Delegation of SATB meets the Secretary-cum-Director of Education

News Item

          A delegation of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association met the Secretary-cum-Director of Education   today (30^th  December, 2013) and discussed with him various issues concerning the teachers working under the Education Department. The issues discussed are (i) Ad-hoc regularization of teachers from initial date of appointment (ii) Grant of ISDA to teachers during summer vacation, (iii) Issuing of Permanency Certificate by the concerned Head of Office (iv) Restoration of power to Head of Office for sanction of  any kind of leave beyond 15 days (v) Modification of school holidays , etc. The Secretary-cum-Director of Education directed the concerned authority to issue necessary orders on the issue of Permanency Certificate. He also assured the delegation to consider the proposed changes in the list of school holidays. The Secretary-cum-Director informed the delegation that some of the issues raised by the Association are already under consideration and assured that immediate steps will be taken to process and settle the remaining issues also.    The members of the delegation were Shri H.L.Prasad, Vice President, Shri T.S.Sreekumar, Asst. General Secretary of the Association and Shri R.Surenrdan Pillai, Secretary of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch. 

NGOs' Association wishes a Happy New Year to all

NGOs' demand earmarked tickets for islanders in flights

The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has demanded  that  all the airlines operating between Port Blair and mainland sectors should earmark 25% of  the tickets in each flight in the low fare category  exclusively for the  residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  In a resolution adopted in the Central Secretariat meeting of the Association held at Crusade House, Phoenix Bay, Port Blair today (28.12.2013),  the  Association demanded that these tickets should be  issued to the islanders  at a fare not more than Rs. 5000 per ticket  for Port Blair- Kolkatta/Chennai sectors.  The meeting  noted that  the airlines operating between Port Blair and mainland  used to refuel   at Port Blair Airport   and the   cost of  aviation turbine fuel is  less in A & N Islands as compared to mainland as  sales tax is exempted in the islands being a union territory.  The meeting noted that  despite having a number of additional flights being operated in the Port Blair-mainland sectors,  islanders do not get  tickets in these flights even for emergency purpose and  the airlines are found  selling the tickets at  higher rates  without any  check from any authorities.   The meeting further noted with concern that despite repeated requests made by various organisations in the islands, the airlines operating between Port Blair – Chennai/Kolkatta sectors do not fix any maximum fare and they are squeezing the   islanders.  People who wish to visit mainland for any emergency purpose and patients who are required to proceed to mainland for specialised medical treatment  are not getting any ticket and they are  put at the mercy of these  airlines and unscrupulous travel agents.   The meeting of the Association demanded to take immediate steps by the Govt. Of India and A & N Administration to ensure that islanders get tickets in the  flights operated by  Air India as well as private airlines  at  reasonable fare.   Shri HL Prasad presided over the meeting while Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary and Shri TS Sreekumar, Asst. General Secretary spoke.

Diamond Jubilee Marathon Race by Billiground Branch

As part of the ongoing Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, the Billiground Branch of the Association has organised a 6 km Marathon run from Nimbudera to the Billiground Bazar today (28.12.2013).  Shri Deben Kumar Roy, Station House Officer, Police Station, Billiground flagged off the Marathon race at Nimbudera while Dr SK Singh,  Medical Officer, PHC Billiground was the Chief Guest at the finishing point of the Marathon.  Nearly 200 govt. employees and others including women participated in the Marathon race .   In the male category, Vijay Prakesh Tirkey, Sanjay Baidya and Pritam Thakur stood first, second and third respectively.  In the female category, Miss Priyanka Das, Miss Phool Kumari and Miss Yogitha Majhi stood first, second and third respectively.    The marathon race created a lot of curiosity among the villagers who in hundreds gathered along the route to witness it.    Apart from the above persons, 20 other participants were also awarded with cash prizes.  

BSNLEU to take up the issue of undersea cable with Govt. of India

Shri P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNL Employees Union, who is currently on a visit to Port Blair, has addressed a meeting of the office bearers of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association at Crusade House, Phoenix Bay, Port Blair today (18.12.2013) evening.  Shri Abhimanyu explained in detail the struggles being conducted by the central trade unions all over the country against the wrong economic and labour policies of the central government.  Referring to the recent Assembly election results in five States, he said that wherever there is no third alternative to the BJP and Cong (I), the BJP was able to score more seats.   Appreciating the communal harmony prevailing in the islands, Shri Abhimanyu asked the leaders of the Association to remain vigilant against the forces who are trying to divide the people on communal lines.   Referring to the changed work culture in the BSNL, Shri Abhimanyu said that government employees should also change their work culture to serve the people in a better way.   While fighting against the wrong policies of the central government, it is the duty of the government employees to   have the people’s confidence in such fights.  Every section of the people is affected by the policies of the government. Explaining the poor connectivity of mobile telephone and internet in these islands, Shri Abhimanyu attributed the delay in laying the undersea cable as the reason for it.   Only with the laying of undersea cable, the communication facility between the mainland and these islands can be improved. Connectivity through satellites is not only costly but also causes disruption in the services.  Almost the entire revenue earned by the BSNL in these islands is spent for the satellite bandwidth.   He assured  that  he will  take up this matter  with the Secretary, Department of Telecom, Govt. Of India for undertaking the laying of undersea cable work immediately and if required will try to meet the Communications Minister on this issue.  Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association also addressed the meeting. 

Issues of IT Cadre Employees discussed

Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, along with a delegation of the IT Cadre Sub-Committee of the Association recently met the Special Secretary (IT), Andaman and Nicobar Administration and discussed with him various issues relating to the functioning of the Information Technology Department and issues of the Amalgamated Information Technology Cadre employees. The Association demanded to set up a full-fledged Directorate of Information Technology with supporting staff.  The Association has demanded immediate restructuring of IT Cadre so as to remove stagnation prevailing among the IT employees. The Association has demanded more promotional avenue for IT Cadre Staff. The Association has also demanded immediate grant of financial upgradation under ACP/MACP to all the eligible employees.   The Association has also demanded regularisation of the services of the IT staff working on adhoc basis for the last several years.    The Special Secretary (IT) was sympathetic to the demands raised by the Association and assured that immediate action will be initiated on the demands.  The other members of the delegation were (1) Shri SK Mishra, (2) Shri Ikhlaq Ali (3) Smt Hema Basu,  (4)  Shri Lab Mondal (5) and  Shri Bijoy Halder    

PICS of Chess Tournament

Mass Demonstration by NGOs & CITU

The central trade unions have organized a Parliament March in New Delhi today (12^th Dec. 2013) to protest against the anti-working class policies being pursued by the central government.   Almost all the major trade unions viz. INTUC, BMS, CITU, HMS, AICCTU, etc. have participated in the Parliament March.  Besides, central government employees’ organizations, bank, insurance employees and employees of other sectors also participated in the programme.     In support of the Parliament March, Centre of Indian Trade Unions, AICCTU and Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association jointly organized a Mass Demonstration at the Secretariat Gate, Port Blair today (12^th December, 2013) from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Issues raised by the central trade unions include (1) To fix minimum wages Rs. 10,000 per month (2) social security for unorganized workers (3) against price rise, etc.  

          The 15-Point Charter of Demands submitted to the central government by the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers were also highlighted during the Parliament March in New Delhi as well as in the Mass Demonstration at Port Blair.   The charter of demands include (1) accept the terms of reference of 7th Central Pay Commission submitted by the Staff Side, JCM National Council (2) implement 7^th Central Pay Commission recommendations from 1.1.2014,  (3) Merger of 50% DA with Pay and grant of Interim Relief (4) Rescind PFRDA Act and ensure pension to all (5) against privatization and outsourcing (4) remove restrictions on compassionate ground appointment (6) enhancement of rate of overtime allowance, Night Duty Allowance, (7) Regularisation of services of casual mazdoors and contract mazdoors, etc.   Government employees and workers in large number participated in the Mass Demonstration at Secretariat Gate, Port Blair.  Shri Sadanand Rai, President, Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary and Shri TS Sreekumar of Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association and Shri NKP Nair, General Secretary of AICCTU addressed the gathering in front of the Secretariat, Port Blair.