Photo Jharkhand Circle Conference 23 to 24 December 2017
FLASH NEWS
Friday, December 29, 2017
Thursday, December 28, 2017
RUST OF EMPLOYEES AND PENSIONERS BETRAYED
AND THEIR HOPES ENDED IN DESPAIR
AND THEIR HOPES ENDED IN DESPAIR
“THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE TO THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE”
M. Krishnan
Secretary General, Confederation
Seventh Central Pay Commission Chairman, Justice (Retired) Ashok Kumar Mathur in his foreword to 7th CPC Report has quoted the following lines in the case of Bhupendra Nath Hazarika and another Versus State of Assam & others wherein the Supreme Court of India has observed as follows:
“It should always be borne in mind that legitimate aspirations of the employees are not guillotined and a situation is not created where hopes end in despair. Hopes for every one is graciously precious and that a model employer should not convert it to be deceitful and treacherous..... A sense of calm sensibility and concerned sincerity should be reflected at every step. An atmosphere of trust has to prevail and when the employees are absolutely sure that their trust shall not be betrayed and they shall be treated with dignified fairness, then only the concept of good governance can be concretized. We say no more.”
We don’t know whether the powers-that-be at the helm of affairs of the Central Government has ever read the above observations of the Apex Court quoted by 7th CPC. Fact remains - BJP-led NDA Government has guillotined the legitimate aspirations of the Central Government employees and pensioners and created a situation wherein their graciously precious hopes ended in despair. The Government converted their hopes to be deceitful and treacherous. The stand taken by the Government is devoid of calm sensibility and concerned sincerity. Trust of the 32 lakhs employees and 33 lakhs pensioners is betrayed and their expectations of fair treatment from Government has been proved wrong.
Who gave the hopes and who betrayed:
In the wake of indefinite strike call given by National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) of Central Govt. Employees from 11th July 2016, in the crucial meeting held in the night of 30th June 2016, solemn assurance was given by none other than the topmost Cabinet Ministers of NDA Government Sri. Rajnath Singh, Home Minister, Sri. Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister and Shri. Suresh Prabhu, then Railway Minister. It was told that Hon’ble Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modiji has directed the group of Ministers to hold discussion with NJCA leaders. Group of Ministers gave categorical assurance that minimum pay and fitment formula will be increased and for that purpose a High Level Committee will be constituted. Again on 6th July 2016 Sri. Rajnath Singh, Home Minister, reiterated the assurance and Finance Ministry issued a press statement confirming the assurance. Leaders and employees trusted the words of the Senior Cabinet Ministers. Eighteen (18) months are over. No High Level Committee is constituted. No hike in minimum pay and fitment formula is granted.
Delaying tactics and then denial:
From the very beginning of coming to power, the NDA Govt. has adopted a tactics of “delay and then deny” the legitimate aspirations of the Central Govt. Employees and Pensioners. Pay Commission was granted four months extension. Empowered Committee took seven months and pay scales were implemented without any change after seven months delay from the date of submission of 7th CPC report. Allowance Committee took one year and finally arrears of HRA and other allowances for eighteen months are denied. Pension Option-I Committee was appointed to deny the one and the only favourable recommendations of the 7th CPC for Pensioners. NPS Committee made it clear that withdrawl of NPS or guaranteeing minimum pension (50% of the last pay drawn) are not under its purview. Anomaly Committee informed the JCM Staff side that 80% of the items submitted by staff side including increase in minimum pay and fitment formula will not constitute an anomaly and hence will not come under the purview of the Anomaly Committee. Regarding implementation of the positive recommendations of Kamalesh Chandra Committee on Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) also almost eleven (11) months are over after the submission of the report to Govt. on 24-11-2016. The brutal exploitation of casual and contract workers is increasing day by day. Even though Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) is not regular promotion, instead of seniority-cum-fitness Government imposed more stringent conditions to deny the promotions to thousands of employees.
Wage, Job, Social Security and Trade Union rights under attack:
Not only the legitimate pay and allowances of the Central Govt. employees are denied, their job security is also under attack due to the neo-liberal policies pursued aggressively by the NDA Government. Many work done by Railway Employees are outsourced and privatised and now leasing out of Railway stations and Railway Land to private corporates under PPP model is under progress. Decision has been taken by Government to outsource and privatise Defence production and related activities like Research, Maintenance and services etc. and to permit 100% FDI in Defence industry. 200 products being manufactured by the Ordinance factories are ordered to be handed over to private corporates. Small Savings Schemes which was the monopoly of the Postal Department is outsourced to private banks and orders for outsourcing of booking and delivery of registered and speed post article is also issued. Out of 17 Govt. of India Printing Presses 12 presses are ordered to be closed as per Cabinet decision. Many other small departments are also facing the attack of outsourcing, privatisation and closure.
Orders are issued by Govt. threatening serious disciplinary action against employees who participate in dharnas, demonstrations and strikes. JCM National Council meeting we as not held for the last seven years. Most of the Departmental Councils are not functioning. Chief Executives of recognised Associations are harassed and vindictively transferred and recognition and trade union facilities to the Associations are withdrawn. Results of the membership verification under the Recognition Rules are not being declared and even verification process under check-off system is stopped half-way.
NPS has become “No-Pension System” as many of the employees who retired after 10 to 12 years are getting monthly annuity pension (from Insurance Company) less than Rs.2,000/- only whereas the minimum pension for 10 years service under the old pension scheme is now Rs.9,000/-. Government is not ready to heed the demand of the staff side to withdraw Contributory Pension Scheme and guarantee minimum pension (50% of the last pay drawn) to all under Contributory Pension Scheme. The observations of the 7th CPC that - “almost the whole lot of Government employees appointed on or after 01-01-2004 are unhappy with the New Pension System. Government should take a call and look into their grievances” remains in paper. Thus the social security of the employees is facing greatest threat from Government.
‘Tough time never last, but tough people do’
No doubt the entire working class along with Central Government employees are passing through a tough period. There life and livelihood are under attack. And at the same time resistance movement against the policy offensives are gaining momentum. Entire Trade Unions (barring BMS) has organised three days “Maha Dharna” at New Delhi in which lakhs of workers participated. BMS was also compelled to organise a separate protest programme against the retrogade policies of the Narendra Modi Government. Central Government employees under the banner of Confederation conducted series of agitational programmes like Parliament March, One day strike, Mass dharna in front of Finance Minister’s Office, Human Chain, Burning of HRA Orders, District level dharnas, State level dharnas etc. demanding settlement of 21 point charter of demands submitted to Government. Coming days will witness more sectoral struggles and joint struggles leading to indefinite strike.
No alternative for struggle:
Thus the struggles of the Working Class which was hitherto defensive in nature, is becoming more and more offensive. We have to intensify our struggle during 2018 for our survival. Let us remember and tell our friends in the Central Govt. Employees movement who are waiting peacefully and endlessly hoping for justice from NDA Government -
“Organise if you want real living wages, organise if you want to have your working hours reduced, organise if you desire better treatment from your superior officers, organise if you want that the authorities should consult and consider your opinion on all administrative measures affecting you. Petitions, memorandums and supplications will count for nothing, so long as you do not organise yourselves in a manner to convince the Government that you will no longer stand nonsense.”
Let us march forward with full commitment and determination.
Ultimate victory shall be ours.
If it weren’t for the Union
Our union’s story is there to be seen,
We’ve won many victories and we’ve suffered defeats,
But as I turn through the pages and look back through time,
There’s one single question stands out in my mind -
Today we may prosper, today we live free,
But if it weren’t for the union, where would we be?
From it’s humble beginnings our union has grown,
So no working person need struggle alone.
But no gain that’s been made has been made without cost,
And together we’ll see that no gain’s ever lost;
Take a look at those countries where workers aren’t free-
If it weren’t for the union, where would we be?
Would you choose to go back, working twelve hours a day,
Would you choose to toil more and a pittance be paid?
Will you stand in the union against the new right,
or do you think on your own you can withstand their might?
The answer is written in our history,
If it weren’t for the union, where would we be?
They say we’ve got problems, and the unions they blame,
Well, Franco and Pinochet they said the same.
If our union they weaken, if our union they break,
Then where’s our defence from becoming enslaved?
So would you choose bondage above liberty?
And if it weren’t for the union, where would we be?
It’s our union, our union that defends our rights,
But our union is as strong as our will is to fight,
For the union is you and the union is me,
So stand up and stand by our union.
- Peter Hicks and Geoff Francis.
.........................
TRADE UNION RIGHTS UNDER ATTACK
WE WILL NOT SURRENDER OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT
M. Krishnan
Secretary General, Confederation.
Right to peaceful protest is a constitutional right and right to assemble and demonstrate by holding dharnas is the basic features of an effective democratic system.
Article 19 of the Indian Constitution is one of the most important article constituting the “basic freedoms” guaranteed to every citizen of India. Article 19(1) provides that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, associations, movement, residence and practicing any trade, business, occupation or profession. Article 19(1)(b) guarantees to all citizens of India, rights to “assemble peacefully and without arms”. This right includes the right to hold meetings and take out processions. Of course, assembly must be peaceful, harmonious,unarmed and not threatening the safety of the people. Reasonable restrictions can be imposed under clause(3) of Article 19.
The right to assembly embodies the very idea of a democratic system. Article 9 (1)(b) thus includes the right to hold meetings and to take out processions. It has been reviewed, studied and interpreted numerous times by the Supreme Court. In its judgements Supreme Court has upheld the right to peaceful protest as a constitutional right and the right to assemble and demonstrate by holding dharnas is the basic feature of democratic system. People in a democracy have a right to raise their voices against the decisions and unreasonable actions of the Government or to express their opinion in any subject of national importance. The Government is obliged to respect and encourage the exercise of such rights.
This being the position, the political powers have resorted to the use of authoritation powers to stop the Central Government employees from exercising their constitutional right of conducting peaceful dharnas and demonstrations on 19-09-2017 and 17-10-2017 under the banner of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers. By conducting the programmes on 19-09-2017 and 17-10-2017 in a massive manner throughout the country, defying the Govt. orders, Confederation has upheld the constitutional right enshrined in the Constitution of India
No. Conf/NS/2016-19 Dated - 27-12-2017
NOTICE FOR THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT MEETING
24-01-2018-NEW DELHI
As already informed to all concerned, the National Secretariat meeting of the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers will be held at NFPE Office, Ist Floor, North Avenue Post office building, New Delhi on 24th January 2018 (Wednesday) at 10.AM to 01.30 PM. All National Secretariat Members (Office bearers) of Confederation are requested to attend the meeting in time. The following shall be the agenda of the meeting.
1. Organisational Review
2. Confederation Charter of demands and future course of action.
3. All India Women’s Trade Union Workshop-Date and Venue.
4. NPS and Outsourcing - Joint struggle programmes of Confederation and AISGEF.
5. Problems of affiliates of Confederation.
6. Financial review
7. Any other items with permission of the chair.
Yours Fraternally,
M.KRISHNAN
Secretary General
Copy to: 1. All National Secretariat Members (Office bearers including office bearers of women’s sub committee)
Monday, December 25, 2017
SAD NEWS
Smt. Kalavati aged 100 years Respected Mother of Com. Giriraj Singh President NFPE & G/S R-3 Union expired on 23rd December 2017. All India Postal Employees Union P-4 C.H.Q. Convey its heartfelt condolences to Com. Giriraj Singh and his bereaved family and pray for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Vikram Shah
G.S. P-4
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Friday, December 22, 2017
DARPAN LAUNCHED FOR FINANCIAL INCLUSION
OF RURAL POPULATION
The Minister of Communications Shri Manoj Sinha today launched DARPAN – “Digital Advancement of Rural Post Office for A New India” Project to improve the quality of service, add value to services and achieve “financial inclusion” of un-banked rural population. He said, the goal of the IT modernization project with an outlay of Rs. 1400 Crore is to provide a low power technology solution to each Branch Postmaster (BPM) which will enable each of approximately 1.29 Lakhs Branch Post Offices (BOs) to improve the level of services being offered to rural customers across all the states. Shri Sinha said that as on date, 43,171 Branch Post Offices have migrated under the “DARPAN”projectwith the aim of financial inclusion to rural population and it is targeted to complete the project by March, 2018.
The Project shall increase the rural reach of the Department of Posts and enable BOs to increase traffic of all financial remittances, savings accounts, Rural Postal Life Insurance, and Cash Certificates; improve mail operations processes by allowing for automated booking and delivery of accountable article; increase revenue using retail post business; provide third party applications; and make disbursements for social security schemes such as MGNREGS.
As part of IT modernization project, the Department of Posts (DoP) has carried out business process reengineering across various functional areas and has created To-Be processes that will enable it to achieve these objectives. As an achievement, Department of Posts has established 991 ATMs across the country, which are interoperable with other banks and the common people has directly benefited with the wide network of Department of Posts especially in rural areas. Till now, 1,12,85,217 transactions have been carried out on the DOP’s ATMs out of which 70,24,214 transactions have been done by the non-DOP customers. Department of Posts is the only Government player in this space.
For more than 150 years, the Department of Posts (DoP) has been the backbone of the country’s communication and has played a crucial role in the country’s socio-economic development. It touches the lives of Indian citizens in many ways: delivering mails, accepting deposits under Small Savings Schemes, providing life insurance cover under Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) and providing retail services like bill collection, sale of forms, etc. The Department of Posts also acts as an agent for Government of India in discharging other services for citizens such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) wage disbursement and old age pension payments. With 1.5 lakh Post Offices (approximately), the Department of Posts has the most widely distributed postal network in the world.
Trends such as urbanization, increased demand for financial services, increased funding by the government for the weaker sections and the rural sector, have opened up new opportunities for the Department of Posts,which in turn has necessitated development of new processes and supporting technology. The Department of Posts is also faced with twin challenges of increasing competition and continuing advances in communication technology, especially in mobile telephony and the Internet. In order to provide the best-in-class customer service, deliver new services and improve operational efficiencies,the Department of Posts has undertaken an end to end IT modernization project to equip itself with requisite modern tools and technologies. The IT modernization project intends to achieve the following:
- Wider reach to the Indian populace through more customer interaction channels
- Better customer service
III. Growth through new lines of business
1. IT enablement of business processes and support functions
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Read more at : https://www.indiapost.gov.in/VAS/Pages/News/Darpan.pdf
Source : http://www.business-standard.com/
NON HOLDING OF SCHEDULED AND PERIODICAL MEETINGS
BY CHIEF P.M.G.M.P CIRCLE BHOPAL
National Federation of Postal Employees
1st Floor North Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi-110 001
Phone: 011.23092771 e-mail: nfpehq@gmail.com
Mob: 9868819295/9810853981 website: http://www.nfpe.blogspot.com
No.PF-68-02/2017 Dated: 18th December, 2017
To
Shri A. N. Nanda
Secretary, Department of Post
Dak Bhawan, New Delhi -110001
Sub:- Non holding of scheduled & periodical meetings by Chief P.M.G.M.P Circle Bhopal.
Sir,
It has been brought to our notice that Chief P.M.G.M.P Circle Bhopal Sri Alok Sharma after assumption charge, has not conducted any scheduled and periodical meetings with Unions.
Only once he notified one meeting with all recognized, unrecognized, affiliated and non affiliated Unions and associations for a very short period. On this our Circle Secretaries of NFPE(National Federation of Postal Employees) affiliated unions requested him to conduct separate meetings. At this he postponed the meeting and since than he has not taken any action to conduct any type of meeting i.e. R.J.C.M, Periodical and other scheduled meetings.
But contrary to this it has come to our notice that he is very much fond of organizing various types of events, programmes, melas and other unwanted meetings causing extravagancy and misuse of funds.
Such type of reports are published in Local News papers and in Electronic media.
He is only interested to pose himself and shine his face but not interested in resolving the issues related to Staff.
This type of functioning of C.P.M.G.MP is agitating the mind of employees and may invite agitational programmes.
It is therefore requested to kindly cause suitable instructions to CPMG.MP Bhopal to conduct scheduled and periodical meetings and resolve the issues related to Staff so that the co-ordial relations between staff and administration may be maintained .
With regards.
Yours faithfully,
(R N Parashar)
Secretary General
Thursday, December 21, 2017
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