NDA AND UPA
TWO SIDES
OF SAME COIN
New Central Govt. under the leadership of our
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi has completed six months in office.
As far as the common people and working class of this country is concerned, no
positive action has been taken by the Govt. to mitigate their woes and
grievances. Instead much negative steps are taken during this six months
period.
Government has withdrawn the guidelines which controls the pricing of essential
medicines through National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority. As a result, the
prices of essential medicines for treatment of cancer, blood pressure,
colestorol, diabetics, heart-deceases etc will shoot up in the market. Prices
of medicines for treatment of cancer itself which now costs Rs.8500 may go upto
Rs.1,08,000/-. Pharmaceutical corporate companies are the beneficiaries.
Government has made its intention clear that the number of gas cylinders (LPG)
per year will be reduced from existing 12 to 9 and also to link it to Aadhar
and subsidies through direct cash transfer to Bank accounts. Earlier UPA Govt.
has reduced the gas cylinders from 12 to 9 but subsequently it has been
withdrawn the order due to widespread protests.
Govt. has deregularised the pricing of diesel. Earlier UPA Govt. has
deregulated petrol prices and now the NDA Govt. has deregularised diesel price.
Petroleum companies will now be free to decide the prices of petrol and diesel.
Even-now the prices of petrol and diesel in India are 40% higher than the prices
in the international market.
Govt. has decided to allow 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Defence
Production. Earlier this move of the UPA Govt. was opposed by NDA saying that
it is against the national interest and security of the country. Defence
production will now be completely privatised.
Govt. has decided to allow 100% FDI in Railways and also
public-private-partnership (PPP). During his speech delivered in Australia
Prime Minister has called upon the Industrialists of that country to country to
invest in Indian Railways. Doors for privatisation of Railways is opened.
Govt. has decided to allow 49% FDI in Insurance sector. The bill for amending
the Insurance Act for this purpose is pending in the Parliament and Govt.
spokes person has hoped that the bill will be passed in this winter session of
Parliament.
Govt. has decided to disinvest the share of all public sector nationalised
banks upto 48%. Road map for privatisation of banking sector is drawn.
Govt. has made it clear that 100% FDI will be allowed in Pension Funds. The
future of those who are under the New Pension Scheme will be uncertain due to
Pension Fund Privatisation.
Govt has decided to sell the shares of profit making public sector undertakings
such as ONGC, BHEL, coal India Ltd. etc to the tune of 25%.
Govt. has made it clear that Indian Post Office Act 1898 will be amended to
facilitate grant of licences to multi-national courier services. This
will pave way for privatisation of postal sector.
While extending red-carpet welcome to the corporates and multinational
companies, the Govt. has declared that all the labour laws which put hurdles
before them will be amended. Govt. has already moved in Parliament Labour Law
amendments to remove all the protections and rights now enjoyed by the working
class including right to strike and right to form unions.
Government has declared that all the loss-making public sector undertakings
will be closed or privatised. Air India, BSNL etc. are all in the hit-list.
Government has made it clear that its slogan is “minimum government and maximum
governance”. It has imposed a total ban on creation of new posts and for
filling up of posts which are lying vacant for more than one year.
Regarding Central Government Employees, none of their legitimate demands are
conceded by the Government. DA merger, Interim Relief, Inclusion of
Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) under 7th CPC, Date of effect of 7th CPC as 1-1-2014,
Removal of 5% condition for compassionate appointment - everything stands
rejected.
Regarding Postal employees none of the 39 demands raised by Postal JCA (NFPE
& FNPO) is settled. Three lakhs GDS are still not included in the 7th
CPC and their future is uncertain, Revision of wages of Casual, Part-time,
contingent employees with effect from 01-01-2006 is pending before the
Government from 2008 onwards. Cadre Restructuring, issues of Postmaster
Cadre, Accountants, System Administrators, MMS etc. all pending or rejected.
It is in the above background the Central Trade Unions, JCM National Council
staff-side, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers and Postal
JCA has decided to organise following agitational programmes.
1. As a part of nation-wide
agitation by all Central Trade Unions including BMS, INTUC, HMS, AITUC, CITU
etc. has decided to organise Parliament March on 5th December, 2014 to protest
against the anti-people, anti-labour policies of the NDA Government. In the
march they will declare future struggle programmes.
2. All the organisations in the
JCM National Council (Staff side) including Railways, Defence and Confederation
has decided to organise a National Convention on 11th December, 2014 to decide
future course of action for realisation of the legitimate demands of the
Central Government employees.
3. Postal JCA comprising NFPE,
FNPO, AIPEU-GDS (NFPE) and NUGDS has decided to organise a massive
Parliament March of 20000 Postal& RMS employees including Gramin Dak Sevaks
and Casual, Part-Time, Contingent employees on 4th December, 2014 demanding
settlement of 39 point charter of demands. PJCA has decided to go for
indefinite strike.
NFPE calls upon the entirety of five lakhs Postal employees to participate in
all the above programmes and make it a grand success. Let us pledge that
we shall continue our struggle till success.