May Day 2016 wishes

On this May Day, AIPEU, Group - C,Bhubaneswar Division greets the working class and toiling people of the entire world in general and the struggling postal employees in particular and expresses solidarity to the fight of the working class and people against the exploitative capitalist regime.

SHRI S. K. SINHA WILL TAKE OVER AS DIRECTOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF POST

NFPE NEWS : ATTACKS ON WORKING CLASS CAN BE RESISTED BY THE UNITED STRUGGLE

The present NDA Government lead by BJP after coming in power is going ahead to intensify the so called economic reforms in the wake of neo-liberal economic policies. Within these two years every decision taken by this Government is in favour of Corporates/Capitalists and against the working class. Subsidy to the poors on LPG is being snatched away in a phased manner. The rates of petroleum products have been deregulated and handed over to market forces. The rates of crude oil have  come down drastically but no benefit has been given to the public. The Treasurery of the Government and Oil Companies are being filled up. Subsidy on fertilizers , seed, electricity and irrigation water is being reduced,  resultantly hardship is being created to farmers. Fees in Government educational Institutions like IIMS and IITs is being enhanced putting more burden on common man. The prices of essential commodities mainly food items is increasing daily. No recruitment in Government services and Public Sector, Private Sector  is also not generating more jobs resultantly lakhs and lakhs educated youth is wondering on the roads in search of job. Lakhs and Lakhs vacancies are available in Central Government Departments like Railways, Defence, Postal, Audit, Income Tax and other Departments. Coporatization and Privatisation of Government Departments and Public Sector is in process. 100% FDI in Railways and 49% in Defence has been declared. Disinvestment in profitable Public Sector is going on. Labour Laws have been amended in favour of Industrialists and Capitalists.

            All the Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations are launching struggles continuously and consistently. Last 2^nd September-2015 Strike was historic in which about 15 crorers workers from all sectors participated which resulted in increase of ceiling limit of bonus.

            Recently Government had issued two orders one imposition of income tax on withdrawal of EPF which was protested strongly by the workers and government has to roll back these orders.

 

            Again on 21^st April-2016 Government of India issued notification restricting the employees to withdraw the amount from EPF.  Under these revised rules the employee was permitted to withdraw the employees share from the fund. Which is 12% of the wages? However it was prescribed that the employer’s share of contribution towards the provident fund which is 3.67 % of wage, would be allowed to be withdrawn only at the age of 58 years.

            When this move of Government  was opposed and protested  by the  workers launching  an united struggle, the Government  of India  was compelled  to withdraw the  said  notification.

 

            With these two examples the working class should clearly understand that to resist the attack in the wake of neo-liberal economic  policies i.e. . Globalization policies, the united strong movement of working class is urgently required.

 

            All the Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations after convening National Convention  on 30^th March, 2016 has declared  One Day  Strike on 2nd September,2016 in support of  their 12 points  Charter of demands which  are related to all sections of society and working Class.

 

            Further  the  convention  has  called upon all the  trade unions and  Federations across the sectors to widen  and consolidate  the unity  at grass  root level and prepare  for country wide  united  movement and observe following  programme  of action:

 

(i)         Joint Conventions and Campaigns during June-July-2016 in state, districts and at industry level and take initative to involve peasants, agrilabourers and mass of the people in campaign.

 

(ii)        Day Long Mass Dharna /Satyagraha in the Capital of States and Industrial Centres preferably in the auspicious day of 9^th August-2016(QUIT INDIA DAY).

 

            NFPE calls upon the entirety of Postal , RMS and GDS employees to launch the agitational programmes as  declared  by the Central Trade Unions and make  all the programme  including  ONE DAY NATIONAL STRIKE ON 2^nd SEPTEMBER-2016 a  historic success.

 

            If we fight unitedly we can resist the attacks on working Class in the wake of globalization policies.

NOW THE BALL IS IN THE GOVT’S COURT LET US BE READY FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE

EDITORIAL - DAK JAGRUTI, MAY-2016 ISSUE

          Seventh Central Pay Commission has submitted its recommendations to Government on 19-11-2015.  As most of the recommendations are retrograde and far below the expectations of the employees, the JCM National Council Staff side under the united banner of National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) strongly protested and demanded modification of the retrograde recommendations.  It further decided to organise indefinite strike and letter conveying the decision was sent to the Cabinet Secretary.

                   Main demands raised by NJCA are: (1) minimum wage of Rs.26,000/- as against 18000 recommended by CPC, (2) upward revision of the fitment formula and application of the same in all pay scales in the pay matrix, (3) retention of percentage of HRA as 30%, 20% and 10% as against 24%, 16% and 8% recommended by CPC.  (4) recommendation of the CPC to abolish important allowances should be rejected, (5)  reject recommendations to discontinue all non-interest bearing advances, (6) reject the recommendation to reduce the salary to 80% for the second year of child care leave, (7) reject recommendations to impose more stringent conditions on MACP scheme such as “very good” benchmark, qualifying examination, re-introduction of efficiency bar etc. (8) modification in the parity-in-pension and acceptance of other minimum demands of pensioners and (9) Grant of Civil Servants Status to Gramin Dak Sevaks and extending all the benefits of departmental employees to Gramin Dak Sevaks on pro-rata basis.  There are other demands also which are equally important.

                   Govt. constituted an Implementation Cell in the Finance Ministry to study the recommendations and submit its proposal to the Empowered Committee of Secretaries under the Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary.  Empowered Committee will submit final concrete proposals to Cabinet for approval.  On receipt of the letter of NJCA addresed to Cabinet Secretary regarding indefinite strike, the Implementation Cell called the JCM staff side leaders to present its view points before the cell. Accordingly the NJCA leaders met the Convenor of Implementation Cell and explained the justification of each demands in the charter of demands.

                   NJCA decided to give strike notice on 11th March 2016 to commence the indefinite strike from 11th April 2016.  At this stage the Cabinet Secretary invited the JCM National Council staff side leaders for discussion with Empowered Committee of Secretaries on 1st March 2016.  The NJCA leaders attended the discussion and once again explained the justification of all demands before the Empowered Committee.  Cabinet Secretary gave a patient hearing but made no commitment on any of the demands. He finally appealed the staff side to give some more time for the Government for inter-departmental consultations and to take a final view and decision on ech demand raised by the staff side in the charter of demands.

                   NJCA met and reviewed the whole situation and came to the conclusion that as the Government has appealed for some more time to take a decision, it will be appropriate on the part of the staff side to give time to the Government, so that later on Government cannot blame that NJCA went on sudden strike inspite of the appeal from the Government to give some more time.  Secondly, Railways and Defence departments come under the purview of Industrial Dispute Act and as per the ID Act, if strike notice is served on 11th March 2016, strike should commence within six weeks from the date of serving notice, by which time the election in four states will not be over.  Thirdly, as the Assembly elections in four states have been notified and election code of conduct has come into force, the employees of four states will find it difficult to join the strike as many of them will be drafted for election duty.  Taking into consideration all the above aspects, the NJCA decided to defer the indefinite strike from April 11th to July 11th and to serve the strike notice on June 9th instead of March 11th.

                   Now the ball is in the Govt.’s court.  Before June 9th, ie. date of serving strike notice, the Government will be getting seven month time from the date of submission of the 7th CPC report, to take a final decision on all the demands and also to come to a negotiated settlement with the staff side.  Any further delay is unwarranted and unjustified and cannot be tolerated.  If the Government take an adamant stand and reject the justified demands of the staff side, then we will be forced to serve notice for indefinite strike from July 11th.  Government cannot take the staff side for granted.

            AIPEU Group-C CHQ appeals to all the constituents of NJCA to take a firm stand and not to compromise on minimum demands.  Let us also pledge that we will be second to none, in organising the indefinite strike in Postal and ensure cent per cent participation of our membership at gross root level in the impending strike.

Government does u-turn on EPF, agrees to 8.8 percent interest rate

Bowing to persistent pressure from trade unions and political parties, the Centre on Friday increased the interest rate on employees provident fund (EPF) deposits to 8.8 percent from 8.70 percent announced earlier for 2015-16.

"I am happy to tell you that the EPF rate has been increased to 8.8 percent," Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told reporters in New Delhi.

The provident fund rate was 8.75 percent in 2014-15 and the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) had recommended to make it 8.8 percent for this fiscal. However, the finance ministry had rejected the recommendation and had approved only 8.70 percent interest, citing lower earnings.

"The protest was successful with workers across the country participating in it," Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) president A.K. Padmanabhan told IANS over phone.

Padmanabhan is also a member of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of EPFO.

Most trade unions had protested the decision and the issue was also raised by political parties both in parliament and outside.

Trade unionist and Communist Party of India-Marxist MP Tapan Kumar Sen had also raised it in the Rajya Sabha.

Trade unions had threatened to intensify their agitation from September if the government did not comply with the demand of higher EPF interest rates.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary D.L. Sachdev termed the Friday protest call by the central trade unions as successful.


"We oppose even a slight reduction in the interest rate after the recommendation by the CBT. The CBT had recommended 8.8 percent whereas the central government reduced it to 8.7 percent," he said.

According to Padmanabhan, the argument that interest rates on public provident fund (PPF) and other small savings schemes have come down and the employees provident fund interest rate cannot be immune is not sustainable.

"The corpus belongs to the workers and the interest is paid out of income from the corpus," he said.

As the government decided to agree to 8.8 percent interest rate, Padmanabhan said this is the third time the BJP-led central government is backtracking on its decision faced with strong opposition.

On April 19, close on the heels of violent agitation in Bengaluru and also demand from trade unions, including from RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), the government had withdrawn its new rules of provident fund withdrawal.

Padmanabhan said EPFO has the necessary funds to pay higher interest rate.

"The CBT of EPFO is the final authority on the all matters. As per the EPF Act, the CBT has the full powers. All these years the central government agreed to the recommendations of the CBT," Padmanabhan said.

According to him, even with offering an interest rate of 8.95 percent, the EPFO will have a surplus of around Rs.91 crore.

Welcoming the government's decision, national secretary of the All India Trade Union Congress Vidya Sagar Giri told IANS: "If the government has rolled back its decision then it is good."

Calling the government's move anti-labour, Giri said: "The government is only worried about lending money to corporates at lower interest rate and that too on the cost of the poor labourers."

He also slammed the government for behaving like a dictator and said: "The government has become a dictator. The EPFO's CBT, the apex body during a meeting held in February this year, had proposed an interim rate of interest at 8.8 percent to be credited to the EPF subscribers for 2015-16 in the presence of Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattareya."

"How the finance minister can overlook the decision of the apex body?" he wondered.

Sachdev, meanwhile, claimed that the central government "wants to dilute the PF and direct the funds to New Pension Scheme and also to the stock markets".

"Social security schemes cannot be left to the vagaries of the stock market," he said, adding that the government seems to be going towards the goal of making PF an optional scheme for the workers which is not good.

According to the new norms proposed earlier this year, subscribers would not be allowed to claim withdrawal of PF after attaining 54 years of age, and would have to wait till 57.

The earlier norms allowed contributors or subscribers to claim 90 percent of their accumulations in their PF account at the age of 54 years, and the final claims to be settled just one year before their retirement.
--IANS
Source :  http://www.business-standard.com

Sri M K Naik, AD(Estt), C O posted and SSPOs, Bhubaneswar

The AIPEU, Group-C, Bhubaneswar Division extends a generous welcome to Sri Naik as SSPOs, Bhubaneswar Division.

Sri Krutarth Behera, SSPOs, Bhubaneswar Division transferred

 

Transfer and posting in P S Gr.-B Cadre in Odisha Circle

 

Rourkela Steel Plant organizes Workshop “Roshni” for retiring employees in association with India Post

            The authority of Rourkela Steel Plant is periodically organizing  workshops “ Roshni” for its retiring employees to counsel them on how to invest their retirement benefits properly. In the meantime, 5 such workshops have since been organized last being on 13.04.2016. 

Shri Mrutunjaya Hota, Postmaster Grade – III, Rourkela Head Post Office is always playing the key role in conducting such workshops. 

In each workshop, the retiring employees of RSP are properly informed about different POSB Schemes  in details. India Post is being greatly benefited in conducting such workshops since crores of amount have already been invested  in different Post Offices in Rourkela by the retired employees of RSP. 

Congratulations to Shri Mrutunjaya Hota, Postmaster Grade – III, Rourkela Head Post Office for his nice effort to generate revenue for the Department.

 

Commemorative Postage Stamp on "Govardhanram Tripathi"

India Post has brought out a commemorative Postage Stamp on "Govardhanram Tripathi" on 27.04.2016. The stamp was released by Lt. Col. D. K. S. Chauhan, CPMG Gujarat Circle in the gracious presence of Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Gujarat

Discontinuation of Money Gram IMTS service from Post Offices - reg.

Notice for holding 9th Divisional Biennial Confrence of AIPEU, Group-C, Bhubanewar Division

Dear Comrades,

            First of all, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude before you for showing your fraternal solidarity in the campus of the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle on 21.04.2016 against my irregular and untimely transfer from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack. The irregular transfer memo has since been modified. The credit goes to you all for such a victory. 

Now I have the pleasure to intimate you that the Divisional Working Committee of this Union in its meeting dated  13.02.2016 had decided to conduct our 9^th Divisional Biennial Conference from 21^st to 22^nd May, 2016. But due to non-availability of date from our Circle Secretary, it was rescheduled to 28^th and  29^th May, 2016.

In addition to our Circle Secretary, Com. M Krishnan, General Secretary, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers and Com. R N Parashar, General Secretary, AIPEU, Group-C, CHQ and Secretary General, NFPE have also given their kind consent to attend our conference. 

The required notice as per constitution is sent here with.

Keeping in view the scorching heat in the month of May and the increasing price of essential commodities, the Working has decided to hold the Conference with individual contribution of Rs.700/- which may be sent / remitted to Sri Sukhalal Tudu, Treasurer, AIPEU, Group-C, Bhubaneswar Division & P A, Ashoknagar MDG, Bhubaneswar – 751 009 by 10^th May, 2016. Sri H K Ojha,  Astt. Treasurer and Sri D C Mohanty Organizing Secretary will take the responsibility of collecting the donations from Town S Os alongwith Sri Sukhalal Tudu, Treasurer. Sri N R Pattnaik, Organizing Secretary and Sri Kalandi Biswal, member will arrange to collect the donations from Bhubaneswar GPO along with Sri Lingaraj Sahoo, Vice-President. Sri S K Patra, Organizing Secretary will collect the same from Divisional Office and Udyan Marg SO. Sri R C Kandi, Asst. Secretary, Sri N C Senapati, Organizing Secretary and Sri H K Sahoo, WC Member will collect the donations from rural offices.

Sri D R Mohanty, Asst. Secretary is requested to monitor the total collection of donations so that it will be completed by 10^th  May, 2016.

Comrades, we are conducting this Conference in such a moment while the 7^th CPC has rejected all our just and genuine demands and submitted its report full of retrograde measures on one hand and the National Joint Council of Action comprising Confederation, Railway Federations and Defence Federations is planning for an Indefinite Strike from 11.07.2016 on the other. Thus, this Conference has its own special importance when attended by Com. M Krishnan and Com. R N Parashar in a very crucial period.

As such, all the members are sincerely requested to remit their individual contribution in time and  attend the Conference invariably without fail to make it a grand success.

With Conference Greetings.

Comradely yours,

Encl.- As Above (Notice)

(BRUHASPATI SAMAL)

Divisional Secretary

 

N O T I C E

No. UN / BN – AIPEU / Gr.-C / Con- 2016

Dated at Bhubaneswar the 29^th April, 2016

Notice is hereby given under Article 48 read with Article 45 and 46 of the Constitution of All India Postal Employees Union, Group – C to hold the 9^th Biennial Conference of Bhubaneswar Divisional Branch from 28^th to 29^th May, 2016 at Odisha Association for the Blind, Kharvelnagar (Near Big Bazar), Bhubaneswar – 751 001.

            The following shall be the agenda for discussion in the Biennial Conference.

1.    Confirmation of the proceedings of 8^th Biennial Conference held at the Institution of Engineers (India), Odisha State Centre, Bhubaneswar - 751001 from 12^th to 13^th April, 2014.

2.    To consider and adopt the Biennial Report.

3.    To consider and adopt Audited Accounts

4.    To adopt Budget Estimates.

5.    Organizational Review

a.    Re-verification of membership completed during 1^st week of August, 2015 and effective in October, 2015 and position of Bhubaneswar Division.

b.    Review of Strikes / Agitational Programmes

i.              March to Parliament on 28.04.2014

ii.            Successful one day strike on 02.09.2015

iii.           Deferment of 2 days strike on 1^st and 2^nd December, 2015 by NFPE and subsequent developments.

iv.           Ultimatum given by National Joint Council of Action culminating to Indefinite Strike from 1^st week of March, 2016 and subsequently rescheduled first from 11.04.2016 and then from 11.07.2016 on 26 point charter of demands.

c.    Our approach with Circle Union / CHQ / NFPE / Confederation / NJCA / Sister Unions.

d.    Position of AIPEU GDS (NFPE) in Bhubaneswar Division and our role.

e.    Position of Casual Workers in Bhubaneswar Division

f.     Review of monthly union meetings with Divisional Head

6.    7^th CPC related issues:

i.              Preparation of Draft memorandum - National Workshop on 7^th CPC in New Delhi from 26^th to 27^th May, 2014 and our contribution.

ii.            Release of 7^th CPC Report on 19.11.2016 - Demands by Staff Side Vrs. retrograde recommendations by the Commission

iii.           Fixation of Min. Wage, Fitment Formula, Annual Increment and Promotion etc.

iv.           Common issues covering allowances / advances / CGHS etc.

v.            Modifications suggested by NC JCM (Staff Side)/Confederation/NFPE/CHQ

vi.           Specific issues relating to P A/LSG/HSG-II/HSG-I/ S As/B Es/Postmaster cadre and Cadre Restructuring of Group-C employees. 

7.    Divisional Issues:

a.    Issues related to CBS Finacle

i.        Discrepancy settlement, data validation and roll-out sign off.

ii.      Deficiency in supply of hardware and compulsory migration with old and outdated systems

iii.     Insufficient training and dearth of Technical support

iv.     Low Bandwidth / Link failure / sluggish connectivity / extended duty hours / rude  behavior of the customers and employees’ fate/future

v.      Problems in printing of Pass Book and Certificates

vi.     Transaction errors in CBS Finacle

vii.    Problems arising out of non-migration of Accounts / Certificates

viii.  Irregular orders by CEPT/CPC not to leave office without prior permission/completion of HISCOD

b.    Issues related to CIS (PLI McCamish):

i. Problems of PLI CPC, Bhubaneswar GPO – Inadequate manpower, hardware and space

ii. Non-updation of policies especially pay recovery cases.

iii. Non-sanction of PLI/RPLI incentive

c.    Problems of women employees – Posting in offices without basic amenities.

d.    Victimization of employees/stoppage of duty pay of subordinate staff members on the plea of disobedience of office order.  

e.    Contributory negligence and issues of subsidiary offenders.

f.     Undue delay in implementation of rotational transfer memo of previous years.

g.    Irregular / arbitrary orders of deputation

h.    Opening of new Post Offices without proper infrastructure and without supply of required stock items.

i.      No AMC of UPS, Gen Set etc.

j.      Supply of sub-standard / inadequate computer paper/MPCM/Bar code sticker etc.

k.    Irregular maintenance of P O buildings / staff quarters & dequarterization issues.

l.      Introduction of new products / services without supporting documents / materials / advertisement and fixation of unachievable targets there on.

m.   Improper attention / non-disposal to/of union representations.

n.    Provision of Police Escort in Cash Van & Deployment of Arm Guards in BBSR GPO

o.    Continued grant of HRA to the Postal Staff Working at Balakati SO, Balianta SO and Bhatpatna SO near Bhubaneswar

p.    CGHS problems

8.      Specific general problems of individual Post Offices.

9.    Resolutions on the problems of employees and ways and means to implement policies and directives of NFPE/All India Union/Circle Union.

10.  Election of Office bearers :

a.   President, b. Vice – Presidents, c. Divisional Secretary, d. Asst. Secretaries, e. Financial Secretary, f. Asst. Financial Secretary, g. Organizing Secretaries.

10. To elect the members to the Working Committee, the number being decided by the conference.

11. To elect the Auditor,  Circle Councilors and delegates to Circle and All India Conference.

12. Any other item with the permission of Chair.

13.  Vote of thanks.

With fraternal greetings.

(BRUHASPATI   SAMAL)

Divisional Secretary

Copy to:

1.    The President, AIPEU, Group – C, Bhubaneswar Division.

2.    All elected Office Bearers / Members to Working Committee / General Body members.

3.    The Chair-Person / Convener / Sub-Convener / Members of the Women Sub-Committee.

4.    The Sr. Supdt. of Post Offices, Bhubaneswar Division, Bhubaneswar – 751 009.

5.    The Circle Secretary, AIPEU, Group-C, Odisha Circle Branch.

6.    The General Secretary, AIPEU, Group-C, C H Q, Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 2151 / 1, New Patel Nagar, New Delhi – 110 008.

7.    Notice Board

(BRUHASPATI   SAMAL)

Divisional Secretary