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 storching 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.
