P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER : VII – UNITY EFFORTS

15 Monday Jun 2020

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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)

Payment Of Wages During Lockdown – The Interim Directions Passed by Supreme Court

13 Saturday Jun 2020

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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)

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – VI – WAR CLOUDS VANISH

13 Saturday Jun 2020

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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)

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – V. OLD VERSUS NEW

12 Friday Jun 2020

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CHAPTER v – OLD VERSUS NEW

The All India Postal and RMs Union conference held in 1942 at Agra was a dull session. Sri.Lakshmi K Maitra who was elected President of the Union in 1939 was continuing and presided over this session as well. The conference passed a resolution reiterating its demand for sanction of same scales of pay for all stations. The delegates from Calcutta Postal Union opposed this and withdrew from the conference. Sri.R M Laheri was elected General Secretary of the All India Union. The All India Postal and RMS Union was losing grounds in the Punjab, NFW and in Madras Presidency due to lack good workers inside the union and the Indian Posts and Telegraph Union was flourishing. The financial position of the Central Union was going from bad to worse. For years together practically the Central Union was being mainly financed by Bombay and Bengal. Sri.Laheri could not continue as General Secretary for more than a year. The Union was unable to maintain him by paying him even a scanty sum of Rs. 150/- p.m. There was no session of the All India Postal and RMS conference in 1943. The conference of 1944 was held in Bombay however gave new impetus to the movement. I felt that the P&T Workers movement could only be advanced if a common front of pre-1931 and post -1931 employees is built on a common demand. In the Bombay conference we succeeded in framing such a demand.

Although the D.L.O Calcutta was functioning at Patna, I came back to Calcutta on 3.9.43 and joined duty in Calcutta G.P.O, and shortly afterward I was posted as Quartermaster, Defence of India Corps (P&T) and got Viceroy’s Commission and later joined the Provincial Union as Assistant Secretary to serve the Union under the direction of the Joint Secretary and General Secretary. On coming back to Calcutta G.P.O after 4 years, I came in contact with innumerable young Postal and RMS workers of Calcutta G.P.O. and its T.S.Os and Calcutta RMS. All the Unions since inception were recognised as Service Associations and they were functioning as such. These youngsters in a progressive outlook pointed out to us the defect in the unions and wanted to run them on trade union lines on a different method. As I fully concurred with their views I made up my mind to help these new bloods in the union in their efforts to re-organise the union on the trade union basis.

I attended the Bombay Session of the All India Postal and RMS conference in December 1944 with a new programme in hand and with a new mission. Sri. Govind Lal Moti Lal, a multimillionaire of Bombay presided over the Conference. His presidential address was not to the liking of majority of the delegates who wanted living wage and better service conditions. The presidential address was full of sermon and advice not to make any such demands. The younger groups in the conference held a special meeting at night after the open session of the conference, and they persuaded me to preside over the meeting and took a decision to place before the conference for adoption of a resolution demanding Rs. 80-250/- scales of pay for all the Postal and RMS Class III officials and Rs. 50- 120/- for all Postmen staff and the tussle began.

The All India Postal and RMS conference of 1944 at Bombay was in short a tug-of-war between the old leadership and the new comers in the field with progressive outlook, whose main object was to create a common front of post- and pre-1931 entrants in the department by formulating a demand which would be in the interest of both the categories of the employees in the department. The seasoned labour leaders like Jamna Das Mehta, R.S.Nimbakar, V.G.Dalvi and S.C Joshi the General Secretary, All India Postal and RMS Union, Bombay Provincial Branch, expressed opinion against putting any demand before the Government for revision of scales of pay when it was faced with a critical war situation. Sri.S.C.Joshi who had been connected with the All India Postal and RMS Union for more than twenty years and was tipped for the post of Chief Labour Commissioner of India was found to be determined to oppose the very idea of adopting any resolution by the conference demanding revision of scales of pay. After much discussion he modified his views to the extent that the new entrants should be given old scales of pay to which we disagreed. Sri. Joshi for whom we had every regard and who had done much for the P&T workers, could not keep balance and proposed that the pay scales of the clerk in the P&T department should be Rs. 500-100-1000-200-2000. This was too much to be brooked by the delegates present . I feel tempted to reproduce below the sharp reply I gave to Sri. Joshi ; “Shri Joshi should not think that this benign British Government is going to win the war with the aid of the Russian Government and a result of this, after successful termination of the war as its natural repercussion, the people of the country will be tending towards socialism , so we with our socialistic out look will refuse to accept such a scale of pay as proposed by Shri.Joshi, but we are determined to have a living wage commensurate with the cost of living index which was 320% higher than that of pre-war index. We do not want a motor car for each one of us but we are not prepared also to be run over by a multimillionaire’s motor car on the Hornby road of Bombay”.

The President, Shri. Govindlal Motilal, intervened and put a question – If a scale of pay such as Rs. 80 -250 is granted to all clerical staff in P&T department, it will require ten crores of rupees; where from would the money come? I replied, “It will come from the pockets of multi-millionaires like Shri.Govindalal Motilal”.

The resolution moved by me demanding revision of scales of pay was carried by over whelming majority of votes amidst cheers. Shri. Raghubans Sahai Srivastava (Uttarpradesh), Shri.B.K.Kamble (C.P), Shri.Suresh Chandra Day(Bengal), Shri.Natarajan(Madras), Shri.Deodhar (Bombay) and others took active part in the debate and discussion. Shri. Ganpat who hailed from Hyderabad, consolidated the younger group.

The conference did not elect any General secretary but kept the post vacant. Later on, Com.B.S. Kamble was selected as General Secretary of the All India union.

The proposal brought about by some of the delegates from Calcutta for demanding higher scale of pay for Calcutta, Bombay and Madras was rejected by the conference. A common front of the old and new was formed on the basis of the resolution for revision of scales of pay . The conference of Bombay was a great success in this respect. The resolution adopted by the conference inspired other unions like the India Post and Telegraph union, The Indian Telegraph Association The All India Telegraph Union and the Postman and Lower Grade Staff Union to demand of the Government for revision of scales of pay of all categories of staff.

Shortly after the conference, Shri. S.C,Joshi was appointed Chief Labour Commissioner of Government of India. Shri. Talpaade, an eminent lawyer of Bombay, replaced shri.Joshi in the Bombay Provincial Union.

The year 1944 was not only a year of great test and trial for me but also a year of revitalising my energy and for finding out a base to begin with work for creating a new set of active workers for the union. My coming back to Calcutta G.P.O and being incharge of Military section (D of 1, Corps P&T ) Calcutta City Postal Unit afforded me an opportunity to come in contact with hundreds of young workers of all categories in the Postal and RMS offices in Calcutta City. It was a year of trial because I was on deputation in Calcutta G.P.O unit but my posting as a Quarter Master of D. of I Corps in Selection grade was unjust and irregular. Any of the officials of Calcutta G.P.O. and its Town Sub offices should have been selected for the purpose. I declined and protested but the O.C LT Col E.N.J .C Byrne threatened me with court martial as the order was a military order. I had to agree but adopted a new method of passive protest against that unjust order of Col. Byrne. The entire extra amount I was getting by way of my working as Quarter Master in Selection Grade every month, I began contributing to the Calcutta G.P.O poor fund as” One-ana fund “ of which Col. Byrne was the Chairman. I used to tell him every month that this contribution was nothing but a passive protest against his unjust orders.

The P&T workers in Bengal and Assam were any how carrying on, as by joining the D.of I Corp P&T, they were getting military compensation allowance plus Ration Allowance which lessened their hardships to some extent but those working out side this area were in economic distress and unrest was visible amongst the P&T workers everywhere but there was no joint machinery to consolidate their activities.

The Krishna Prasad Committee, which was appointed earlier to examine the question as to how far the dearness allowance could be increased specially for those who belonged to the postmen and Lower Grade staff, submitted its report no doubt, but the findings of the report never saw the light of the day.

Discontentments were gradually increasing amongst all classes of Indians owing to the political and economic situation of the country. The congress, which was the main political organization of the country was driven underground by the Government. Mahatma Gandhi was released on the 6th may, 1944. All other congress leaders were still in detention. The P&T workers although in employment of Government, were anxiously awaiting for a settlement between the Government and the other political parties in the country because they were sincerely believing that transfer of power from the alien rulers to the national leaders will free them from economic distress. To a worker, liberation and freedom mean full socio-economic justice done to him for which all of us were longing for years together. But neither the political situation improved nor did our hardships lessen.

The resolution adopted by the All India Conference at Bombay demanding revision of scales of pay of both pre and post 1931 employees which should not be less than Rs. 80-250 for the clerical staff, created enthusiasm amongst the members of the Postal and RMS Union. The other P&T Unions also later on followed suit. The Indian Telegraph Association demanded a scale of pay of Rs. 100-280 for the Telegraphists while the the All India Telegraph Union asked for a scale of Rs.100-300 and so on. This move taken by the different unions paved the way for a common front not only of the pre and post employees but also brought about courage and enthusiasm amongst the P&T workers in general.

The All India Conference did not elect the General Secretary. It was, however, in informal discussion practically decided that the services of one of our active workers in employment of the department be requisitioned. It has now become easy to elect any official as General Secretary or Asst. General Secretary on foreign service but there was no such system in vogue during those days and hence it was practically impossible for any official outside Delhi to come over there to work.

Shri.B.S.Kamble who was sounded, agreed to undertake the responsibility though it would be enormous personal inconvenience to him. In the central Council meeting held in Delhi in March 1945 Shri. Kamble was elected General Secretary of the Central Union to which post he continued up to June, 1946. During the entire period of 15 months he exhausted his own leave. This was a sacrifice, no doubt. (To be continued)

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – IV GRIM DAYS (Contd.)

11 Thursday Jun 2020

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

The government, however, finding no other way introduced rationing throughout India and opened grain shops for selling cereals at controlled prices. The Post and Telegraph workers through their joint efforts were able to have departmental grain shops opened at several stations. The system of rationing and selling of grains at controlled rates no doubt minimized the hardships to some extend, but the measure was not considered enough.

The American Army men were located at 36 big stations in India, where they were lavishly spending money causing also local inflation. They were appointing men in their offices on a much higher pay. The allurement was such that many in government services, including some P and T workers, resigned and undertook jobs in the American Army offices. This was too much for government to brook. With a view to arrest this type of desertion and with a view to pacify the growing unrest amongst the youngsters in the P and T Department, the unified scales of pay were introduced to give a little monetary benefit to this class of employees working at those 36 stations. This fact came to light only when P and T Unions challenged the DG P and T and wanted to know the reason for not extending the benefit of unified scales to the P and T workers working in a city like Agra – where there was no American Army stationed.
The condition of Bengal and Assam took a turn. The people became panicky at the news of surrounding of Imphal by the Japanese Army at the beginning of the year. The P and T workers who were working there were in good spirit. Though courtesy of Mr. Krishna Prasad, I was daily sending a message encouraging Shri Paresh Chandra Sen, Post Master General, Imphal and his assistants. The special plane which used to carry government communications was carrying my letters as well. With my going to Patna, I could not maintain this connection.
Entire Post and Telegraph service and railways and others in essential government service in Bengal and Assam was militarized with effect from 1-9-43. With the exception of a few, all P and T workers enrolled themselves as combatants in the Defence of India Corps (P and T) which enabled them to get free clothings, ration allowance and military compensatory allowance. So there was more inflation and hardships did not practically decrease.

The economic hardships of the working class in Bihar, which was border province of Bengal, had greatly increased due to prices of necessaries of life having gone up. The P and T service in Bihar had neither been militarized nor was the dearness allowance of the circle increased. The entire P and T staff of Bihar was getting dearness allowance at the rate of ‘C’ area. So it can better be imagined than described as to the extent, the pecuniary distress and inconvenience, the staff working throughout the circle was put to. Discontentments and dissatisfaction were there but as the P and T Unions were not properly organized in Bihar they could not raise an effective voice and went on suffering. During my stay at Patna I could manage to address two meetings of the P and T workers in the P and T Recreation Club but could not successfully rouse their feelings and awaken their consciousness. I am however happy that to keep on record here that later on in 1945the discontentments of the staff found their expression through launching of “ Hungry Badge Campaign” under the leadership of All India Postal and RMS Union, Bihar Provincial Union at Muzaffarpur. The initiative taken by the Circle Union was in a way the beginning of the militant action which the P and T Union in India resorted to during the war and post-war period.

The introduction of unified scales of pay for a limited number of towns created widespread discontentments and dissatisfaction amongst the P and T workers. Even the staff who got the benefit of the unified scales of pay did not consider the measure as enough compensation for the loss they had been sustaining due to introduction of new scales of pay with effect from the 16th July, 1931. The entire P and T workers were clamouring for getting the same scale of pay for them which were enjoyed by those who entered the department prior to the 16th July, 1931.
It may recorded here that the memorandum which was submitted by the All India Postal and RMS Union in 1925 to the Government demanded Rs. 60/120 as a universal scale of pay for the whole of India and this demand was considered by the Union as irreducible minimum demand. In every annual session of the conference of the All India Postal and RMS Union, the demand was being reiterated. The Government while introducing the new scales of pay from 16th July, 1931 failed to appreciate the spirit underlying the demand and divided the entire country in to three distinct areas a A, B and C to weaken the movement. The introduction of the unified scales of pay was but another attempt to create cleavage in the rank and file of the workers, but during the war period the government could realize their mistake. Due to existence of different scales of pay they found it difficult to mobilise the workers belonging to most essential service such as Railways, Postal and Telegraph etc. in war zones.

It is however worth mentioning here that after 1932 all the All India P and T Unions were demanding grant of old scales of pay for the post- 1931 entrants. The old scheme for sanctioning the same scales of pay for all areas on the basis of the irreducible minimum demand was side-tracked.

Every cloud has however its silver lining. The introduction of the unified scales of pay for a few stations intensified the general movement. The P and T workers working in all the stations other than those 36 stations held joint meetings and began submitting identical memorials, and the general demand for the introduction of the same scale of pay again came in the fore-front. The Government had to come down a little. The initial pay of all clerical staff working in C areas had to be raised from Rs. 35/- to Rs. 38/-. During 1942 onwards a large number of postal signallers and clerks and RMS sorters from different parts of Bengal were being transferred to Assam border which was actual war zone, to work in civil posts and Telegraph offices. No official from Calcutta could be transferred to those areas apparently owing difference in scale of pay. Even the Manager, Calcutta District Telephone found it difficult at the time of necessity to transfer operators to Barrackpore and Serampore Exchanges from Calcutta due to the difference in scale of pay. All these events served as an eye opener to the P and T staff as well as to the administration. The movement for introduction of the same scales of pay for all stations began to gain grounds. The Calcutta Postal Union, however in its conference demanded higher scales of pay for Calcutta and passed a resolution in successive conferences held in 1943 and 1944 for sanction of a scale of pay of Rs. 100 – 350 for all Postal and RMS clerical staff of Calcutta. (To be continued)

Homage to Comrade K.Adinarayana, former Secretary General NFPE

10 Wednesday Jun 2020

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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 !

Extension of time for submitting BSNL MRS

10 Wednesday Jun 2020

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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.

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -19 50% Merger of IDA with pay- 3 Days dharna from 28-05-2008

09 Tuesday Jun 2020

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50% Merger of IDA with pay- 3 Days dharna from 28-05-2008

The Central government issued orders for merger of 50% DA with pay to its employees from 01-04-2004. The merger of 50% IDA with pay for CPSUs was decided by the government wef 01-01-2007. Despite this decision, BSNL management did not issue orders merging IDA with pay for its own employees. A lunch hour demonstration was held on 13-05-2008 as per the call of the joint Forum demanding immediate orders. The management wanted the unions to agree for 10% disinvestment, VRS, delay in wage negotiation, Promotion policy etc. for issue of IDA merger orders, which is completely unjust and unfair. The meeting of the JF with CMD BSNL on 27-05-2008 could not settle the issue. Hence JF called for 3 days protest dharna from 28-05-2008 in Corporate Office, all circles and divisions.

The dharnas were well participated though called with short notice, which gave a strong message to the management that the workers will not surrender their rights or cow down before threats. In Delhi, in front of the Corporate Office, more than 500 comrades participated in the dharna. Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P. and senior leader of the CPI(M), inaugurated. It was addressed by all leaders of the JF.

Meeting with Minister on29-05-2008

As a result of the massive dharnas, the Communications Minister Shri A.Raja called the Joint Forum for discussion. After discussion, he directed the CMD BSNL to issue the orders on IDA merger on that day itself. Accordingly, BSNL issued the orders on the same day. It was a great achievement.
The joint struggle of the workers has won victory on the spot. The dharna was called off accordingly.
A meeting was held with the Secretary DOT on the issue of VRS, Disinvestment proposal, granting of Navaratna status, 5 Promotions, allotment of 3 G Spectrum, fresh tender of 45.5 million and 93 million mobile lines etc. No satisfactory result could come out. Hence as per the decision of the JF, demonstrations were organized on 02-06-2008 along with wearing of badges while on duty with the demands printed on them.

Against merger of ITI with BSNL

In between, the government was proposing merger of ITI with BSNL. As per decision of JF, massive demonstrations were organized on 29-07-2008 at all levels against the proposed merger, since ITI was a manufacturing PSU, while BSNL was a service provider. Convener, JF met the ITI unions’ leaders and convinced them about the stand taken by the Joint Forum. JF sent a detailed strong letter to the Communications Minister on 16-07-2008 against the merger. The proposal was deferred after the protest.
Joint Forum strongly opposed the purchase of hundreds of vehicles for the ITS officers, when the company was facing financial crunch. It exposed the unnecessary expenditure and gave wide publicity, which put the management in bad light.

Since the ITS absorption was being delayed, the Joint Forum demanded repatriation of BSNL executives and non-executives back to DOT. The letter dated 17-09-2008 put it strongly that there cannot be any discrimination to the executives and non-executives.
The JF also demanded the DOT that the 93 million tender for mobile lines should be finalized and the equipment purchased without delay. (To be continued)

Out door medical claims with latest prescription which are not older than 6 months allowed – BSNL Order

09 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

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BSNL has issued orders on 2nd June 2020 allowing out door medical claims with the latest prescription available which are not older than 6 months, due to Covid 17 lock down. Concerned employees / pensioners can utilise the concession.

Central Trade Unions call for 3rd July as Nation Wide Protest Prepare for Countrywide Struggle of Non Cooperation and Defiance

08 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in CTU

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The Central Trade Unions (CTUs) in their meeting on 3rd June 2020 congratulated the workers for responding enthusiastically to the nation-wide protest call demanding immediate halt to changes in labour laws, abrogating the rights won over after a struggle of 150 years among other demands. The meeting took serious note of the continuous aggressive attack on the workers’ rights ignoring all the joint representations to the Government on the matter including the nationwide protest on 22nd May 2020.

The Government not only failed in getting its own orders and advisories implemented in regard to payment of wages to workers, no retrenchments to be carried during lockdown period. Instead, it withdrew its own decision in the face of the case in Supreme Court by the employers of some companies. The Government did not heed to the demand of cash transfer of Rs. 7500/- to all non income tax paying households including unorganised labour (registered or unregistered) for the months of April, May, June, neither the demand for Government support to pay the wages of workers of MSMEs for these three months. The ration to all working people for at least six months to be made available universally also did not find favour with the Government. Neither our demand for workers safe journey home paid attention to.

The Supreme Court had to take cognizance finally asking the Governments of Centre and States not to demand passenger fares from workers, give them proper shelter and food till they are transported to their homes. Nineteen High Courts had taken cognizance of workers, frontline fighters and hospital services etc during this period.

We re-iterate that the Central Government chose the cover of COVID-19 lockdown to push through its agenda of disinvestment and wholesale privatisation of Public Sector Enterprises, 100 percent FDI in core sectors – Indian railways, Defence, Port and Dock, Coal, Air India, Banks, Insurance etc., steps in favour Corporates of Indian & Foreign brands to usurp natural resources and business of the country while mouthing behind the slogan of Aatma-Nirbhar Bharat. The earlier decisions and those taken during COVID-19 lockdown on privatization/corporatization/commercialization in Defense, Coal, Space science, Atomic energy, Insurance, Banks and most of the PSUs are being pursued with vigour and arrogance. The decision of DA freeze of 48 lakh Central Government Employees and DR freeze of 68 lakh pensioners, which is also having impact on the state government employees, is not withdrawn despite vehement opposition from Government employees and CTUs.

In this back ground various sections are now in agitation mode. The electricity workers and engineers have jointly observed countrywide protest against Electricity Amendment Bill 2020 on 1st June 2020. While welcoming the sectoral struggles which are developing in various sectors, CTUs support the protest programmes taken up by Defence federations including “strike ballots” and those in the coal mine sector on 10-11 June 2020.

The scheme workers, ASHA, Anganwadi, MDM, 108 ambulance employees, etc and the nurses and doctors who are in the front ranks among the front line warriors working at the community level for combating Covid 19 Pandemic are agitated for their demands for safety measures not being addressed appropriately and neither they are provided proper health care on falling sick from COVID-19 infection, nor the social security and insurance coverage being extended to the families who are succumbing to the disease. The scheme workers are also being denied payment of honorarium for lockdown period.

ASHAs, anganwadi employees, Doctors, Nurses, Safai Karamcharis, have been in the protests now and then in various parts of the country on similar demands. The CTUs support all these agitations on their just demands.

The so-called 20 lakh crore package of the Government is nothing but a hoax and cruel joke on the suffering people; this mainly comprises of loan guarantee to various sectors and the actual relief package reaching people is not even 1 percent of GDP. Even, previously announced budgetary allocations and welfare schemes such as PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Construction Workers Welfare Board and District Mineral Funds etc have been unscrupulously repackaged to befool the people.