ORGANISATIONAL  PROGRAMS  AND  MEETINGS  HELD  SINCE  CIRCLE CONFERENCE

   On return from the Circle Conference held at Kalyani, our divisional counterparts have organised series of meetings and other programs. Circle union representatives were also present in those programs. The details so far available with us are given here.

•  on 30th October, joint working committee was held in Coochbehar division. Coms Janardan Majumder, Somnath Goswami and Pranab Bhattacharya were present from the circle union.
• on 4th November, a meeting was organised at North Kolkata  divisional office. Com. Sachchidananda Biswas attended the meeting from circle union.
• on 8th November, a meeting of divisional secretaries and activists in & around Kolkata divisions took place at circle union office. The main issue was filling up of vacancies in different unfilled departmental quotas which the circle office was averting by different tactics. Coms Janardan Majumder, Uttam Paul, Manoj Shaw, Bijan Chakraborty, Asit Bangabas, Anwesha Biswas, Somnath Goswami, Kaushik Roy were present in the meeting presided by Com. Debajyoti Gupta. The meeting discussed the views expressed by the Ch PMG during talk with Coms Janardan Majumder, Samir Bardhan and Pranab Bhattacharya (Admin Union). It was decided that the matter would be taken up with all seriousness so that the C.O. processed the unfilled vacancies as per rules. Letters have already been issued to the Ch PMG.
• on 9th November, South Presidency Divisional unions demonstrated against issuing charge sheets against a large number of P.A.s as subsidiary offenders. Even in the case of dacoity at Sonarpur S.O. on 8th February 2010, the SPM (also the President of our divisional Group-C union) has been charge sheeted who was injured by the gunshots of the miscreant gang.
• on 10th November, a joint meeting was held at the union office of Contai division. Com. Uttam Paul was present from circle union.
• on 12th November, a Voluntary Blood Donation camp was organised by Central Kolkata divisional unions at Park Street H.O. The program in its 5th year, was inaugurated by Com. Somnath Mukherjee. Com. Shib Sankar Roy, Joint Convener of 12th July Committee also graced the camp by his presence. Coms. Janardan Majumder, Somnath Goswami, Asit Das and Asit Bangabas were present. 65 comrades including 7 lady comrades donated blood in the camp. 
• on 13th November, the joint working committee meeting of Birbhum divisional unions was held at Sainthia. Com. Anwesha Biswas attended on behalf of the circle union. Birbhum divisional unions are now fighting strong against the corruption and malpractices of the divisional administration. The issue was discussed with importance, developing mass awareness against the Pension Bill was also took a prime part of the discussion.
• on 15th November, a meeting was arranged at circle union office with the divisional secretaries of Kolkata for preparation of street campaign against Pension Bill and supporting 25th November 'Parliament March'.
• on 17th November, at 9 (nine) prominent spots of Kolkata city, huge gatherings were organised by CGCC to collect signature of common people against Pension Bill. Large number of Postal comrades from Kolkata GPO, Central, North, South & East Kolkata divisions, PSD Kolkata, Fgn Post and Barabazar H.O. participated with spontaneity to make the program a remarkable success.
• on 25th November huge number of Postal comrades participated in the 'March to Parliament' against the Pension Bill. The detailed report will appear in this blog shortly.

ON THE ISSUE OF THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS 

           During the 35th Circle Conference, Com. K.V.Sridharan, General Secretary (CHQ) had an exclusive discussion with the comrades of different divisions of our circle working as System Administrators / Assistants and involved in the system in other undefined capacities. It is the stand of our Federation and a long-pending demand to create a separate cadre for them. The matter is also placed by our organisation in the Cadre Restructuring Committee.

                Com. Sridharan has explained that the department was not initially in favour of creating a separate cadre and arguing that it was not possible due to restraints laid down by DoPT & 6th CPC. But our organisation has pointed out that Postmaster cadre has been created by the department after 6th CPC. Instances have also been cited where in other departments such defined cadres exist with far better grade pay in the pay-band, but there are also defined criteria or qualification and recruitment procedure for such posts. So, it must be reviewed and decided by the Cadre Restructuring Committee. Our CHQ is well aware of the ordeal the SAs are going through, especially after increase in the number of Project Arrow and computerised offices and no increase in the number of SAs. It is requested by our organisation to wait for few more months to allow the Cadre Restructuring Committee to deal with it amicably. Decision of serious movement will surely be taken if the department shows no mentality within this time to consider the problem with appropriate merit which it deserves.

            However, there are other parameters also which are required to be attended to in the course of settling these issues. Our CHQ and Federation is consistently pursuing the issue to address the justified demands of the officials involved in the work related to the system.

            About 30 comrades who were present in the discussion are requested to intimate all other comrades. Our Technology Sub-Committee will also convene a meeting shortly.     

SUCCESSFUL  P.A.  CANDIDATES  OF 2005-08  BATCH  HAVE JOINED : OUR HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS

       The P.A.s came out successfully against the vacancies for the years 2005-08 has finally been appointed in all divisions subsequent upon department's decision to obey Hon'ble Kolkata High Court's judgement. It is much awaited and the news have been flashed for the first time from our Circle Conference on 16.09.2011.

          By this time, it is under knowledge of all staffs that receiving some allegations from different individuals towards intransparency and malpractices in recruitment process, their appointment was halted. But this was our apprehension that the malpractice was limited to only few cases which was finally established by court judgements also. But it was the Postal Directorate who chose to treat all cases with same merit and cancelled the entire panel. Then, it was our firm stance that the innocent candidates would be offered immediate appointment while the persons/officials involved in malpractices should be punished instantaneously and such identified appointments be cancelled.

              Our organisation arranged for repeated dialogues with the parents and the candidates, kept consistent liaison with them, wrote series of letters to the circle administration and to the All India Union and our Federation (NFPE) to pursue it with the Directorate, sent savingrams demanding immediate appointments of innocent candidates. Even after the judgement of the High Court, Kolkata, delegation of NFPE, West Bengal met the Chief PMG and strongly demanded their immediate joining, failing which, it was made clear to build up stiff protest/demonstration altogether the candidates and their family members at Yogayog Bhavan after the ongoing festivals. Our view was made clear once again through an 'open letter' to the Chief PMG, which was published in the August 2011 of our Circle Union journal -- 'Sangrami Dak'. There never was any lack of transparency regarding our view. Although some vested corners/organisations as per their inborn nature have continuously and unscrupulously tried to malign and condemn us only to degenerate our organisation. But we are happy and proud of these candidates only because ignoring all these propaganda against us most of them in every division are with us. This has encouraged and strengthened us to go on continuous persuasion till the last, and finally we achieved brilliant success.

             Moreover, among the three candidates ordered by Hon'ble High Court to be reviewed, one was Sri Aritra Konar, son of Sri Debashis Konar, our member since long belonging to RMS WB Division. When Com. Konar was influenced by others to proceed to court again, we insisted him to let his son face the review because we were confident of his merit. We are again happy that he has come out successfully from the review.

               We congratulate all the candidates for their spirit and sustained fight and wish them a prosperous and bright future. We also hope that their entry will obviously enrich our department as well as our organisation.             

35th  BIENNIAL  CIRCLE  CONFERENCE  CONCLUDES  WITH  A  FIRM  RESOLVE

                                                                                       

The Martyr Column at Rittwik Sadan, Kalyani, venue of Open Session                                                                             

During the Open Session at Rittwik Sadan.

Suchetana, cultural team of Nadia South division performs.

    Vidyasagar Mancha, venue of Group-C conference.                                                                           

             

 Com. Shib Sankar Roy speaks to the delagation at subject session          







           
             The Circle Conference has come out with a grand success at Kalyani. Sincere but humble and disciplined arrangements made by the Reception Committee prepared the backdrop of the conference, and the determination of our secretaries and other delegates gave it the shape. Everywhere our organisers and activists are facing tremendous hostility and threat by political goons. But remarkably, that could not deter our comrades. The resolve was firm, and it was vouched clearly in the deliberations in our conference.

     The conference was inaugurated by Com. Tapan Sen, M.P. and General Secretary, CITU. Com. Pijush Roy, General Secretary, CGCC, West Bengal, Prof. Dr. Alok Bandopadhyay, Vice-Chancellor, Kalyani University, Sri Meghlal Seikh, Sabhadhipati, Nadia Jela Parishad, Sri A.K.Maity, SSPOs, North Kolkata Divn & Secretary, Officers' Association, West Bengal and many other prominent personalities of mass movement were present and shared their experiences and thoughts with the huge delegation in the open session on 16.09.2011 at Rittwik Sadan, Kalyani. 

         Our Chief Postmaster General was unable to attend due to his sudden illness, but through his message, he provided us the honour of choosing our platform to announce his decision to appoint all selected P.A. candidates but three, of 2005-08 batch, who won it at Hon'ble High Court few weeks back. Many of them were present in the session, they had a huge relief and the conference wished all of such candidates a luck of best prospect. 

         In the subject session at Vidyasagar Mancha (Com. M.K.Pandhe Nagar, Com. Jyotiprasad Chatterjee Mancha), Secretaries of 34 divisions/units have deliberated. 20 non-secretary delegates have also appropriately utilised the platform to deliver their thoughts, including 7 women delegates. It was an effort by the decision of the previous Circle Working Committee to focus on new speakers and leadership. Com. K.V.Sridharan, General Secretary (CHQ), Com. R.L.Bhattacharya, veteran leader and our revered teacher, Com. Shibsankar Roy, Jt. Convener, 12th July Committee and our beloved leader and teacher, Com. Partha Sarathi Das, our former Circle President and inimitable leader, were felicitated and laid down the roadmap to move ahead and inspired us. Com. Sanjay Chakraborty, Circle Secretary, R-IV, Com. Samir Bardhan, Circle Secretary, R-III, Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee, General Secretary, Administrative Union also visited the session and spoke to the delegates. Sri Sanjeev Ranjan, DPS (HQ), could make it in his busy schedule to be present on the third day and lay the true picture of the department and its toiling staffs. We are thankful to him.

                The conference has recorded a remarkable development in all divisions who have brought sets of young comrades under limelight. They are mostly below or around 30, their enthusiasm is sky-high, and did not amend even in front of threats to leave the banner of NFPE. We salute their spirit and also the secretaries, who are true carriers of the idealism and tradition of Babu Tarapada and Com. K.G.Bose.

        The conference has witnessed some rare moments with Com. Ashok Mondal, a devoted and dedicated leader of Postal movement and the Working President, Reception Committee. who is on the verge of retirement; with Com. Shib Sankar Roy, he has released the second volume of his book on the history of postal movement, 'Purano Sei Diner Katha' and gifted 100 copies for the emerging forces in the Reception Committee; with Com. Partha Sarathi Das, who would be always cited as an instance of sacrifice for the interest of postal movement all through his life. The Postal employees of past, present and future generations would always be grateful to the contributions of these great leaders.

             The new Circle Working Committee, elected unanimously, are as follows:

         President                :Com. Tapan Dasgupta (947324-55291).
        Vice-President        : Com. Debajyoti Gupta (98313-20498).
                                                   Com. Pranab Bhattacharjee(94340-14850)
                                         Com. Asim Deb (98303-12450)
       Circle Secretary      : Com. Janardan Majumder (94334-59963)
     Asst Circle Secretary: Com. Gouranga Deb Maity (94346-24100)
                                         Com. Somnath Goswamy (94331-67460)
                                                    Com. Nanda Sen (94340-73535)
                                                   Com. Bijan Chakraborty (98312-09684)
                                         Com. Asit Bangabas (94745-03392)
    Finance Secretary     :  Com. Manoj Shaw (94337-76200)
Asst Finance Secretary  :  Com. Anwesha Biswas (94345-06338)
   Organising Secretary  : Com. Samir Chakraborty (97326-88064)
                                        Com. Uttam Pal (94330-11925)
                                        Com. Sachchidananda Biswas (94772-32957)

                 The new committee seeks support and participation of all our members in the coming days to advance the history of glorious postal movement in West Bengal and India.

   

DEMONSTRATION  AT  CIRCLE  OFFICE & DIVISIONS  DEMANDING  WAGE  REVISION & HALT OF ATTACKS  ON  PART-TIME & CONTINGENT-PAID  WORKERS 

 Dear comrades,

                                   The Circle Unions have convened to demonstrate tomorrow at Circle Office against another series of attacks unleashed on the Part-time & Contingent-paid workers in our Circle. When the staff-side is continuously struggling to achieve the wage revision and other service benefit for these employees all over the country, the department is trying to reduce the number of such workers on many pleas. Recently, another order has been issued to put the Part-time Chowkidars out of job. 

                                   Standing on this backdrop, the circle unions are requesting all divisions in and around Kolkata to assemble at circle office demonstration, other divisions are to hold demonstration at their divisions and send an adopted resolution in the following format.

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Resolution Dated 02.09.2011.

              This demonstration of NFPE Group of unions, ___________________ division expresses its deep concern and anguish over the continuous deprivation and attacks on the Part-time and contingent-paid workers of our department. Instead of revising their wage justifiably after implementation of salary revision of all other sections of employees, the department is gradually taking the course to put them out of job on different pleas. This demonstration sternly protests the recent order to practically abolish the jobs of part-time chowkidars, although the reality shows increased need of their presence in more offices due to increased accumulation of cash and weak system of cash removal. This order is condemned detrimental to the interest of all sections of staffs.

                      This demonstration further resolves to send copies of this resolution to appropriate administrative authorities with the demand for immediate withdrawal of all such orders devised for oppressing the part-time & contingent-paid workers or to launch vehement trade union movement circle-wide.

                                                                 
                                                                     (To be signed by the President of to the demonstration)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                    

OBSERVE   DEMONSTRATION  TOMORROW  AGAINST  ORDER  OF  DISENGAGEMENT  OF  PART-TIME  CHOWKIDARS

Dear comrades,

                              You have already learnt that the Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle, has issued an order to all divisions to disengage all part-time chowkidars of the circle. In recent years, the organisation is continuously struggling for the due benefits and status of the part-time contingent-paid workers. We apprehended that the hidden intention of the department is to throw them out of job by arising different arguments. The order of the Circle Head has established the anti-worker attitude of the department and revealed the mentality of the Central Govt. to the working class.

                             The Circle Unions have called upon all divisional leadership to hold a demonstration tomorrow, 16.08.2011, and send a resolution to the Chief PMG, W.B.Circle, in the following text.

RESOLUTION  DATED  16.08.2011.

             

    Todays demonstration of NFPE Group of Unions, ____________________ division is deeply concerned about the recent order of the Chief Postmaster General, West Bengal Circle, to disengage the Part-time Chowkidars from work in our circle.

               The demonstration resolves to demand to the Circle Administration to repeal the order immediately to avoid serious staff resentment and trade union movements circle wide.

                                                  _____________________________

                                                  (sig. of the President of the meeting) 

     

MATTERS  TAKEN UP WITH THE C.O.

•     The Postmaster cadre Grade-I memo has been issued from Circle Office for the 49 new candidates who have qualified this year. Circle Union has been consistently pursuing the postings since the result was published. The officials have mostly been posted at their convenient places. We thank the Circle authorities for the positive consideration.
• On 12.7.11, a detailed discussion has been held with Sri Sanjeev Ranjan, DPS(HQ), on issuance of LSG memo. More than 350 PAs will be promoted to LSG. DPCs will be arranged shortly. Divl Secretaries are requested to please pursue.
• The matter of In-House Training for newly recruited PAs --- 2 each in Malda & Coochbehar Divisions and 1 in DInajpur Divn --- has also been discussed. Divl Supdts are to take the main initiatives, C.O. / R.O. will assist with providing place for training and trainer. Divl secretaries of these divisions are requested to follow up and intimate circle union the status.
• Some Rule-38 cases of officials having urgent family compulsions and mutual applications have been pursued.
•  With another meeting with the PMG(South Bengal) Com. Janardan Majumder, Com. Nirmal Dey & Com. Bijoy Gopal Sur have requested to resolve ongoing problems in South Hooghly Divn, mainly at Tarakeswar.
• Irregular activities of the Divl Supdt, Tamluk, have also been highlighted. It has been decided that another meeting will be held shortly in presence of the divl secretaries to solve the problems.
• On 13.7.11, a delegation of circle union comprising of Com. Janardan Majumder & Com. Asim Deb met the PMG(Kol. Rgn). Com. Abhijit Kundu & Com. Asit Das from Barasat Divn were also present to discuss numerous irregularities in recent PA tenure transfer memo of Barasat divn. The Divl Supdt has posted female employees to offices at the distance of 60-70 kms without any consideration. He has selected only members of NFPE to vindicate in this fashion. He even did not care to bother to the Dte. guideline of involving less transfer TA etc although nearby offices had the vacancies.Circle Union has handed over a letter to the PMG having the detail requesting for modification.She has assured to look into the matter.
• Recently, the Supdt, Birbhum Divn, has unilaterally removed Sri Jayanta Dey from the work of System Assistant, Santiniketan. The matter has been taken up with the C.O. This will again be discussed with the DPS(KR).

                      Divisional secretaries are requested to please intimate the circle union the development of these issues from time to time at their ends.  

AS  THE  INDEFINITE  STRIKE  HAS  BEEN  DEFERRED ......

      We have informed our divisional secretaries last night that the indefinite strike from 5th July has been deferred by the JCA after day-long discussion yesterday at the Directorate.

      NFPE has blogged in its website, so did the Gr-C CHQ, the gist of the discussion and the positive settlement reached between the Postal JCA & the Administration. Few orders have also been given. All points are not conclusive, but the unilateral attitude of the Directorate does not prevail. 

     We would like to make this point noted that the blog published by the staff-side is our understanding on the discussion. We have to cautiously wait for the Department's version to be notified and remain ready to react promptly over that if required.  

        Finally, the Circle Unions salute all postal employees of our circle for the sincere & diligent preparation for making the strike successful despite political attacks, threats, intervention on strike campaigns and reluctance by the leaderships of other service unions ignoring nationwide staff-unity.  
 

SERVE  STRIKE  INTIMATION  ON  14th

PROTEST  DETRIMENTAL  RECOMMENDATIONS  OF  GOPINATH  COMMITTEE  

ON  

SMALL  SAVINGS

Comrades,

                 As per the call of the Postal JCA comprising of NFPE, FNPO, AIPEDEU & NUGDS, we are preparing to launch indefinite strike from 5th July 2011. On 14th this month, strike notice will be served. We shall also demonstrate at all divisions and serve strike intimation to respective divisional heads.

                   The text of the letter to be submitted to the divisional heads is given below.

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To,

   The SSPOs / SPOs

   ------------------- Division.

       Sub: Indefinite postal strike from 5th July  -----  intimation thereof.

Dear Sir,

              This is for your information that at the call of Postal JCA (comprising of NFPE, FNPO & GDS unions) all cross-sections of postal employees are going to an indefinite strike on & from 5th July 2011 on 25-point charter of demands.

                   So, all staffs of this division will act as per the call of Postal JCA on & from 05.07.11. Strike notice alongwith charter of demands have been served by the Postal JCA before the Secretary, Dept of Posts, New Delhi, a copy of which is attached herewith.

                      Thanking you,

                                                            Yours faithfully,

   Enclo: As above.

                                       ______________       _______________        ______________

                                        Secretary, P-ED    Secretary, P.man & MSE    Secretary. Gr-C

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Comrades are requested to download & print the copies of strike notice & CoD from the following links :

Strike Notice: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bzr_fYaknLLzOTJlYzQ0MDktOTgwZi00M2ExLTg0NGMtNGU4YmQ5YzM0OWVk&hl=en_US&authkey=CKOdjIYJ&pli=1

Charter of Demands:https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0Bzr_fYaknLLzMjEyYTk3MTQtMmY1Ny00MWI2LWI5MDQtNTA1YjkwYzYwM2Jm&hl=en_US&authkey=CPCXtfoL&pli=1

                         Please incorporate the aspect of the report submitted on 7th June 2011 by the committee on National Small Savings Schemes headed by Smt. Shyamala Gopinath, Dy. Governor, RBI. 

                       The committee has recommended the Govt to abolish Kishan Vikas Patra on the plea that 'small savings' are targeted for investments of 'small' scales, not for lump investments like KVP. Also they have advised to again stop the 5% bonus on maturity of MIS and make it 5 years tenor instead of 6 years. These two recommendations, if accepted by the Finance Ministry, will be having disastrous effect on the work of Post Offices as a huge number of customers will move away. It is also a great threat to the middle class & pensioners as they will loose a good amount of interest from the secured window of post offices.

                             Though there are recommendations of raising interests slightly in POSB, RD, Time Deposits (obviously the latter is still not at par with the FDs in banks) and raising the ceiling of annual deposit of PPF, the blow that would hit our establishment through the recommendations narrated in the foregoing para, could not be healed.

                           So, we do not have any option but to protest vehemently against such conspiracy against the working class. We also have an imperative duty to make people aware of this during our strike campaign. 

                   Finally, the Circle Union requests all the organisers to prepare well before campaigning on the Charter of Demands. NFPE has blogged exhaustively on the activities of Mckinsey and other issues. The moment needs all loopholes to be eradicated, this fight is going to be a tough one.   

         

DEMONSTRATION  TOMORROW  AGAINST  THE  BRUTAL  ATTACK  ON  CENTRAL  GOVT  UNION  LEADERS  &  MEMBERS : SAVINGRAM  TO  PRIME  MINISTER  &  CHIEF  MINISTER

Com. Swaraj Kar, General Secretary, CPWD Workers' Union

Com. Tapas  Das

   

 During the incident

Comrades, 

          You are already aware that on 3rd June, Central Govt Employees' Coordination Committee convened a protest meeting at Nizam Palace, Kolkata, against the forceful occupation of the CPWD union's office room by the Trinamool Congress sheltered union.

           During the protest meeting, the TMC activists & miscreants with the connivance of their union suddenly attacked the assembled comrades including postal of Kolkata Divisions, with sticks & rods without any provocation. Many of the leaders & comrades were serious injured & bleeding profusely. Com. Pijush Roy, General Secretary, CGCC, was innjured.Com. Swaraj Kar, General Secretary, CPWD Workers' Union, Com. Tapas Das, Com. Goutam Pramanik, Com. Sunil Roy and many others were seen bleeding. They all were rushed to hospital hastily. Presently they are in stable condition and have been discharged.

              Police, no wonder, were present there, but did not take any action during the brutal attack. Later, local O.C. (Bhabanipore P.S.) appeared & arrested 4 TMC miscreants. But it is obvious that to please the present administration, they did not differentiate between the attackers & the attacked, and arrested 2 CPWD employees also.

               The NFPE Group of unions, West Bengal Circle, do not have adequate language to condemn the brutal attack and the violation of democratic right to protest, which the presently ruling political parties and their followers intend to reign with. We, also with the CGCC, convene a demonstration tomorrow at all Central Govt Department Branch/ Divisional Headquarters, from which a savingram has to be adopted and sent to the Prime Minister, India and the Chief Minister, West Bengal.

                                    The text of the savingram is given below :

==  Central Govt employees of West Bengal including BSNL express their serious concern over brutal attack on union functionaries of CPWD XXX  Protest forceful capturing of union office XXX Condemn the unprovoked attack causing serious injury to the General Secretary of CGCC and others including pensioners on 3^rd June at Nizam Palace Kolktata XXX Deplore on inaction of authorities of law & order equating the attackers & the attacked XXX  Urge upon your immediate intervention  ==

    ALL  COMRADES  ARE  REQUESTED  TO  EMPLOY THEIR MAXIMUM EFFORT TO MOBILISE MEMBERS  IN THIS PROGRAM & ITS PROPAGANDA TO  EXPOSE  THE  ATTACKERS  ACTUAL   AGENDA.