The one day strike of the central government employees called by Confederation of central government employees & workers on 16-03-2017 is all set to make another mile stone in the history of the struggles of central government employees.

The strike is against the treacherous and negative stand of the central government on modifications sought by the staff side of the JCM on the unilateral implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendations. The assurances given by the group of ministers in this regard are not honoured. 

AIBDPA as well as NCCPA have already decided and called to organise solidarity Dharna/Demonstrations in support of the strike on 16-03-2017.

Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary met Shri.S.K.Jain, DDG (Estt), DoT on 14-03-2017 and discussed the following important issues.

(1) Extending pensionary benefits to BSNL pensioners based on implementation of 7th Pay Commission recommendation and subsequent amendments in the CCS Pension Rules, 1972, as in the case of 6th Pay Commission recommendations.

General Secretary pointed out that the issue is being unnecessarily dragged despite assurance of early extension,including increased gratuity limit of Rs.20 lakhs, as had been done during the implementation of 6th Pay Commission recommendations.  The DDG stated that orders in this regard will be issued within one week.

(2) Mandatory Pension Revision from 01-01-2017 to BSNL Pensioners.

General Secretary reminded the DDG, the bitter experience in respect of pension revision for the pre 2007 pensioners and the order in this regard was issued after a long period of  four years and wanted mandatory pension revision once the pay revision is implemented to BSNL employees with effect from 01-01-2017. The DDG stated that in 2007 the delay was mainly because there was no provision in Rule 37 A for pension revision and had to go for many a procedures and approval of the government. However, this time -, he is hopeful, to get the issue settled without much delay.

CHQ has again written to Member (Finance) for early settlement of pension revision on 78.2% IDA merger. In the letter, it has been pointed out that despite assurance by the Member(Finance) in the discussions we had with him, the situation continues to be unsatisfactory in most of the circles and warrants immediate action so that the arrears are paid without further delay.

Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary wanted him to meet the Member (Finance) on 14-03-2017 but the Member (Finance) happened to be in a meeting.<<view letter>>

The Central government on March 9 had unceremoniously shifted Shri.J.S.Deepak, Secretary Telecom presumably due to his firm stand on Reliance Jio freebies even beyond permissible period resulting in revenue loss to the government. In his place, Shri.Pradip Kumar Poojari, Power Secretary is given additional charge. But he is to retire in June, 2017 and it is unlikely that he may  take any  decision on key issues, the telecom sector is faced with.

As part of the Phase – 8 Expansion, BSNL will replace all the 2G base stations and install 28,000 new 3G and 4G Base stations in the country. This will be completed by 2017-18. At the same time BSNL has demanded the government for allotment of 4G Spectrum free to BSNL. This is most necessary not only to provide 4G but also to update to 5G services.

CMD BSNL, Shri Anupam Shrivastava stated that the new base stations will be completed by the end of this financial year.

Gurgaon Court on 11th March 2017 has acquitted 117 workers, while convicting 31, in connection with the violence in the factory premises four years back, which resulted in the death of one Manager. The violence has broken out when the management tried to bring blacklegs to defeat the justified strike of the Maruti workers.

In connivance with the Suzuki management, the Haryana Government arrested about 150 workers and implicated them all in the case. There was no trial for years and all of them were kept in jail. Even bail was not granted to most of the workers. The central trade unions organised protest actions against this brutal attack.

At last, the judgment has been delivered convicting 31 workers, while acquitting 117. In fact there was no case against them at all. It was only to terrorise the union and the workers that the case continued for so long.

It is also to be noted that all the office-bearers of the union are implicated in the case and they are the people convicted. The powerful Maruti Management and  the Haryana Government are part of this conspiracy. There is no doubt that the Trade unions will file appeal against the conviction.

Our full support and solidarity to the Maruti workers and their union for their heroic struggle.

<<View letter>>

<<View circular>>