Press Release

The following statement was issued to press today on budget by Ms. Amarjeet Kaur, General Secretary, All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)

NDA government budget fails to address the concerns of common man, unemployed and vulnerable sections.

The NDA Govt. budget presented by Finance Minister was more of a jugglery of words, manipulation of statistics and deceitful way of putting things to sell dreams once again without backing of concrete steps and actions needed to implement the statement of ‘intent’ made.

The Finance Minister ended with quote from Swamy Vivekanand but his budget was just opposed to what Swamy ji wanted India to emerge from as a powerful nation of working people to full fill their aspirations, and attain a life of dignity.

The budget once again gives huge concessions to the corporates and big businesses including on focus to foreign investments, and continued disinvestments of Public sector units to the tune of Rs. 80000 crores in the coming year. The Govt wants to be satisfied with certificate from International Monetary fund for the growth estimates, as the Govt once again appeared to be committed to tag India’s economy with International finance capital. Ease of Business continued to be the keyword.

Several heads were amalgamated & repeated across various projects while duplicating to show huge amounts of allocations which is far from truth. On the one hand side 100 percent FDI is being brought in animal husbandry and on the other side it is nearly lip service made in the budget to this sector & fisheries.

The Govt had failed to fulfill its election promise to raise income of farmers by one & half times and once again the lollypop is distributed on similar promise. Nothing serious emerged how to tackle agrarian crises which is accepted even by Economic Survey Report. Only grant of the loan limits are increased, from ten lakh crores to eleven lakh crores how to take farmers out of indebtedness is no where in sight. The amount announced is meager for creation of farmer markets and irrigation.

While speaking on Education, health & basic amenities it seemed the Finance Minister is addressing only the upper middle class, elites and not the vulnerable common man which constitutes more than 80% of population. Black board to digital board is talked but those who do not have black boards in schools or those who have no access to black boards are not in the agenda of government.

Some adjectives are added as usual to SC & ST population with inflated figures of four years as if it is for the year 2018 – 2019. The population figure is presented to appear as if all of them are going to hugely benefit.

The medical colleges are only the upgradation of existing ones, but are projected as if new colleges are coming out. Announcements on RSBY are made which would enhance the business of private hospitals and private insurance companies. But public health system is not addressed, even when health care is becoming out of reach of common man.

Cess is being increased on Education & Health which will further add to indirect taxation on common man. On the other side the tax concessions to corporate and big business continued in this budget also.

70 lakh jobs were lost after demonetization and Govt. is talking of creating only 17 lakh jobs. Another six crores of people are expected to loose livelihood in informal sector according to independent surveys& 17 lakhs formal jobs to be further lost says the same survey.

Talking of railways and airways, concern and needs of vast majority of people of public transportation are not addressed, once again the FM was playing to the gallery of elites and affluents.

The budget dodged the common people who are in misery due to price rise in essential commodities and the students youth of India who want good inexpensive education in govt. sector and the employment to live with dignity.

Released from AITUC headquarters

35-36, DDU Marg, Road Rouse Avenue, New Delhi

Akshay-8447230937

Source: Confederation

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The Minister of State for Labour and Employment(Independent Charge), Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar met the representative of all Central Trade Unions in Shram Shakti Bhawan on 7th November 2017 to discuss the issues raised in 12 Point Charter Demand of CTUOs. The meeting was attended by representatives of major Central Trade Unions including BMS, INTUC, AITUC, HMS, CITU, AIUTUC, TUCC, AICCTU, LPF, UTUC and NFITU as well as Secretary, Labour and Employment Mrs. Sathiyavathy and other the senior officers of the Ministry. 12 Point Charter Demand of CTUOs inter alia raises issues of minimum wages, price rise, unemployment, disinvestment, universal social security, compulsory registration of trade unions, increase in minimum pension under EPFO and strict compliance and enforcement of labour laws. The Minister said that the Government has highest regard for the consultative process and he is committed to uphold it. He referred to the calls for nation-wide demonstrations on 9th-10th and 17th November by the CTUOs and BMS respectively and appealed the Trade Unions to rather engage in the constructive discussions on each of the issue raised by them.

Minister said that the Government and the Ministry of Labour and Employment has consistently and continuously taken pro-labour decisions and initiatives. He talked about initiatives like simultaneous increase in Minimum wages, the provision for National Floor Level Minimum wages in the proposed Labour Code on Wages. The Bonus Amendment Act, the decision to enhance Minimum pension to Rs. 1000/- as well as the other initiatives taken by other Ministries.

Trade Union representatives primarily demanded the Government to address the issues of enhancing Minimum Pension to Rs. 3000/- as well as Minimum Wages. They also talked at length about the issues related to enforcement of labour laws, and social security for unorganized workers including growing contractualization.

A presentation was also made by the Ministry to present an updated status on the 12 demands raised by the CTUOs.

Addressing the Media persons the Minister expressed hope that the talks with the Trade Union Representatives was positive and it was done in a cordial atmosphere. He appealed to the Trade Unions to call off the proposed Dharna.

PIB

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The employees of organised sector can now be allowed to withdraw up to Rs 20 lakh from their gratuity fund. In a meeting between the labour ministry and representatives from states, employees and employers on Thursday, the decision reached to the consensus.

The central trade unions have also agreed on doubling gratuity amount ceiling as an interim measure in a tripartite meeting on the proposed amendment to Payment of Gratuity Act conducted today by the Labour Ministry.

The unions demanded the removal of conditions asking to have at least 10 employees in an establishment and minimum five years of service for payment of gratuity.

“While accepting the maximum payment limit of Rs 20 lakh as an interim measure, the unions demanded that the ceilings/ limit with respect to number of employees and years of service should be removed,” the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) said in a statement.

It said, “The central trade unions have been urging the government that the ceiling in the amount of gratuity should be removed.”

At present, as per the Payment of Gratuity Act, an employee is required to do minimum service of five years to become eligible for gratuity amount. Moreover, the Act applies to those establishments where the number of employees is not less than 10.

The statement said the application of amended provision regarding maximum amount should be made effective from January 1, 2016 as done in the case of central government employees.

Besides that rate of 15 days wages for each completed year of service be raised to 30 days wages, the unions demanded.

The proposed amendment to the Payment of Gratuity Act as circulated by the government along with the letter dated February 15, 2017 only deals with enhancing the ceiling of maximum amount under Section 4(3) of the Act from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh, the unions said.

They pointed out during the meeting that the proposed amendment is being brought to bring the maximum ceiling amount to Rs 20 lakh in line with recommendation of 7th Central Pay Commission as accepted by the government.

The relevant amendment for central government employees was notified on July 25, 2016 and the enhanced amount ceiling was made effective from January 1, 2016.

The unions are of the view that the delay of 8 months for employees covered under the Payment of Gratuity Act should not result in adversely affecting the interest of the concerned employees.

The employers as well as state representatives also agreed to the proposal of raising the amount of gratuity to Rs 20 lakh, it said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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New Delhi: As many as 10 central trade unions will go ahead with the general strike on Friday saying the government gave no heed to their 12-point charter of demands and is continuing with unilateral labour reforms.

CTUs claimed that over 15 crore workers are likely to participate in the strike and it will be bigger than the one held last year as members of BMS will also support them.

RSS-affiliated Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) is the only major trade union which has opted out of strike – like last year – which was also held on September 2, in view of the assurances given by the government.

“Some leaders of Bmshave decided not to go on strike. But its state units would participate in the strike. Workers will give a befitting reply to the dubious activities inspired by the government,” CITU General Secretary Tapan Sen said here in a joint press conference by 10 CTUs here.

CTUs reiterate the call for countrywide general strike on September 2 against the “anti-worker and anti-people policies” of the government and in view of its “utterly unresponsive and undemocratic attitude”, Sen added.

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) Secretary Amarjeet Kaur said the unions view the announcements made by Ministers’ panel, headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, as an eyewash.

“It is like cheating the people,” she said, adding that this time the number will be bigger than 15 crore who participated in the general strike last year and more than 10 states will have bandh-like situation.

Strike is going to be complete in industrial sectors such as transport, financial, power, coal, textile, port and dock, automobile, steel, oil, defence production, scheme, education and Central and State government employees, Kaur added.

Referring to BMS decision not to participate in the strike, Kaur said: “Government has not had a single meeting with the CTUs in over a year and is talking to those (BMS) who have not given a strike notice.”

Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Vice President Ashok Singh said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his fight is with poverty, but it seems his fight is with the poor in this country. The government’s decision are totally pro-capitalist.”

CTUs expressed dismay over “utterly negative” attitude of the government on basic demands of workers on minimum wages as per consensus formulation of Indian Labour Conference, on universal social security including pension for all workers including those in unorganised sector, among others.

They added that government is dragging its feet over the mass scale contractorisation of permanent and perennial work.

Attacking the government’s initiatives on labour reforms, the unions said: “All these proactive initiatives militate against the basic interests and rights of the working people. Even the non-striking CTU (BMS) also officially recorded its opposition.

PTI

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Says, minimum wage fixed by the Commission and accepted by the govt is too low for Class III employees

All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has extended support to the central government employees who will go on strike from July 11 to protest against a ‘meagre’ pay hike approved by the Union Cabinet.

“AITUC Secretariat in its emergent meeting has supported the call given by National Joint Council of Action of Central Government Employees Unions including Railways, P&T and Defence etc. To go for indefinite strike from July 11, 2016, against the unilateral announcement of the Central government on implementation of recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission,” AITUC Secretary D L Sachdev said in a statement.

AITUC stated that the minimum wage fixed by the Commission and accepted by the government is too low for Class III employees of the government.

It further said that setting up of a committee by the government for streamlining the new pension scheme is also an eyewash.

The committee should actually review NPS by replacing it with the old pension scheme. It is for the first time that pay hike is the lowest in the last 70 years. It is unfortunate that the government did not discuss these recommendations with NJCA and announced its decision unilaterally, it said.

“It is learnt that Group of Ministers led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh had a discussion with NJCA on June 30, 2016 night and proposed setting up of a minimum wage and fitment committee but no notification to this effect has been issued till now and the Central government employees are fully justified in implementing call for strike,” it said.

The Central Trade Unions will be meeting on July 7 to chalk out an action plan to express their solidarity with the agitating government employees. AITUC has also given a call for its affiliates to fully support the strike from July 11, 2016, it added.

Source : http://www.business-standard.com/

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S.S.RAMASUBBU, M.A.,
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT – (LOK SABHA)
Indian National Congress,
Tirunelveli.

72-V, Ambai Road, Alangulam,
Tirunelveli Dt., Tamil nadu – 627851, INDIA
Phone – 04633 – 270230
Mobile : 09440070147
Website  : www.nellaimp.com
E-mail : ramasubbu@nellaimp.com

Member :
Standing Committee on Science and Technology
Enviorment and Forest
Consultative Committee on Defence
JIPMER – Puduchery

8 August, 2013

Respected Prime Minister,

Subject : Request to consider the genuine grievances of Central Government Pensioners – Regarding.

Namaskar,
Herewith, I am forwarding the representation submitted by All India Central Government Pensioner’s Association, New No. 3-F2, (Old No. 1/1A), Radhakrishnan Street, T.Nagar, Chennai-600017 on the above subject for your kind perusal.

The above Association was formed in January 1969 and presently its membership crossed 1250. The pensioners are facing with some genuine grievances and their Charter of Demands is enclosed. However, I am placing below their important long pending demands for your kind consideration :

i) Merger of 50% Dearness Relief with Basic Pension w.e.f. 1.1.2011
ii) Constitution of VII Central Pay Commission ;
iii) Representation of at least one pensioner’s representative in Rajya Sabha;
iv) To extend medical facilities to all pensioners by accepting the recommendations of VI Central Pay Commission.

Awaiting your early favourable action.

With warm regards,

Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(S.S.Ramasubbu)
8.8.2013

Dr.Manmohan Singh,
Hon’ble Prime Minister
Government of India
New Delhi

Source: www.scm-bps.blogspot.in
[http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2013/09/merge-50-dr-with-basic.html]

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GURUDAS DAS GUPTA
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
(LOK SABHA)

35-36, D. D.U Marg
Avenue, New Delhi-110002
Tel. 23217320/23220264
Fax: 23222427
Mobile 9868180640

GENERAL SECRETARY
ALL INDIA TRADE UNION CONGRESS

Dated 20.6.2013

Dear Shri Antony,

I am enclosing a copy of the Ministry of Defence order on the Smart Card of Canteen Stores Depot to Retired Civilian Employees. There is persistent demand from Retired Civilian employees for availing canteen depot facilities. The demand has been pending since long, I shall be grateful if you kindly consider this demand with sympathy and favorably and agree to issue Smart Card of Canteen Stores Depot to Retired Civilian Employees so that they may also avail C&D facilities.

With regards,

Yours sincerely,
sd/-
(Gurudas Das Gpta)

Source: www.scm-bps.blogspot.in
[http://scm-bps.blogspot.in/2013/09/provide-csd-canteen-facility-to-defence.html]

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As directed by the Prime Minister, senior Ministers in the Union Cabinet – Shri A.K. Antony, Defence Minister, Shri Sharad Pawar, Minister for Agriculture and Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister for Labour & Employment held a round of discussions with the representatives of the Central Trade Unions on the evening of 18th February to convey the serious intent of the Government to resolve the various issues raised in their charter of demands. The list of participants is at.

The representatives of the Central Trade Unions reiterated their demand for the Government to take concrete measures to contain price rise, to ensure employment generation, strict enforcement of labour laws, universal social security for unorganized and organized workers, stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State Public Sector Undertakings. Some of the issues raised by them also related to payment of minimum wages of Rs.10,000/-, abolition of contract labour, payment of equal wages and benefits to contract workers at par with regular workers, removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund, increasing the quantum of gratuity, assured pension for all, compulsory registration of trade unions within 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Convention No.87 and 98.

The Ministers explained to the representatives of the Central Trade Unions the various measures taken by the Government to control price-rise and contain inflation in the country. Particular attention was drawn to the huge food subsidy incurred by the Government to ensure availability of food grains to the poor at very concessional rates through the Public Distribution System. The Government’s efforts to pass the Food Security Bill in the Parliament will further increase the availability of subsidized food grains to the larger segments of the population and the Government is prepared to meet the extra burden on this account. The Government’s commitment to help the poor is also evident from the large amount of subsidy for fertilizers and fuel to ensure their supply at reasonable rate to the people.

The Government is also keen to introduce amendments to the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and various other labour laws to improve the conditions of the workers and to give them substantial relief. A National Employment Policy is going to be announced shortly to encourage higher employment to women, to promote skill development and inclusive growth. Some of these proposals are going to be discussed in the meetings of the Union Cabinet shortly. The Government has already approved the National Manufacturing Policy in November, 2011 which envisages the creation of 100 million jobs in the country by 2022.

The Ministers pointed out the huge loss to the economy in case the strike is resorted to by the Central Trade Unions. Apart from substantial production loss, the strike is also likely to cause inconvenience to the general public and loss of wages to the workers. In view of this, the Ministers appealed to the Central Trade Union Leaders to call off the strike.

At the end of the meeting, the representatives of the Central Trade Unions informed that they are going to discuss the proposal of the Government in a meeting on 19th Feb., 2013 and take further decision on the proposed strike.

Source: PIB

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Along with the Finance Minister, both the Minister of State for Finance Shri S.S. Palanimanickam and Shri Namo Narain Meena, Adviser to the Finance Minister, Shri Parthasarthy Shome, Finance Secretary, Shri R.S. Gujral, Secretary, Financial Services & Disinvestment, Shri D.K. Mittal, Revenue Secretary, Shri Sumit Bose, Secretary Labour & Employment, Shri Mrityunjay Sarangi, Chief Economic Adviser, Dr. Raghuram R. Rajan and Chairman CBEC were present among others.

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