Government Initiatives on proposed Strike by the Central Trade Unions.

   As directed by the Prime Minister, senior Ministers in the Union Cabinet – Shri A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Labour & Employment held a round of discussions with the representatives of the Central Trade Unions on the evening of 18th February to convey the serious intent of the Government to resolve the various issues raised in their charter of demands. The list of participants is at.

   The representatives of the Central Trade Unions reiterated their demand for the Government to take concrete measures to contain price rise, to ensure employment generation, strict enforcement of labour laws, universal social security for unorganized and organized workers, stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State Public Sector Undertakings. Some of the issues raised by them also related to payment of minimum wages of Rs.10,000/-, abolition of contract labour, payment of equal wages and benefits to contract workers at par with regular workers, removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund, increasing the quantum of gratuity, assured pension for all, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Convention No.87 and 98.

  The Ministers explained to the representatives of the Central Trade Unions the various measures taken by the Government to control price-rise and contain inflation in the country. Particular attention was drawn to the huge food subsidy incurred by the Government to ensure availability of food grains to the poor at very concessional rates through the Public Distribution System. The Government’s efforts to pass the Food Security Bill in the Parliament will further increase the availability of subsidized food grains to the larger segments of the population and the Government is prepared to meet the extra burden on this account. The Government’s commitment to help the poor is also evident from the large amount of subsidy for fertilizers and fuel to ensure their supply at reasonable rate to the people.

   The Government is also keen to introduce amendments to the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and various other labour laws to improve the conditions of the workers and to give them substantial relief. A National Employment Policy is going to be announced shortly to encourage higher employment to women, to promote skill development and inclusive growth. Some of these proposals are going to be discussed in the meetings of the Union Cabinet shortly. The Government has already approved the National Manufacturing Policy in November, 2011 which envisages the creation of 100 million jobs in the country by 2022.

   The Ministers pointed out the huge loss to the economy in case the strike is resorted to by the Central Trade Unions. Apart from substantial production loss, the strike is also likely to cause inconvenience to the general public and loss of wages to the workers. In view of this, the Ministers appealed to the Central Trade Union Leaders to call off the strike.

   At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Central Trade Unions informed that they are going to discuss the proposal of the Government in a meeting on 19th Feb., 2013 and take further decision on the proposed strike.

Source: PIB

Opening of new Kendriya Vidyalaya(KV) at Thiruvarur (Tamilnadu)

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN
18, Institutional Area, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg
New Delhi 110 016.

F.11073 -3/2011-KVSHQ (Admn.-I)

Date: 05.02.2013

OFFICE ORDER

   Sanction of the Chairman, KVS is hereby accorded to open a new Kendriya Vidyalaya at the campus of Central University of Tamilnadu at Thanjavur Road, Thiruvarur (Tamilnadu) under Institute of Higher Learning Sector from 01.04.2013. The Vidyalaya will function from Class I to V (single section) during the academic session 2013-14 with consequential growth based on feasibility.

   The Sponsor i.e. Central University of Tamilnadu at Thiruvarur will be responsible to provide:-

   1. Permanent school building as per the specification of the KVS.

   2. 100% staff quarters to all the staff of the Kendriya Vidyalaya.

   3. All recurring and non-recurring expenditure including proportionate overhead charges and future development expenditure.

   The Sponsor shall remit the budgeted amount of recurring/non-recurring expenditure in advance installment to the Deputy Commissioner, KVS, Chennai Region i.e. first installment in the month of April and second in the month of October for each financial year.

   In case the sponsor fails to fulfill their commitment as agreed to, the Commissioner, KVS is empowered to reduce the number of classes/sections and also direct the closure of Kendriya Vidyalaya by giving due notice to the sponsor.

   The admission to the Kendriya Vidyalaya will be as per the priorities/rules prescribed by the KVS from time to time for the KVs under Institute of Higher Learning Sector.

   Orders regarding staff sanction are issued separately.

sd/-
(Dr. E.Prabhakar)
Joint Commissioner (Pers.)

Source:http://www.kvsangathan.nic.in/CircularsDocs/cir-admn-14-02-13(1).pdf

Various forms of protest action on two days Nationwide General strike on 20th and 21st February,2013.

 

MOST IMMEDIATE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES
AND PENSIONS
NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI-110001

D.O. No. 33012/1(s)/2013-Estt-B

  Dated the 15th  February, 2013

Dear Sir/Madam,

   The Joint Platform of Action of Government and Associate Services Employee's Organizations — All India Committee has given a notice that the affiliated organizations of JPA and the mass of employees working in Government services throughout the country will boycott work and resort to various forms of protest action on two days Nationwide General strike on 20th  & 21 st  February, 2013 in pursuance of their Charter of Demands.

   2. The instructions issued by the Department of Personnel & Training prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike including mass casual leave, go-slow etc. or any action that abet any form of strike in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Besides, in accordance with the proviso to Rule 17 (1) of the Fundamental Rules, pay and allowances is not admissible to an employee for his absence from duty without any authority. As to the concomitant rights of an Association after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights which can be claimed by the individual members of which the Association is composed. It follows that the right to form an Association does not include any guaranteed right to strike. There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also agreed in several judgments that going on a strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the Government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with the law. Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which, besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action. In this connection, your kind attention is also drawn to this Department's OM No. 33012/1(s)/2008-Estt (B) (pt) dated 12th  September, 2008 (copy enclosed)

   3. A Joint Consultative Machinery for Central Government employees' is already functioning. This scheme has been introduced with the object of promoting harmonious relations and of securing the greatest measure of co-operation between the Government, in its capacity as employer, and the general body of its employees in matters of common concern, and with the object, further of increasing the efficiency of the public service. The JCM at the different levels have been discussing issues brought before it for consideration and either reaching amicable settlement or referring the matter to the Board of Arbitration in relation to pay and allowances, weekly hours of work and leave, whenever no amicable settlement could be reached in relation to these items.

   4. The Central Government Employees under your Ministry/Departments may, therefore, be suitably informed of the aforesaid instructions under the Conduct Rules issued by this Department and other regulations upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and dissuaded from resorting to strike in any form. You may also issue instructions not to sanction Casual Leave or other kind of leave to employees if applied for, during the period of the proposed strike and ensure that the willing employees are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises. For this purpose, Joint secretary (Admn) may be entrusted with the task of coordinating with security personnel. Suitable contingency plan may also be worked out to carry out the various functions of the Ministry/Department.

   5. In case the employees go on strike, a report indicating the number of employees who took part in the proposed strike may be conveyed to this Department on the evening of the day.

With kind regards,

Yours sincerely,

sd/-
(Manoj Joshi)

Source:http://ccis.nic.in/WriteReadData/CircularPortal/D2/D02est/Nationwide-General-15022013.pdf