CHAPTER : VII
UNITY EFFORTS
I remember I issued a circular letter to all the forty branch unions in Bengal and Assam giving a cautioning not to fall in trap of those so-called labour leaders. There was a rumour afloat at that time that Dewan Chaman Lal was contemplating to organize a Federation of P&T Unions. The All India Postal and RMS Unions conference which met at Mymensing during X-mas of 1945 was from many points of view a momentous session. The Hungry Badge Campaign which was started by Bihar and Orissa Provincial union and had to be suspended on getting a threat of punishment from the then Director General of Posts and Telegraphs, Shri. Krishna Prasad, was revived by the conference which fixed the 16th February, 1946 as the day for launching. Hungry Badge Campaign for one week throughout India. The conference issued a clarion call to all Postal and RMS employees to join the badge campaign to draw special attention of the government to the pitiable condition of the Postal and RMS workers and also issued an appeal to sister unions to join the movement.
Shri.P.C.Chatterjee , the General Secretary of the All India Telegraph Union not only attended the conference, spoke eloquently in favour of such a move and was seen wearing a badge himself .
This session of the conference also took a unanimous decision to change the name of the All India Postal and RMS Union to “The Union of Posts, Telegraph and RMS (India)”. The very object of changing the name was to bring within its fold the Telegraph, Telephone and Engineering people, and it was also our intention to bring back within our fold the members of the I.P.T Union who had earlier seceded from All India Postal and RMS Union and were not willing to come back unless the name was changed. I feel proud to say that I was the author and mover of the resolution for changing the name to U.P.T.R(I).The Indian Posts and Telegraph Union was already functioning as combined union therefore there was no reason as to why Govt. should object to our changing the name. Shri.Chatterjee also supported this move.
All Present at the conference carried this impression that the All India Telegraph union would merge with the U.P.T.R(I) and that union would join the Hungry-Badge Campaign . It is worth recording that the said union in practical field opposed both these moves. The All India Telegraph Union and the Indian Telegraph Association joined hands and asked the D.G.P&T not to accord recognition to the U.P.T.R(I). So our attempt met with failure. The DG P&T refused to recognise the change. The union however started utilising the new name for all internal correspondence.
The All India Telegraph Union, to our utter surprise, issued a circular letter to all its branches not to have any connection with the Hungry-Badge campaign and did not rest there but went to the length of describing the move to be an illegal one.
There was opposition also from a section of leaders of the All India Postal and RMS Union against the Hungry Badge Campaign, in spite of the fact the campaign met with success throughout India. Although the All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff union did not fall in line with the movement, the rank and file of the union at many station joined the campaign. This Hungry Badge Campaign in fact according to many, was nothing but the ground – work for 1946 July struggle.
The rumour which got currency in September 1945 took a real shape in January, 1946. On the 24th of January, 1946 on the initiative taken by Dewan Chaman Lal with himself as President a loose Federation under the name –The Federation of Post and Telegraph Union came into existence. It is worth mentioning that those leaders of the different P&T unions, who per chance were present at Delhi at the time, got seat in the Executive of this new Federation. The Unions which joined the Federation had not taken any previous sanction of their respective central councils or conferences, but had done so only on the initiative of their leaders which was widely resented by the Circle and Branch Unions of the federating unions. Inspite of these facts, the Federation got prominence and later on, the representative Executives of the federating unions, as there was no way out of it, ratified the actions of the General Secretaries of the different unions for their joining the Federation. Shri. B.S.Kamble General Secretary, All India Postal and RMS Union was elected as the first General Secretary of Federation. The Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union however, preferred to keep away from the Federation and the Indian Telegraph Association, of which Dr.Noronha was the General Secretary, was at this initial stage also kept out of it. There was opposition to this latter organization coming into the federation at least from one of the federating unions. Shortly after, on pressure from other unions, Dr.Noronha was invited to Delhi by Dewan Chaman Lal and his Association took a decision to affiliate itself with the Federation. There is a hearsay that he agreed to join the Federation on the condition that he should be given opportunity to be its General Secretary and shortly after this it so happened one day that Dr. Noronha was declared to be the General Secretary of the Federation by replacing Shri.Kamble. It still remains a secret how it happened, who were the persons to take initiative to effect this unwarranted replacement.
Prominent among those who took an active part to bring the Federation in to existence and to set it in to a workable condition were Mr. M . A. Jabbar, Shri. Raja Ram Rao, Shri.Jestin Banerjee, Shri.B.S.Kamble, Shr.P.C.Chatterjee, Shri. Raj Bahadur, Shri.Basant Singh, Shri.Gian Chand Khanna and others.
It must, however, be admitted that inspite of many defects, the federation attracted the notice of the Govt. as well as of the workers. The new organization gained quick popularity and everyone was maintaining high hopes that the Federation will be in position to deliver the goods to the workers. Hence there was jubilation and enthusiasm. (To be continued)

12 Jun 2020
Supreme Court on Friday passed the Following interim directions on the issue relating to the payment of wages during national lockdown amid Covid-19 pandemic.

i) The private establishment, industries, employers who are willing to enter into negotiation and settlement with the workers/employees regarding payment of wages for 50 days 3 for any other period as applicable in any particular State during which their industrial establishment was closed down due to lockdown, may initiate a process of negotiation with their employees organization and enter into a settlement with them and
if they are unable to settle by themselves submit a request to concerned labour authorities who are entrusted with the obligation under the different statute to conciliate the dispute between the parties who on receiving such request, may call the concerned Employees Trade Union/workers Association/ workers to appear on a date for negotiation, conciliation and settlement. In event a settlement is arrived at, that may be acted upon by the employers and workers irrespective of the order dated 29.03.2020 issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.

ii)Those employers’ establishments, industries, factories which were working during the lockdown period although not to their capacity can also take steps as indicated in direction No.(i).

iii)The private establishments, industries, factories shall permit the workers/employees to work in their establishment who are willing to work which may be without prejudice to rights of the workers/employees regarding unpaid wages of above 50 days.

The private establishments, factories who proceed to take steps as per directions (i) and (ii) shall publicise and communicate about their such steps to workers and employees for their response/participation.

The settlement, if any, as indicated above shall be without prejudice to the rights of employers and employees which is pending adjudication in these writ petitions.

iv)The Central Government, all the States/UTs through their Ministry of Labour shall circulate and publicise this order for the benefit of all private establishment, employers, factories and workers/employees.

In event, any settlement is entered between the employers and employees in the establishments which are before us, an affidavit giving details shall be filed by next date of hearing.

(Courtesy: Vimala Vidya, Journalist)

WAR CLOUDS VANISH
OR
(AGAIN UNDER SUNSHINE)
In the theatre of war, dramatic changes were coming in quick succession. Of the three Axis powers, Italy and Germany capitulated by this time. But in the eastern frontier, war with Japan was still going on in full swing. Enrollment of men in Defence of India Corps (PT) both combatant, were going on as usual.

As the cost of living index was gradually going up and as the war was coming to an end, which would result in all round disbandment, labour unrest was visible everywhere. It may be recalled here that the Council meeting of the All India Postal and RMS union which elected Com. Kamble as General Secretary adopted a resolution also for obtaining the views of all the Branch Unions on the possibility of launching direct action for compelling the Govt. to increase dearness allowance and revise scales of pay. The movement, however, was not properly conducted and there was very little response to the call issued by the Central Union. Besides, a considerable number of P&T workers were not at all in favour of direct action as on conviction they were against putting obstacles in war efforts of the Govt. With the sudden capitulation of Japanese Army by the middle of September, 1945, the entire situation took a turn. A rumour reached Calcutta that to arrest the possible labour unrest, the prominent labour leaders who were in good books of the Government were being approached to do their best to control the situation and see that there be no untoward situation in any part of the country and so that demobilisation, disbandment and retrenchment of nearly one crore of men who were in employment in connection with war effort of the Government may be carried out smoothly. ( (to be continued)

17th June 2020 is the 17th death anniversary of Comrade K.Adinarayana, veteran leader of the P and T Trade Union Movement. His date of Birth is 10th June 1928 and date of death 17-06-2003, both in the same week and month.

There have been many illustrious leaders of the Posts and Telegraphs Trade Union Movement in the past and present and will be some more in the future. But it is difficult to find another comrade like K. Adinarayana, who had come from the lowest strata and through sincerity, dedication and hard-work had reached the highest leadership both in the P and T and the of Central Government Employees’ movement.

His life has been a saga of struggle and sacrifice. Com.Adi, as he is affectionately called, was involved in mass movements from a very young age which resulted in his discontinuing formal education itself. He was jailed for three and half years during 1950-53 for participation in the great Telangana movement. He joined P and T Department in 1954 as ED. He retired in June 1986 as LSG clerk. From day one of joining the P and T he was in the thick of the movement. He was elected as the General Secretary of Postmen and Class IV Union in 1968 and continued till 1997. He was elected as Secretary General, NFPE in 1992 and vacated the position in 2001 due to ill health.

I had been fortunate to have the opportunity of working together with Com. Adi in the movement for many years, especially after I joined CHQ of All India Telecom Employees Union Class III New Delhi as its President in 1991 and later as its General Secretary from 1994. On all matters of importance I used to consult him and seek his advice. He was suffering from many ailments, but still used to be very active. His residence in the V.P.House was a centre for union leaders to go and discuss issues with him.

He was staying at his ancestral home in Hyderabad after leaving New Delhi. When the sad news of his death reached, along with Coms. C.C.Pillai, then SG NFPE, K.K.N.Kutty, Convener of Confederation and Des Raj Sharma, GS Postmen and Group D Employees, I also went to pay last respects to the departed leader. The body was taken for funeral after we reached there. Hundreds of CG employees, postal workers and others were there. We placed wreaths and paid our homage.

Homage to Com. Adi on his 92nd birth anniversary and 17th death anniversary, whose life was completely dedicated to the cause of the working class.
Red Salute to Com. K.Adinarayana !

With regard to the submission of BSNL MRS, clear instructions have to be issued at the all India level. Otherwise the pensioners are having a lot of difficulties. The dates also for option has to be extended. Online facility also should be allowed.

Notice has been issued for holding an Extraordinary General Meeting of members of BSNL at New Delhi on 15.06.2020. This meeting is being held to accord power to the Board of Directors:-

(a) To monetise/ sell/transfer/dispose off identified land/ buildings. The sale proceeds will be utilised for the revival / restructuring of the Company including repayment of loans and for meeting Capital and Operational expenditures.

(b) To accord power to the Board of Directors to issue Government Guaranteed Bonds aggregating up to Rs.8,500 crores. (Courtesy: bsnleu website)

P and T Trade Union Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – 4

GRIM DAYS

The general condition in Bengal and Assam was one of restlessness and dismay. We were having occasional siren warning of possibility of bombing and for months together complete block out going on in Calcutta City and other towns and the cost of living was daily going up.
It is worth noticing that inspite of all these difficulties and uncertain political situation in the country and acute anti-British feelings, a progressive force of working class and middle class intelligentsia was rapidly growing against fascist war which indirectly helped the war efforts of the Government of India.

Inspite of the vow taken by me, I was not spared and had to be at the helm of Postal and RMS Union of Bengal and Assam. On the 24th day of my arrival at Calcutta, I had to address in Minerva Hall a largely attended union meeting where in the presence of Mr. Krishna Prasad, PMG Bengal and Assam I called him a “Coward Krishna Prasad” who had not the courage of visiting Assam though he was Post Master General of Assam and had asked the audience to give farewell to the P and T Welfare Officer of Bengal and Assam who was present at the meeting and who too had not gone to Assam to look after the welfare of P and T workers there, who were working in an area exposed to danger.

The city of Calcutta was heavily bombed during X’mas of 1942, and thereafter the transfer of non-essential P and T Offices from Calcutta was ordered. The Dead Latter Office which was catering to the needs of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam, was, as a result, shifted to Patna. Attached as I was then to D.L.O., Calcutta I left for Patna on 9-2-43 and ceased to be the General Secretary of All India Postal and RMS Union Bengal and Assam Provincial Branch. Both Mr. Schoobert and Mr. Krishna Prasad had requested me not to leave Calcutta at that critical time. I agreed, but circumstances, which are too nasty to be disclosed here, compelled me to change my opinion and I proceeded to Patna where I had to be up to 3rd September, 1943.
The year 1943 was a distressful one for India. There was scarcity of food stuff in whole of East India, and general prices of cereals and grain had gone up beyond limit. The pecuniary hardships of the fixed paid wage earners were ever on the increase. By the middle of 1943 the average cost of living index of the working class on all India basis had gone up to 280 taking 1939 index as 100. The maximum hardships were experienced in Assam, Bengal and Bihar. During the second week of February, rice was selling at Rs.8/- per maund at (Chitkora hat) Patna, but by the middle of March prices shot upto Rs. 30/- per maund.

The following table will show the rice position in India in September, 1943:-
Prices per maund
Assam Rs. 60/- (if available)
Calcutta Rs. 50/-
Purnea Rs. 32/-
Patna Rs. 30/-
Banaras Rs. 16/-
Nagpur Rs. 10/-
Karachi Rs. 8/-
Larkana (Sindh) Rs. 6/-

The cost of living index of the working class was as follows (Taking 1939 figure as 100).
Assam Incalculable
Calcutta 545
Jamalpur 415
Jamshedpur 380
Madras 196
Bombay 233
Ahmedabad 277

From the beginning of 1943 the Government had ordered purchase of entire foodstuff in Bengal and Assam and later on in Bihar. This shortage was for feeding those who were in the army and others in war services. At the end of 1945 one crore of men were found employed in war service. The army-men under South East Asia Command were located in different parts of Calcutta and others stationed in Bengal and Assam. An American soldier was found in Calcutta paying Rs. /- for polishing a pair of shoes.

In addition to this, Great Britain had been purchasing war materials in India on credit for which Government of India was paying through currency notes against which there was no gold reserve and the circulation of notes was rapidly increasing and that is why India Government had, at the end of 1945, one thousand five hundred crores worth notes circulation as against 228 crores at the beginning of war. All these factors created higher inflation of the market causing untold miseries and hardships to the people in general and P and T workers in particular.
According to the report of Woodhead Committee, thirty five lakh of people died of starvation in Bengal due to the Government of India made famine. The middle class people and the working-class who could survive were half clad and half-starved and through constant struggle against poverty, lost their longevity and became permanently diseased. There is no denying the fact that the P and T workers in those days with their family members could hardly manage to have two square meals a day. As the intensity of the war was increasing, hardships of the P and T workers were also on the increase. The historic struggle of the P and T workers in India and in Bengal, Assam and Bihar in particular, was nothing but a last attempt on the part of the drowning man to survive. (To be continued).

Shiva Gopal Mishra
Secretary

Ph: 23382286
National Council (Staff Side)
Joint Consultative Machinery
for Central Government Employees
13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi – 110001
E-Mail: nc.jcm.np@gmail.com
No.NC-JCM-2020/Health Dated : May 20, 2020

The Secretary,
Government of India,
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,
Nirman Bhawan,
New Delhi. llOOll

Dear Sir,

Sub: Health care facilities for the Central Government Employees and pensioners problems and difficulties During lockdown period – redressal regarding.

It has been brought to our notice by various Federations/organizations of Central Government employees and Pensioners that they face serious problems in accessing the healthcare-related facilities during the lockdown period throughout the country. As you are aware that since 24th March 2020, the whole country has been placed under lockdown to combat the spread of the pandemic COVID. I9. The employees and especially the pensioners are not allowed to stir out of their homes. In the case of employees, they are allowed to go only to the places where they are assigned specific jobs. This apart, the CGHS dispensaries themselves had been functioning with little staff and virtually they were open for namesake only. Neither the medicines were available nor the doctor. In the case of those employees, who are entitled for the benefit of CCS(MA) rules, the situation was much more precarious in as much as no private clinic was allowed to be open and the AMAs were not allowed the private practice. The Government hospitals in most of the cases had been declared as exclusive COVID 19 hospitals where other treatments are declared impermissible.

Initially everybody thought that the situation would be a passing phase and would improve once the pandemic spread is arrested. However, despite the lockdown and other measures, the spread of the disease had been on increase in many parts of the country, with the result the lockdown had to be extended to the fourth phase. In the situation in which we are placed, it is difficult to bring about normalcy in the near future. Perhaps till the anti-virus vaccine is developed or medicine to cure the disease is invented, the world will have to live with certain restrictions to contain the deadly nature of the disease. In the circumstances, we are afraid that the Government will have to think in terms of alternative methods of providing the health care facilities for the employees and pensioners keeping the present rules and regulations under suspension.

We, therefore, make the following suggestions to have hassle-free alternate arrangements till normalcy is restored or travel restrictions are eased.
When inpatient treatment becomes necessary:-

(i) CGHS beneficiaries(including pensioners): may be allowed to undergo treatment any private hospital near their residence. The cost of treatment will be reimbursed by the concerned department in the case of employees and CGHS in the case of pensioners The Govt. may direct all hospitals to provide treatment to all CGHEs and CG pensioners and they might be told that the rates stipulated by AIIMS Delhi must be the basis of billing. The hospitals may be asked to submit the bills to the concerned department/ Add!. Director, CGHS as the case may be for payment.
(ii) The treatment has to be based on the production of the CG HS card.
Non-CGHS patients:
(i) They may also avail the same facility as the CGHS beneficiaries. i.e.in any hospitals near their residence. Their admission will be based on the basis of a certificate of identity issued by the department in which he/she is employed.
Out-patient treatment
(i) Outpatient treatment for employees may be provided by the private hospitals on the basis of a predetermined rate of consultation.
(ii) The employees will submit the bills and get the cost reimbursed
Pensioners (outpatient treatment)
(i) In the case of pensioners who require outpatient treatment, they may be permitted to avail of either the CGHS facilities, if it is nearby their residence or in any private hospitals, which is near to their residence. Those who avail the private hospital facilities may submit their bills to the additional director pension for reimbursement.
The private hospitals tlu·oughout the country may be asked to provide the O.P. Treatment to CG employees and pensioners on the basis of predetermined consultation fees and stipulated charges for pathological tests.
We request you to kindly consider these suggestions and issue the necessary orders.

Yours faithfully,
sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Secretary