Whoes Budget !!

PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL CONFEDERATION ON THE BUDGET PRESENTED BY SHRI PRANAB MUKHARJEE, FINANCE MINISTER

PRESS STATEMENT.

Dated. 28.02.2011

The Union budget 2011 presented by the Finance Minister today in the Parliament must be very disappointing for the common man for there is no proposal to combat the ever increasing inflation in the economy. The subsidies all on  fuel, fertiliser and food has been reduced by all most 20,000 crores compared to what was provided in the last fiscal. While there is a reduction of Rs 11500 crores in Direct Taxes the resource mobilization has been made through an increase of a similar amount in indirect taxes the objective seems to be to rob the poor to pay  the rich. 5 lakh crores of rupees is stated to be the revenue foregone in 2010-11 of which a whoping sum of Rs. 88000 crores is the concessions given to the Corporate Sector.The budget provision for agriculture development is also less than what it was earlier, indicative of an insensitiveness to the agonies of people below the poverty line.

            The expectation of the middle class  that the personal income taxation limit will be raised  to Rs. 2 lakhs has been belied. The meager increase of Rs. 20,000 would not even be sufficient to maintain the real value level of non taxable limit of 2010-11.The announcement on direct tax concession is followed by the statement of an increased outsourcing of the Governmental functions to private corporate houses like Infosys. The eulogy for the CPC set up by the I.T. Department at Bangalore in the Budget speech of the Finance Minister is designed to seek the approval of the house for such vehicles out outsourcing elsewhere in the country.  The Finance Minister has also announced that further financial sector reforms is also on the anvil. Therefore, contrary to the comments made by certain sections of the media this budget is right on the track of reforms enunciated by the Dr. Manmohan Singh two decades ago.

            Since the huge demonstration and rally of workers traversed through the streets of Delhi on 23^rd   Feb.  2011 has not created any impact on the thinking of this Government, as is evidenced by this budget it is incumbent upon the trade union movement to strengthen its opposition towards the neo liberal economic policies by waging sustained and united struggles.

KKN Kutty

Secretary General

P

WE CAN NOT TAKE THE ONSLAUGHTS LYING DOWN -- HIT BACK

STOP THIS WANTON DESTRUCTION

                We are really shocked to read the contents of Directorate's letter No. 40-06/2010/Plg dated 225.01.2011 addressed to all CPMGs/PMGs wherein it is directed to complete the process of closure/merger/relocation of about 9797 Post offices functioning at present in Urban areas on the plea that they do not conform with the distance condition prescribed by the Directorate for opening of new Post offices.  The total number of Departmental Post Offices as on 31.03.2010 is 27360.  Closure of 9797 Post offices means reduction of about 36% of the existing Postal network.  We cannot accept the argument put forward by the Department justifying such mass-scale closure/merger/relocation.  We are at a loss to understand why our Department is resorting to such mass-scale closures, when all other private couriers and companies are competing to canvass our customer by opening more and more outlets in the urban areas for extending their services to the doorstep of the customer.  We fear that in the name of rationalization and optimization, our department is giving more space for the private companies to occupy more share in the mail market segment.  We have already made it clear that we are not against relocation of offices to the needy areas.  Large scale closure of Post offices and RMS offices will not only lead to inconvenience to the public leading to discontentment but also adversely affect the interest of the employees.  Further this is nothing but abrupt violation of strike agreement made on 12.07.2010 in which it was categorically assured that there will be no closure/merger of Post offices.  We strongly protest against such unilateral closure/merger of offices.

            We have already pointed out the adverse impact of the introduction of speed post hubs without taking into account the ground realities.  The experience for the last six months has proved that the speed post hubs had resulted in abnormal delay in transmission and delivery of speed post articles and thereby in eroding the faith of the general public in the speed post system itself.  We have already requested the Department to review the functioning of the speed post hubs and take remedial measures or to revert to the old system.  We regret to note that the staff side has been totally sidelined and the department is blindly going ahead with unscientific proposals of the multinational consultancy called Mckensy.  Much damage has been done and it is high time that a thorough review be conducted for removing the deficiencies by rolling back to the old scheme.  A damage control exercise to regain the lost faith of the customer is the need of the hour.

            The new Recruitment rules for the Postmen notified recently by the Department states that direct recruitment from open market is to be resorted to for filling up 25% Postmen vacancies.  This clause virtually snatches away the right of the Gramin Dak Sevaks to get appointed against 50% of the Postmen vacancies hitherto ear-marked for GDS employees.  Further unilateral orders have been issued restricting the compassionate appointment of GDS to 10% of the vacancies, tightening of norms for cash handling and stamp sale etc.  Further the discrimination in payment of bonus to GDS still continues.

            In spite of the assurance given by the Secretary, Department of Posts on 12.07.2010, many issues mentioned in the 13^th July strike Charter of demands and also in the minutes of the JCM Departmental council meeting held on 27.08.2010 still remains unsettled.  The issues relating to the Postmen staff such as fixing of minimum and maximum distance to be traversed are yet to be resolved.  The issue of cadre review, even though assured to be completed before November 2010, is still in the initial stage and formal discussion is delayed indefinitely.

            The Department is going ahead with the proposal for decentralization of postal Accounts work in the name of accrual based accounting system.  Similarly move is on for decentralization of PLI/RPLI work.  Induction of new technology in accounting and providing online facilities at post offices shall lead to centralization and not decentralization.  We oppose decentralization of the above mentioned work.

            The revision of wages of the causal, part-time contingent employees with effect from 01.01.2006 is pending for the last three years.  Even the eligible DA is denied in many circles.  Further the work done hitherto by the casual, part time and contingent employees are indiscriminately outsourced and large scale reduction in the wages are ordered.  All this has resulted in making the life of the poor, low paid employees more miserable.  It is high time that justice is done to this most downtrodden and marginalized section of employees of the Postal department.

            All the above issues are agitating the minds of the Postal and RMS employees and resentment among them is mounting day-by-day.  The releasing of the orders for closure of large scale post offices has further aggravated the situation.  Unless the Department comes forward to discuss the above issues with the Staff side for an amicable settlement, the situation may go from bad to worse.

            We appeal to the Govt. of India and Secretary, Department of Posts to desist from the move to implement the retrograde orders mentioned above and also to keep the orders in abeyance, failing which we will be compelled to resort to trade union action including indefinite strike.  We earnestly want to avoid such an unpleasant situation as it may adversely affect the efficiency and productivity of the Postal Services and may put the public also to inconvenience.

            We hope that the Department will come forward for the negotiated settlement of the issues mentioned above and take the staff side also into confidence, so that the peace, tranquillity and the better relationship between the staff side and administration shall remain unaffected.  Or else, confrontation shall become inevitable as we cannot take the onslaughts lying down.  When driven to the wall we have no option but to hit back with all the forces at our command.  Be prepared to face such contingency if situation warrants.  Get ready for a total indefinite strike

JAC CIRCULAR

JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE OF

ACCOUNTS & AUDIT EMPLOYEES & OFFICERS ORGANISATIONS

AUDIT LEKHA BHAWAN

15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, P.O.VASUNDHARA, DT. GHAZIABAD, U.P, 201012

Ph. 0120-2881727/011-2578 5070

E-mail: auditflag1923@gmail.com/  v.aicaea@gmail.com

No: JAC/Circular -02/2011                                                                                     Dated: 26^th February, 2011

To

Chief Executives of Constituent Organizations &

Conveners, Local JACs

Dear Comrades,

            The Apex JAC met in Delhi on 22^nd February 2011. Following were present.

1.       Com. M. S. Raja, Chairman, Apex JAC and Secretary General, All India Audit & Accounts Association

2.       Com. V. Bhattacharjee, Convener, Apex JAC & Secretary General, NFCAA

3.       Com. S. Mohan, Secretary General, All India Audit & Accounts officers Association

4.        Com. T. Satyanarayana, General Secretary, All India Postal Accounts Employees Association

5.       Com. G. P. Dutta, Secretary General, All India Defence Accounts Employees Association

6.       Com. N. Srinivasan, General Secretary, All India Railway Accounts staff Association

7.        Com. S.V. Deshpande, President All India Audit &  Accounts officers Association)

8.        Com. R. N. Gupta, ex-Secretary General, All India Association of  Pay and Accounts officers (Civil)

9.        Com. G. K. Gohain, Convener, JAC, Guwahati and Vice President All India Audit & Accounts Association

10.    Com. A. K. Mehta, Convener, local JAC, Delhi and Vice President All India Civil Accounts Employees Association

11.    Com. Partha Bhattacharjee, Working President, All India Railway Accounts Staff Association attended the meeting and

12.   Com. S. K. Vyas, Chairman, Confederation of Central Government Employees and workers and Member, Standing Committee NC (JCM)

            The meeting took the stock of the situation with reference to the call given for observance of Awakening Day on 15/02/2011. The reporting received so far by Apex JAC indicates that the programme has been implemented in select stations only.

            As far as the issue of implementation of Arbitration Award on grant of higher pay scale to Sr. Accountants/Auditors with effect from 01.01.1986 is concerned, the meeting noted that through the matter was placed in the Parliament during monsoon session of 2010, it could not be tabled in the Parliament by the Government due to the intervention of Com. Basudeb Acharia, M P. Loksabha and also due to disruption of Parliament in the winter Session. It is expected that in all likelihood it would be introduced in the budget session of Parliament for rejection.

…………..2

-2-

The meeting observed that, though the demand of grant of higher pay scale has been met with effect from 01.01.1996, but it is necessary to continue persuasion for settlement of this issue in the form of implementation of arbitration award to avoid danger of downgradation of status and Pay Scales of Accounts and Audit Cadres in future. The meeting therefore, decided that the issue shall be pursued.

            The meeting also reviewed the status of Charter of Demands adopted by apex JAC and decided that on the following issues views of the Constituent organisations- after discussion in the respective decision making forums - may be sought for taking a final call.

1. The demand “implement arbitration award on pay scales” may either be taken out of the charter of demands and pursued separately placed appropriately in the re-oriented charter of demands (furnished below).
2. The JAC may focus on core/functional issue of Accounting and Auditing Organizations as the system is facing grave threat from the executive by holding a National Convention and through wide campaigns etc demanding Functional Independence to Audit & Accounting organisations. The issue of demanding “functional integration” may also be discussed and opinion there-on may be communicated.

The Apex JAC shall meet at Hyderabad on 11^th April 2011. It is requested that every constituent organisation communicate their views on the above proposal before 11^th April 2011.

With warm greetings,

(V.Bhattacharjee)

Convener

Charter of Demands

1.    Implement arbitration award by granting higher pay scale notionally w.e.f.1-1-1986 and effectively w.e.f 1-1-2006.

2.   upgrade LDCs by re-designating them as Acctts/Audit Assistants and following pay sales to different cadres-

Acctts/Audit Assistant                                           PB-1 with Grade Pay Rs.2400

Accountant/Auditor                                            PB-2 with Grade Pay Rs.4200

Sr. Accountant/Auditor/ Steno Gr.I                       PB-2 with Grade Pay Rs.4600

SO/AAO/PS                                                           PB-2 with Grade Pay Rs.4800

                                                                    PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs.5400

                                                                          On completion of 4 years.

Accounts/Audit Officer                                          PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs.6600

 Sr. Accounts/Audit Officer                                   PB-3 with Grade Pay Rs.7600

3.    Grant ACP on departmental hierarchy basis.

4.     Grant one increment and Grade pay of Rs.4800 from the day of passing JAO/SOG examination.

5.    Grant three increments on passing departmental confirmatory examination.

6.     Step up pay of Senior Promotees who exhausted ACP in the event of junior drawing more pay and getting ACP in compliance with apex court judgment.

7.      Grant recognition to Railway Accounts Staff Association.

RECEPTION BY TRIVENDRUM COMRADES/ SOME IMAGES OF OUR CENTRAL WORKING COMMITTEE MEETING

Dear Comrades
AIPAEA  Trivendrum  unit has hosted a reception on 17-02-2011 to honour our veteran leaders Com. A.P. Sastry, former President(CHQ), Com.P. Rajanayagam, former General Secretary, Com. S. Santosh Kumar, President(CHQ) and  the General Secretary.
Com. Mohanan Nair, President AIPAEA, Kerala Circle has sent the pictures. I am placing them on the blog. I convey my thanks to the Kerala unit for the hearty reception.
Com. Mohanan Nair has also sent some of the pictures of the Central Working Committee meeting taken by him. 
Thank you Com. Mohanan.
Click here for TVM Reception Pictures
Click here for images of CWC meeting 

NFPE OPPOSING THE CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES AND OTHER ANTI EMPLOYEE POLICIES - SWIFT REACTION

FLASH NEWS

Com. P. Rajeev, Member Parliament and also Standing Committee Member of Communication & I.T. has raised the issue of mass scale closure of posts offices with Sh. Sachin Pilot, State Minister for Communication and I.T. on 25.02.2011. Minister has agreed to intervene.

NFPE FEDERAL SECRETARIAT MET AND DISCUSSED THE ISSUES AND DECIDED TO PREPARE A CHARTER OF DEMANDS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE JCA, WHICH INCLUDE THE ISSUE OF DECENTRALIZATION OF POSTAL ACCOUNTS.

Postal JCA is also proposing to conduct immediate agitational programmes culminating to indefinite strike in the event of non drop of unilateral mass closure move of post offices.

MOST RETROGRADE ORDER FROM DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

9797 POST OFFICES IN URBAN AREAS ARE TO BE

CLOSED / MERGED OR RELOCATED

In the name of Rationalisation and consolidation of urban network the DOP wants to close the Post offices in urban areas vide order D.G. Posts No. 40-06/2010Plg dated 25.01.2011. 

For complete order visit the NFPE blogspot.

MARCH TO PARLIAMENT ON 23-02-2011 --- A HUGE SUCCESS

MAMMOTH PROTEST BY THE WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SNAP SHOTS OF THE RALLY