Press Statement and Statement of Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P in Parliament on 12.12.12 one day strike

 P R E S S     S T A T E M E N T

Dated: 12^th December, 2012

Nearly Ten lakhs Central Government employees took part in the one day token strike today, the 12^th December, 2012 on the call of the Confederation of Central Government employees and workers, paralyzing the governmental functions in various departments throughout the country.  The strike was to protest against the continued efforts of the Government to enact the PFRDA Bill, whereby the existing defined benefit pension of Government employees is sought to be converted into a defined contributory pension scheme.  Every reason, the Government advanced at the time of the introduction of the new scheme is found to be incorrect and misleading by the Experts Committee set up by the Government itself.

Besides, the employees had been demanding wage revision by setting up the 7^th Central Pay Commission, filling up large number of vacant posts, regularization of the service of Grameen Dak Sewaks/Casual/daily-rated workers, revival of the negotiating machinery i.e. JCM, removal of restrictions on compassionate appointments, introduction of Public Distribution system to arrest the ever increasing prices of essential commodities, stoppage of outsourcing, contractorisation, privatization etc. 

As per the report received the strike was total in Assam, Tripura, West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and beyond 80% in Maharashtra, Karnataka, U.P. Bihar, and about 60% in other States.  The Postal, Income tax, Groundwater Board departments came to a grinding halt in all States,  as the offices could not be opened at all. In Income tax Department, the promotee officers also joined the strike paving way of a complete closure.  Many establishments of Atomic Energy, Printing and Stationery, Defence accounts, Medical Depots, Audit and Accounts  Departments, Civil Accounts, CGHS, Indian Bureau of Mines, Directorate of Marketing Inspection, Geological Survey of India, Archaeological  and Botanical Survey of India etc. remained closed. 

The organizers of the Strike have asserted that they will make the general strike of workers slated for 20^th and 21^st February, 2013 a grand success by enlisting participation of  all sections of the Central Government employees. 

The Confederation will strive to organize an indefinite strike in pursuance of the 15 point charter of demands in 2013 if no settlement is brought about by the Government by then. 

                                                                        

Statement made by Com. Basudeb Acharya in Lok Sabha on 12.12.12

                SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA (BANKURA): Chairman, Sir today, about one million of Central Government employees are on strike.....(interruptions) The employees' organizations in Postal, Income tax, Audit, Accounts, Printing and Stationery, Geological Survey of India, Customs, Central Excise, Indian Bureau of Mines, CGHS, Ground Water Board, Central Water Commission, Central Public Works, Census, Defence Accounts, Indian Space Research Organisation, Andaman Nicobar and Pondicherry Administrations and Medical Stores Depot are on strike..............(interruption)

                Their demand is the constitution of Seventh Pay Commission....(Interruptions) It is due from Ist January, 2011 but the Government of India has not yet constituted the Seventh Pay Commission to consider the revision of Pay and allowances  to the Central Government employees.  They are agitating....(Interruptions)  After acceptance of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, there are several anomalies in their pay scales.  A Committee was constituted but that committee has failed to address the problem of anomalies in regard to their pay scales.........(interruptions)

                Mr. Chairman. Hon. Members, Please go back to your seats.  Other Hon. Members are raising their issues. ...(.Interruptions.)

Mr.Chairman:  Hon. Members, I will call your leader.  Please take your seats...........(Interruptions)

                SHRI BASUDEB ACHARIA (BANKURA).  Sir, there is a joint consultative machinery to address the problem of Central Government employees but this JCM has become non functional...........(Interruptions) Their meetings are not being held.  As a result of that, the problems of Central Government employees are not being resolved. .............(Interruptions)

                Mr. Chairman.  Shri P.K. Biju is associating with the matter raised by Shri Basu Deb Acharia.