Golden Jubilee of Historic Strike on 19-09-1968-Salute to participants of struggle

By 

Comrade S Radhakrishna

In the history of workers in struggle in India the nationwide strike of Central Government Employees on 19^thSeptember, 1968 has a prominent place. This year we are celebrating golden jubilee of that historic strike. All the leaders who lead and participated in the strike have retired and some of them are no more.

The indefinite strike of Central Govt. Employees in1960 was the first major strike of Central Government. Employees after independence. The five days strike from 1960 July 11 midnight was brutally suppressed by the Central Government declaring it as “Civil Rebellion”. The main demand of the strike was improvement and modifications in the 2nd CPC recommendations. The Need Based Minimum Wage, though adopted by the 15th Indian Labour Conference in 1957, was rejected by the 2nd CPC.

The Joint Consultative machinery (JCM) was constituted in 1966 as a forum for discussing and settling the issues raised by CG employees.  GL Nanda then Home minister of India inaugurating the JCM on 28-10-1966 expressed a hope that “that the strikes will be made superfluous”.  Jagajivan Ram then labour Minister expressed a hope that “I wish that the Council will function in such a way that all the disputes or differences that may arise, will be resolved by them and no occasion will be provided for the Labour Minister to exercise his authority of setting up of the Board of Arbitration.”

There was an apprehension among sections of leadership that this negotiating machinery may not settle any major demands of the Central Government employees and may become just a talking shop or a time killing business, ultimately resulting in abnormally delaying the genuine demands.   Unfortunately this apprehension became reality within one year of formation of JCM. In the very first meeting of the National Council JCM, the following three demands were notified by the staff side.

1. Grant of Need Based Minimum Wage as approved by the 1957 Tripartite Labour Conference. 2. Merger of DA with Pay and 3. Revision of DA formula.

After prolonged discussion for more than one and a half year disagreement was recorded.  According to the JCM scheme once disagreement is recorded the matter should have gone to arbitration, but Government refused to refer the matter to arbitration.  Protesting against this arbitrary stand of the Government, the staff side leadership walked out of the JCM and decided to go for one day’s strike. A Joint Action Committee was formed and the date of the strike was decided as 19th September 1968. The following were the main demands of charter of demands for the strike

1. Need Based Minimum Wage. 2. Full neutralisation of rise in prices. 3. Merger of DA with Basic Pay. 4. Withdrawal of proposal to retire employees with 50 years of age or on completion of 25 years of service. 5. Vacate victimisation and reinstate victimised workers. 6. No retrenchment without equivalent alternative jobs. 7. Abolition of Contract and Casual Labour System.

Strike notice was served and the Joint Action Council (JAC) decided to commence the strike at 0600 AM on 19th September 1968. Intensive campaign was conducted throughout the country. AIRF, AIDEF and Confederation was the major organisations in the JAC. Government invoked Essential Services Maintenance Ordinance (ESMO) to deal with the strike. Government also issued detailed instructions to impose heavy penalty including suspension, dismissal, termination, break-in-service etc. on the striking employees. Para-military force (CRPF) and Police were deployed to deal with the strike. Central Government gave orders to all State Governments to suppress the strike at any cost. Kerala was ruled by the Communist Government during the strike. Chief Minister. E. M. S. Namboodiripad declared Kerala Government’s full support to the strike of Central Government employees. The Central Government threatened dismissal of the Kerala Government for defying the Centre’s directive to suppress the strike.It was a war-like situation. Arrest of Leaders started on 18th September itself. About 3000 employees and leaders were arrested from Delhi alone. All over India about 12000 Central Government employees and leaders were arrested and jailed.

At Bangalore the preparations for strike was well done under the dynamic leadership of Com. P. R. Chabaque who was the convenor of the Joint Action Committee here. Intensive campaigning was done through pamphlets and office centric meetings. A massive rally was held in Railway Institute ground behind City Railway station. Some arrests under ESMO were made at Bangalore. Some of the leaders arrested included Chabaque VV Jacob, K.P. Nair and A.K.P Pille from Survey of India, Jayaram, Kopeswar Rao, and Namboothri from Railways and many other leaders from other organisations.  Houses of many leaders were raided and searched. Some of the leaders who were very active in the preparation of strike are  Raghothaman, CV Ananda, N Bhaskaran, Muthu Subramanian (RMS), MM Farooqui (Telegraph), BN Prakash (Postal),  Ramakrishna Shastri, MS Nagaraj (AGS)and many others. 

In spite of all these repressive measures the strike commenced on 18th after noon itself at many places and was a massive success all over India and in all departments including Railway, Defence, P&T, Audit etc. About 64000 employees were served with termination notices, thousands removed from service and about 40000 employees suspended. Seventeen striking employees were brutally killed at Pathankot, Bikaner, DelhiIndraprasthaBhavan and at Upper Assam in lathi charge, firing by police and military and by running the train over the bodies of employees who picketed the trains.

Though the strike was only for one day on 19th September 1968, the victimisation and repression continued for days together. Struggle against victimisation also continued including work-to-rule agitation, hunger fast of leaders from 10th October 1968. There was unprecedented support to the strike and relief work and also to agitation for reinstatement of the victimised workers, from National Trade Unions, state Government employees and teachers Unions/Federations etc. A mass rally was organised before the residence of Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi on 17th October, 1968.

19th September 1968 strike is written in red letters in the history of Indian Working Class. The demand raised by the Central Government employees – Need Based Minimum Wage – was the demand of entire working people of India. Even today, the Central Government employees and other section of the working class are on struggle path for realisation of the Need Based Minimum Wage.

There are pages and pages to be written on the sacrifices of the workers in connection with the strike.  The strike was historic in more than one sense. The same government which refused to accept the demands were compelled to implement some of them afterwards.  No struggle goes in vain. The long term impact of a struggle for a genuine cause should be understood properly. The benefits of past struggles often accrues to the present/future generation.  Struggles are inevitable to establish more and more equitable peaceful society.

Let us salute the martyrs of past struggles.

Let us remember with gratitude all those who suffered immensely in the past struggles.

Let us carry forward the proud legacy left behind them to make the life of future generations brighter.

Let us resolve to make future struggles massive success.

Consumer Price Index July 2018 & DA August 2018

Consumer Price Index Numbers for Industrial Workers on Base 2001=100.  Monthly Index  - July 2018 is 301 points.

There has been very big  increase of 10 points in July 2018 , this increase of CPI is highest in last four years. 

DA as on 1st August is 10.36%. The present DA as on 1st July 2018 is at 9%. 

we can expect 3% to 4% DA on January 2019. 

Cabinet approves 2% additional DA

The Union Cabinet today approved the release of an additional installment of dearness allowance (DA) for central government employees and dearness relief to pensioners with effect from 1 July, 2018. This move, to compensate for the price rise, will result in an increase of 2% over the existing rate of 7% of the basic pay or pension. About 48.41 lakh central government employees and 62 lakh pensioners will be benefited because of the DA hike.

The combined impact to the government exchequer on account of both DA and dearness relief would be Rs 6,112 crore per annum and Rs 4,074 crore in the financial year 2018-19 (for a period of eight months, from July 2018 to February 2019).

Central Trade Union Convention -28th September -New Delhi

Transfer Policy - Department of Posts

Guidelines for transfer to regulate transfers of Group ‘C’ officials, Group ‘B’ (non-gazetted) officials and Assistant Superintendent of Posts (Group ‘B’ Gazetted): 

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CPI and DA July 2018

Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) — June, 2018 is released and The All-India CPI-IW for June, 2018 increased by 2 points and pegged at 291 (two hundred and ninety one). 

The DA as on 1st July 9.86 %. 

No proposals to hike minimum wage & fitment formula revision - Government

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF FINANCE

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1652
ANSWERED ON: 27.07.2018

Pay Commission Reports

RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the reports of successive Pay Commissions have been increasing the burden on Government finances/exchequer in partially accepting their recommendations for increase in wages and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the last Pay Commission has suggested productivity linked pay hike to the deserving employees to eliminate below average or mediocre performance and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether such periodic hikes in wages resulting from Pay Commission recommendations trigger similar demands from the State Government/public utility employees, imposing burden on already strained State finances and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) whether the Government is considering an alternative for increasing the salaries and allowances of Central Government employees and pensioners in future instead of forming Pay Commission and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI P. RADHAKRISHNAN)

(a) The financial impact of the recommendations of the Central Pay Commission, as accepted by the Government, is normally pronounced in the initial year and gradually it tapers off as the growth in the economy picks up and fiscal space is widened. While implementing the recommendations of the last Central Pay Commission, i.e., the Seventh Central Pay Commission, the Government staggered its implementation in two financial years. While the recommendations on pay and pension were implemented with effect from 01.01.2016, the recommendations in respect of allowances after an examination by a Committee have been implemented with effect from 01.07.2017. This has moderated the financial impact of the recommendations. Moreover, unlike the previous 6th Pay Commission, which entailed substantial impact on account of arrears, the impact in the year 2016-17 on account of element of arrears of revised pay and pension on the present occasion of the 7th Central Pay Commission pertained to only 2 months of the previous financial year of 2015-16.

(b) The Seventh Central Pay Commission in Para 5.1.46 of its Report proposed withholding of annual increment in the case of those employees who are not able to meet the benchmark either for Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) or regular promotion within the first 20 years of their service.

(c) The service conditions of employees of State Governments fall within the exclusive domain of the respective State Governments who are federally independent of the Central Government. Therefore, the concerned State Governments have to independently take a view in the matter.

(d) No such proposal is under consideration of the Government.

Source: LOK SABHA

Transfer Policy of CG Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1315

ANSWERED ON: 25.07.2018

Transfer Policy
SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI
SANTOSH AHLAWAT

Will the Minister of PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether there is any policy for the transfer of employees of Central Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government proposes to formulate single transfer policy for the Government employees in the country;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government proposes to constitute any commission for single transfer policy for both Central and State employees; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE

(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) & (b) : In terms of instructions issued by Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) on transfer/posting of Government employees, all Ministries/Departments of Government of India are required to have their own guidelines for transfer/posting of their employees providing for the following –

i. minimum tenure;

ii. have a mechanism akin to Civil Services Board for recommending transfer; and Respective Ministries/ Departments are also required to place the transfer policy in public domain.

(c) to (f) : There is no proposal to formulate single transfer policy for the Government employees as guidelines for transfer/posting of employees depend on the specific requirement of individual Ministries/ Departments. Moreover, the State Public Services are under State List for which the State Governments are competent to make rules and policies. Accordingly, there is no proposal to constitute any commission for single transfer policy for both Central & State employees.

Source:LOK SABHA

NJCA Circular

Reimbursement of Accommodation charges for stay in Hotels as per CCS (Travelling Allowance) Rules

Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure vide their OM. No.19030/2/2017-E.IV dated 10th October 2017 has clarified that the ceiling prescribed in para 2E (i) of the Annexure to DoE O.M.No.19030/1/2017-E-IV dated 13.07.2017 in r/o hotel accommodation/guest house, is exclusive of all taxes and these taxes shall be reimbursed to the Govt. Employee over and  above the ceiling limit. 

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Holding of meeting of the NJCA - on 3rd July, 2018

National Joint Council of Action

4, State Entry Road, New Delhi-110055

No.NJCA/2018

Dated: June 8, 2018

All Members of the NJCA

Dear Comrades,

Sub: Holding of meeting of the NJCA

It has been decided to hold meeting of the National Council of Action (NJCA) on 3rd July, 2018 from 16.00 hrs, in JCM Office, 13-C, Ferozshah Road, New Delhi

The following would be the issue of discussion:-

(i) To take stock of the current situation in regard to non-settled of major pending issues, viz. improvement in Minimum Wage and Fitment Formula.

(ii) No progress in respect of NPS Covered Central Government Employees.

(iii) Other pending issues related to National and Departmental Anomalies.

All of you are requested to make it convenient to attend the said meeting so as to take the consensus decision for future course of action in the prevalent scenario.

With Fraternal Greetings,

sd/-
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
Convener

National Convention of CG Employees held on 10/6/2018

Scrap Contributory Pension Scheme

Settle 10 points Charter of demands

NATIONAL CONVENTION OF CENTRAL GOVT EMPLOYEES DECLARES ONE DAY STRIKE ON 15th NOVEMBER 2018

National Convention of Central Government Employees organised by Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers at Hyderabad declared one day strike on 15th November 2018. All India State Govt Employees Federation (AISGEF) also declared one day strike on the same day ie ; 15.11.2018. Main demands are Scrap Contrbutory Pension  System and implement Old Pension System for all , Honour assurance given by Group of Ministers regarding increase in Minimum Pay & Fitment Formula , Stop Outsourcing of Govt functions and contractorisation , Grant Equal Pay for Equal Work , Settle 10 points Charter of demands etc. 

The Convention was inaugurated by Dr.Sajjeeva Reddy , National President , INTUC. Com Amarjeet Kaur , Nationl General Secretary , AITUC , Com Venkitesh , State General Secretary , CITU , Telangana , Com Gopal Rao , All India Defence Employees Federation addressed the convention. Com A.Sreekumar , General Secretary , AISGEF addressed the convention and declared that State Government Employees will also go on nationwide strike on 15.11.2018 along with Cental Govt Employees demanding scrapping of Contributory Pension Scheme. Com M.Krishnan , Secretary General , Confederation presented the Draft Resolution and Declaration for discussion and adoption. About 28 delegates representing different organisations and state level Coordination Committees participated in the discussion on draft resolution and declaration. Com Giriraj Singh , President , NFPE , Com Venkatesan (ITEF) Com M.S.Raja , Secretary General , All India Audit & Accounts Association , Com C.U.Jayakumar , Secretary General , National Federation of Atomic Energy Employees , Com Nilesh D Nazare , General Secretary , Indian Bureau of Mines Employees Association , Com P.S.Prasad (Working President COC Karnataka & General Secretary Central  Ground Water Board  Association) Com R.Seethalaksmi , Convenor , All India Women's Committee of Confederation also addressed the delegate session. Convention adopted the Resolution and Declaration and decided to go for one day strike on 15th November 2018 demanding settlement of 10 points Charter of demands (Resolution , Declaration and Charter of Demands will be published in the website shortly). The Convention also decided to organise intensive campaign programmes to ensure largest participation of employees in the strike (Details of campaign programmes will be published shortly).

About 1000 delegates from all states and affiliated organisations participated in the National Convention . Com K.K.N.Kutty , National President , Confederation hoisted the Confederation flag and also presided over the National Convention. Com A . Azeez, General Secretary , COC , AP & Telangana delivered welcome address and Com Y.Nageswara Rao , Chairman , COC offered vote of thanks. 

The delegates from  Karnataka state which includes delegates from  Belgavi , Hubli , Bangalore , Raichur districts along with units from  Postal , RMS, ITEF , Survey of India , CGWB , Postal Accounts etc participated in the meeting .   

The Reception Committee under the dynamic leadership of Com Nageswara Rao and Azeez along with leaders and cadres of all affiliated organisations of COC made excellent arrangements for the successful conducting of the National Convention. Cultural programmes presented by Praia Natya Mandali was really inspiring. Overall the National Convention was a grand success and and an inspiring experience for those who participated in it.

Minutes of COC Karnataka Meeting held on 5/6/2018

The COC meeting was  held on 5/6/2018 at ITEF room   started at 7.15 p.m. with Com.President in Chair. 

One minute silence was observed as a mark of honour and respect to our Comrade Chandrashekar, who expired today morning. He was working as a Postal Asst at Bg GPO.  (Ex Sports Inspector and Ex Football Coach).

National Convention at Hyderabad on 10-06-2018:

Com.S.Radhakrishna President appraised  the Exe Com about the National Convention of the Confederation of Cent. Govt Employees & Workers to be held at Hyderabad on 10-06-2018 reg Scrapping of NPS, Min Wage, Fitment Formula and to deliberate upon the future course of action.  

During the course of the meeting, it was decided that Com.P.S.Prasad, Working President will represent COC karnataka and all other affiliates are required to send their representatives as per the quota fixed by their respective All India Body. 

GDS Strike:

The representatives from Postal Assns viz., Com.Javaraya Gowda, Com.Ganesh and Com.Dominic who were present were asked to inform the latest developments reg the ongoing Strike of GDS Employees and also their programme of action, so as to enable COC, Karnataka to extend their solidarity as per the directions issued by Confederation Leadership. 

Financial  Review and Subscription:

All the affiliates were requested to remit the subscription to COC for the years 2017-18 & 2018-19 immediately. The Subscription for the year 2017-18 should be cleared by 30th June ( Rate of subscription is at Rs 10/- per member per year).

Meeting concluded at 8.45 p.m

Cabinet Approves GDS Pay scales

Cabinet approves Revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved the revision in the wage structure and allowances of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) of the Department of Posts.

The revision in the wage structure would entail an estimated expenditure of Rs 1257.75 crore (Non-recurring expenditure - Rs 860.95 crore and Recurring expenditure of Rs.396.80 crore) during 2018-19.

3.07 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will be benefitted by this wage revision.

Details:

1. Time Related Continuity allowance (TRCA) structure and slabs have been rationalised.  The total GDSs have been brought under two categories viz. Branch Postmasters (BPMs) and other than Branch Postmasters namely Assistant Branch Postmaster (ABPMs).
2. The present 11 TRCA slabs will be merged into only three TRCA Slabs with two levels each for BPMs and other than BPMs.
3. Introduction of new Time Related Continuity Allowance (TRCA) will be as below:

Minimum TRCA of two types of proposed categories of GDSs as per working hours / levels
S.No.	Category	Minimum TRCA for 4 Hours / Level 1	Minimum TRCA for 5 Hours / Level 2
1	BPM	Rs. 12000/-	Rs. 14500/-
2	ABPM/Dak Sevaks	Rs. 10000/-	Rs. 12000/-

4. Dearness Allowance will continue to be paid as a separate component, and also revised from time to time whenever it is revised for Central Government Servants.
5. It is decided to continue the calculation of the ex-gratia bonus by applying the calculation ceiling of Rs.7000 as basic TRCA + DA till such time a new scheme is devised.
6. Arrears for the period 1.1.2016 to the date of implementation will be paid by increasing the basic TRCA drawn during the period by a factor of 2.57. The arrears will be paid in one instalment.

• vii. Annual increase at the rate of 3% and the same may be given on 1st January or 1st July of every year as the case may be based on the one time written request of GDSs.

8. A new Risk and hardship Allowance has been introduced. Other allowances Viz. Office maintenance allowance, Combined duty allowance, Cash conveyance charges, Cycle maintenance allowance, Boat allowance and Fixed Stationery Charges have been revised.

Implementation strategy and targets:

The revision would result in improving the wages, allowances and discharge benefits of Gramin Dak Sevaks resulting in providing efficient & cost-effective basic postal facilities in the rural area. The proposed increased emoluments will enable him to improve his socio-economic standing.

Impact:

The Branch Post Offices are the fulcrum for provision of Communications and financial services in the village and are located in remote areas. The Post Master has to deal with large sums while making payments to customers; hence accountability is already built into his work. The enhanced remuneration will increase the sense of responsibility. Moreover, with the roll out of the India Post Payment Bank (IPPB), the CDS network is expected to play a key role in the process of financial inclusion of the rural population.

Background:

The Extra Departmental system in the Department of Posts was established more than150 years ago to provide basic, economical and efficient postal services in the rural areas where there was no justification for engaging full time regular employees. One Lakh Twenty-Nine Thousand Three Hundred forty-six (1,29,346) Extra-departmental Branch post offices are primarily manned by Gramin Dak Sevak Branch Postmasters. In addition, Gramin Dak Sevaks other than Branch Postmasters are also working in Branch, Sub and Head Post offices. The main features of the engagement of Gramin Dak Sevaks are that they work for part time ranging from 3 to 5 hours per day and supplement their income from other vocations so as to have adequate means of livelihood for themselves and their families. They remain in service up to the age of 65 years.

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