Remove restrictions for granting CCL

PRESS STATEMENT

The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has demanded to remove all the unwanted restrictions imposed  by the Govt. of India for grant of Child Care Leave to eligible women employees working under the  government.  In a resolution adopted in the Annual Conference of the Association held recently, the Association noted that the conditions imposed by the Govt. of India on availing the Child Care Leave viz.   to restrict the CCL on three occasions in a year,  to avail at least 15 days CCL at a time, etc., are causing  inconvenience to  women  employees.  The Association further noted that in a number of departments under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, the Child Care Leave to eligible women employees are being denied on one reason or other.  The Association noted that it is against the very principle of allowing the Child Care Leave to women employees and demanded the Govt. of India and A & N Administration not to   put any obstructions in granting Child Care Leave to women employees.  

Programmes in A & N Islands in support of 2-day All India Strike

News Item

          In support of the   two-day All India Strike on 20-21 February, 2013, local units of the central trade unions and government employees’ organizations today (21.02.2013) organized mass dharna, procession and public meetings in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.   The main programme was held at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar, Port Blair where workers and employees from various central trade unions and Associations sat on Mass Dharna from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Thereafter, a procession was taken out in the town at 4.15 p.m. which culminated in massive public meeting at Tiranga Park.  Addressing the meeting,  Shri B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU A & N State Committee  criticized the central government for  pursuing various anti-working class policies  and dealt in detail the  struggles conducted by the trade unions since 1991.   Speaking on the occasion,  Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association said that  it is for the first time that all the central trade unions in the country have come together  to   voice their protest against the  wrong policies of the government  which affect all sections of the  working people.  He said that the central government is slowly moving towards complete privatization and outsourcing of government work.  Referring to the Disinvestment Ministry during the NDA government, he said that now, without the Disinvestment Ministry, the government is  committed to  privatise the  public sector undertakings, Banks, Insurance, etc. and referred to the  present  position of the  loss-making BSNL.   Shri NKP Nair, General Secretary, AICCTU A & N Unit while addressing the gathering criticized the Administration for not considering various demands of the workers in the islands.  Shri Veeranna, General Secretary of BMS A & N Unit emphasized the need to fight against the corruption prevailing in various departments under the Administration.   Shri RP Sharma of HMS also spoke on the occasion.  Shri Sadanand Rai, who presided over the meeting, said that the central government is depriving the government employees of their existing benefits and referred to the introduction of New Pension Scheme during 2004.  

          At Diglipur, a day-long mass dharna was organized at Diglipur  Bazar in which a large number of workers from various trade unions   participated.  Later in the evening, a massive procession was taken out in the Diglipur bazaar which was led by Shri S. Asokan, Shri Madan Mohan Das, Shri   PJ Eappen and Shri Ali Akber.     

          At Little Andaman, a procession was taken out by the workers in the Hut Bay Bazar in the evening.   

               The issues raised during the  All India Strike are  (1) Take concrete measures to contain Price rise,  (2) Take concrete measures for linkage of employement protection   with the concession/incentive package offered to the entrepreneurs, (3) Ensure strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive measures for violation of labour laws, (4) Universal social security cover for the unorganised sector workers without any restriction and creation of a National Social Security Fund with adequate resources in line with the recommendation of NCEUS and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, (5) Stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs, (6) No Contractorisation of work permanent/perennial nature and payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate as available to the regular workers of the industry /establishment (7)  Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at not less than Rs.10,000/- linked with cost price index (8) Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund; Increase the quantum of gratuity, (9) Assured statutory Pension for all and (10) Ensure Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and immediate ratification of the ILO Conventions Nos.87 and 98.  Besides various local demands were are raised during the  programme.   

NGOs' Association Delegation Meets DG Shipping

NEWS ITEM

           

A delegation from  the Shipping Department Sub-Committee of the  Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association,  led by Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary met the visiting Director General (Shipping), Government of India   today  (20.02.2013)  at  Marine Hill Circuit House and  submitted a Memorandum  containing  some of the demands of the employees working in the Shipping Department.   The demands presented before the Director General Shipping includes (1) Exemption from required Survey Certificate to appear Examination for Master/ Engine Driver, etc, 2.Conduct of Examination for Engine Drivers and Masters, 3. MEO Class –IV and Part B Examination, 4. Exemption from Watch Keeping Certificate for appearing in the MEO Class –IV   (NCV) course & MWKO (NCV, etc).  After a detailed discussion on each issue, the Director General Shipping assured the delegation that the demands raised by the Association will be examined and appropriate action taken immediately.  The Principal Officer, MMD, Kolkatta was also present in the meeting.  

ANNUAL CONFERENCE PICS

Annual Conference 2013

NEWS ITEM

          The two-day Annual Conference of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, began at Kerala Samajam Hall, Port Blair today the 09^th February, 2013 at 4 p.m.  Inaugurating the Conference, Shri M. Krishnan, Secretary General, National Federation of Postal Employees, New Delhi explained in detail the history of government employees’ movement in the country.  He said that since the introduction of new economic policies in 1991, the total number of central government employee in the country has come down drastically due to abolition of posts in various departments like Railways, Postal Department, etc.   Government employees are the victims of the wrong policies being pursued by the central government since 1991.   Referring to the practice adopted by the central government since 1991 on corporatisation of government departments and then making it private organizations, Shri Krishnan pointed out that the BSNL is running on loss of Rs.  8000 crores and now the Sam Pitroda Commission has recommended voluntary retirement of one lakh employees of BSNL.  BSNL employees were   government employees before the BSNL was formed, he said.  He cautioned the government employees that their services will also be put to the same fate as that of BSNL employees.  Referring to the Six Central Pay Commission related issues,  Shri Krishnan said that  except one or two demands,  no  other demand/issue raised by the staff side in the National Anomaly Committee has been  settled so far.  Discontentment among the employees are growing over the refusal of the government towards their genuine issues.     

    Shri KG Das, former General Secretary of the Association, Shri SP Kalairajan, BSNL Employees Union Circle Secretary and Shri Steephen Fernandez, Divisional Secretary, All India Postal Employees Union (P-3) also addressed the Inaugural Session.    

Earlier, Shri SC Biswas, President of the Association hoisted the Association’s flag at the venue of the Conference.  Chief Guest and others paid tributes to the martyrs at the specially erected Martyrs Memorial Column at the Kerala Samajam premises.  Shri D. Vijayakumar, retired Principal of DIET, Port Blair, who is the Chairman, Reception Committee welcomed the gathering.  A large number of government employees and others attended the Inaugural Session.

          Earlier on the day, on his arrival at Port Blair airport   today, Shri M. Krishnan was received by a large number of members of the Association led by Shri SC Biswas, President and Shri D. Ayyappan, General Secretary.

Issues of Clerical Cadre Staff discussed with Chief Secretary

PRESS STATEMENT

A delegation  of the Clerical Cadre Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, led by its General Secretary  Shri D. Ayyappan   today (30.01.2013)  met the  Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration and discussed with him   various issues related to the clerical cadre staff  working under the Administration.  The Association re-iterated its demand for the upgraded pay for the Lower Grade Clerks and Higher Grade Clerks working under the Administration considering the higher nature of duties and responsibilities as compared to their counterparts in the Central Secretariat Clerical Services in New Delhi and subordinate offices. The Association requested the Chief Secretary to take up this matter with the Govt. of India as the issue is already before the Government having been raised by the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers, New Delhi.   

The delegation of the Clerical Cadre Branch has also brought to the notice of the Chief Secretary the inordinate delay in carrying out the cadre re-structuring of the Forest Clerical Cadre.  The delegation expressed its concern over the acute stagnation prevailing among the clerical cadre staff in the Forest Department and requested the Chief Secretary to issue necessary instructions to the concerned authorities in the matter. 

The delegation of the Clerical Cadre Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association further brought to the notice of the Chief Secretary that the Govt. of India has introduced the scheme of Non-Functional Selection Grade (NFSG) in the Grade Pay of Rs. 4200 to those Upper Division Clerks in the Central Secretariat Clerical Cadre who have completed 5 years of service.    It was further brought to the notice of the Chief Secretary that on the demand made by the Association, the Administration has taken up this issue with the Govt. of India and a decision is yet to be taken on it.  The Association requested the Chief Secretary to pursue this matter with the Govt. of India.  

The delegation also demanded an intensive and compulsory training for all the clerical cadre staff working under Administration to improve their efficiency.    The Association also demanded Periodical shuffling of clerical cadre staff in order to gain experience in different functions/works.   

The Chief Secretary was  sympathetic to all the demands raised by the Association and assured the delegation of  necessary action on it.   Secretary (Perl) was also present in the meeting.

The other members of the delegation of the Clerical Cadre Branch of the Association were   (1) Shri I. Jairaj, Vice President, (2) Shri PN Shibu Kumar, Secretary,   Shri Jaipal, Joint Secretary,  Smt Sagarika Das, Organising Secretary, Smt Sarita Pandey, Central Executive Committee Member Shri G. Sujathan, Central Organising Secretary.

Annual Conference - 2013

NON-GAZETTED GOVT. OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Holds

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

February 09 – 10, 2013

At Kerala Samajam Hall, Port Blair

Com M.Krishnan, Secretary General, National Federation of Postal Employees, New Delhi

Will inaugurate the Conference at 4 p.m. on 09^th February, 2013 (Saturday)

All govt. employees are requested to attend the Inaugural Session

Resolution adopted in the Annual General Body Meeting of SATB

Resolution  adopted in the General Body Meeting of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association  held on 12^th January, 2013

          The Annual General Body meeting of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association  held on 12^th January, 2013  at Port Blair  observes with  concern and anguish that  the authorities in the Education Department  are trying to  enhance the working hours of  teachers  in the guise of   implementation of Right of  Children to  Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009.  The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association has already  pointed out that the  geographical condition in Andaman and Nicobar Islands coupled with other unfavourable  situation prevailing in these islands  will not be  conducive for  enhancement of working hours of teachers and had further  requested the  A & N Administration to  take  up this issue with the Govt. of India  to exempt these  far-flung and  scattered islands  from the enhanced working hours  as provided under the  Right  of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009. The General Body Meeting further notes that no other State/UT has implemented the enhanced working hours for teachers. The meeting further notes that the authorities in the Administration are implementing this historic legislation without the participation or involvement of stakeholders including the Service Associations functioning among the teachers.   Most of the schools in the islands do not have sufficient toilets, proper drinking water facilities, bench, desk,   buildings, play ground, labs, etc.   In a number of schools, the student-teacher ratio is more than what is provided in the Right to Education Act. 

          The General Body Meeting of the South Andaman Teachers’ Branch of the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, therefore, resolved to urge upon the authorities in the A & N Administration to approach the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India to exempt these islands from the enhanced working hours provided under the Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as a special case. The meeting further urges upon the Administration  not to increase the  working hours of teachers till a  decision is  taken by  the Govt. of India  on such a request from the A & N Administration  and till  such time other States/UTs enhance the working hours of teachers.  The meeting further resolved to decide that in case the authorities go ahead with its decision to increase the working hours of teachers, massive agitation of teachers will be organized in the islands jointly with other organizations.       

Preference in Compassionate appointment while engaging DRMs

The Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has  demanded  to give preference to the  applicants for compassionate ground appointments while engaging daily rated mazdoors in  the subordinate departments under the Administration.   In a letter sent to the Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration, Shri D. Ayyappan,  General Secretary of the  Association, while referring to   a Circular bearing  No. 51-1/2004-PW dated  18^th May, 2005  addressed to  all the Heads of Departments/Offices and Secretaries to the Administration  from the  then Chief Secretary, A & N Administration on this issue,  said that a large number of cases for appointment on compassionate ground were pending with various departments due to the reason that the quota of posts meant for the compassionate ground appointments have already been exhausted.  

          He said that in the said Circular, the then Chief Secretary during 2005  had asked all the Heads of Departments to give first preference to the dependents of government servants who died while in service in the matter of engagement of daily rated mazdoors.  Shri Ayyappan brought to the notice of the present Chief Secretary that the then Chief Secretary had further directed the Heads of Departments and Secretaries   to ensure that any engagement of daily rated mazdoors in the department are carried out from this category of applicants. 

          Shri D. Ayyappan informed the Chief Secretary that the said directions of the then Chief Secretary are not being followed in most of the departments while engaging daily rated mazdoors.  He further said that while applicants for compassionate ground appointments are running from pillar to post for some kind of relief, back door appointments of daily rated mazdoors, on extraneous considerations, are resorted to by the Departments.  He pointed out that this is not only a violation of the orders of the Chief Secretary but creates heart-burning among the halpless applicants for compassionate ground appointments.  A large number of applicants are waiting for compassionate ground appointments in each department.   He sought the intervention of the Chief Secretary in this issue and requested him to direct all the departments under the Administration to give first preference to the applicants waiting for compassionate ground appointments while engaging mazdoors/other employees on daily rated/ contract basis which will be of great relief to these applicants.

General Secretary
NGOs' Association