STEERING COMMITTEE TAKES DECISIONS ON ACTION PLAN AGAINST PFRDA

Dear Comrades,

The Steering Committee of Organizations of Central and State Government Employees and Teachers Organizations against PFRDA Bill has met and taken several decisions to intensify the struggle demanding withdrawal of the said Bill from Parliament. The Minutes of the Steering Committee is placed hereunder with the direction to all State Committees and all affiliated Organizations to intensify the programmes:

 

Minutes of the meeting of the Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA Bill held at AIRF Dead Quarters (4, State Entry Road, New Delhi)

                The Steering Committee of Government Employees Organisations on PFRDA bill met today ie 29^th August 2011 at 14 hours I n the AIRF Head Quarters (4, State Entry Road, New Delhi).

The following were present

1.       Com  Shiv Gopal Mishra, General Secretary, All India Railwaymen Federation (AIRF)

2.       "         SK Vyas, President, Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers  &

           Convener, NCCPA

3.       "         SN Pathak, President, All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF)

4.       "         C. Sreekumar, General Secretary, AIDEF

5.       "         Sukomal Sen, Sr Vice President, All India State Govt Employees Federation (AISGEF)

6.       "         R. Muthusundaram, Secretary General, AISGEF

7.       "         M. S. Raja, Secretary, Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers

8.       "         Shyam Sundar, Secretary General, Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation

9.       "         K. Rajendran, General Secretary, School Teachers Federation of India (STFI)

10.   "         Kartik Mandal, President, STFI

11.   "         N. Narayana, Vice President, STFI

After a detailed review of developments following the National Convention, the Steering Committee took the following decisions:

1.       There should be a joint committee in all stations consisting of the field formations of the participating organisations in the Steering Committee.

 

2.       It was decided to obtain mass signature on the petition to the PM. This mass signature campaign has not picked up. It was therefore decided that all organisations should be asked to get this petition printed in each station so that it could be distributed amongst all the members of all Federations/Confederation. They have to be requested not only to put their own signature but also to obtain the signature from their family members, neighbours etc. (Copy of the draft petition for signature campaign attached)

 

Local joint committees of the participating organisations should ensure visits to Railway Stations, Hospitals and other public locations to obtain signature from people at large.

 

The entire campaign conducted jointly by all local leaders may continue upto 31^st October 2011.

 

3.       It has been decided that March to Raj Bhawan in the each state capital should organised jointly by the affiliates of participating organisations - ie AISGEF, Confederation of Central Govt employees and Workers, AIRF, STFI, AIDEF, NFIR, BSNLEU, AIFUCTO,BCPC & NCCPA – ON 6^TH  September 2011 to submit copy of petition to Prime Minister to the Governor  for onward transmission to Prime Minister.

 

After implementing this programme a detailed report may be sent to the Head Quarter of Steering Committee as also to the respective Head Quarter of their Federation/confederation.

 

4.       As per another decision taken in the Convention on 22^nd July 2011, joint convention was to be held in every state capital. As per reports, such conventions have been held only at some state capitals. Wherever such joint convention has not been held steps may taken by forging a joint committee to convene the conventions at the earliest – latest by 30^th September 2011.

Formation of joint committee may be intimated and date of the convention to be held may be intimated to Steering Committee Head Quarter as well as Federation head quarter. This will enable Steering Committee/Federation/Confederation to depute their representative to parliament in the Convention. A detailed report on the Convention held or to be held giving the names of organisations with number of participants may be sent to the Steering Committee Head Quarter as well as to the respective Federation/Confederation Head quarters.

5.       The Steering Committee has decided that the March to Parliament to submit the petition to Prime Minister shall be held on 29^th November 2011.

 

Joint Committees constituted in each station may kindly intimate number of the persons who will be joining the March latest by 15^th November 2011.

 

6.       The Steering Committee has also decided that the date on which the PFRDA bill is taken up for consideration all government employees should organise 2-hour long demonstrations in their office premises.

 

All participating organisations are requested to convey these decisions to their units, copy of the circular issued by the participating organisations may be forwarded to Head Quarter of Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee will meet again at 11.30 hours on 15^th October 2011 in the AIRF Head Quarter at 4, State Entry Road, New Delhi.

We shall defeat PFRDA Bill!

We shall fight till we succeed!

Enquilab Zindabad!

Yours fraternally

29 Aug 2011

New Delhi

(SK Vyas)

                                    

RED SALUTE TO COMRADE M.K. PANDHE!

Com: MK Pandhe, Former President of CITU and Polit Beaureau Member of CPIM expired at 12.20 am on 21^st August 2011. Com Pandhe was the voice of the working class and the toiling masses. He was a guiding force for the Confederation of Central Govt employees & Workers.

In his death we have lost a true friend of Confederation, a comrade who never minced words – to criticise and appreciate.

We Dip our Flag in his Memory.

MANIFEST SOLIDARITY WITH MOVEMENT AGAINST CORRUPTION

CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AND WORKERS

MANISHINATH BHAWAN

A2/95 RAJOURIGARDEN-NEWDELHI-110027

Confdn/16/2011                                                                   17^th August 2011

 Dear Comrades,

                        RESIST ONSLAUGHT ON DEMOCRATIC RIGHT TO PROTEST;

MANIFEST SOLIDARITY WITH MOVEMENT AGAINST CORRUPTION

Confederation records its deep resentment over the denial of right to organise peaceful agitation against corruption by the Civil Society led by Gandhian Shri Anna Hazare.

 This attack is an eye-opener for democratic forces and trade union movement across the country and is a warning to toiling masses that their fight for decent living wages and right to live with dignity would also be met with similarly. Confederation is therefore of the firm view that all employees and workers should protest against this action of the government of denying the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right to protest peacefully.

 Confederation calls upon every government employee to join the protest in their station along with other trade unions and democratic forces against the attack on the right to protest and ensure that such attacks are not repeated. State Units of Confederation may arrange protest demonstration in all work places today itself.

 Confederation further calls upon every state unit to manifest solidarity with the movement against corruption at all levels.

(M. S. RAJA)

SECRETARY

For Secretary General

OPPORTUNITY TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITY FOR PROMOTION - DOPT ORDERS

DOPT HAS ORDERED THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM COMPETITION WITH OTHERS FOR PROMOTION TO GROUP 'A' & 'B' POSTS

Dear Comrades! The orders of the DOPT is furnished below that stipulates that the Government Employees with disabilities shall also be allowed to compete with others for promotion against unreserved vacancies, if the posts are identifid suitable to persons with disability. This clarification is issued in the background of complaints from different departments that persons with physical disability are not allowed to compete for Group A and B unreserved Posts. The full text of the orders are as follows:

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING,

NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI,

O.M. NO.36035/4/2010-ESTT. (RES)DATED 1ST AUGUST 2011

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Consideration of persons with disabilities for promotion against unreserved vacancies-reg.

The undersigned is directed to say that representations have been received stating that some Ministries/Departments etc. do not consider the persons with disabilities for promotion to Group 'A' and Group 'B' posts, even if such posts are identified suitable for them, on the ground that there is no reservation for persons with disabilities in the matter of promotion to such posts. In this regard, attention is invited to para 6 of this Department's OM No. 36035/3/2004-Estt.(Res) dated 29th December, 2005, which provides that a person with disability cannot be denied the right to compete for appointment against an unreserved vacancy in a post identified suitable for persons with disability of the relevant category. It is hereby clarified that if promotions are made to a Group 'A' or Group 'B' post, which is identified suitable for persons with disability of a specific category, the persons with disability of relevant category in feeder grade, if any, shall be considered for promotion to the post by applying the same criterion as applicable to other persons.

sd/

(Sharad Kumar Srivatava)

Under Secretary to the Govt of India

VETERAN LEADER IS NO MORE - CONFEDERATION DIPS ITS BANNER

	CONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL  GOVT. EMPLOYEES & WORKERS. A-2/95,Manishinath Bhawan,Rajouri Garden, New Delhi-110 027
Website:www.confederationhq.blogspot.com.  Email:Confederation06@Yahoo.co.in Tel: 011-2510 5324:  Mobile: 98110 48303

 

Dated: 3rd August, 2011.

OBITUARY

It is with deep sorrow ,we convey the demise of Com. G.S.Gnanam, former Secretary General of Confederation of Central Government employees and workers. Com. Gnanam was admitted to a private nursing home at Chennai due to old age illness. He breathed his last yesterday.

Com. Gnanam was elected as the General Secretary of Income-tax Employees Federation in 1967 and later became the Secretary General of Confederation.  He was responsible in bringing about a vibrant and militant movement of  Central Government employees under the auspices of Confederation of CGEs and workers. He became the Secretary General, when the employees were facing one of the worst repression unleashed by the Govt. Of India in the wake of the 1960 indefinite strike. Most of the organisations which participated in the strike and which were affiliate of the Confederation had been de-recognised by the Govt. Number of leaders  had been dismissed and thousands of employees had been facing disciplinary proceedings.  He provided leadership at a very crucial time of our movement.

We dip our flag and banner in memory of the great contribution of this comrade to the common movement of Central Government employees and convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of his family.

ILO COMMENTS ON SOCIAL SECURITY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Social security and ageing populations in

developing countries

[Some comments of ILO in their Report are reproduced below]

It is common knowledge that life expectancy in Western countries has increased over the past several decades and will continue to rise. However, it may come as a surprise to some that the ratio of elderly people is rising faster in the developing world than in industrialized countries. What’s more, in some instances the average life expectancy in emerging countries now exceeds that of richer nations. Already today, a majority of the world’s older people live in low-income countries with no pension coverage. In 50 years, 80 per cent of the elderly will be in these countries. Alyssa Sewlal, an ILO intern, reports.

Where the development discourse once focused on limiting social expenditure, it is now widely understood that social spending is actually necessary for growth. In the Conference report, the ILO’s social security experts point out that well-designed social protection programmes, particularly in the form of social security pensions, rather than being a hindrance to economic development have proven “very effective in preventing poverty and social insecurity throughout an individual’s entire life cycle”; moreover, they fulfil a vital role as an economic stabilizer.

Some financial institutions and economists have argued that social security programmes are simply unaffordable in developing countries. But if crises are good for anything, it is to demonstrate how valuable to the most vulnerable in society social security benefits and assistance are. The truth is, says the ILO’s social security team, that a basic social protection package is affordable in virtually all countries, costing – if appropriately designed –a relatively small percentage of GDP. For these programmes to be successful, the key may be for them to be implemented gradually.

Social security has long been a defining element of industrialized countries, playing a crucial role in easing the blow of not only a range of life-cycle crises but also of numerous economic ones, and serving to effectively reduce income inequalities. There are obvious reasons why governments of emerging and developing countries need to organize and implement universal social security programmes, in particular the fact that if nothing is done, the nation will soon face a vast number of elderly people living in poverty. But it is important, says Bimal Kanti Sahu, to recognize specifically the extent to which the ageing population have contributed in their younger days to the development of their countries, and ensure that these senior citizens live out their lives with dignity.

DOPT CLARIFICATORY ORDERS ON CEA

CLARIFICATORY ORDERS BY DOPT ON CHILDREN EDUCATION ALLOWANCE

DOPT has issued some clarificatory orders on the matter of grant of CEA to Government Employees. The Government has now clarified to the question as to whether the CEA is admissible beyond two children if the sterilization operation  fails that 'the Children Education Allowance is permissible only for the first child born after the failure of sterilization operation.

The same Orders also clarifies that the frontloading of full quantum of 15,000/- cannot be reimbursed if claimed during the first and second quarter of the year. It says that only 50% of the CEA can be reimbursed during the first quarter and the balance eligible shall be paid only in the third or fourth quarter.

The full text of the DOPT Orders can be downloaded from the website of DOPT or by clicking the Link Below:

http://persmin.gov.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02ser/20011_5_2008-AIS-II-25072011.pdf

PARLIAMENTARY PANEL RECOMMENDS HIKE IN THE RATE OF GPF

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Hike rate of return on GPF, panel advises govt

Press Trust of India / New Delhi August 02, 2011, 19:32 IST

Dear Comrades! you are aware that the Confederation has been demanding for the enhancement of the interest rate on the GPF of Central Government Employees and this had been one of the demands of the CG Employees Charter. Now according to the PTI, a Parliamentary Panel headed by the former Finance Minister Sri. Yashwant Sinha has recommened hike to the GPF interest rates. We are reproducing the news item [courtsy: Central Government Employees News]: A Parliamentary panel today asked the Central government to increase the rate of return on provident fund for its employees in the light of rising bank rates and EPFO's decision to hike its rate to 9.5% for 2010-11. "The rate of interest on General Provident Fund (GPF) which is pegged at 8% may be reviewed so that government employees are not put to any disadvantage more so now when the interest rates for bank deposits has also been raised," the Standing Committee on Finance suggested in its report. If the suggests of the panel finds favour from the government, over 50 lakh Centre's employees will stand to benifit. The panel headed by former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, pointed out that retirement fund body Employees Provident Fund Organiation has also increased rate of interest on PF deposits to 9.5% for 2010-11 from 8%. The EPFO had been paying 8.5% interest on PF deposits since 2005-06. In September last year, it had recommended an increase in interest rate to 9.5% for 2010-11 after discovering Rs 1,731 crore surplus in their books of accounts. In the present scenario, the bank rates are also increasing. Reserve Bank of India has increased its short term lending and borrowing rates by half a percentage point to 8 and 7%, respectively in its recent quarterly review unveiled on July 26. Following the central bank's rate hike, some private and public sector have also hiked their rates.

Tamilnadu State Committee of Confederation holds Special Conference

TAMILNADU STATE COMMITTEE OF CONFEDERATION HOLDS ITS SPECIAL STATE CONFERENCE TO  HIGHLIGHT 14 POINT CHARTER OF DEMANDS

SPECIAL CONFERENCE WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 250 DELEGATES FROM ALL OVER THE STATE

CONFEDERATION LEADERS COMRADES S.K.VYAS PRESIDENT; KKN.KUTTY SECRETARY GENERAL; K.RAGAVENDRAN WORKING PRESIDENT; AND K.P.RAJAGOPAL VICE PRESIDENT PARTICIPATED ON BEHALF OF SECRETARIAT.

CONFERENCE RESOLVED TO STRENGTHEN CONFEDERATION BY FORMING DISTRICT LEVEL COMMITTEES OF CONFEDERATION THROUGHOUT THE STATE

DECIDED TO ORGANISE ALL PROGRAMMES INCLUDING MARCH TO PARLIAMENT AND STRIKE AGAINST PFRDA EFFECTIVELY.

National Secretariat of Confederation in Session at Chennai on 30/07/2011

Photographs of Confederation's National Secretariat Session held at Chennai on 30/07/2011

Comrades Geeta Ghoshal Chairperson and Shobana Convenor Women Committee with leaders of Confederation on Dais

Com.S.K.Vyas President addressing the National Secretariat Meeting.

Com.KKN.Kutty Secretary General addressing the Secretariat Meeting.

Com.K.V.Sridharan GS P3 NFPE addressing

Secretariat Session on Progress

NATIONAL WOMEN SUB COMMITTEE OF CONFEDERATION IN SESSION AT CHENNAI ON 29/07/2011

The Women Sub Committee of Confederation had met under the Chairmanship of Comrade Geeta Ghosal Chiar Person of the Committee. Com.Shobana Convenor initiated the discussions. Large number of women comrades excluding the Members of the Women Committee also attended. The decisions taken in the meeting are already placed under the Circular of the Confederation. Above are some photographs of the Women Meeting.

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT OF CONFEDERATION HELD IN CHENNAI

NATIONAL SECRETARIAT OF CONFEDERATION HELD TO TAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS

NATIONAL WOMEN SUB COMMITTEE OF CONFEDERATION ALSO HELD IN CHENNAI

Dear Comrades!

Confederation's National Secretariat Meeting was  held in Chennai City [Tamilnadu] on 29th July, 2011. Tamilnadu State Committee of Confederation had made excellant arrangements for the conduct of the Secretariat Meeting. Along with the Secretariat, the National Women Sub Committee of Confederation also had its session. The Circular containing the details of the Secretariat Meeting and the Women Committee meeting is  placed hereunder for the information of all Affiliates - SG Confederation.

Conf/15/2011                                                                       Dated: 31^st July, 2011.

Dear Comrades,

National Secretariat  meeting and its decisions.

            The meeting of the National Secretariat of Confederation was held at Chennai on 30^th July, 2011. Comrade S.K.Vyas President was in Chair. The following decisions were taken.

1.     The campaign for popularising the charter of demands adopted at the National Council meeting held at Mumbai on 1^st December, 2010 could not be undertaken in an effective manner as the major affiliate NFPE had to be busy with the preparation of the indefinite strike action.

2.     The meeting decided that prior to any action programme; an intensive campaign is a pre requisite.  Accordingly the following programmes were chalked out.

(a)  Every affiliate will circulate the charter of demands along with the explanatory note amongst the employees. Meetings will be organised in front of all offices to explain the demands to the members.  Report of such meetings will be sent to the Confederation CHQ directly. These meetings are to be organised between 5^th and 10^th September, 2011.

(b) Between 10^th and 20^th September, 2011 the State Committees of the Confederation will ensure that district level conventions are held and one of the State Committee member deployed to attend such convention in each district. The Sate Committees will send the report of these conventions to the CHQ.

(c)  On 28^th September, 2011 a massive Dharna programme will be organised in all State Capitals, district and divisional offices.  At the State Capitals, a minimum number of 100 comrades will sit in Dharna.  Lunch recess demonstrations will also be organised on the same date at the Dharna venue. One of the National Secretariat Members will attend the Dharna programme in each State Capital.

(d) All affiliates will organise a department level convention eliciting participation of the State level Executive on a date convenient to them but before 10^th October, 2011.  One of the National Secretariat members will make it convenient to attend such conventions.

(e)  Rally and demonstration will be held in front of the office of the Chairman, Welfare Co-ordination Committee or any other central located place jointly by all the CGEs in all state capitals on 20^th October, 2011.

(f)   Immediate steps will be taken by all affiliate to circulate the petition to the Prime Minister on PFRDA bill.  Copy of the petition will be handed over to each member to obtain his signature as also his family members and friends. The State Committee will hold a review meeting on 10^th October, 2011 to monitor the progress and take necessary steps to expedite the campaign.

(g)  The National Secretariat will meet at Bangalore on 22^nd October, 2011 to review the implementation of the programme of action including the signature campaign and take necessary action to remove deficiencies if any noticed.

(h) The Confederation will mobilise 10000 employees to participate in the ensuing march to Parliament (date will be finalised by the Steering Committee by end of August, 2011).

(i)    To organise a day's strike jointly by all the organisations which participated in the 22^nd July convention.  The date for the strike will be finalised by the steering committee. 

(j)To organise Raj Bhawan March on a date  preferably before 7^th September, 2011 jointly by all participating organisations at all State capital.  (This is a decision taken at the convention. The State Secretaries are requested to get in touch with all concerned and ensure that the programme is carried out.

The declaration adopted at the convention, the draft letter to the Prime Minister demanding withdrawal of the PFRDA Bill, campaign leaflet on PFRDA Bill are sent herewith. (Copies of the same are also placed on our website).

National Women Committee of Confederation met at Chennai.

            The Women committee constituted by the National Women Convention held at Kolkata met at Chennai on 30^th July, 2011.  The Committee took the following decision. The meeting was presided over by the Chairperson, Com. Geeta Ghoshal and the proceedings were initiated for discussion by Com. C.P. Shobhana, Convenor.

1.     To organise the International women's day on 8^th March, 2012 at all State Capitals by organising a seminar on the subject "impact of the neo-liberal economic policies on women and women workers in particular"

2.     To organise a State level Convention of women employees of the Central Government during September/October, 2011.  The State Committees of the Confederation will take necessary steps to hold the convention.

3.     To hold a demonstration in a prominent Central Government office by women workers in all State Capitals against the unabated price rise of essential commodities.  The date will be finalised and intimated later. Steps will be taken to have massive participation of all women employees of Central Government in this programme by the State Committees.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.