Discriminatory Treatment to various category of Teachers in these Islands

Shri. Tapan Sen, Member of Parliament (CPI-M) in a letter addressed to Shri. Kapil Sibal, Minster of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India, has brought to his notice the discriminatory treatment meted out to teachers of various categories working in the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands while giving effect to the recommendations of 6th Central Pay Commission in respect of their pay scales. Shri. Tapan Sen has requested the Minister to intervene in the matter. Forwarding a copy of the letter from the NGOs' Association, A & N Islands, Shri. Tapan Sen, M.P., said that the Association has long been representing on the above issues, requesting remedial measures.

It may be recalled that ever since the introduction of the 6th CPC recommendations, the NGOs' Association, A & N Islands has been protesting against the discriminatory features in the CCS (RP) Rules, 2008 wherein the upgraded pay has not been extended to various categories of teaching and miscellaneous teaching staff working under the Education Department like Headmasters, Physical Education Teachers, Librarians, Primary School Resource Teachers, Craft Instructors, Art & Music Teachers, Lab Assistants etc. This issue has already been included in the agenda items for the National Anomaly Committee set up by the Govt. of India.

(D Ayyappan)

General Secretary

NGOs' Association

Condolence

The Non-Gazetted Government Officers' Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, deeply mourn the demise of Jyoti Basu, former Chief Minister of West Bengal. His demise is a great loss to the working class in the country. The Association dips its red flag in memory of Jyoti Basu.

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

NGOs' Association

Conduct of Workshop, Seminars for Teachers

3-3/CC/2009 20.12.2009

To

The Principal Secretary (Education),

Andaman and Nicobar Administration,

Port Blair.

Sir,

I am to draw your kind attention towards the disruption of academic activities in some of the schools following the conduct of seminars, workshops, trainings, etc. for subject teachers by the Education Department at different parts of the union territory. While this Association has always been advocating for the proper update of the knowledge of teachers through trainings, etc. to cope with the changes taking place in the world, we are certainly against organizing long duration programme involving teachers as engagement of subject teachers for 10 days or so, will adversely affect the teaching-learning process in the school. Post Graduate Teachers of Science and Maths and GTTs (Science) and GTTs (Maths) remaining absent from the school for 10 days or more will definitely have a negative impact on the students.

It has been noticed that seminars/trainings of 10-days duration are still being organized at different parts of the islands thereby engaging a large number of teachers who are otherwise required to be present in the schools considering the fast approaching examinations. Trainings/Seminars, that too of duration not more than one week, can be organized during August – November and again in April.

I would, therefore, request you kindly to look into this matter and instruct the authorities concerned to stop all the trainings, seminars, etc. being organized for the teachers till completion of the examinations in March, 2010.

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Indefinite hunger strike by Contract Employees

Press Statement

The indefinite hunger strike which was proposed to be resorted to by a group of Computer Assistants working on contract basis in the Secretariat establishment has since been postponed following an assurance given to them by the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration on 6^th January 2010 that their services will not be dispensed with. Earlier on the day, Shri. D Ayyappan, General Secretary, NGOs’ Association along with Shri. Anand Raj, Secretary, Secretariat Sub-committee of the Association had met the Chief Secretary and sought his kind intervention to avert the proposed indefinite fast by the above section of employees. These employees have been working in the Secretariat establishment for the last 12 -13 years on daily rated basis/contract basis.

D Ayyappan

General Secretary

Harassment of teachers by way of illegal Circular

3-7/CC/2009 18.12.2009

To

The Director of Education,

Andaman and Nicobar Islands,

Port Blair.

Sub: Harassment of teachers by way of illegal Circular –

regarding.

----------------

Sir,

I draw your attention to the Circular bearing No. 19-3205/ Estt/Edn/09/5469 dated the 1^st November, 2009 (signed on 30.11.2009) sent to all the Heads of Institutions under the Education Department from the Asst. Director (Admn), Directorate of Education, Port Blair (copy enclosed for ready reference). I am surprised to go through the contents of the Circular as it was issued with the malafide intention to harass the teaching and non-teaching staff working under the Education Department. The Circular states that “the application of the concerned is simply forwarded by their controlling officer for sanction of leave and station leaving permission.” The circular further states that “It has been observed that without waiting for sanction of leave and permission from the Directorate, the Government Servant proceeds on leave which is against the principles of CCS leave Rules, 1972.” The Circular directs the Heads of Institutions to forward the leave applications to the Directorate of Education.

You may perhaps be aware, the leave sanctioning authority in respect of teaching and non-teaching staff under the Education Department is the Principal or Deputy Education Officer as the case may be. Almost all the Principals and Deputy Education Officers have been delegated with the power of Head of Office by the Administrator. Asking the Heads of Offices to forward the leave applications of employees to the Directorate is nothing but withdrawal of the power delegated to the Principals/Dy Education Officers by the Administrator. The above action on the part of the Directorate of Education is illegal, arbitrary and unlawful.

We have been getting reports from various places that the Principals/DEOs are not allowing the teachers and non-teaching staff to avail any kind of leave (Earned Leave, Half Pay Leave, Child Care Leave, etc) even for 5 days. They are also not being allowed to leave their respective stations even on emergency situation. This has created resentment among the teachers and other staff.

This Association, therefore, demands that the above-said Circular may be withdrawn immediately and necessary intimation sent to all the Heads of Offices failing which the Association will be forced to resort to agitation against this atrocious action on the part of the Directorate of Education.

Action taken in the matter may please be intimated to this Association.

Yours faithfully,

Encl: As above.

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Cell: 9434260430

Copy to:

1. P.S. to Chief Secretary, for kind information of the Chief Secretary.

2. The Principal Secretary (Education), A & N Administration.

3. Asst. Directors of Education (Perl), Directorate of Education, Port Blair

4. Secretaries of all the Branch Committees of NGOs’ Association.

General Secretary

elay in disbursement of 6th CPC arrears

3-7/CC/2009 21.12.2009

To

The Director of Education,

Andaman and Nicobar Islands,

Port Blair.

Sub: Delay in disbursement of 6th CPC arrears –

regarding.

-------------

Sir,

It has been reported to this Association that the 6^th CPC arrears have not been paid to the teaching and non-teaching staff working under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Education Officer, South Andaman. On inquiry, the Association has been informed by the officers concerned that owing to the non-availability of funds the arrears are not disbursed.

There is no justification for non-disbursement of the arrears to the teachers and non-teaching staff working under the Dy Education Officer, South Andaman when the arrears have already been paid to the employees working in other establishments of the Education Department from September, 2009 onwards.

Since the 6th CPC arrears are drawn from the salary Head of Account, non-availability of fund cannot be cited as a reason for the non-disbursement of the arrears.

I would, therefore, request you kindly to look into this matter and take immediate steps to disburse the 6^th CPC arrears to all the teaching and non-teaching staff working under the Dy Education Officer, South Andaman, as resentment among the teachers are growing on this issue.

Action taken in the matter may please be intimated to this Association.

Yours faithfully,

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Cell: 9434260430

Non-disbursement of salary and 6th CPC arrears

3-3/CC/2010 04.01.2010

To

The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,

Andaman and Nicobar Islands,

Port Blair.

Sub: Non-disbursement of salary and 6^th CPC arrears –

regarding.

--------------

Sir,

Kindly refer to my letter dated 1^st January, 2010 addressed to you and our telephonic conversation on the above subject. We are receiving reports from our Branch Committees that salary for the month of December, 2009 has not yet been disbursed to the employees working in various Divisions under the Forest Department. Discontentment among the staff is growing due to delay in payment of salary. Since the allotment of funds under RE will take some more time, it is essential that request for release of funds is sent to the Administration without any further delay so that the salary can be disbursed to the employees in the next two – three days.

Similarly, 6th CPC arrears have not been disbursed to the employees and workers in a number of Divisions under the Forest Department due to paucity of funds.

I would, therefore, once again request you kindly to take immediate steps to disburse the salary and 6^th CPC arrears to all the employees as the employees are agitated over the issue.

Action taken in the matter may kindly be intimated to this Association immediately.

Yours faithfully,

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Cell: 9434260430

Indefinite hunger strike by Contract Employees

3-3/CC/2010 04.01.2010

To

The Chief Secretary,

Andaman & Nicobar Administration,

Port Blair.

Sir,

I am to invite your kind attention towards the Notice served on the Administration by a group of contract employees engaged as Data Entry Operators in the Secretariat establishment intimating their intention to go on indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat demanding regularization of their services.

These employees were engaged by the Administration as Computer Assistants initially on daily-rated basis and then on contract basis since 1999. They have worked with utmost sincerity and dedication, attending emergency work even during night and holidays.

Their requests, over the years, for regularization of their services in any of the posts, even against Group D posts, were not considered by the Administration favourably. With no further prospects of a permanent job and the threat of dis-engagement from service hanging on them and left with no other alternative they have decided to resort to the extreme form of protest with no malice or hatred to any authority.

I would, therefore, request your goodself kindly to intervene in the matter so that the proposed indefinite hunger strike by the above-said employees can be averted.

Yours faithfully,

(D. Ayyappan)

General Secretary

Cell: 9434260430

General Secretary's Delhi Visit to attend the National Council Meeting

Press Release

During his recent visit to Delhi, Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary of the Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association met Shri Mullappally Ramachandran, Minister of State for Home Affairs (Incharge Union Territories), Government of India and brought to his notice various issues of government employees working in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Minister was also requested to take up with the Finance Ministry to exempt the government employees of A & N Islands from compulsorily availing Air India flights while on official tour and LTC/AFSP. The Minister who evinced keen interest to know the problems of government employees in the islands assured Shri D. Ayyappan that the matters will be taken up with appropriate authorities. Earlier, Shri Ayyappan had also submitted Memorandum to the Secretary (Expenditure) in the Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India on the above issues.

He has also attended the National Council Meeting of the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers held at New Delhi on 4^th to 6^th December, 2009. Leaders of central government employees’ organizations all over the country attended the meeting which discussed various issues of central government employees. Shri D. Ayyappan has since returned to Port Blair.

------------------

General Secretary

Cell: 9434260430