The Diamond
Jubilee Celebration of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association began today
with its formal inauguration by Shri Basudeb Acharia, Chairman, Parliamentary
Standing Committee on Agriculture, at a glittering function organized at Dr BR
Ambedkar Auditorium, Port Blair
today (16.11.2013). The inaugural function began with an impressive
cultural programme presented by children.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Basudeb Acharia, who is also the Leader
of CPI (M) in the Lok Sabha, elaborately explained about the New Pension Scheme
introduced for the central government employees and which was adopted by almost
all the States except one or two States.
He said that there is no guarantee that even those employees who are
governed by the old defined benefit pension scheme may get their pension. He said that discrimination is meted out to
employees who joined government service on or after 1.1.2004.
He said that all the labour laws in
the country are being violated and the government is keeping silent or helping
the multinational companies to squeeze the
mazdoors. He referred to the
victimization resorted to the workers of Maruti factory at Manser in Haryana who resorted to agitation for
their genuine demands and a large number
of workers are jailed for it. Corruption in the country is increasing ever
since the introduction of
liberalization policies from
1991. He said that bail out
packages are given to big industrial houses in the country
while no relief was given to 35 lakhs workers who lost their
job due to these wrong policies of the government since 1991. Expressing
concern over the opening of the banking sector for private banks from foreign
countries, Shri Basudeb Acharia said that the intention of these private
banks are to loot the savings of the people.
He said that 4.5 crore people are engaged in the retail sector and if
this sector is opened for foreign direct investment, it will affect around 20 crores of people who
fully depend upon the retail sector.
The wealth of the country is being
looted by a few big industrial houses with the support of ruling classes in the
country. He called upon the government
employees and workers in these islands to be part of the larger movement of
struggles in the country to reverse the anti-people policies being pursued by
the central government.
Shri Basudeb Acharia, who introduced
the Private Member’s Bill to provide for a Legislative Assembly in the islands
and which were withdrawn by him on the assurance of the government that it will consider the demand, said that it is shame that even after 66 years of independence, the people of these
islands still remain without any
democratic governance.
Speaking on the occasion as Guest of
Honour, the Member of Parliament Shri Bishnu Pada Ray said that it is the
Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association which had started movements in the
islands on various issues of government employees and said that its former
leaders like PKS Prasad had rendered selfless service for the emancipation of
working class in the islands. He also
explained in brief various issues taken up by him with central ministers and
also issues raised in the Parliament. He
said that it was due to the intervention of the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony
that the Viper Island was not sold out during the period of former Lt.
Governor. He demanded immediate
implementation of the medical claim scheme for government servants who retired
from service.
Earlier, Shri KG Das, former General
Secretary of the Association threw light to the formation of the Association 60
years back and its activities during these 60 years among the government
employees. Shri B. Chandrachoodan,
Chairman of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee and Shri D. Ayyappan,
General Secretary of the Association also addressed the gathering.
Shri Sadanand Rai, President welcomed
the gathering while Shri TS Sreekumar, Secretary Celebration Committee proposed
vote of thanks.
A classical dance performed by Smt
Vidya Manoj, a teacher, revolutionary dances performed by the artists of Swaraj
Club, Haddo, Songs presented by Smt Soni
Solomon, a tribal teacher, Miss Priyanka Talukder and Smt Geeta Banerjee and group were appreciated by the audience. 
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