Postponement of proposed indefinite strike by Defence Employees Federations…

ALL INDIA DEFENCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION 

INDIAN NATIONAL DEFENCE WORKERS FEDERATION 

BHARATIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH

Ref:01/AIDEF/INDWF/BPMS/14

Date: 12/02/2014 

Camp: New Delhi

To
The Defence Secretary,
Ministry of Defence,
South Block, New Delhi.

Sub: Deferment/postponement of the proposed indefinite strike.

Ref; 1) Strike Notice No.01/AIDEF/INDWF/BPMS14 Dt; 28/01/2014.
2) VIde MoD ID NO.19(5)/2013/D(JCM) Dtd: 07/02/2014.

Sir,

The representatives of the 3 Federations perused the minutes of the meeting held on 06/02/2014 under the chairmanship of AddI. Secretary(A) with the representatives of recognised Federations of MoD I.e. AIDEF, INDWF, & BPMS in connection with the notice of Indefinite strike from 17/2/2014 by Defence Civilian Employees.

The 3 Federations Convey their gratitude to the MoD for the proactive steps taken to negotiate the demands of the Defence Civilian Employees in a cordial atmosphere and to settle some of the very outstanding issues of the Defence Civilian Employees pending for a long period.

The Federations also place on record the Initiative taken by the Honbie Defence Minister, Defence Secretary, Secretary(Dp) and all the officials in the MoD and Defence Finance in resolving some of the issues which were agitating the minds of the Defence Civilian Workforce and also the assurance given that all out efforts would be taken to settle the issues pending with Defence Finance, DOP&T, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Health by holding meetings with them.

The Federations are also confident that the assurances and commitment given in the meeting by the AddI. Secretary(A) and Defence Minister will be implemented In its true spirit. Accordingly after the meeting with the Addl. Secretary the representatives met the Hon ble Defence Minister Shri.A.K.Antony on 06/02/2014 at 15.00 hrs, and appraised him about the discussion taken place in the meeting held with Addi. Secretary and also requested him to consider the following 4 demands at his level.

1) Grant of CSD Canteen facilities to the retired Defence Civilian Employees at par with the Ex-servicemen.

2) To take up the matter with DOP&T and Ministry of Finance for relaxation of the 5% restrictions on grant of Compassionate Appointment.

3) To discuss with the Prime Minister and Finance Minister to merge a portion of Dearness Allowance i.e. more than 50% with Basic pay for all purpose, since Dearness Allowance has become 100% as on 01/01/2014.

4) For achieving self reliance, indigenisatlon of Defence production and to avoid scam & corruption in Defence purchase, Government owned Defence industries such as DRDO, Ordnance Factories, DGOA, EME Workshop, Naval & Air Force establishments should be expanded and patronised by the Government.

The Honble Raksha Mantiri assured to consider all the issues raised by us sympathetically.

Considering the above positive approach from the MoD and also the appeal made by the Addl. Secretary(A) to the Federations to withdraw the proposed indefinite Strike’ the Federations have decided to reciprocate the positive approach and goodwill and have decided to defer/postpone the indefinite strike proposed from 17/2/2014 till further review by the Federations depending upon the outcome of the settlement.

We hope that MoD will consider our decision in its true perspective and continue with the dialogue mechanism to solve the problems and to maintain harmonious employer employee relationship.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

C.Srikumar                                           R.Srinivasan                                         Sadhu Singh

Gener& Secretary / AIDF         General Secretary / INDWF           Orgn. Secretary / BPMS For General Secretary

Central Government Employees All India Strike – Confederation report

WELL  DONE  COMRADES !   

CONGRATULATIONS & RED SALUTE !!

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT CONGRATULATES ALL THE CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES WHO MADE THE  BEGINNING OF THE TWO DAYS STRIKE A MARVELLOUS AND THUNDERING SUCCESS.

THE HISTORIC 48 HOURS NATION WIDE STRIKE COMMENCED AT 00:00 HRS ON 12.02.2014

13 LAKHS  EMPLOYEES  JOINED  THE BIGGEST STRIKE OF CENTRAL GOVT. EMPLOYEES AFTER 1968 ON CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES COMMON DEMANDS.

FUNCTIONING OF ALL CENTRAL GOVT. OFFICES (OTHER THAN RAILWAYS & DEFENCE) COMPLETELY PARALYSED AND CAME TO A STANDSTILL.

WARNING AND THREAT OF VICTIMISATION BY THE GOVT COULD NOT DETER THE EMPLOYEES FROM JOINING THE STRIKE.

PENT UP DISCONTENTMENT AND ANGER OF THE EMPLOYEES BURST OUT LIKE A VOLCANO.

EVERYWHERE ENTIRE EMPLOYEES ARE ON STRIKE AND IN MAJORITY OF THE STATES AND DEPARTMENTS IT IS ALMOST NEAR TOTAL.

UPA GOVERNMENT  IS NOT READY TO CONCEDE ANY OF OUR DEMANDS, JUST AS IN THE CASE OF BANK EMPLOYEES.

CONTINUE THE STRIKE ON 13TH FEBRUARY ALSO.

CONFEDERATION NATIONAL SECRETARIAT WILL MEET ON 18TH FEBRUARY AND DECIDE FUTURE COURSE OF ACTION.

      

                                                              M.KRISHNAN

                                                            Secretary General

                                Confederation Central Govt. Employees and Workers

                                                            Mob: 09447068125

                                                Email: mkrishnan6854@gmail.com

P R E S S     S T A T E M E N T

Dated: 12th February, 2014

  

As per the report received at the Central Head Quarters of the Confederation, near about 13 lakhs Central Government Employees have commenced the two day strike from Midnight of 11th Feb. 2014. For 48 hours. The Strike action will continue upto the midnight of 13th Feb. 2014.  The functioning of the Government in the Postal, Income tax, Civil Accounts, Ground water Board, Botanical Survey of India, and many other organisations have been totally paralysed as in these departments, the offices could not even be opened .   In all other Departments of the Government of India viz. the Printing and Stationery, Indian Audit and Accounts Department, Atomic Energy Commission offices, Custom & Central Excise, Defence Accounts, Indian Bureau of Mines, Geological Survey of India, other Survey of India organisations and offices, Census, the work has been paralysed. 

The strike action became necessary due to the refusal of the Government to finalise the terms of reference of the proposed 7th CPC, grant interim relief and merger of DA with pay, inclusion  of Gramin Dak Sewaks within the purview  of the  Pay Commission and scrapping of NPS  and the settlement of the 15 point charter of demands,  The employees are agitated over the action of the Government in getting the PFRDA enacted in the Parliament  with the support of the BJP which contains the provision to bring in the existing employees and pensioners  also within its ambit.

  

During the last 5 years, Government had been outsourcing various functions to Contractors with the result presently about one third of the workforce of the Government of India is contract labours getting only a pittance of salary.  Lakhs of posts in various Departments of the Government are presently vacant due to the ban on recruitment aggravating the unemployment situation in the country.  

The Government has virtually closed down all channels of discussions with the employees by not convening the meetings of the JCM both at the National and Departmental levels.  There had been no avenue for the employees to air their grievances and seek redressal.  Even the awards of the Board of Arbitration which were in favour of employees were allowed to pend implementation for 15 years and are now being brought before the Parliament for rejection invoking the sovereign authority of the legislature. 

The incessant rise in the prices of essential commodities has eroded the value of wages fixed in 2006 phenomenally.  The price rise over the years between 2006 and 2014 is estimated to be three times, whereas the DA compensation presently is only 90%.  It has become difficult for the employees especially at the lower levels to meet even the basic requirements of a family life.  The agonising situation arising from the apathy of the Government has given rise to anger and desperation, which has been reflected in their total participation in the strike action.

The reports received from the States indicate  that   the strike was total in Kerala, West Bengal, Assam, Tripura,  Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu,  Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, ’Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, J&K, HP, Rajasthan, U.P. and more than 90% in the rest of the States. 

The National Secretariat of the Confederation is scheduled to meet on 18th Feb. to review and assess the response of the Government.  If the Government continues with its nugatory attitude, the Secretariat will be left with no other alternative but to call upon the employees to go for indefinite strike action before the general election is announced. 

M.KRISHNAN

Secretary General.

Source:http://confederationhq.blogspot.in/

Railway Budget 2014: No Increase in Passenger Fares and Freight

Outlay of Rs 64,305 Crore Proposed for Rail Budget with A Budgetary Support of Rs 30,223 Crore

17 New Premium Trains, 38 Express Trains and 10 Passenger Trains Proposed

Surveys For 19 New Lines and  Doubling of 5  Tracks to be Taken Up

Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh to be on Railway Map

The Elimination of 5,400 Unmanned Crossings

To Prevent Fire Incidents Portable Fire-Extinguishers in Coaches and Induction Based Cooking Introduced in Pantry Cars

Feasibility Study for High Speed Trains in Mumbai-Ahmedabad Corridor and Semi High Speed Projects to Taken Up on Select Routes

More Bio-Toilets in Trains and Green Curtains Along the Track Close to Major Stations

Independent Rail Tariff Authority Set-Up to Advice on Fares and Freight

Loading Target Raised to 1,052 Million Tonne and Freight Earnings Target Revised to Rs 94,000 Crore

No increase in rail fare and freight has been proposed in the Interim Rail Budget for 2014-15. Presenting the Budget in Parliament today, the Minister of Railways Shri Mallikarjun Kharge announced 72 new trains, extension of three trains and increase in frequency of three trains. The Minister announced that there will be no more unmanned crossings. A Rail Tariff Authority has also been announced. A number of measures for safety and security of passengers like portable fire-extinguishers in coaches and induction based cooking in pantry car have been proposed in the Budget.

The Budget presented today envisages investment of Rs. 64,305 crore as against Revised Estimates for 2013-14 of Rs. 59,359 crore. Anticipating a healthier growth of economy, the freight traffic target is proposed at 1,101 million tonnes, an increment of 49.7 million tonnes over the current years’ revised target of about 1052 million tonnes. The Gross Traffic Receipts have been projected at Rs. 1,60,775 crore . Working Expenses have been proposed at Rs. 1,10,649 crore, which is Rs. 13,589 crore higher than the Revised Estimates for the current year.

Highlighting the passenger friendly initiatives of Indian Railways, the Minister said the success of e-booking of tickets has surpassed all expectations, and  now train movements can also be tracked online to find the exact location and running.  Besides, 51 Jan-Ahaar outlets for sale of Janta Meals have been set up; 48 passenger escalators have been commissioned at railway stations and 61 more are being installed and air-conditioned EMU services will commence in Mumbai area by July 2014. 

Railways Minister announced that Itanagar, capital of Arunanchal Pradesh will soon be on rail map in this financial year, as Harmuti-Naharlagun line is expected to be commissioned shortly. The state of Meghalaya is also all set to come on the Railway map in this financial year, as Dudhnoi – Mehendipathar line is getting completed by March 2014.

Briefing about Railways efforts for moderation of its network Sh. Kharge said a joint Feasibility Study for Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed corridor, started in December 2013, will be completed in 18 months. Besides the High Speed project, Indian Railways also intend to explore low cost options for raising speeds to 160-200 kmph on existing select routes like Delhi-Agra and Delhi-Chandigarh.

The Minister said that Investment in Railways is being stepped up by partnership with the private sector. PPP projects related to rolling stock manufacturing units, modernisation of railway stations, multi-functional complexes, logistics parks, private freight terminal, freight train operations, liberalised wagon investment schemes and Dedicated Freight Corridors are in the pipeline. Apart from attracting private investments from domestic investors in rail sector, a proposal is under consideration of the Government to enable Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to foster creation of world class rail infrastructure.

Reiterating Railways’ commitment or safety and security of passengers the Minister said several measures have been and are being taken for its further strengthening.  Manning or elimination of all unmanned level crossings has been taken up and planning for induction of indigenously developed Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and provision of Vigilance  Control  Device (VCD) in all electric and diesel locomotives is being introduced. He said that a Comprehensive Fire and Smoke Detection System is on trial on two rakes of Rajdhani Express trains. This will be extended to all major passenger trains. Provision of portable fire extinguishers in AC coaches, Guard-cum-luggage break vans, pantry cars and locomotives. Introduction of electrical induction based cooking appliances in replacement of LPG in pantries is being taken up.

With a view to improving aesthetic ambience along the track close to the approach of major stations, the Railways Minister announced  creation of ‘Green Curtains’ at Agra and Jaipur stations on pilot basis.  He said that bio-toilets have been introduced in about 2,500 coaches. It is proposed to increase the coverage progressively.

Railways Minister said given the promising trend of loading, the target has been scaled up to about 1052 million tonnes from the budget target of 1047 million tonnes and freight earnings targets revised to Rs 94,000 crore. He announced that an independent Rail Tariff Authority is being set-up to advise the Government on fixing of fares and freight. 

Source: PIB