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Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
ARBITRATION AWARDS- GOVT PROPOSED TO MOVE
RESOLUTIONS IN PARLIAMENT FOR REJECTION OF FIVE AWARDS.
COM. BASUDEV ACHARYA M.P. MOVES AMENDMENTS
TO THE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTIONS TO REFER BACK TO GOVERNMENT FOR RECONSIDERATION
OF THE PROPOSALS OF THE GOVERNMENT ON FOLLOWING AWARDS:
(1) Revised
HRA from 01.01.1996 to 31.07.1997
(2) Revised
Transport Allowance from 01.01.1996 to 31.07.1997
(3) Upgraded
pay scales to Senior Auditors /Senior Accounts from
01.01.1986.
(4) Revision
of Night Duty Allowance.
(5) Post
of Computer in Registrar General’s Office
=M.
Krishnan, Secretary General
LOKSABHA
ADJOURNED UPTO 2 P.M. TODAY (02.09.2013)
Pension Bill listed as item Number 2 . Perhaps the bill may be taken up today. Not sure. If intimation not received in time, the walkout and demonstration programme may be conducted ON THE NEXT DAY OF DAY ON WHICH THE BILL IS TAKEN UP FOR DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT as decided earlier by Confederation National Secretariat =M Krishnan S.G.
Post Offices for Women
The
objective for opening of all women post offices in the country is to
lay focus on women’s empowerment and to achieve Departments objectives
and mission to sustain its position as the largest postal network in the
world. It is an effort to integrate gender equality and women’s
empowerment for good governance by ensuring that women employees working
at various levels in the Department have a real voice in the decision
making of the Department as well as have a role in the management of
post offices in the country. The all women post offices are the post
office where all employees are women and they have been given the
responsibility of managing the events of the post offices. This is done
with a view to promote leadership and managerial qualities in women
employees of the Department. These post offices are opened in major cities and at present 34 all women post offices are functioning in the country.These
post offices are functioning within the postal network of the
Department in the country and not a separate set up of post offices.
Besides this, from customers’ perspective, Post Offices offer products and services like small savings, postal life insurance and other mail related products which are used by the common man. All Women Post Office offers a secured environment to our woman customers from all strata of society to transact postal business with a level of comfort and familiarity with women employees of the Department.
This information was given by Dr. Smt. Killi Kruparani, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Besides this, from customers’ perspective, Post Offices offer products and services like small savings, postal life insurance and other mail related products which are used by the common man. All Women Post Office offers a secured environment to our woman customers from all strata of society to transact postal business with a level of comfort and familiarity with women employees of the Department.
This information was given by Dr. Smt. Killi Kruparani, Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Source : PIB
The Policies that failed {Editorial Postal Crusader September, 2013}
In the
year 1991 when the New Economic Policy or the Neo-liberal Economic Policy was
adopted by the then Narasimha Rao Government at the Centre with much fanfare,
it was repeatedly declared that it is a panacea for all the crisis faced by the
Indian economy and shall ensure rapid growth of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP). After 22 years, it is the very
same neo-liberal policies which is leading the country to an economic
disaster. The then Finance Minister Sri.
Manmohan Singh had brush aside the criticism and opposition of left parties and
trade unions and they became a target of concentrated attack by the supporters
of the neo-liberal policies. Inspite of
stiff resistance from all trade unions the Government went ahead with the
rigourous implementation of the anti-people, anti-labour policies of
Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG).
While the
UPA Government desperately wooed foreign capital and handed out concessions to
big business and corporates, the plight of the people has been worsening
because of the economic slowdown, falling industrial production and high
inflation. The rupee has steadily
depreciated in value, with the exchange rate of the rupee to the dollar
breaching the Rs.68 mark last week. The
current account deficit (the gap between exports and imports and other
remittances) has reached an unsustainable level, there is rising external debt
with the bourgeoning short-term debt, posing immediate problem. This financial crisis is accompanied by high
inflation. The fact that the creation of
two India’s of the rich and the poor, with the gap between them widening
alarmingly, is a reality that stares us every moment.
The first
UPA Government was not allowed to implement the reforms in the financial
sector, pension sector and retail sector etc. by the left parties who supported
the Government. It prevented the passing
of PFRDA Bill by threatening to withdraw support to the Government. The second UPA Government without the left
support, started rigourous implementation of the reforms in all sectors. All barriers for the inflow of foreign
capital to the country was removed and the cap of Foreign Direct investment
(FDI) in banking, insurance, pension, retail, defence, telecom etc. are either
enhanced or removed. Large scale
disinvestment of public sector has become the order of the day. Deregulation of petrol pricing has resulted
in everincreasing prices of petrol and diesel fuelling inflation which resulted
in the increased burden of price rise for the people. Onions,vegetables and all other necessities
of life are becoming out of reach of the people. The other outcome of the economic slowdown is
the loss of jobs in the industrial and services sectors and rising
unemployment.
The UPA
Government is seeking to overcome this crisis by attracting more foreign
capital and giving more concessions to the multinational companies (MNCs) and
Indian big business. The growing
dependence on foreign capital flows and FDI has worsened the situation further
and the entire exercise has proved futile.
The bulk of the capital flows out of the country is from equity, debt
markets and Foreign Institutional Investments (FIIs), which the Government
cannot control. The neo-liberal policies
of the Manmohan Singh Government and the boosting of the economy through
Foreign Capital inflows have now come to roost.
During the
last three years at least, the tax concessions provided to the corporartes and
the rich amount to, according to budget papers, to over five lakhs crores every
year. Despite such “incentives”, the
overall growth of the industrial production was minus 1.6 per cent in May
2013. If, instead, these legitimate
taxes were collected and used for public investments to build over much needed
infrastructure, this would have generated large-scale employment. This, inturn, would increase the purchasing
power of the people and vastly enlarge domestic demand. This would lay the basis for a turn around in
manufacturing and industrial production and put the economy on a more
sustainable and relatively pro-people growth tragectory.
What the
country needs is an alternative pro-people policies. Such an alternative can be brought about
through the intensification of popular struggle of the people and working class
in the coming months.
CONFEDERATION CIRCULAR
Circular No. 3/2013
Dated – 29.08.2013
To
All CHQ office Bearers, Confederation
All General Secretaries C-O-Cs
All General Secretaries/Secretary Generals of affiliated Unions
Dear Comrade,
1. Agenda of the next National Council JCM has been finalized on 27.08.2013
in consultation with DOP&T. Twelve demands raised by the
Confederation in the Charter of demands are included (including the GDS
employees demand). The letter given by Com. Umraomal Purohit, Secretary,
Staff Side, JCM National Council and twelve demands included in the
agenda are enclosed herewith. (Annexure I & II) Next meeting of the
National Council JCM is expected by the end of October 2013/early
November 2013.
2. The controversial PFRDA bill is
listed as an agenda items of the current Parliament session. National
Secretariat of the Confederation has given a call for two-hours walk out
and protest demonstrations when the bill is taken up for discussion in
Parliament or on the next day if information is received late.
3. GET READY FOR INDEFINITE STRIKE, MAKE THE STRIKE BALLOT A GRAND SUCCESS
As already mentioned in the
previous circular the following campaign programmes shall be implemented
in all states demanding realisation of the 15 Point Charter.
(a) Mass Relay Dharna at all important places and State/District Head Quarters from 2nd to 7th September 2013.
(b) Holding
of state conventions of C-O-Cs and Central Working Commitees/Central
Executive Committees of all affiliated
Unions/Associations/Federations.
(c) Strike ballot from 25th to 27th September 2013.
A copy of the appeal for strike
ballot and model ballot is enclosed herewith (Annexure III & IV). It
may be translated into local languages. Each official should be given
an appeal well in advance so that they can take an independent decision
before the polling dates. 15 Point Charter may be permitted in the
appeal.
On the polling day (25th, 26th & 27th September
2013) ballot boxes should be placed at the premises of offices or at a
centralized place (polling booths) as per convenience. Employees may be
allowed to vote freely and frankly by ticking “Yes” or “No” in the
ballot. It will be a secret ballot. After ticking “Yes” or “No”, the
ballot may be put in the ballot box. After polling is over leaders shall
count the ballot.
The ballots in favour of
indefinite strike (Yes) and against indefinite strike (No) may be
counted separately and total figure arrived at may be communicated by
the respective C-O-Cs or organizations as the case may be, to the
Confederation Head quarters by e-mail or SMS.
Before the poling date intensive
campaign should be conducted by all C-O-Cs and affiliates at all places
and each and every employee may be contacted and requested to cast
his/her vote.
4. All India Trade Union Education Camp:
The Trade Union Education Camp will be held at Mumbai on 15th & 16th November
2013. The number of delegates to be participated from each C-O-C and
affiliated Unions / Associations / Federations will be intimated before
September 1st Week. The camp is being hosted by C-O-C Mumbai.
Delegate fee is Rs. 600/- per head. NFPE, ITEF, Audit & Accounts
Associations and Atomic Energy delegates shall be arranged accommodation
by their respective Federations.
5. All India Women’s Convention
The All India Women’s Convention of the Confederation will be held at New Delhi on 25th & 26th November
2013. Lady Delegates from all C-O-Cs and affiliated
Unions/Associations/Federations should participate in the Convention.
Number of women delegates to be participated from each C-O-C and
affiliated Unions/Associations/Federations will be intimated by first
week of September 2013. The Convention is being hosted by C-O-C Delhi.
Delegate fee is Rs. 600/- per head.
6. Formation of C-O-Cs at State and District level
As we are heading towards an
indefinite strike, we have to gear up our organsiational machinery at
all levels. Wherever state level C-O-Cs are defunct or ineffective it
should be revived immediately. Where ever District Committee is not
formed the major affiliates should take immediate action for preparing
their rank and file for the indefinite strike. Circulars, bulletins,
posters, boards, banners etc. may be issued and circulated widely among
the employees. Don’t wait for the last Minute, Be prepared well in
advance.
Fraternally yours,
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
PFRDA BILL LIKELY TO BE TAKEN UP IN PARLIAMENT ON 2nd SEPTEMBER 2013. ORGANISE TWO HOUR WALK OUT AND NATIONWIDE PROTEST DEMONSTRATIONS
It is reported that PFRDA Bill
will be take up in Parliament for discussion and adoption on 2nd September.
Confederation National Secretariat once again calls upon all Central Government
Employees to organize 2 hour walkout and nationwide protest demonstration on
the day if bill is taken up or on the next day if information received late.
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF POSTAL EMPLOYEES
1st Floor, North
Avenue Post Office Building, New Delhi - 110001
Dated - 29.08.2013
Dear Comrades,
NFPE WESTERN ZONE STUDY CAMP
The western Zone Study Camp of
NFPE conducted on 25th & 26th August 2013 at Pushkar
(Rajasthan) was a great success. About 220 delegates from Himachal Pradesh,
Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir attended the camp.
Some delegates from Gujarat also attended. (Detailed report placed in the
website).
NORTHERN ZONE STUDY CAMP
Northern Zone Study Camp will be
conducted at Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) on 21st & 22nd
September 2013. Delegates from Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand will attend the
camp (For detailed circular see website).
NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT DECISIONS
Federal Secretariat of NFPE met
at Pushkar (Rajasthan) on 26.08.2013. The Secretariat took the following
important decisions.
(i) Confederation
Campaign programmes: - The Federal
secretariat decided that NFPE should play a leading role in implementing the
campaign programmes of Confederation. Relay Mass Dharna (September 2nd
to 7th), state and District level convention and the strike ballot
(September 25, 26, 27) should be made a grand success.
(ii) Federal
Secretariat decided to organise the strike ballot in a most effective manner. Intensive campaign should be undertaken at Branch/Divisional/Circle level. The
model appeal and ballot is enclosed with the confederation circular. All
employees including GDS may be contacted and requested to participate in the
strike ballot (Full details available in the Confederation circular)
(iii) Confederation All India Trade Union
Education Camp Mumbai 2013 November 15th &16th
The following number of delegates should be participated
from each affiliated unions. P3 – 30, P4 – 25, R3 – 10, R4 – 10, Postal
Accounts – 5, Admn Union – 5, SBCO – 3, AIPEU-GDS(NFPE) - 5, Casual Labour – 2,
Total – 95.
(iv) Confederation
All India Women’s Convention: 2013 November 25, 26 – New Delhi
The following number of delegates will be
participated in the Women’s Convention P3 – 25, P4 – 10, R3-10, R4-5, Postal
Accounts – 5, Admn – 2 SBCO – 2, AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) – 5, Casual Labour – 1, Total
– 65.
Diamond Jubillee celebrations of NFPE &
109th year of Postal Trade Union movement
As decided in
the Hyderabad Federal Council, the Federal Secretariat decided to commence the
celebrations of the Diamond Jubilee of NFPE and 109th year of the
Postal Trade Union movement on 24th November 2013. The one year long
celebrations shall end on 24th November 2014. On 24th
November 2013, the inaugural ceremony of the celebrations will be held at New
Delhi. Further details will be decided later.
AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) Parliament march on 11th December 2013
AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) has decided to
conduct a massive Parliament March on 11th December 2013. All
affiliated Unions of NFPE are requested to extend full support and
participation to make the GDS Parliament March a grand success.
The AIC and CWCs of the following unions will be held on the dates and
places noted against each
(a)
AIC of R4 Union – 2013 8th, 9th
and 10th November at Pune (Maharashtra)
(b)
CWC of AIPAEA – 2013 October 28, 29, 30 at
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh)
(c)
CWC of Admn Union on 2013 September 23 and 24 at
Ranchi (Jharkhand)
(d)
CWC of P3 Union will be held at Guwahati (Assam)
on 2013 December 14 and 15
(e)
AIC of P4 Union – AIC of P4 Union will be held
at Cuttuck (Orissa) on 2013 December 29th, 30th & 31st.
(f)
CWC of AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) will be held at Kolkata
(West Bengal) on 26th October 2013.
(g)
CWC of R3 Union will be held at Puri (Orissa) on
8th & 9th December 2013.
ALL INDIA CAMPAIGN JATHA
The Federal Secretariat has
decided to explore the possibility of organizing five or Six All India Vehicle
Campagin Jathas of NFPE from different part of the country, each Jatha covering
3 or 4 states, before 2014 January. All Circle Secretaries/Divisional Secretaries
are requested to intimate their opinion about organizing All India Jathas
against the policies of the Government of India. Each Jatha is to be given grand reception at
all important cities. Final decision will be taken by the next Federal Secretariat
after reviewing the feedback received from Circles/Divisions.
Fraternally yours,
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
NFPE WESTERN ZONE STUDY CAMP 2013 AUGUST 25, 26 - PUSHKAR (RAJASTHAN)
Western Zone Study Camp of NFPE
was successfully held at Pushkar (Rajasthan) on 25th and 26th
August 2013. About 220 delegates from Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab,
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir attended the camp. The National Flag
was hoisted by Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE and NFPE flag was
hoisted by Com. Ishwar Singh Dabas, Deputy Secretary General, NFPE &
General Secretary, P4 (CHQ). The camp was inaugurated by Dr. K. Hemalatha,
General Secretary of All India working Women’s coordination committee by taking
class on “National Situation and Role of working class”. Com. Giriraj Singh,
President, NFPE presided, Com. M. Krishnan, Secretary General, NFPE and Com. K.
V. Sridharan Ex-General Secretary, P3 & Leader JCM (DC) took classes on the
subject “Lessons of the past and Task ahead of the Postal Trade Union movement”
and “Service Rules & the role of Unionists” respectively.
A seminar on “Future of India
Post” was organized in which Shri. O. S. Virwal, Chief Postmaster General,
Rajasthan Circle was the Chief Guest. Other senior officers also accompanied Chief
Postmaster General.
Com. I. S. Dabas, General
Secretary, P4 , Com. P. Suresh, General Secretary, R4, Com. P. Panduranga Rao,
General Secretary, AIPEU-GDS (NFPE), Com. Balwinder Singh, Financial Secretary,
P3, Com. N. Subramanian, Deputy General Secretary, P3 Com. Raj Kumar, Financial
Secretary, NFPE, Com. K. K. Sharma, Vice President, NFPE, Com. S. B. Yadav,
Vice President, AIPAEA, Com. K. P. Singh, R3, Rajeev, SBCOEA, addressed the
delegates.
The camp ended at 5 PM. The Reception
Committee headed by Com. H. P. Diwakar, Circle Secretary, P3 has made excellent
arrangement for food, accommodation, meeting hall, transport and other
facilities for delegates. NFPE congratulates the Reception Committee and
express thanks to them.
(M. Krishnan)
Secretary General
NFPEPOST BANK OF INDIA SANS POSTAL EMPLOYEES
It seems that the Post Bank of
India (PBI) may become a reality in the near future. For the last more than
fifteen years we have been told about the Post Bank and even the Parliamentary
standing committee on Communications & IT has repeatedly demanded the
Government for commencing Post bank. Several attempts have been made, but the
Finance Ministry always took a negative stand, for one reason or the other.
Majority of the bank managements including nationalized banks have been
opposing the entry of the Postal department into commercial banking. The reason
is obvious. They foresee a potential threat to their existence once Post Bank
enters into their field and during the course of time the Post Bank may become
one of the biggest Bank.
Post Bank of India will be an
independent entity, separate from the current operations of small savings
schemes being carried out by the Department of Posts on behalf of Ministry of
Finance. Department has accordingly submitted an application to the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI) on 28.06.2013 seeking banking license subject to necessary
cabinet approval. RBI has said that new banks will have to set up at least
three branches in villages with a population of less than 10000, for each
branch they establish in other areas. Although Post Bank does not intend to
open a bank in every Post office, the plan is to meet the financial inclusion
goal through these Post offices. India Post had 1,54,822 Post offices across
the country as on 31.03.2013, the largest for any department in the world, and
close to 90% of them – 1,39,086 – are in rural India. This is more than four
times the number of rural branches run by India’s Banks put together. According
to plan prepared by Ernst & Young, India Post will become Post Bank of
India’s banking correspondent. PBI will use Post office infrastructure but very
frugally. Carefully done PBI can be a game – changer in rural areas.
India post is among 26 applicants
that sought banking licenses from RBI. India Post has to develop the standards
to meet RBI guidelines. In its guidelines for new banking licenses announced on
22nd February 2013, RBI required applicants to prove their
eligibility on several fronts – from promoter holding to past experience to
business plans. The minimum capital required by the applicants for license is
Rs. 500 crores and foreign share holding in the new banks is capped at 49% for
the first five years. The new banks have to be set up under a non-operative
Financial Holding company (NOFHC). They also have to maintain minimum capital
adequacy ratio – the ratio of risk weighed assets, a measure of financial
strength of the bank – of 19 % for the first three years. New banks also need
to list their shares within three years of starting operations.
The main argument put forward by
those opposing the Post Bank is that Postal department has no experience when
it comes to giving credit (loans). Department has only been taking deposits
till now. Sanctioning and disbursing of credit needs an entirely different
aptitude. India Post has no specialized experience in the business. It is reported
that unlike many believe, the Post Bank of India will be a completely new
entity with no legacies of a government department and very little to do with
its parent department, except using some of its network. It will have an
independent Board. Separate recruitment has been planned to have specialised
banking staff. Of course, the Post Bank will be a subsidiary organisation of
India Post, which need to be registered as a public sector Bank and Government
equity in this new entity could be diluted. Whatever reforms and regulations
Government implements in Nationalised Banking sector will be fully applicable
to Post Bank of India also.
There are many talented and
qualified Postal employees who want to switch over to the Post bank and to work
as employees under the Post Bank. The reports that separate recruitment will be
made for the Post Bank has cast shadow upon their hope to work in the Post
Bank. NFPE demands that the existing Postal employees who want to switch over
to the Post Bank shall be given chance to exercise option and if need be a
trade test to assess their capability can also be conducted before selection.
Selected officials can be imparted with intensive training in commercial
banking business. In any case 100% open market direct recruitment is an
injustice to those talented Postal employees who may not be able to apply for
open recruitment due to age factor etc. we urge upon the Postal Board and
Finance Ministry to give due consideration to this aspect, before the new Bank
is rolled out.
CONFEDERATION DEMANDS INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF THE JCM NATIONAL COUNCIL
Agenda for next meeting of the
JCM National Council has been finalized on 27.08.2013 in consultation with
DOP&T Twelve demands raised by Confederation in the charter of demands are
included. (including GDS employees demand) Next meeting of National Council JCM
is expected by the end of October 2013.
The letter give by Com. Umraomal Purohit, Secretary, JCM
(NC) and the 12 demands included in the agenda are given below:
M. Krishnan
Secretary General
Confederation
According to official source, dearness allowance hike will be 10 percent and would be effective from July 1, this year.
The sources further said the exact amount of dearness allowance, as a proportion of basic pay, works out to over 90 percent after factoring in the revised all IndiaConsumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) for June.
According to revised data released on August 30, retail inflation for factory workers for June stood at 11.63 percent, higher than provisional estimate of 11.06 percent for the month released on July 31.
Sources said that since the revised estimate for the month of June is available, the Finance Ministry would soon prepare a proposal for the purpose for seeking Union Cabinet nod.
They further said the proposal will be moved this month. There would be a double digit hike in DA after about three years. It was last in September, 2010, that the government had announced a hike of 10 percent to be given with effect from July 1, 2010.
DA was hiked to 80 percent from 72 percent in April, 2013, effective from January 1, this year. As per the practice, the government uses CPI-IW data for past 12 month or a year to arrive at a number for the purpose of any DA hike. Thus, the retail inflation for industrial workers between July, 2012 to June, 2013 will be used to take a final decision
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