29th ALL
INDIA CONFERENCE – AN UNFORGETTABLE AND MARVELLOUS EXPERIENCE
AN EXHIBITION OF UNITY AND CLASS CONCIOUSNESS OF POSTAL WORKERS
The 29th All India conference of our
union was held from 10.03.2013 to 13.03.2013 at RDR Auditorium, (Nani Banerjee
Nagar) Thiruvananthapuram under the presidentship of Com. M. Krishnan CHQ
President. Never in the past such a huge participation was witnessed by anyone
in the Postal Trade union movement. More than 4000 comrades participated as
delegates and visitors from all parts of the country. The Auditorium which has
seating arrangements for 1800 was always full. Besides the additional
auditorium arrangement made to accommodate around 1500 comrades as an extension
of the main hall was also almost full all the time. Live TV telecast
arrangements was provided in both auditoriums. The conference was flooded with
the fullest participation by our comrades. More young comrades could be seen
this time which establishes the growth of our union among the new recruits. The
attendance of more than 200 lady comrades was also encouraging.
The AIC commenced its proceedings with
the flag hoisting at 10.30 hours on 10.03.2013. The National flag was hoisted
by B. G. Tamhankar, Ex- President, CHQ. The NFPE flag was hoisted by Com D. K.
Rahate, President, NFPE and the AIPEU Group 'C' flag was hoisted by Com K. V.
Sridharan, Ex General Secretary. Flying of the balloons and bursting of fire
crackers rented the air which made a magnificent and colourful scene at that
time. Homage to the Martyrs was made at martyrs column. Prior
to the programme, there was a Flag Jatha on the previous day 09.03.2013 and the
flags were carried from the Statue of the great Freedom Fighter of Kerala Late
Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai of Neyyattinkara. The flags were carried by
hundreds of volunteers accompanied by motorcyclists to the conference venue.
The Reception Committee under the able
guidance of CHQ president Com. M.Krishnan conducted a propaganda Jatha and
Seminar on 7.3.2013. The seminar was inaugurated by Vaikom Viswan, State
convenoer of the Left and Democratic front Kerala. Com. C. Divakaran, Ex
Minister (AITUC), Sri V. R. Pratapan, District President INTUC, Com V. Sivan
Kutty MLA and Com K. V. Sridharan, Ex General Secretary attended. There was a
press meet organized by the reception committee on 8.3.2013 and all the press
and TV media covered the proceedings all the days of AIC right from that
day. The systematic, orderly and well planned arrangements of the Reception
Committee paved way for the great success of the conference.
The inaugural as well as open session
commenced at 11.00 hours on 10.03.2013. Adv. K. Chandrika. Hon’ble Mayor,
Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the Chairperson, Reception Committee
welcomed all the participants and guests. Before that, welcome songs were
presented by the MBS Youth Choir, Thiruvananthapuram. Com M. Krishnan CHQ
President presided.
The conference was inaugurated by Com
A.K. Padmanabhan, National President, CITU who covered the adverse impact of
neoliberal policies on the working class and the need for further united
struggle of the working class to save the nation. He hailed the role of our
Federation and unions in the mass movements and also the massive participation
in the February 2013 strike. After the inauguration, the following leaders of
various political parties and Trade Unions greeted our conference with their
speeches. Com. P. Karunakaran, MP & Chairman NFPE Kerala, Sri R.
Chandrasekharan, National Vice President & State President INTUC, Com J.
Udhayabhanu, Secretary AITUC, State Council, and Com P. Satheedevi, EX MP. Com
D.Theyagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO while delivering his speech pointed out
the unity maintained at all India level and hailed the services of the
Secretary General, NFPE in Postal JCA and also Com K. V. Sridharan in the JCM
Departmental Council.
A Seminar on the topic of ‘Future of
India Post’ was conducted in the midst of the inaugural session. The Chief
Guest Ms. P. Gopinath, Secretary, Department of Posts after greeting the
conference made a power point presentation on the topic and explained the
proposed modernization plan and the role of the postal employees. Smt Shobha
Koshy, Chief Postmaster General, Kerala Circle also addressed the conference.
This is the special occasion that the Secretary Department of Posts attended
our union conference after a period of more than three decades ie. 30 years.
Com. M. Krishnan, President appealed the Secretary to expedite action to
mitigate the major pending issues like cadre review, Filling up of HSG I posts,
Postmaster Cadre related problems, creation of system administrators, PO &
RMS Accountants case, counting of RTP services, GDS related issues, Casual
Labour Problems etc. A special appeal was made to the Secretary to reinstate
Com S. C. Jain Circle Secretary, AIPEU Group ‘C’, Madhya Pradersh Circle on
considering his representation against his premature retirement from
service for participating in trade union activities including strikes. The
Secretary (P) assured to consider all the issues positively.
Another milestone of the AIC is the
release of a third and revised edition of ‘VENTURE 2013’. The compilation of
various staff oriented Govt orders published by the All India Postal Employees
Union Group C has been launched in the open session and the first copy was
presented to Com D. Theyagarajan, Secretary General, FNPO, by Mrs. P.Gopinath,
Secretary (P). The other publication ‘THE PIONEER’ containing 1000 questions
& answers on various staff rulings was also launched. The first copy of the
book was presented to Com M. Krishnan, Secretary General NFPE by Smt Shobha
Koshy, Chief Postmaster General, Kerala Circle. Another ‘AVANT GARDE’,
containing the soft copies of major original orders on subject wise was also
launched in the form of a DVD. The marvellous and the industrious efforts taken
by our Ex General Secretary, Com K. V. Sridharan in compiling all the three
releases was hailed by everyone attended the conference. Com Jacob Thomas,
General Convenor, Reception Committee delivered vote of thanks.
The following were the main speakers in
the open session as well as in the midst of subject committee.
Com. K. K. N. Kutty, Secretary General,
Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and workers, Com. A. Sreekumar, AGS,
All India State Govt Employees Federation (AISGEF), Com. C. C. Pillai, Ex
Secretary General NFPE, Com K. Ragavendran, Ex Secretary General, Com R .L.
Bhattacharjee, Ex Deputy Secretary General, NFPE, Com. B. G.Tamhankar, Ex
President CHQ, Com P. Balakrishnan, Ex Secreatry NFPE, Com S. S. Roy, Ex
AGS, CHQ, Com N. C. Pillai, Ex Working President CHQ, Com Shankar Kaduskar, Ex
Vice President CHQ, Com. T. P. Mishra, Leader U. P. Circle, Com D. K. Rahate,
President, NFPE, Com R. Sivannarayana, General Secretary, Com. Ishwar
Singh Dabas, General Secretary, P4, Com. Giriraj Singh, General Secretary, R3,
Com. P. Suresh, General Secretary, R4, Com Pranab Bhattacharjee, General
Secretary, AIPAOEU, Com P. Pandurangarao, General Secretary AIPEU GDS
(NFPE), Com S. Appanraj, Ex General Secretary, AISBCOEA, and Com P.
Mohan, General Secretary, Casual Labourers Federation, Com. K. G. Jayaraj, GS,
All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association. The newly elected General Secretary
of SBCO association Com. Virendra Tiwary and Working President of casual
workers union Com. Y. Nagabhooshanam also graced the occasion by their
presence.
The delegate session was commenced in
the evening on 10.3.2013 and the agenda for the AIC was approved unanimously.
The Biennial report by Com. R. Sivannarayana, GS, and the audited accounts by
Com. Balwinder Singh, Financial Secretary were presented for adoption. Various
sub committees were formed for preparation of resolutions on various issues.
On 11.3.2013, in the midst of the
subject committee, a special session was conducted on the topic of ‘WOMEN
EMPLOYEES & ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS’. Com. P. Rema, Mahila Committee Member
CHQ delivered the welcome address. Com P. K. Sreemathi, Teacher, Ex Minister
Kerala delivered special address. P3 Mahila Sub Committee Members and
Confederation Mahila Sub Committee Members were honoured by Mayor, Adv, K.
Chandrika. Thereafter the ceremony of prize distribution was made for the
best two in the competitions conducted at All India level and circle level. In
the All India Essay Competition on ‘Future of India Post’, the following two
comrades secured the first two positions.
Com Brahaspati Samal, Divisonal
Secretary, Bhubaneswar (Odhisha)
Com N. K. Mohandasan, Ottapalam
Division (Kerala)
The comrades of Kerala Circle have also
been selected in the essay competition,poem and short story. Com.
EzhacherryRamachandran, renowned Poet who has selected the poem and short
stories distributed the prizes after his oration.
In the afternoon, there was a colorful
rally, never seen in the last two decades in any AIC, participated by thousands
of comrades with red flags, banners and slogan shouting passing through the
main roads of Trivandrum City. On the way at every point, there was salutation
by the fraternal organizations and they also joined the rally. More than 20 of
such fraternal organizations greeted our rally and took part. It was a
wonderful event and many enthusiastically participated despite the scorching
sun. After the rally, there was a public meeting amidst the greenery of Gandhi
Park. Com P. K. Muraleedharan, Deputizing Circle Secretary, Kerala delivered
the welcome speech. Com C. P.Shobana, CHQ Vice president presided the meeting.
Dr. Prabhat Patnaik the veteran and renowned economist inaugurated with
his intellectual and beautiful oration on the current economic crisis and the
role of the working class. Com M.Vijayakumar, Ex Minister Kerala (CPI (M)), Com
Panniyan Ravindran, Ex MP (CPI), A.A.Aseez, MLA (RSP), Com Mathew T. Thomas ,
MLA Janata Dal, Com Kadannappalli Ramachandran, Ex Minister Kerala
(Congress-S), Com P. Surendran Pillai, Ex Minister, Kerala Congress, Com. K. V.
Sridharan, Ex General Secretary, Com. K. Mohanan, Circle Secretary BSNLEU were
the speakers in the open meeting. Com. Mathews Mathew, ACS, Kerala circle
delivered vote of thanks. It was a remarkable and a new experience so far for
many of the delegates participated in the conference.
There was cultural programme on the
first day morning and evening,the second day after the end of the rally and
public meeting and also on the third day morning. The night session started at
9 PM on 11th and lasted up to 3.50 am in the morning on 12th.
The next session of the subject committee commenced again at 9 AM. There was a
programme at 11 am to release the souvenir which was launched to mark the
occasion of the 29th AIC. Com Sukomalsen Senior Vice President
AISGEF made a special address in the august conference. Following that, the
artists who worked for the success of the conference were honouredby the
reception committee. Com Karakkamandapam Vijayakumar and Com. Anil Sreekariyam
were honoured for their splendid work in designing Logo & Souvenir cover
design and the stage and Gate respectively.
Com K. V.Sridharan, Ex General
Secretary delivered his speech on 12.3.2013 at the end of the session covering
all the issues confronting the postal class three employees. Com. K. V.
Sridharan has been honoured and felicitated by the AIC remembering his precious
dedicated service to the CHQ.
In the AIC, all the circle secretaries
and a record number of delegates representing from all circles participated in
the lively discussions on the agenda of organizational issues and others. There
was all round appreciations about the functioning of the CHQ which exhibited
their confidence and faith in the leadership of CHQ. This is the first
conference that there was discussion only on issues confronting the employees
and there was no unwarranted criticism or comments on any one. It is our pride
to record that this is the first conference that during the entire subject
committee, the hall was fully packed and there was total concentration while
the delegates delivered their views. Total 91 delegates including the circle
secretaries participated in the organizational review. General Secretary, Com
R. Sivannarayana summed up all the issues. Com M.Krishnnan, CHQ President also
addressed the session.
The resolution on policy and programme
was unanimously adopted at the conference. The resolution committees formed for
finalization and presentation on various agendas presented their draft
resolutions which were unanimously resolved. The full details of the
resolutions will be published in the Bhartiya Post. The only one amendment to
the Constitution of the Union raising the union subscription to the extent of
Rs. 50 with the allocation of Divisions : Rs.24.50; Circle – Rs.15; All India
Rs.8; Federation Rs.2.50 was unanimously moved and adopted considering
the escalation of all prices including the press and journey tickets.
The biennial report and audited
accounts were unanimously approved and adopted by the delegates and thereafter
the election of office bearers was held. The following office bearers were
elected unanimously for the ensuing term.
List of
office-bearers elected in the 29th All India Conference of AIPEU Group 'C' held
at Thiruvananthapuram from10.3.2013 to 13.3.2013
President
: Com. R. Sivannarayana,
PA, Guntur Collectorate SO - 522004 (Andhra Pradesh)
Working Presidents
:
Com. Mangesh Parab, P.A, Mumbai GPO - 400001 (Maharashtra)
Com. N.Gopalakrishnan, APM, T.Nagar Chennai 600017 (Tamilnadu)
Vice Presidents
: Com. R. C. Mishra, PRI
(P) Bhubaneshwar GPO, 751001 (Orissa)
Com. C. P. Shobana, SPM, Pallikkunam
S.O, Kannur, (Kerala)
General
Secretary
: Com. M. Krishnan, PA, Thycaud P.O,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695014 (Kerala)
Deputy General
Secretary :
Com. N. Subramanian, Postmaster Grade-II, Tirupur Cotton Market 641604
(Tamilnadu)
Assistant General
Secretaries : Com. R. N. Parashar, SPM, Mathura City
PO (Uttar Pradesh)
Com. Gaurangdev Maity, SPM, Mayena SO, Tamluk (West Bengal)
Com. A. Veeramani, PA, Anna Road HPO – 600002, (Tamilnadu)
Financial
Secretary
: Com. Balwinder Singh,
PRI (P), Patel Nagar P.O. New Delhi – 110008
Assistant Financial
Secretary : Com. Hari Prasad Diwakar, SPM,
Durga Shariff PO, Ajmer - 305001 (Rajasthan)
Organizing Gen,
Secretaries : Com. S. A. Hameed, SPM,
Kachery P.O, Raipur (Chattisgarh)
Com. U. K. Tiwari, P.A, Patna GPO - 800001 (Bihar)
Com. L. P. Saikia, Postmaster, Nagaon – 782001 (Assam)
The following comrades were declared
unanimously as Women’s sub Committee Members for the current term for
encouraging the women employees in organizational activities.
MAHILA COMMITTEE
MEMBERS
Chairperson
: Com. Nandasen (West
Bengal)
Convener
:
Com.C.P.Sobhana (Kerala)
Committee Members
: Com.K.
Pushpeswaridevi (Andhra Pradesh)
Com.Manimeghalai
(Tamilnadu)
Com.MousumiMajumdar
(Assam)
Com.P. Rema (Kerala)
Com. Manali Daundkar
(Maharashtra)
Com.ManjuSrivashtava
(Madhya Pradesh)
Com. G. Srimathi
(Andhra Pradesh)
Com. Angel
Sathyanathan (Tamilnadu)
The AIC places on record that the reception committee headed by Adv. K. Chandrika,
Hon’ble Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and the Chairperson, Reception
Committee and Com Jacob Thomas, General Convenor under the able and
systematic guidance of our CHQ President Com M. Krishnan has made all
arrangements amazingly, outstandingly and stupendously for the AIC. The
Thiruvananthapuram AIC stretched every one’s eyebrows and saying whether
holding of conferences in such an orderly manner is possible in the future? The
reception committee deserves all appreciations.
The AIC places its appreciations on
record of the outgoing office bearers Com K. V. Sridharan, General Secretary
and Com. Subhash Mishra, Asst. General Secretary. U.P. Circle came forward to
host the next All India conference.
This conference is an historic and significant
success and it is the best record breaking one also in the history of the All
India conferences held sofar. The stunning and tireless work carried out
by hundreds of volunteers for the success of the conference is ever be
reminisced and they deserve and merit all appreciations. The policy and program
resolution adopted in the conference is furnished hereunder.
The 29th AIC has given the CHQ more
confidence by the unprecedented presence and participation of delegates and
visitors sharing with the CHQ in all its activities, reviewing the requirements
for the future etc. The CHQ is fully confident that with the total cooperation
of all circles, divisions and members, the huge task and the challenges posed
to us will be met with the utmost satisfaction of all. We assure that we will
strive hard to live up to the expectations of all our comrades in the rank and
file at the grass root level and march ahead.
With fraternal
greetings,
M.Krishnan
R. Sivannarayana,
General
secretary
CHQ President
POLICY &
PROGRAMME RESOLUTION ADOPTED IN THE AIC
1.
The after effects of the recession that devastated the economy of the
capitalist countries is still looming large over their head and there is no
immediate sign of recovery, eventhough the pro-capitalist economists and heads
of the developed nations are claiming to the contrary. The financial and
industrial sectors of these countries are reeling under the negative impacts of
recession. Unemployment is growing like anything. The bailout
packages and other short and long term measures taken has only helped the
trans-national corporations to survive, but the plight of the workers and common
man is becoming more and more miserable. Cuts in employment and social
security measures have further aggravated the situation. The economies of the
countries which are pursing a pro-socialist and anti-globalization policies are
comparatively less effected and are poised for rapid economic growth. The
resistance against the ill-effects of the neo-liberal globalization policies
are gaining momentum all over the world. Workers went on strike and
common people of those countries are also coming out to the street in large
numbers protesting against these policies. This 29th All India Conference
of AIPEU Group-C, extend full solidarity and support to the struggles conducted
by the workers and other toiling masses all over the world and pledge to be a
part and parcel of this struggle.
2.
In our country, the UPA Govt. is virtually toeing the US line and is going
ahead with the neo-liberal agenda. Steep rise in prices of essential
commodities, disbanding of public distribution system, disinvestment of public
sector, introduction of casual and contract labour system, decision to
allow 51% FDI in multi-brand retail trade, hectic persuation to get major
financial sector related bills on pension privatisation, banking and insurance
sector, the game plan for privatisation of vital infrastructural and public
utility services, the so-called private-public partnership in almost every
sector, the repeated hike in prices of petroleum products are glaring examples
of this policy. Big scams and corruption has become the order of
the day. Struggle and strikes are taking place in every sector against the
neo-liberal reforms and also against the anti-worker, anti-people policies of
the Govt. The entire working class of India under the banner of United
Platform of Mass Organizations is spearheading the struggle against these
policies. In the 2012 February 28th strike and in the 2013 February 20,
21 two days strike more than ten crores workers in the organized and
unorganized sector have participated. In the coming days, the struggle
will be further intensified. The Postal employees under the banner of
National Federation of Postal Employees have participated in all the national
strikes organized by the Central Trade Unions, including the last two days
General Strike. This 29th AIC of AIPEU Group-C congratulates the workers
and employees who participated in the united struggle of the working class and
we shall continue our struggle and shall always identify ourselves with the
mainstream of the working class.
3.
The Central Govt. Employees are the first victims of the neo-liberal economic
policies pursued by the Central Govt. from 1991 onwards. During the last
twenty years about eight lakhs posts are abolished. Further five lakhs
posts are lying vacant in various departments. Many departments are
closed or privatized. More and more casual and contract workers are
engaged. Social security schemes, including statutory pension scheme are given
a go-bye. Instead share market oriented contributory Pension Scheme is
introduced. Three lakhs Gramin Dak Sevaks are denied of their legitimate
rights. Casual, Part-time contingent employees are not given their due
wage revision. Even compassionate appointments are denied, imposing
arbitrary restrictions. Bonus ceiling not yet raised. The demand
for appointment of 7th Central Pay Commission is not yet accepted, in
spite of the thundering success of the 12th December strike organised by the
Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers. Merger of
50% D.A. with pay stands rejected. This 29th AIC of AIPEU Group-C, while
saluting the Central Govt. Employees, particularly Postal employees, who
participated in the 12th December strike in a big way and made it a historic
success and calls upon the National leadership of the confederation to carry
forward the struggle till the demands are met by the Government, especially the
appointment of the 7th CPC, D A merger and reversion of the policy of down
sizing, outsourcing, contractorisation and privatisation.
4.
In the Postal sector the Government has declared the draft National Postal
Policy 2012. It is nothing but a road-map to privatisation of Postal
services by amending the Indian Post Office Act and granting licences to the
multi-national courier services. Government want to close down post
offices in the name of loss. Posts are abolished without any
justification. Workload has increased but new posts are not
created. Cadre restructuring and other sectional issues are yet to be
settled. The National Federation of Postal Employees (NFPE) has taken
initiative to organise agitational programmes and mobilise the employees for
action including indefinite strikes and as a result the Postal Administration
was compelled to stop their move for closure of 9797 Post Offices. Many
long pending issues are settled and mass scale recruitment has taken
place. Department was forced to convene the JCM Departmental Council
meetings and formal meetings and discuss all the issues with the
staffside. The Government is reluctant to settle the issues relating to
Gramin Dak Sevaks and casual labourers. Only through a united struggle of
the entire Postal employees the policy offensives of the Govt. can be resisted
and also the pending issues of the Postal employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks
can be settled. This 29th AIC of AIPEU Group-C appreciates the positive
steps taken by NFPE and the P-3 CHQ in strengthening the unity of the Postal
employees and also for making sustained efforts for settling the sectional demands
of the Postal employees. This conference further calls upon NFPE to
chalkout agitational programmes in a phased manner for realisation of the
pending demands.
From karnataka also a good number of comrades are attended the conference. Karnataka stands 6th position in all india level as per the quota received in the conference.
From shimoga division 17 delegates were attended the conference.
