Fog take over the city, Delhi

25 Tuesday Dec 2012

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Since yesterday, the fog has taken over Delhi and nearby places. The thick fog has resulted in delay of trains and flights and also created traffic jam. More than 100 flights were delayed or cancelled yesterday and there was no difference today also. Many trains were unduly delayed and reached Delhi after many hours.

This kind of fog is usual for North India and specially Delhi during the winter. The temperature has come down to 7%. It is really cold. Even after wearing sufficient warm cloth, it is not comfortable. This may continue for a week or so. But this is the time for rejoicing also for real Delhites.

Meeting on Casual / Contract labour issues

25 Tuesday Dec 2012

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During the last week and this week, I met two senior officers in the BSNL Corporate Office and discussed in detail about the issues of the casual and contract labour.

I met Shri R.K.Goyal, GM(Estt.) and discussed with him on the issues of regularisation of the left-out casual labour. As per the answer given in the Parliament by the Minister, there are 3348 left out casual labour. In addition there are some more in certain states whose name has not been forwarded to the corporate office. Most of these casual labour, especially in W.Bengal where there are 2270 casual labour, are being paid the minimum of the CDA scale instead of the IDA scale. This is already unduly delayed. I told the GM that these houd be done without any further delay.

Secondly, all the existing and left out TSM and casual labour are to be regularised as has been done in the central services as also in the PSUs, despite the judgement in the Umadevi case. Already the workers have suffered a lot. Justice should be given to them.

Thirdly, I demanded that in the ensuing examination for promotion to TM, all the casual labour having the requisite qualification should be allowed to appear so that they can get promotion.

GM(Estt.) explained the position taken by the management on the above issues, which means nothing could be done immediately. We are continuing to take up the matter for getting favourable results.

Yesterday, I discussed with Shri A.K.Sanghi, GM(Admn) about the issues of the contract workers.It was brought to his notice about the non-implementation of the social security measures like EPF, ESI etc. and also non-payment of the minimum wage stipulated by the government of India and the BSNL corporate office. I also brought to his notice the many agitations going on due to non-implementation of orders.He assured that he will instruct the field officers to ensure that all the orders on contract workers are got implemented.

Today is X-Mas

25 Tuesday Dec 2012

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Today is the X-Mas Day! The festival of Joy and Prayer. Crores of people all over the world celebrates this day, even those not belonging to Christianity.
My Best Wishes to all on this x-Mas Day for a happy X-Mas and New Year 2013!

Gang Rape – Justice J.S.Verma Commission starts work

24 Monday Dec 2012

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The three-member committee of jurists, constituted to give recommendations on amending laws to provide speedier justice and enhanced punishment in sexual assault cases, began its work on Monday by issuing notice seeking public comments on the issue by January 5.

The committee headed by former Chief Justice of India J.S. Verma sought comments from the public in general, particularly eminent jurists, legal professionals, NGOs, women’s groups and civil society members on reviewing the existing laws in a bid to provide quicker justice and stringent punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assault, an official statement said.

The comments can be sent at email ID — justice.verma@nic.in or through FAX at 011-23092675.

The committee, which was constituted after public protests erupted over the Delhi gang rape case, will look into possible amendments to the criminal law for faster trial and proper punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault of extreme nature against women.

The other members of the committee, constituted by the government, are Justice (retd) Leila Seth, former Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court, and Gopal Subramanian, former Solicitor General of India.

The panel has been given 30 days to give its report to the government.

Under the existing law, the maximum punishment for rape is a life term but the nation-wide outrage over the gang rape of the 23-year-old physiotherapy student in a moving bus last Sunday night has sparked a demand for death penalty for rape convicts.

BJP has also favoured death for perpetrators of such crimes and demanded a special session of Parliament for amending the laws. (Courtsey : Hindu)

Postal Part-time, Contingent and Contract workers on agitation.

24 Monday Dec 2012

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The Postal Part-time, Contingent and Contract workers organised a Hunger Strike on 19th December 2012 in front of Dak Bhawan, New Delhi, demanding wage revision to these workers and also regularisation of services. Com.M.Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE, inaugurated the Hunger Strike. More than one hundred workers participated in the hunger strike.
We extend our full support and solidarity to the agitation and demands of the Postal contingent, part-time and ontract workers. The situation is not different in BSNL or in certain other sections. We have to unitedly fight for getting justice to this exploited section of workers. regular workerw should fully support and guide the casual-contract workers in their just struggle.

Attacking student protesters-Govt.seems directionless and senseless

24 Monday Dec 2012

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There is no limit to the senseless actions of the Central Government. The entire country and especially the young generation are angry and restless against what is happening in the country. The increasing unemployment, the huge corruption at high levels, the spiralling price increase etc. have already created panic and justified anger. And now, the brutal gang-rape and heinous attack on the girl and her friend. The young generation, students and all sincere people have come to the open demanding an end to this sexual assault which is increasing day by day. National capital Delhi has become the rape capital. Young people and students have come to the Delhi streets and near the state power to seek justice. They were peacefully protesting for the last few days to ensure that quick action is taken in the present sexual assault as also in other cases.
And how the government and its police have reacted? They became panicky seeing the protest and attacked the people in their usual way – by water cannon, lathi-charge and tear-gas- as if attacking an enemy. In this cold winter how the police can put the cold water on them? How they can beat mercilessly on the young girls and senior citizens who have come to express their anguish at the serious state of affairs? It is inhuman, it is cruel.

The Government should seek apology from the people. The government should also ensure that the grievance of the people is addressed. Remember, we always repeat, when necessary or not, that India is the largest democracy in the world. We have to live up to it. Is the government hearing?

Two decades without USSR

23 Sunday Dec 2012

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Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR)which dominated the world political scene as an equal socialist force against the capitalist US and other countries collapsed by the end of the 1980s and extinguished itself by the resignation of Michael Gorbacheb, USSR President on 23rd December 1991.
USSR was a bulwark against capitalism. Within years of overthrow of Czar and formation of USSR in 1917 after the October Revolution, USSR grew in strength, new inventions, space journey etc. It stopped the US attack on Cuba. It defended India at the time of Bangladesh war when US was supporting pakistan. The Red Army took the dominant role in defeating the Nazi Hitler.It helped many countries to get freedom before and after the II World War. The toiling masses all over the world looked to USSR with hope.
Unfortunately, the inner controversies and other significat factors led to its collapse. USSR was divided in to many states which left Communism behind.
Though USSR has collapsed, the memory of the same still inspires many. I was thinking that if the USSR was not collapsed what would be the world position today?

CPI(M) condemns police action against gang-rape protestors

22 Saturday Dec 2012

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December 22, 2012 : The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau condemns the police action on thousands of young demonstrators outside Government offices on Rajpath today. It is a spontaneous upsurge fuelled by the outrage against the brutal gangrape and beating of a young woman and also by the common experience of young women in Delhi of sexual harassment in public places. The use of lathis, tear gas and water cannons against the protesters, highlights the utter insensitivity of the Delhi police and the Central and State Governments on the issue

The arrogant statements by the Home Secretary and the Delhi Police Commissioner refusing to accept the responsibility of the utter failure to implement earlier assurances related to the measures required to ensure security for women in Delhi is deplorable. Who is responsible for the monitoring of the security situation? Who is accountable for non-implementation of measures already decided? The multiplicity of authority particularly as far as law and order and security is concerned in Delhi has meant zero accountability on the part of various authorities for the deteriorating security of women in the capital with the state and central agencies indulging in a blame game.

The Prime Minister should answer the nation. He should intervene without delay, implement the earlier measures assured and take appropriate action against those top police officials responsible. Pious statements have little meaning.

Chhattisgarh Circle marches ahead

22 Saturday Dec 2012

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Chhattisgarh is a comparatively small circle, which was formed by bifurcation of the earlier M.P.Circle. Though area is not so small, the population is less and a good part of it is forest. It has got six SSAs only viz. Raipur, Bilaspur, Ambikapur, Durg, Jagdalpur and Raigarh. The staff are also less with about 1800 only. Only two main unions are there, BSNLEU and NFTE. FNTO is having members in two digits only. The difference between NFTE and BSNLEU is reducing after each membership verification and it is expected that in the VI verification, BSNLEU may get more votes.
There is very good co-ordination between BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF. The Circle Conference of the AIBDPA was being held on 22 Decenber, but in fact the members of all the three unions were present.
The Conference started with Com. R.L.Shrivastava hoisting the union flag.
In the morning, the Seminar on ” PFRDA and FDI in Pension and struggles against” was held in the GASS Memorial Conference hall at Raipur. More than 200 comradess were present. Com. R.L.Shrivastava, President BSNLEU and AIBDPA presided. Com. R.P.Atmapoojya, Circle Secretary, AIBDPA welcomed all. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF and Advisor, AIBDPA inauguratedd the Conference. In his speech, he focussed on the issues of the BSNL and DOT pensioners, but at the same spoke about the issues of both BSNL and Casual/Contract workers and also about the struggles by the entire working class in India. He called upon the workers to participate in the two days strike called by the Central trade Unions on 20-21 February 2013 against the anti-working class policies of the government and also demanding settlement of the urgent issue of the workers.
S/Shri Sahu, Sr. GM BSNL, Pahdi, CCA, S.C.Bhattacharjee, All India Treasurer BSNLEU and Circle Secretary, Chhattisgarh also addressed.
In the afternoon the delegates session was held. Com. R.P.Atmapoojya, Circle Secretary presented the report which was discussed and adopted. Organisational issues were discussed. Plans were finalised to organise AIBDPA in all the districts. Office-bearers with Coms. J.S.Thakkur (Advisor), R.L.Shrivastava(President),R.P.Atmapoojya(Circle Secretary) and Lala Dani(Treasurer) were unanimously elected. AIBDPA donated Rs.5,000 (Rs. five thousand rupees only) towards KG Bose Bhawan Building Fund.

A Circle Executive Committee meeting of the BSNLCCWF was held in the evening. Circle President Com. S.C.Bhattacharya presided. Com.Om Prakash sahu, Circle Secretary BSNLCCWF reported about the activities so far. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India president, BSNLCCWF spoke about the Hazaribag Central Executive Committee decisions and also actions taken up by the CHQ on the demands of the casual/contract workers. He also called upon the casual and contract workers to participate in the 2-21 February 2013 strike.

In between, along with Circle President abd Circle Secretary of BSNLCCWF, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri met CGM Chhattisgarh and discussed about the issues of the casual and contract workers including the non-engagement of the circle secretary for work.

After attending all the meetings, one would certainly come to the conclusion that Chhattisgarh, BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF are functioning in good co-ordination and that they are advancing fast and becomng much stronger.