In one of the most retrograde moves of the BJP led NDA government, the dispensation of minimum pension of Rs. 1000 to the EPF pensioners stands suspended from April, 2015. The demand of minimum pension was agreed by the earlier UPA government after strong struggles by the pensioners organisations and the central trade unions. But the UPA government failed to implement the scheme and it was implemented by the NDA government from October, 2014 after much pressure. However when the orders in this regard was issued by the EPFO, it was purposely mentioned that the dispensation will be upto March, 2015. When the pensioners organisations and central trade unions protested against this stipulation, it was assured that the dispensation will continue beyond March, 2015. So, the government has again showed its anti-worker and anti-pensioner stand.

 AIBDPA STRONGLY CONDEMN THIS MOVE OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT AND DEMAND RESTORATION OF MINIMUM PENSION OF Rs. 1000 TO THE EPF PENSIONERS IMMEDIATELY.

One of the wonders of the world, Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed on 9th April, 2015 because of a strike by the workers against the austerity policies of the French government. The” Iron Lady” attracts seven million visitors a year of which 90 percent are foreign tourists.

The strike at the Eiffel Tower is part of a wider industrial action called by the four trade unions in protest against cuts by the government in the name of austerity measures.

Four farmers groups have filed a petition in the Supreme Court against promulgation of Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency In  Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (Amendment) Ordinance, 2015. 

In the petition it is stated that promulgating the ordinance by the President on April 3 is a text book example of blatant abuse of President’s power and proroguing the Rajya Sabha on March 28 was a clever device and ruse adopted by the government which subverts the legislative process of the Rajya Sabha. Seeking the apex court to declare the ordinance unconstitutional the petition said ” Lack of political will or the fear of the executive of getting defeated on the floor of the House is not a ground for exercise of power under article 123 (Power of the President to promulgate ordinance during recess of Parliament.

Asking the Supreme Court to call for the entire paper trail leading to the promulgation, the petition alleged that a fraud had been played on the Constitution. This ordinance does not even indicate what is the extra ordinary situation necessitating it.

                                                                                                      (courtacy: The Hindu)        

Almost all political parties barring BJP are opposed to the ordinance bypassing the Parliament which contains provisions to deny the farmers their legitimate rights guaranteed to a certain extent in the Land Bill brought out by the earlier UPA government.

Promotion of prescription of generic drugs by medical practitioners- CGHS Instruction

Government of India
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Department of Health & Family Welfare,
Nirman Bhawan, Maulana Azad Road,
New Delhi 110 001

No. S-11011/16/2012-CGHS(P)

Dated the 8th April 2015

Sub: Promotion of prescription of generic drugs by medical practitioners – reg

Reference is invited to MoHFW OJVI. No. H-11013/4/2010-DFQC dated 19th May 2011 followed by a Circular No. H-11013/7/2012-CGHS (P) dated 8th February 2013 and No.S-11011/16/2012-CGHS(P) dated 3rd May 2013 emphasizing the need of prescribing generic drugs. in this regard, it is reiterated that all Specialists/Doctors working in CGHS are hereby directed to ensure that generic drugs are prescribed to the maximum extent possible with a view to make medical treatment cost effective and affordable.

sd/-
(Bindu Tewari)
Director (CGHS)

The conciliation meeting called by the Chief Labour Commissioner was held today, 09th April 2015, at the Committee Room of the labour ministry in Shram Shakti Bhawan. Chief Labour Commissioner,  Shri P.P.Mitra  presided. Other senior labour officers were present. From the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, almost all the unions/associations were represented.  Officers from the DOT and BSNL including Sr GM (SR), GM (Estt.), GM(Admn) and GM(Restructuring) were present.

After self introduction by all, the Forum leaders were asked to present the case. The 20 point demands of the strike notice were very effectively presented by the Forum leaders. Almost all the comrades participated in presenting the issues.

The issue of refund of Rs. 6,700 crore for surrendered spectrum, Rs.1,250 due  in lieu of ADC already allotted, the urgent need to procure equipments, making it mandatory for Central /State governments/PSUs to take BSNL connections, financial assistance to BSNL as assured at the time of corporatisation through ADC, refund of licence charges, compensation for loss making connections, liberal support from USO Fund, no to merger of BSNL and MTNL, no formation of tower company, need to merge BBNL with BSNL, Pension Revision, Pension contribution on the basis of actual pay instead of maximum of the pay scale, transfer of assets to BSNL, 78.2% IDA fixation for pensioners, 30% superannuation benefits to BSNL recruited employees etc.etc. were presented by the union leaders in a very effective way.

The Director who spoke on behalf of DOT only stated that efforts are being made to pay the refund of the spectrum charges of Rs.6,700 crore and the Rs. 1,250 crore in lieu of ADC. The Management representatives could not give any satisfactory reply on the demands.

The issues of the casual & contract workers were explained by the leaders of BSNLCCWF, who were also invited to the meeting on the strike notice issued for 21-22 April by the BSNLCCWF.

The CLC requested the Forum leaders to defer the two days strike in view of the conciliation and the information given by the DOT and BSNL management representatives.

Since there has been no progress on the issues, the question of deferment does not arise.

Full preparations are to be made for the complete success of the strike. The next meeting of the Forum will be held at 03.00 PM on 20^th April 2015.

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