GUIDELINES  FOR  THE  CIRCLE  UNION  TEAM  ATTENDING  PURI  WORKSHOP  ON  4th & 5th FEBRUARY 2012 

       The letter of the Circle Union circulating the names of the participants and other guidelines is reproduced below. Comrades are requested to bring it into notice of all concerns.

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All India Postal Employees’ Union Group – C

West Bengal Circle

37, Ganesh Chandra Avenue, Kolkata – 700 013

No. PC – 13 / Organization.                                                            Date : 30.01.2012.

To,

   The Divl Secretary, Group-C

      ……………………………….. Divn.

                                   Sub: Attending Puri Workshop from West Bengal Circle.

Dear Comrade,

                           You are already aware that Gr-C (CHQ) has organized a workshop on Ruling, Defence etc. at Puri on 4<sup>th</sup> & 5<sup>th</sup> February 2012. A team from West Bengal Circle is participating in the program. Before finalization of the representatives divisional secretaries were consulted with and finally, the following comrade(s) are included in the team. Circle Union expects benefits from the participating comrades for welfare of our staff-members in the coming days.

1. Com. Bijan Chakraborty, Circle Union.
2. Com. Asim Deb, Circle Union.
3. Com. Manoj Shaw, Circle Union.
4. Com. Annwesha Biswas, Circle Union.
5. Com. Prabir Tahabildar, PSD, Kolkata.
6. Com. Bibhas Ghara, Central Kolkata.
7. Com. Lalbahadur Patra, Central Kolkata.
8. Com. Samit Mukherjee, Kolkata G.P.O.
9. Com. Adhir Das, South Presidency.
10. Com. Kaushik Roy, Nadia South.
11. Com. Pinaki Mondal, Howrah.
12. Com. Ananda Garai, Birbhum.
13. Com. Sudip Sen, Darjeeling.
14. Com. Saugata Dey, South Hooghly.

               Special CL should be applied for attending the workshop including the journey dates. The journey tickets have been booked by Circle Union by up & down DHAULI EXPRESS (3<sup>rd</sup> Feb from Howrah at 6-00 AM and 6<sup>th</sup> Feb from Puri at 11-50 AM). As conveyance will be arranged by the Reception Committee from Puri station to hotel and vice versa at the train timings, all comrades are requested to maintain the schedule as finalized by the Circle Union and also organizational discipline as per our tradition.

             Com. Bijan Chakraborty (98312-09684 / 94329-37329), Asstt. Circle Secretary, will discharge the responsibilities of the Team Leader. You are requested to cooperate.

                                                                                                 Comradely yours,

                                                                                                           Sd/-

                                                                                             (Janardan Majumdar)

                                                                                                   Circle Secretary

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CIRCLE  UNION  MEETS  CHIEF  PMG 

  Com. Janardan Majumdar, Circle Secretary, has met Sri S.K.Chakraborti, Circle Head yesterday to discuss some issues those required his intervention. 

   Regarding seniority in terms of pay and allowances and counting joining date for the purpose of MACP of the P.A.s recruited against the vacancies of 2005-08, Circle Union has already requested the ChPMG to issue a speaking order. The Chief PMG has again insisted yesterday that they would get seniority to the recruits of later years, who has joined before them due to delay for allegations of malpractices in recruitment process. In the discussion, the Circle Head has requested the Circle Union to prepare a report regarding the fixation and treatment of these P.A.s in different divisions so that the discrimination and differences can be categorically identified and discussed again. Divl Secretaries are requested to send the report to the Circle Union immediately.

     22 surplus qualified IPO candidates of 2009 are waiting for training and posting in our Circle. Due to complication of interpretations and court cases, the matter could not be finalised by the C.O. The Chief PMG has advised for the candidates to submit personal representations with some points, on which the Circle Secretary prefers to talk to the candidates on 8th February 2012 at Circle Union office. Candidates are requested to please contact Com. Sanjeev Roy (East Kolkata) at 9432139735 for details and attend the discussion.

       On publication of result of 2002-03 P.A. examination of South Presidency Division, the Circle Head has mentioned that the department has filed reply to the query of Hon'ble CAT regarding the malpractice exercised by the then Divl Administration in the process of recruitment. Now the department needs a speaking order from the CAT to finalise the issue. Divl Secretary will please discuss immediately with the Circle Union for further course of action.  

DEMONSTRATION  IN  ALL NORTH  BENGAL  DIVISIONS  ON  7th FEBRUARY

    All Branch & Divisional Unions under North Bengal Region are to hold demonstration on 7th February 2012 against the apathy of the Regional Administration to settle the long pending staff demands in the Region. Due to inaction   and non-response of the Regional Office, numerous issues have been piled up at all tiers. Staffs of Sikkim Division are the worst sufferers. Probably this is the one single division in whole India where no MACP has since been granted.

     All Branch and Divisional Secretaries are requested to send memorandum to the PMG, North Bengal by fax requesting settlement of the issues. They may please contact Com. Nanda Sen, Zonal Convener, for guidance.  

MEETING  WITH  THE  MINISTER :

BE  OPTIMIST,  BUT  BE  A  REALIST  TOO

      The Central JCA Delegation has met the Minister of State, Sri Sachin Pilot today. The memorandum submitted to him is given in the NFPE blog. A brief has also been given on the discussion on the items of GDS, Part-time workers' demands and on the revision of OTA. We have an on spot order (verbal though, needs confirmation in writing from Postal Directorate) for pay protection for GDS TRCA and a timeframe for revise cash handling norms. Revision of allowance for Part-time workers' has also attracted his attention. The leadership has carefully chosen and prepared the memorandum elaborating all arguments in support. 

       So far so good, if the concern shown by the Minister is genuine, there are elements to be optimistic. But at the same time, we would like to remind you many of such assurances made by former communication ministers, which did not turn up materialising. We had promises like abolition of ED-system from department, regularisation of 2000 strike period by earned leave, enhancement of TBOP/BCR pay scale to make it at par  with (or at least close to) those of other departments etc. So, we suggest our comrades to remain realistic also, and not to get overwhelmed with expectations. Please note that the Minister has met our leadership only because we prepared for an indefinite strike. The need to strengthen organisation is always the primary objective, nothing will come cheap.   

SIKKIM  DIVISION : VICTIM  OF  ADMINISTRATIVE  NEGLIGENCE 

     Divisional Unions of Sikkim are finally compelled to launch continuous movements against the administrative apathy. The remote state of the Circle, that also devastated by the earthquake few months back, deserves more attention from the administration due to its unusual location and hazards. But on the contrary, our comrades have been grossly neglected since long. The post of DPS is vacant for long. So far, no MACP has been granted in that Division. Many posts of Postmen and MTS are vacant and there is not minimum effort to fill those up. Each year, Sikkim gets an special allocation of North-East Fund, that has not been allotted this year. Most of the maturity claims / death claims of RPLI are pending for long. 

             After series of requests and dialogues, the divisional unions have started daily one hour demonstration at Gangtok H.O. demanding settlements of these issues. Circle Union has already taken up the matter. DPS (HQ) has taken some administrative steps to resolve. Circle Union has also tried to talk to the Chief PMG, but he was not available due to Ministerial visit in West Bengal. He will be contacted soon. 
          We are with the comrades of Sikkim. If effective action is not taken by Circle/Regional Administration within a reasonable time, all divisions would be seen protesting at every corners of Circle in support of their demands. Please bring the matter into campaigning.

CIRCLE  UNION  TEAM  TO  ATTEND  CHQ  WORKSHOP  AT  PURI  ON  4th & 5th FEBRUARY 

       Comrades are aware of the ensuing workshop organised by the CHQ at Puri on 4th & 5th February 2012. The objective and contents of discussion in the workshop are unique and appropriate for the present organisational demands. The detail has been given in the CHQ website yesterday. We recommend all to go through it without fail.

    Comrades attending the workshop from West Bengal Circle Union are --- Coms. Dipak Pal Majumdar (Malda Divn), Bijan Chakraborty (South Presidency), Annwesha Biswas (Nadia South), Manoj Shaw (East Kolkata), Ashim Deb(Barasat), Prabir Tahabildar (PSD, Kolkata), Adhir Das (South Presidency), Kaushik Roy (Nadia South), Ananda Garai (Birbhum), Pinaki Mondal (Howrah), Sudip Sen (Darjeeling), Sumit Mukherjee (Kolkata GPO), Niladri Pal (South Hooghly).

      As there is restriction of delegate number, all willing comrades could not be accommodated. So, the responsibilities of the attending comrades are huge. Please note the directions of CHQ in the program, stringency of the schedule and prepare suitably. We need effective reproduction of the acquired knowledge on return.   

HISTORIC  DECISION  OF  THE  CENTRAL  JCA : UNITED  STRIKE  ON  28th  FEBRUARY  

    Simultaneous with the decision of calling off the indefinite Postal Strike, the Central JCA has taken and announced another decision --- to join the 28th February 2012 strike called by all recognised Central Trade Unions for the first time in India. It would not be an exaggeration if we call this decision HISTORIC. The JCA leadership has responded to the call of the soul of the Postal workers and identified the need of the time. 

     Please recall the strike of 1946, when Postal employees proceeded to strike against the British imperialism. The fate of the common people is no better now, apart from the fact that the exploitation and corruption is now coming from people rooted in our soil. We may have a look to the 10-points charter of demands :

1. Concrete measures to contain price rise
2. Concrete measures for linkage of employment protection with the concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs
3. Strict Enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws
4. Universal social  security cover for the unorganised sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendations of NECUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour  
5. Stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs 
6. No contractorisation of work of permanent / perennial nature and payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry / establishment 
7. Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wages at not less than Rs. 1,000/-
8. Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund: increase the quantum of gratuity 
9. Assured Pension for all and 
10. Compulsory Registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate rectification of the ILO Conventions numbers 87 and 98. 

          These are all about social rights, right for employment & living with minimum honour, protection for the workers, ensuring social security. We are also experiencing same bureaucratic attack on our professional lives. Let us campaign wholeheartedly to make the 28th Feb strike a landmark in the Trade Union Movement of our country so that we can make the Govt scrap the neo-liberal anti-labour policies by the dictate of capitalists.  

CIRCLE  CONFERENCE  OF  IPO/ASPOs ASSOCIATION  HELD  AT  CHANDANNAGAR

         The Circle Conference of All India Association of Inspectors & Asst. Supdts. Posts, West Bengal Circle Branch, has been held at 'Swagatam', Chandan Nagar on 7th & 8th January 2012. The delegates of the conference has elected Sri Ananda Chakraborty, ASPOs, 1st Sub-Divn, North Kolkata as the President, Sri Arup Shil, ASPOs, Franking, C.O. as the Circle Secretary and Sri Kallol Biswas, IPO, F.S., C.O. as the Treasurer of the Circle Union. Sri Nirmalya Mitra, ASPOs (Divn), South Presidency and Asst. General Secretary of the All India Union was present. From Circle Administration, Sri M.Sampath, PMG (SB Region) and Sri Sanjeev Ranjan, DPS (HQ) attended the conference.

      From NFPE Group of Circle Unions, Com. Janardan Majumdar, Circle Secretary, Group-C, was present and addressed the conference with the request to cooperate and participate in the fight to save the establishment of the department for the sake of staffs and the nation. NFPE congratulates the newly elected committee and wishes the best for it.

CIRCLE  ADMINISTRATION ARRANGES  ESSAY  COMPETITION  ON  PLI 

   West Bengal Circle Administration has announced an essay competition in Bengali/English/Hindi on PLI/RPLI in two groups. The topic of Group-A (age limit 16 years) is 'Different types of PLI/RPLI and their benefits'(within 500-700 words). The topic of Group-B (above 16 years) is 'The importance of Life Insurance and why PLI/RPLI is the best option' (within 1000-1500 words). The participant himself/herself or any of his/her parents should have a PLI/RPLI policy, the number of which is required to be quoted on the paper on which the essay is written. The essay is to be submitted to DDM (PLI), C.O. Last date of submission is 15.02.2012. The detail has been published in leading newspapers on 15.01.2012. In each group, the 1st prize is Rs.10,000/-, 2nd prize is Rs.5000/-, five 3rd prizes for Rs.1000/- each,ten consolation prizes for Rs.100/- each.

        We have an humble suggestion for our Circle Administration. What about holding an essay competition, for staffs only, on 'How to improve the service of PLI/RPLI and timely disposal of claims to minimise policy holders' grievances'? And we do not need any prize for the position holders.   

THE  SETTLEMENT  REACHED  WITH  THE  DEPARTMENT  WHICH  LED  TO  CALLING  OFF  THE  STRIKE  BY  JCA  HAS  BEEN  GIVEN  IN  THE  BLOG  OF  FEDERATION & CHQ.  COMRADES  ARE  REQUESTED  TO  FOLLOW  ONLY  THOSE  AS  AUTHENTIC.

        Circle Union  office-bearers in divisions within & around Kolkata are requested to remain present at Circle Union office on Tuesday evening, 17th, for a quick assessment and review of the situation.