Two promotions to each employee during service’, which was adopted by Patna Convention. But serious struggles were not organised for achievement of the same. In addition, OPG accepted ban on recruitment as well as reduction of existing posts for settling One Promotion. Instead of fighting for the demands, a system of adjustment and accepting whatever proposed by department with minor modifications became the line. Leadership was, in fact, accepting the neo-liberal policies of the government.

It became clear that a change in leadership has become unavoidable, if the demands of the workers have to be met, their aspirations to be materialised. It was at this time that All India Conference at Bhopal was notified.

Few months before AIC, Coms. Moni Bose and J.Renganathan (Vice-Presidents) and V.A.N.Namboodiri (Asst. General Secretary) had resigned from  office-bearer ship protesting against the wrong policies and actions of the General Secretary. In their resignation letter, which was circulated to all office-bearers and circle secretaries, they pointed out the anti-worker agreement made by the leadership and consequent loss to the workers. The resignation letters were widely circulated all over India. I toured many places in the nearby circles,  T.Nadu and Karnataka, and addressed meetings explaining our position. Other leaders of our progressive group also did the same thing. We were preparing for a serious fight in the AIC for correct policies and militant struggles for settlement of workers issues. (to be continued)

STRUGGLES TO REGULARISE RTP OFFICIALS

P & T Department never recruited justified and sanctioned staff. Always there will be shortage. Workers were put to much difficulty by heavy overload. In extreme circumstances, managed work by ordering staff on over time duty. Central government implemented ban on recruitment in 1980s, but P &T had implemented it even earlier. In 1970, it started system of Short Duty Operators. Due to strong agitation by NFPTE, they were regularised as regular staff.

Instead of recruiting more staff to cater to the need of expanding public services, government started new labour exploiting systems to meet shortage. In addition to the number of staff to be recruited, a ‘B’ list was prepared. They will be called to meet shortage in case of leave and other exigencies. They will be called to duty for two or three hours with an hourly wage of Rs. two. This was called ‘Reserve Trained Pool’ (RTP) system. First the intention of department was to have a Reserve Pool, without training, but the pressure of the union and requirement converted it to RTP, after providing training. There were recruited on the basis of recruitment rules and have been trained just like regular recruited employees. They were kept as reserve and being exploited.

About 3,000 such RTPs were recruited and trained in Kerala Circle alone in the cadres of Telephone Operator, Telegraphist, Postal Clerk, RMS Sorter, Clerks in Telegraphs and Telephones, Technician etc. The number was huge on all India basis.

As a responsible union, NFPTE took up the issue with the government and some improvement was made in the hourly rate. But most of the RTPs were given only two or three hours in a day.

Circle Unions in Kerala took up the issue in right earnest, both to increase working hours, the rates and regular appointment. Continuous agitations, protest demonstrations etc. were organised. As a result, training centres were started in Calicut and other cities. 8 hour duties every day was ensured to all. But the question of regularisation was still pending even after years.

When RTP system started I was the Circle Secretary of E.III Union in Calicut Telephone District. As stated earlier  was transferred to Lakshadweep but did not join there as per decision of union. Though no official duty since transferred, but used to go every day to exchange, offices etc. in the morning. And meet the workers. Almost every day went to the RTP training classes, met the trainees and spoke about them how the union is trying to improve their position. As a result most of the RTPs after training became members of the union.

There was an all India strike on 7^th and 8^th March in 1988 with demand of regularisation of RTP officials and central government was compelled to come to negotiating table. After serious bargaining, government agreed to regularise all the RTPs numbering about 70,000 or more. It was a big victory for the Union and workers. These recruitees, who learnt from their own experiences the exploitation of the government and  various struggles organised by  union on their behalf, became staunch and active workers of the union. (TO BE CONTINUED)

48. POLICE ATTACK ON TELEPHONE EXCHANGE, CALICUT.

Most unexpected and atrocious attack on the Calicut Telephone Exchange by police. The date was 24^th August 1985.

Com. Ashraf, employee of Telephone exchange went and complained at the Police Station, near office of Police Commissioner about ill-behaviour of the employees of a private bus. Police interrogated and warned them.  This was to end there.

Bus owner used his influence with a higher police officer, who called Ashraf to the station, questioned and beat him. Coms. M.Balasubramanian and P.A.Vijayakumar, union leaders, who went to  police station to enquire  about the incident were taken in to custody. 

Workers naturally became agitated. A large number of telephone employees, including women, marched to Police Station which was near the exchange and demanded that the union leaders be released. Police was not prepared to release them. In addition, charges were framed against them for attacking Police.

Union leaders met District Collector and complained about police excesses. Met Telephone District Manager and demanded immediate action. Since no action, workers started non-co-operation programme from 06.00 P.M. Telephones, including that of police station, became silent.

Questioning of his actions and agitation by  staff resulting in stoppage of telephone service might have rubbed the ego of Police Commissioner. He might have lost his mind. At about 7.00 P.M. a large number of police trespassed in to the exchange compound climbing the partition wall, as also gate crashing. They broke doors, entered the high security exchange and beat workers on duty. Costly equipment were smashed and broken. They  arrested union leader Com.K.Damodaran and others and took them to police station. Police beat all whom  they met. In between, Shri P.Damodaran, Malayala Manorama Reporter, who had come there, also was severely beaten.

After entering Carrier Station, Auto Exchange, Telex etc. and smashing down equipment and beating employees, police teams went to first storey where Trunk and Auto Manuals exchanges functioned. Doors which were bolted from inside afraid of police entry, were forcibly broken and police came wielding their lathis and beating staff on duty. They were also enquiring ‘where is union leader Namboodiri?’. I was working on Trunk Board and informing leaders of political parties and press reporters about the police attack. While they were enquiring for me, escaped avoiding them. All employees including good number of women telephone operators went out of trunk exchange, shouting slogans led by Com. P.Ravindran. Reached the gate, where a large number of public had already gathered.

Coms.M.K.Kelu, District Secretary CPI(M), M.Vasu, District Secretary CITU, Congress leader Shri A.C.Shanmukha Das (later Kerala Minister) and other political leaders also reached by the time. While standing on the gate and addressing the people about the police attack, police tried to pull down and arrest me. Keluettan and Shanmukhdas quickly took me in their car and left the place.

Hundreds of people had reached exchange premises. Police understood that situation was worsening and became panicky. Some jumped the wall back to the Commissioner Office compound and some rushed through the gate. 

By this time many employees, who were not on duty had reached the exchange, hearing the news. More than hundred employees including women sat on dharna in the exchange compound. Telephone system completely stopped. District Collector Shri Narayana Kurup and Telephone District Manager Shri S.G.K. Pillai reached the spot by night. By seeing the lahti charged workers, battered equipment and thousands of trunk call documents worth lakhs  of rupees destroyed, Collector and TDM stood in silence. The attack and destruction of equipment and documents by police, who are to ensure law and order, baffled the Collector and others.

As per call of all unions, workers went on indefinite strike in night itself demanding strict action against concerned police officers. Even otherwise, it was not possible to do any work with the equipment destroyed. Police were compelled to release arrested workers. Many had to be admitted to Beach General Hospital. While visiting the admitted workers along with Keluettan, Shanmukhdas, Adv. P.K.Kunhirama Poduval and others, there was another attempt to arrest me.

Police Commissioner was in no mood to take action against the police officers, since it was with his knowledge that the attack was made. Struggle had to be intensified. NFPTE, FNPTO and BPTEF jointly called for Non-cooperation at Circle level, which crippled entire P and T services in the state.

Political leaders as well as prominent citizens of Calicut  severely criticised the police attack. In addition to the leaders mentioned earlier, S/Shri N.Chandrasekhara Kurup, M.L.A., K.Moosa Kutty, M.L.A., Arangil Sreedharan, former M.P., Murkoth Kunhappa, Advocate Ratna Singh, P.V.Chandran (Mathrubhoomi) and others were in the forefront. Demanded immediate and strict action against the concerned police officers. Front page news with photos of the destroyed equipment etc. was published prominently in all the newspapers with statements of political leaders.

The State government moved fast. DIG Shri R.Padmanabhan was deputed to Calicut to enquire in the incident and discuss with the unions to end the strike. Another attempt was made to arrest me while going to discuss with DIG. The unions demanded that judicial enquiry should be conducted, concerned officers should be suspended and withdrawal of the cases filed against the employees.

After detailed discussion for days, it was almost agreed that the District Collector will conduct an Executive Magisterial Enquiry, three concerned S.I.s will be transferred, action will be taken against the police who entered the exchange and beat the workers and also that the false cases filed against the employees will be withdrawn. But the state Government was not in favour of the suspension of the officers and the talks failed. Hence unions decided to strengthen the agitation.

Citizens forum met again  and criticised non-implementtion of the agreement reached by both parties. Entrusted S/Shri M.A.Unneeri Kutty, Sadiri Koya and P.V.Chandran to go to Trivandrum and meet Home Minister.

Secretary Communications Shri Thomas Kora rushed from Delhi to Trivandrum and discussed the matter with Circle Secretaries of P and T Unions. He discussed with state Home Minister also. It was told that the  agreement reached with the DIG, except the suspension of S.I.s, will be implemented.

Considering the difficulties being faced by the people for the last four days and on the advice of the circle unions, the Action Committee at Calicut decided to withdraw the agitation.

The struggle could be won due to the united and immediate action which had good public support. It took many days to restore normal work in the exchange as equipment had to be repaired/ replaced.  (to be continued)

 

 

47. UPGRADATION OF CALICUT TO B-2 CLASS CITY

House Rent Allowance (HRA) for central government employees is being paid based on the classification of the city as per population. City with population of 50 lakhs and above are classified as A Class with 30% HRA, 10 lakhs and above B class with 20% HRA and 5 lakhs and above as B-2 Class with 15% and less than 5 lakhs  C class with 10% HRA.

Population of Calicut was only about 3,33,000 and hence C Class with 10% HRA. But cost of living very high. As Convener of Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers, held a meeting of all CG employees’ organisations and discussed. On the basis of discussion, a resolution was adopted demanding that the city be upgraded to B-2 Class,  considering its historical importance, as capital of  former Malabar District, large number of small towns depending on the city, place of publication of important dailies and mainly high cost of living.

Upgradation of city not only is beneficial to CG employees, but also to employees of state government, public sector, working journalists and some others. Increasing of HRA will benefit merchants since workers will make more purchases. Considering all these a meeting was called and a ‘B-2 Upgradation Committee’ was formed with representation from concerned organisations. Com.E.Kunhiraman Nair (KITA) was Chairman and me, Convener.

A detailed Memorandum was prepared and sent to central government. Many demonstrations and agitational programmes were organised with massive participation. Newspapers also gave wide publicity realising its potential on the growth of the city.

Dr. Mathew Kurien M.P., who was also Chairman of the Kerala P and T Co-ordinating Committee (NFPTE) and other M.P.s raised the issue with the government as also in Parliament. Along with him, met Deputy Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee ( later Finance Minister and President of India) at his office twice and  presented out demand. Dr. Mathew Kurien arranged breakfast and tiffin at parliament canteen, where charges were very less, in fact, only nominal.

When Minister came to Ernakulam, met him along with Com.K.Chandrasekharan M.P. (later Kerala Minister) and pursued the demand. City cannot be upgraded till population reach 5 lakhs was the same reply from Minister.

It was during this period that President of India, Shri V.V.Giri,visited Calicut on 14^th April 1973. Staying at Government Guest House at West Hill. A delegation of three including Coms.E.Kunhiraman Nair and Ahmed Koya went to submit a memorandum on city upgradation demand. There were many prominent personalities and political leaders waiting at Guest House to meet him. Surprisingly, delegation of  Confederation of CG employees was called first. We entered his room and he asked us to sit. Asked ADC to bring tea. We submitted memorandum, presented our case. ‘I will hand over the Memorandum to Prime Minister, who is to take necessary action’ he said with a smile.  When we were just leaving, he asked ADC to call photographer, take our photo along with him and give it to newspapers.  Photo was taken with President in the centre. Published in dailies.

We never expected such love and camaraderie from a President of India. In fact, we were surprised. Then we remembered his close connection with the working class as leader of AITUC and then INTUC, also his high personal quality.

After few months, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited Calicut on 27^th October 1973. We met and submitted Memorandum on the issue and discussed. She told that the demand will be considered on merits.

The demand was raised in JCM National Council by  Staff Side.  The Official Side accepted the demand in the meeting dated 25^th July 1979 and orders were issued accordingly upgrading Calicut as B-2 Class City.

Central, state government employees and many other sections benefitted monetarily from this  city with very less than justified population got upgradation to next stage. It was a big success of the workers and their organisations.

46. WORKERS CENTRE, CALICUT AND AGITATIONS

During 1970s, a co-ordination committee of workers’ unions, including unions in central – state governments, Public sector and autonomous bodies, was formed by name Workers Unity Centre, which name was changed to Workers Centre later. Along with Comrades P.P.Sanku, K.K.Syed Mohammed, K.C.Prabhakaran and A.Kunhiraman Nair, I was also one of the founders. After returning from Trivandrum in 1981, again became active in Workers Centre. In next conference, Com.Kunhiraman Nair was elected as Chairman with me as Convener. Later, Com.C.Ravindranath was elected as Chairman.

The aims and objectives of Workers Centre was to organise programmes and agitations on issues  of common interest, extend support and solidarity including financial assistance to struggles of affiliated organisations, conduct T.U. classes etc. These were done effectively. Convener of WC was mostly either  chairman or convener of Samara Sahaya Samithies.

The struggles were many: that of Medical College Students, workers of Mavoor Gwalior Rayons, CWRDM, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Food Corporation of India, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, Kerala State Electricity Board, Grameen Bank, Medical Representatives, MES College, Lakshadweep Administrative Office, Working Journalists, LIC, Government College Teachers, Private College Teachers, Gazetted Officers, Income Tax, State Government Employees, Corporation Employees, Hospital Workers, EPF employees, Teachers, P and T, Kerala Panchayath, Financial enterprises, Bank, Nurses, Student Nurses, Sales Tax, State Bank, Financial enterprises, CPWD, Mavoor High school, YWCA, All India Radio, Railways, National Sample Survey, Hydro Generation Factory, Guruvayoorappan College Non-Teaching Staff, AG’s Office, Leprosy Hospital, Darshak Employees, Canara bank, MCC Bank, Homeo students etc. etc. In all these struggles, the intervention of Workers Centre was effective. Only those which came to mind are noted. There will be many others. It is to be noted that Workers Centre was party in some of the discussions and settlement.

Workers centre had no difficulty to organise demonstrations of hundred or more within no time in the city as number of organisations and workers involved were many. Further it was a period of agitations.

The Annual Conference of Workers Centre of 1986 was held in Calicut Town Hall on 22-24 January with many connected programmes. More than 500 delegates from various organisations. S/Shri M.P.Veerendra Kumar (Later M.P. and Central Minister),  Kadannappally Ramachandran (M.P. and later Kerala Minister), V.V.Dakshinamoorthy (Editor Deshabhimani), N.Chandrasekhara Kurup M.L.A., M.M.Lawrence, CITU leader, T.Devi (AIDWA), Adv. P.Sathee Devi, O.Bharathan M.L.A.,M.Vasu (CITU), V.B.Athreya, R.N.Manazhi (AKPCTA), P.Balakrishnan II (NFPTE), P.Sadasivan Pillai (BEFI) and other leaders addressed. Com.C.Ravindranath and I were re-elected as Chairman and Convener.

A large number of comrades from various unions actively took part in the activities of Workers centre and made it an important organisation of Calicut. I am giving below the names of those comrades, which  comes to my memory. Comrades P.P.Sanku ( Kerala Soaps), A.Kunhiraman Nair, K.C.Prabhakaran, K.Narayanan, C.H.Asokan, M.T.Karthikeyan, Sreesan Nadukkandy, Vasudattan (N.G.O.Union), P.P.Bhaskara Kurup, P.M.V.Panickar, P.Chandrasekharan (KMCSU), T.Dasan, T.Balan Nair, P.P.Kuttikrishnan (KSRTCEA), P.Krishnan, K.Asokan, Asokan, Kuttisankaran (KSEBWA), A.K.Ramesh, K.T.Babu (BEFI), C.Achuthan, C.Ravindranath, P.Bhaskaran, Sukumaran Punnassery, K.K.C.Pillai (LICEU), V.V.P.Nambiar, Moothoran Master (KGPTA), V.Vasudevan (KPEA), A.V.Viswanathan, P.V.Nambissan, K.Damodaran, V.A.Ouseph, Soman Gangadharan, Babukkuttan, N.Ramesh, M.Balasubramanian, N.V.Raghavan, M.P.Kunhanandan (NFPTE), T.K.Chandran, E.Kunhiraman Nair, V.A.Narayanan, K.Madhavan, N.P.Madhusudanan (KITA), P.P.Gopalakrishnan, Dr. N.M.Mohammed Ali, Haridasan nambiar (KGOA), V.V.Raja (KMSRA), K.K.Syed Mohammed(Financial Enterprises), Prof. Narayanan kutty, Prof. Chandra Mohan, Prof. P.T.Abdul Latif (AKPCTA), Unneeri, Sukumaran (DREU), V.Chathunni (HWU), Ravindran, Rajagopal, Raghu (SBI), Kunhabdulla, Jose (AG’s Office NGO Association), Kuttiraman (Lower Grade Union), Sivaraman (REC Non-Teaching Staff Assn), Nambikutty, Mammu, Vasudevan (FCI) Ahmed Koya, N.N.Kakkad, P.Radhakrishnan (AIR), T.A.Varghese (Coffee Board), M.Narayanan (Calicut University Employees Union), Malappuram Moosa( Harijan Welfare Hostel Empl. Association), M.N.V.G.Adiyodi ( Kerala Govt. Pharmacist Assn), K.Bhaskaran, Harshan, Mohammed Koya (Laccadives Employees), Uthaman (Central Warehousing) C.N.Subhadra (KGNA), Reena Lucca, Mary Thomas, Soniya George (KGSNA) and many others. I may kindly be excused if I had forgotten to some other important leaders.

CITU leaders Coms. M.Vasu, T.P.Ramakrishnan (now Kerala Minister), Elamaram Karim M.P., T.P.Rajan, Ayyapputty and many others gave all guidance, support and help in running  Workers Centre. In many Samara Sahaya Samithies, INTUC leaders S/Shri Sadiri Koya, Adv. M.Rajan and others participated and supported.

Recently an effort was made to hold a meeting of the comrades who were active in Workers Centre and publish a souvenir with articles on  various struggles taken place during that time. Due to Covid situation it could not move further. Hope to re-start the effort.

When I shifted to Delhi after being elected as General Secretary of E.III Union, Com.K.Damodaran was elected as Convener of Workers Centre. 

45. TRANSFER TO KAVARATHI, LAKSHADWEEP

 Shri C.M.Stephen, senior leader of Congress as well as INTUC, took over charge as Communications Minister in March 1980. After losing from Delhi constituency, he contested from Gulbarga in Karnataka, in the vacancy created for him by resignation of the sitting  M.P., and became M.P. and Minister.

 

It seems that somebody has put it in his head that FNPTO, the INTUC affiliated union in P and T to which he was closely connected, can grow only if NFPTE is decimated. NFPTE questioning some transfers made at his instance violating existing norms irritated him. Furthermore, complete participation of P and T workers in Kerala in General Strike of 19^th January 1982, called by the central trade unions, in which INTUC was not a party, made him mad.

 

Attack on unions was swift and drastic. TU rights achieved through continuous struggles were denied. Hoisting union flag, exhibiting union notice boards, holding of meetings in office premises, which facilities were available for years were banned. Union workers were victimised for no reason. Many were transferred.

 

Naturally, union reacted and organised continuous struggles and agitations against these attacks. Even some of the newspapers criticised the victimisation. Opposing attack on their union, workers stood like a rock and fought back. They understood that this was an attack on their existence itself. The Minister and the departmental authorities were on the defensive before the public.

 

P & T workers in Kerala as per call of Circle Coordinating Committee started Non-Cooperation agitation from 1^st May 1982. The entire communications system in Kerala collapsed. Even directions from higher ups to make telephone system functioning failed. The 16 days non-cooperation movement in Kerala is a shining chapter in the history of the movement itself. Considering declaration of general election as also conceding to the advice of the All India Unions, agitation was temporarily withdrawn.

 

As in other divisions, many transfers took place in Calicut Telephone District Circle also. All office-bearers of circle union, except one, were transferred outside their recruiting unit in violation of existing orders. On 10^th May, me, Circle Secretary, was transferred to Kavarathi, capital of Lakshdweep Islands, far away from Kerala.

 

All comrades joined new place of posting. Taking all things in to consideration, I was directed by union to continue at Calicut without proceeding to Kavarathi. Once joined there, it was certain that they would not allow even to come to mainland as permission was required to leave from the Administrator, Lakshadweep Islands, who was having personal grudge against me for  having been gheraoed at Calicut on an earlier occasion on issues of  Lakshadweep administrative employees. Even otherwise, all office-bearers being transferred will result in non-function of the District Union. Hence  was asked stay at Calicut to keep the fort. For not joining duty at Kavarathi, was issued with Rule 14 charge sheet proposing major penalty.

 

 

Since having been transferred, was struck from the rolls of Calicut exchange. No duty, no salary. A proposal was mooted by Circle Union to pay me some relief, which I humbly refused. Further it was very difficult for the union to implement it in the very difficult situation.

 

During this period, went to Ernakulam and met High Court Advocate M.K.Damodaran in connection with a court case. He asked why a case is not filed against transfer to Lakshadweep. He said that he will take full responsibility. Accordingly case was filed against the fully unjustified transfer. Adv. Damodaran was closely connected with the P & T Unions from the time he was practising in Tellicherry courts and continued it till his death.

 

Case dragged on for months and years. Unfortunately no stay could be obtained. When Adv. Damodaran was sick, Adv. K.Chandrasekharan, Socialist leader, M.P. and later Kerala Minister appeared on two occasions.

 

At last judgment was delivered on 6^th February 1985 cancelling the transfer. Advocate Damodaran called me to Ernakulam on the date of receiving copy of judgment. After handing over judgment, he told me that department had already decided to appeal against the judgment and it was necessary that I join duty before that. Otherwise, will have to continue outside as before.

 

Next day itself went to District Manager, Telephones and gave joining report along with  copy of High Court judgment. He contacted General Manager at Trivandrum, who directed DMT not to allow me to join duty, as appeal was being prepared. Situation as envisaged by advocate. Something has got to be done.

 

Went directly to Test Desk in auto-exchange, where I was working earlier, gave joining report to Supervisor and started working after signing Attendance Register and marking duty. Did not tell supervisor about my meeting with DMT and refusal to allow me on duty. Only after about one hour, DMT as well as Supervisor understood what has happened. But no further action was taken against as they were afraid to proceed on that line, since I had already joined duty as per High Court judgment.

 

Department certainly went on appeal against the judgment, but failed there also. Though transfer was cancelled, entire period of about 34 months was treated as ‘dies-non’ , without paying salary for the period. No service, no pay. I went on appeal against imposition of ‘die-non’, but could not get a favourable decision.

 

Decided to go on appeal in Supreme Court for getting the period of 34 months treated as service and payment of salary for the period. Went to Delhi and met Senior Advocate Com.E.X.Joseph, who was a central government employee himself. He was in Audit and Accounts Department and was Secretary General of Audit and Accounts Association as also Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers. Was dismissed for his union activities. After a very long historical legal fight, he was reinstated, but later resigned and started practice in Supreme Court.

 

I knew him well since the period of his dismissal. While under dismissal, he was publishing a monthly by name ‘Labour World’ and I canvassed many subscribers for it. While visiting Delhi, I used to meet him, visit the press and discuss organisational matters. He came twice to Calicut to address union meetings on our invitation. There was another connection. He had married Smt. Kalpana, daughter of NFPTE Secretary General Com. D.Gnaniah.

 

Com. Joseph went through my case in detail and advised me that chance for a favourable judgment was 25% only and that filing a case in Supreme Court is very costly. I accepted his advice and returned without filing appeal in Supreme Court.  (to be continued).

44. AT CALICUT AGAIN

After entrusting responsibilities to newly elected Circle Secretary, Com. P.V.Chandrasekharan, returned to Calicut in first week of June 1981. Two weeks between Circle Conference and shifting to Calicut was utilsed to take farewel of many friends and comrades at Trivandrum, as also introducing new Circle Secretary to GM and other officers of Department and getting transfer order got issued to Calicut.

When joining at Trivandrum after election as Circle Secretary in 1978, had hesitation, how to manage union work in a place, where OPG group was strong and equations were different. But the wholehearted support extended by union leaders and complete faith by workers made my life and work at Trivandrum fully fruitful.

Wife and children very happy at my transfer back. Children were growing. The line room apartment was completely insufficient. We had thought about it earlier and had puchased a plot at Kottuli, near Mavoor Road to construct a house. It was a fertile compound with a good number of coconut and other trees. But no approach road, only a narrow path on which even auto riksha could not go. Considering shift duties to both of us, including night duties, comparatively long distance from exchange etc. house was not constructed.

A 6 cents plot was purchased at Valiyathodi near Gandhi Road from the family members of M/s C.C.Brothers, well known bus owners. Pankajam took house building advance from Department. It was only Rs.30,600 which was completely insufficient. It was paid in instalments also.

Sold the plot at Kottuli and took loans from friends and completed by 1987, a long period of ten years after starting construction. In addition to financial difficulties, there was problem in getting cement etc. Sanction from District Collector was necessary for getting cement. It was short of requirement. My absence at Calicut was another reason.

Of course, compulsion was there to expedite completion. Owner of the line rooms where we stayed on rent, Goray family, had decided to sell these, to meet some urgent requirements. They asked us whether we can purchase. The price was about Rs.50,000 which none of us in a position to pay. It was sold to Shreekandeswara Temple Managent for stay of temple priests. We were allowed to stay till alternate arrangements.

The housewarming was on 8th February 1987. Comrades, friends, relatives – all were there. As was usual at that time, they brought presents, including furniture. The present system of ‘ Presents in Presence only’, ‘ Avoid presents’ etc not started. Every body gave presents and everybody accepted.

When Com.Keluettan, Dist. Secretary, CPI(M) came, he said ‘gate should be larger to enable cars to enter’. I did not take it seriously then. But after years, necessity arose and gate was enlarged.

Advocate P.K.Kunhirama Poduval who came along with his juniors gave a cover as present. Later when I opened the cover, found a big amount. He might have thought about my financial difficulties due to being on loss of pay for about three years after I did not join Kavaratti on punishment transfer. I remembered that he argued all 1968 cases in Calicut and Kalpetta free.

With shifting to our own house, problem of shortage of space was settled. There were convenient buses from beach passing through the front side road of telephone exchange. Providence High School for Mini and Christian College High School for Shaji nearby, walking distance. We can also go to exchange by walk.

At last dream of one’s own home materialised. All of us were happy with the new house. Good neighbours. ( TO BE CONTINUED)

43. PATNA CONVENTION 1978

A massive P & T Convention was held at Patna from 24th to 27th November 1978 as part of celebration of Silver Jubilee of formation of NFPTE. More than 4,000 workers participated.

The Convention discussed various issues including vacation of Emergency excesses and victimisation. It also passed a resolution demanding minimum two promotions during service.

A big procession was organised to the residence of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and a memorandum on Emergency excesses submitted to him. As a member of the delegation, got opportunity to meet the great leader.

Trivandrum Circle Conference

The Joint Circle Conference of P&T Unions Kerala was held on 14-17 May 1981. I had completed four years as Circle Secretary. Family at Calicut. Very difficult for my wife to manage her official duties and to look after two small children. Taking all things in to consideration felt that a change was necessary. Circle Conference unanimously elected Com. P.V.Chandrasekharan as new Circle Secretary E.III Union. Time has proved that it was the correct choice.

During four years as Circle Secretary, toured almost all places, addressed meetings, spoke with comrades on their problems and organisational matters. Learnt a lot of things as well as problems of workers. Could turn Kerala Circle as a strong fort of progressive section.

Came in concact with many workers – of P & T as also other sections. Worked in co-ordination with leaders of various service organisation like Coms. E.Padmanabhan (Kerala NGO Union), T.Sivadasa Menon, V.V.Dakshinamoorthy (KPTU), P.K.Nambiar (KGPTA), S.S.Potti (AIIEA), N.B.Thrivikraman Pillai, C.S.V.Warrier, T.Narayanan, Pappan (AGs Office NGO Assn) and many others.

A lot of leaders and workers in P& T including Coms. N.P.Padmanabhan, Convener P & T Coordinating Committe, C.C.Pillai, P.S.Raman Kutty, E.N.Nair, K.Arjunan, Bhargavan Nair, P.Balakrishnan, D.C.D’Cruz and other circle secretaries helped in fulfilling my responsibility. Coms.A.B.Nair, G.Soman, G.Sasidharan Achari, Sivaraman Nair, R.Muralidharan Nair, K.Leelamma and many other leaders and workers of E.III gave full support and all help. I may be excused for not remembering / not mentioning many other comrades with out whose whole hearted support I would not have been able to fulfil my task. (TO BE CONTINUED)