JOINT  EXTENDED  CIRCLE  WORKING  COMMITTEE  HELD : PROGRAMS  FOR STRIKE  CAMPAIGNING  ANNOUNCED 

   
        The Joint Extended Circle Working Committee held today at 13th floor auditorium of Yogayog Bhavan has discussed the backdrop of the call of revived indefinite strike from 17th January 2012.  All Divisional Secretaries were present and presented their views and plans. Dates of joint working committees of all divisions have also been finalised.

                   The meeting has laid down following preparatory programs to be observed, in addition to those already announced :

1. On 26.12.2011 : hunger fast from 10 AM to 5 PM at Circle Office and Siliguri R.O.
2. On 04.01.2012 :  seminar at at 5-30 P.M. at Centenary Hall, Kolkata University. Subject: 'Occupy Wall Street & Fight of Workers of Maruti-Suzuki' by Com. Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU.
3. On 05.01.2012 : sit-in demonstration at all divisions from 12 noon to 4 P.M.
4. On 12.01.2012 : wearing badges demanding settlement of strike demands. The content of the badge will be notified by Circle Unions.
5. From 14.01.2012 to 16.01.2012 : gate meetings at all offices for publicity of strike demands in national interests.

ORGANISATIONAL  PROGRAMS  HELD  ON  11.12.2011  AT  DIFFERENT DIVISIONS 

1. A joint working committee meeting of four divisional unions of Tamluk division have been held at Dak Karmi Bhavan, Tamluk. Around 60 comrades were present in the meeting, including one lady comrade. Delegates of Circle Conference, P-IV AIC and AIC of Part-time & Contingent-paid workers reported respective programs in front of the house. The meeting has also started serious preparation for the proposed indefinite strike fron 17.01.2012. From Circle Union, Com. Annwesha Biswas spoke on the situation and the ensuing programs.
2. The divisionsl unions of Burdwan division arranged their joint working committee today at Burdwan H.O. Around 50 comrades were present including one lady comrade. The meeting had detailed discussion on the issues of administrative attacks in the division, instances of political interference by reactioninst forces, Kalyani Circle Conference and P-IV AIC at Indore. The dates from meetings at different zones had been finalised. The attacks on the workers, on small savings and the significance of the ensuing indefinite strike had been elaborated by Com. Bijan Chakraborty and Com. Bikash Ghosh, from Gr-C & P-IV Circle Unions respectively.   
3. The Group-C divisional union of Howrah division arranged a special drive for awareness in technology and overview of the departmental software, including an interactive session today at the Computer Training Center of Howrah H.O. Selected 19 comrades were present for the day long program. System Assistant comrades of Howrah division shared their expertise and experience with others in the seminar. Other divisions may also consider holding such classes as it would be a very useful one for the comrades. From Circle Union, Com. Samir Chakraborty was present.
4. A team of Circle Union is visiting Sikkim division now, comprising of Com. Janardan Majumder, Com. Asit Das, Com. Mukkul Das et. al. for organisational purposes. A remarkable meeting has been finished few hours before at Gangtok. The report and the detail will appear in the blog shortly.

INDEFINITE  STRIKE  COMMENCES  FROM  17th JANUARY 2012 ---- ENSUING  PROGRAMS  BY  CIRCLE  UNIONS

      Central JCA has changed the date of commencement of the indefinite strike from 3rd January to 17th January 2012. The date of serving the strike notice remains the same. The Circle Unions will serve the strike notice at Yogayog Bhavan on 15.12.11 through a demonstration. Leaders and comrades of division and branches of Kolkata will assemble at Yogayog Bhavan on that date. These divisions (in Kolkata) will serve strike notice in their divisions / branches on 20.12.11. However, other divisions will serve the notice on 15th December.

                Following programs are announced by the Circle Unions in the offing.

1. All divisions and branches are requested to convene extended working committee, general body meeting without least delay for preparation of strike.
2. On 17.12.2011, an Extended Circle Working Committee meeting is convened , next Saturday, in Kolkata. The notice has been issued. All secretaries of all unions are to attend the meeting without fail.
3. On 22.12.2011, a voluntary blood donation camp has been arranged at the South verandah of Kolkata GPO, to observe the death anniversary of Com. K.G.Bose like each year. Comrades are requested to come forward to make the initiative successful.
4. On 23.12.2011, protest-demonstrations are to be held at recess hours in all branches and divisions against the latest attack on the Small Savings scheme and also on the SAS agents. The Circle Unions have issued a letter to all secretaries to take sincere effort to ensure involvement and participation of all SAS agents in the program, as they are also uniting by forming their organisation. A resolution has to be adopted from the program and to be sent to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Minister of Communication & IT and the Secretary (Posts). The text of the resolution will be given in this blog.
5. On 31.12.2011, an Extended General Council meeting of CG Coordination Committee will be held at ABTA Hall (Satyapriya Bhavan) at Ganesh Ch. Avenue, Kolkata at 11 A.M. All secretaries of divisions/branches in & around Kolkata and District Secretaries of CGCC have to attend the meeting taking leave of their own.

                     All comrades are requested to put maximum effort for success of the above programs. 

CALL  OF  INDEFINITE  STRIKE  IS  REVIVED  FROM  3rd JANUARY 2012  DUE  TO  RELUCTANCE  OF  THE  ADMINISTRATION   

      Central JCA has finally decided to revive the postponed indefinite strike of 5th July 2011 again from 03.01.2012 as the department is acting  unilaterally and no satisfactory or effective step has been taken so far to implement the assurances given during discussions on the demands of the indefinite strike called from 5th July 2011. 

       All employees of the department is experiencing that nothing has changed despite the assurances. The situation of GDS employees and Part-time & contingent-paid workers are still the same. The department is desperate to implement Mail Network Optimisation Project, which is a brain-child of the infamous Mckinsey Consultancy, despite vehement objection of the entire staff-side. The meeting of the JCM Departmental Council is purposefully delayed to avoid the compulsion of statutory discussion with the staff-side. The Federation leadership has detailed the backdrop in its blog.

         The JCA has directed us to serve strike notice on 15.12.2011 with huge gathering of our comrades. As we do not have much time in our hands, our leaders and members are requested to please act immediately and jump into campaigning and revive the preparation. The contents of the charter of demands is already known to everyone. So it would not be difficult to take adequate preparation. Let us vouch to stall the postal functioning of West Bengal since 03.01.2012, if the department does not amend itself to implement the assurances right now.  

DEMONSTRATION  AT  YOGAYOG  BHAVAN  ON  9TH DECEMBER 2011 

           The NFPE Group of Postal Circle Unions have convened a demonstration at the Circle Office on 9th December 2011, Friday, at 1-30 P.M. at 6th floor. The main demands are :

1. Settlement of irregular transfer orders during rotational memo this year issued by the SPOs, Barasat Divn. On this, the Circle Union has issued series of letters to the PMG, Kolkata Region since 13.7.2011 and had repeated discussions with both PMG and DPS, Kolkata Region. Though they have admitted our points, have done nothing so far despite assurances. This way, they have made us to initiate organisational programs from now on which would be made intense if required.
2. Stoppage of diversion of booking of UIDAI and Print to Post articles from Kolkata GPO to other Business Offices and even outsource. GPO is having adequate manpower and computers to handle the entire work initially entrusted, but for reasons beyond our understanding, it has been diverted. Facing protest from our organisation, a portion of the work has again been reallotted to GPO, but we want complete reversion of the situation as it was.
3. Return of staffs deputed to C.O. without justification to parent divisions. At personal will of some authorities, a number of staffs are presently attached to the C.O. They do not have specific work, apart from those intended every morning by the officer. It is his personal style of working. Though it has been assured that they would be returned to respective divisions within 31st November, it did not materialise. We cannot let this continue to satisfy some personal style of working.

                       There also will be some other issues of divisions under Kolkata Region. Secretaries are requested to please bring it under the notice of the Circle Union if any such issue is pending for long in their divisions. All secretaries of divisions in and around Kolkata are requested to mobilise comrades to attend the demonstration in huge number.     

             

PARLIAMENT  MARCH  ON  25th NOVEMBER  BY  CENTRAL  TRADE  UNIONS AGAINST  PFRDA BILL

         

         As per the call of the Central Trade Unions, thousands of workers and employees have rocked the roads of the capital of our country against the intention of the Central Govt to put up Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority Bill in the running winter session of the Parliament. When most of the countries of the world, even the developed countries, are suffering from increasing unemployment and slow growth rates due to adopting neo-economic policies, our Central Govt is still not giving up their plans on the same road-map.

         The government is facing financial hardship due to their own financial policies, but choosing the funds in which middle or lower middle class citizens of our country invest or keep their meager savings to pump in money to the share market to inflate the market. This is at the cost of the social security of the workers and employees and we cannot accept that. From West Bengal, a significant number of young comrades have also enthusiastically walked along the experienced comrades and raised their voices. Participation from different divisions were as follows : Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, Nadia South, Darjeeling, East Kolkata -  4 each, Birbhum, South Hooghly, North Hooghly, Contai, Central Kolkata - 3 each, Midnapore, Purulia - 5 each, Barasat - 2, South Kolkata, Alipore - 1 each, South Presidency - 7 (4 P.A.s attended from this division had not yet completed even a year of their service), Gr-C & Postmen & Gr-D and SBCO Circle Unions - 7. Among the above representation, one from Darjeeling and three from East Kolkata were lady comrades.

         We resolve to strengthen our movement in future and let us start the preparation for the strike called by all Central Trade Unions and Federations, tentatively on 28th February 2012.

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.