Comrade Prashanta Chakraborty, former Circle President, Group-C, has passed away today, following a cerebral attack,  at 6-40 in the morning at Siliguri District Hospital. He was 75.

    Comrade Prashanta da joined service in Darjeeling Division at a very tender age of 19. After serving the dertment for 41 long years, he retired in the year 2000. During these years, he was committed to the cause of our organisation and comrades. He was repeatedly victimised for trade union activities and transferred to Burdwan Division in 1968, and once in Jalpaiguri Division. He led different movements within this period as a forerunner.

      The Circle Unions humbly pay tribute to his memory and extend condolence to the bereaved family.

OBSERVE  SIT-IN  DEMONSTRATION  TODAY  AT  ALL  DIVISIONAL  HQs / UNITS 

     All Circle Unions of NFPE under the banner of Postal Coordination Committee has called a day-long sit-in demonstration program today to be observed at all divisional headquarters and units. Circle office-bearers were to observe hunger-fast at Yogayog Bhawan on the same day. The demands are same as in the charter of demands placed on 29th January 2016 (already placed in this blog).

     In the meantime, Bi-mothly meeting with PMG, Kolkata Region and Four-monthly meeting with the Chief PMG were held with the Circle Unions. Issues like situation of CBS and CIS, recruitment in all cadres including GDS, payment of part-time and contingent-paid workers have been discussed with the Chief PMG. Both PMG (KR) and Chief PMG agreed with us on the importance of the main issues. As per our request, the Chief PMG has consented to discuss exclusively on CBS issues on a separate day very shortly.

     Under this situation, the Circle Secretaries met and decided not to hold the hunger-fast at C.O. and rather emphasize the program at all divisions. Circle office bearers will remain present at their own divisional headquarters or if deputed by Circle Union elsewhere. 

      Accordingly, all divl secretaries and leaders are requested to hold today's program with massive participation of comrades and pressurise local administration to take action at their levels. Local demands may be included along with the charter of demand as Part-B. Please ensure observing the program with due seriousness and send feedback to Circle Unions.    

                   

                  

FOUR-MONTHLY  MEETING  WITH  CHIEF PMG : CIRCLE  UNION  SUBMITS  CBS  DEMANDS  WITH  OTHER  AGENDA

     All Circle Unions of NFPE, West Bengal, have discussed the burning issues today in the 4-monthly meeting with the Chief PMG. From Group-C Circle Union Comrades Janardan Majumdar, Annwesha Biswas and Bijan Chakraborty participated in it. Along with three other agenda, CBS issue has been separately raised and the above demands have been handed over. Most of the above issues can be settled at least to some extent by the Circle Administration, if sufficient good will is there. On some points, Chief PMG has agreed verbally, especially on connectivity and speed issue as well as enhancement of bandwidth. It has been learnt that an order has been issued by the Directorate, which is yet to be received at our Circle, empowering Circle Heads to increase bandwidth at deserving offices. The Chief PMG has assured that once the order is received, the C.O. will examine the situation of different offices to increase bandwidth.

     However, the Chief PMG has also expressed that CBS is a huge issue today which needs more discussion. She has also emphasized on the point of changing mindset to accept the changes and increasing complaints by customers due to discourteous behaviour at post offices. On 25th or 26th February 2016, a discussion will be held exclusively on CBS issue. We have pointed out the terrible mental stress under which the postal staffs are now suffering. Com. Pranab Bhattacharya, General Secretary, Admin Union, has also raised the issue appropriately.  

      Our leaders and organisers may note that the extended CWC held on 09.02.16 decided to hold a day-long sit-in demonstration on 25th February 2016 in all divisions on CBS and other five points mentioned in the charter of demands submitted to C.O. on 29.01.2016. The program will remain unchanged in case of divisions. If the discussion takes place on 25th, the program at C.O. may need reconsideration. Decision will be taken after confirmation of the date from the C.O.  

      Comrades are requested to spread the above news and demands in the circle.

LETTER  ISSUED  BY  CIRCLE  UNIONS  TO  CHIEF PMG  TO  CHANGE  HOLIDAY  FOR  SARASWATI  PUJA, DECLARE  COMPULSORY HOLIDAYS  FOR  DOLYATRA  AND  'BHAI TIKA'  IN  DARJEELING  DIVISION

LETTER  FROM  CIRCLE  UNIONS  TO  CIRCLE  HEAD  TO  RELAX  PRE-APPOINTMENT  FORMALITIES  FOR  CANDIDATES  SELECTED  IN  POSTMEN & MTS  CADRES

 

RESOLUTION  TO  BE  SUBMITTED  TO  DIVL / UNIT HEAD  TODAY  FROM  THE  DEMONSTRATION  AGAINST  THE  MANNER  OF  IMPLEMENTATION  OF  CBS,  PAYMENT  TO  P/T WORKERS,  PARCEL  HUB,  RECRUITMENT  TO  ALL  VACANT  POSTS  ETC. 

 

 

    Comrades, the following charter of demand which was adopted from the demonstration in front of Yogayog Bhawan on 29.01.2016 has already been sent to your division/unit. The Circle Unions request you to please submit the same from today's demonstration, as per the call of the extended CWC held on 09.02.2016, to your local authority.

 

STRIKE ~~~~~ STRIKE ~~~~~ STRIKE

  Finally.... National Joint Council of Action (NJCA) comprising of Confederation of Central Government Empl0yees and Workers with its affiliate organisations, Railway Union, Defence Employees has decided to proceed to strike protesting the Central Government inaction and reluctance to implement the pay revision through 7th CPC removing or modifying its anti-staff recommendations.

   Already this Pay Commission has been identified as the worst-ever Pay Commission this country has seen.  On top of it, the Govt has imposed several conditions on efforts of modifications even if concerned Departments agree and ready to recommend. Practically, by setting up two committees, Govt has made it almost impossible to bring about any change. Changes are only possible if Govt itself considers it as a charity. We certainly cannot accept that.

    Postal employees have even more grounds to go on an indefinite strike. The way of implementation of CBS and CIS has created a terrifying environment at offices. It is now clear that due to pressure from Central Govt, especially PMO, the entire drama is being staged. The events have already claimed, arguably, lives of some Postal employees at some Circles due to severe pressure and detention at office which aggravated their ailments. In the two-days Central Working Committee meeting of AIPEU Group-C (CHQ) at Chandigarh on 6-7 February 2016, All Circle Secretaries raised voices against Department's unilateral and unbelievable extortion of staffs to make CBS functional. The grievance was so strong that even the Pay Commission issues appeared secondary. We from West Bengal Circle strongly demanded country-wide cease-work and strike, even if other departments do not join. 

 Tomorrow, our Circle Unions are holding an extended Circle Working Committee wherein all Divisional Secretaries and Circle Office bearers will be present. We shall certainly finalise programs to protest against Circle Administration on our own issues as well as discuss the plan of making the strike an all-time record.

   Comrades, grievances are there, everybody is eager to protest the present Jungle-Raaj. Our task is to shape the grievance and protest to be manifested through the strike. So.... come on..... if they understand only in that way, let it be so.    

CGCC, WEST BENGAL,  REACHES  OUT  WITH  RELIEF  TO  THE  TEA-GARDEN  WORKERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       As one of the noble responsibilities of belonging to the working class, Coordination Committee of Central Govt Employees and Workers, West Bengal, stretches its hands to provide some relief to the jobless labourers of Tea-Gardens of West Bengal. The death toll of such labourers is around 200 now, hundreds more are suffering with hunger, malnutrition and diseases.

 

     The CGCC team led by Comrades Tapan Dasgupta, Manisha Majumder (Jt.Convener, Working Women's Cell) and Partha Guha (Organising Secretary, CGCC) was supported by Comrades Nanda Sen, Uttam Sarkar from Postal, from Income Tax and other local trade union leaders. The team of about 40 comrades visited Red Bank and Surendranagar Tea Gardens of Dooars area. The team had kitchen bags to distribute with Rice, edible oil, Milk, Soyabean, spices etc.

 

    Kitchen bags were handed over to 850 families in Red Bank Tea Garden and 236 in Surendranagar Tea Garden. Both these Tea Gardens are closed since long. The jobless workers thanked for the relief, but urged to support and move for opening the Gardens as they want food for their toil, not as relief. They want their dignity of earning back.

 

    CGCC and affiliates are fighting for their cause and condemns the inaction and reluctance of both Central and State Governments. The owners of these Tea Gardens are not unfed, nor they are suffering. In the name of reopening, they take loans but divert their investments elsewhere. In 2007, 31 Tea Gardens were closed, but the Left Front Govt promptly and effectively took up the issue. 30 Tea Gardens were opened. What are the governments in power doing now? What is the cost of the lives of hundreds of labourers and their families?

 

   Comrades, we should raise our voices with these questions now. Build up more movements and social awareness against this inhuman face of the Govt. Please continue collecting funds so that we can reach out more tea gardens in coming days.           



COMRADE  DEBAJYOTI  GUPTA  RETIRES  FROM  SERVICE

  Comrade Debajyoti Gupta, former Vice-President of our Group-C Circle Union, has retired on superannuation on the last day of the first month of the year 2016. He joined this department in the year 1981 at Barrackpore H.O. under North Presidency Division, and left it after 35 years full of colours of various array of struggles from the platform of our organisation.

    More familiar to all of us as 'Debu da', he became Divisional Secretary, Group-C, at a tender age in 1989 through a struggle of ideology. Under his leadership, North Presidency became one of the prolific organisations in our Circle. With him as the leader, his division discharged responsibilities of holding first ever Part-time & Contingent-paid Workers' Convention in India, first Circle Conference of ED Union at Sodepur (erstwhile AIPEDEU after being separated from P-III in 1995), first Circle Conference of AIPSBCOEA, Joint Biennial Circle Conference of our P-III, P-IV & ED unions in 2003, first Circle Technology Convention and first Working Women Convention of West Bengal Circle. He also led the divisional organisation to financially contribute generously to Calcutta Postal Club and CGCC, West Bengal.

   An academic scholar who did not actually care to pursue his own career, he himself graced the Group-C Circle Union firstly as Assistant Circle Secretary, then as Vice-President. The Circle Union and many young organisers were enriched by his wisdom, guidance and contributions. He was one of the very few leaders who contributed both intellectually to progress our ideology and in day-to-day functions of the union.   

          

On the dais of Circle Conference, Suri (standing extreme left) 

   Comrade Debajyoti Gupta gave away the post of Divisional Secretary to new generation leaders in the year 2008. He again voluntarily offered his post in Circle Union for inclusion of younger comrades during last Circle Conference at Suri, Birbhum during 1-4 November 2015.

  The Circle Conference sincerely and humbly acknowledges his contributions and wishes him the best but not rest for the coming days, as we request him to extend more time to the organisation. We are sure that the 'Postal Family' where he belongs to, with his wife Comrade Manisha Gupta --- still in service in North Presidency Division and daughter Comrade Dipanwita Gupta Bandpadhyay, who was our colleague just a couple of years back and now in Ranchi, would inspire him more to remain in touch with us.

    LAAL  SELAAM  COMRADE.

The Circle Working Committee Meeting of AIPEU, Postmen & MTS  will be held on 9th Feb.'2016. All Divn. / Branch Secretaries are requested to attend the meeting positively. 

NFPE, WEST BENGAL CIRCLE

CIRCULAR ……….

Badge wearing program will be held on 5-2-2016. Specimen of Badge is given here. All Branch / Division ( Expect Kolkata Branch / Division ) are requested to make sure of printing of this badge as per their requirement. Please hold this program with extreme seriousness.

The Extended Circle Working Committee Meeting will be held on 9th Feb.'2016. All Divn. / Branch Secretaries are requested to attend the meeting positively.