WESTBENGAL NEWS: Artist's book on TMC flip-flops
Monday, February 11, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Friday, February 8, 2013
Unique Protest in Gurgaon
Unique Protest in Gurgaon
On the New Year Day, Gurgaon, the industrial hub of NCR, witnessed a unique protest, protest against the violation of labour laws and the increasing violence aginst women. Jointly organised by the Suzuki Employees Union, Manesar and Janwadi Mahila Samiti, in front of the DM’s office in Gurgaon, it was attended by more than one hundred and fifty retrenched workers of Maruti, Manesar and more than a hundred women activists. The dharna was organized to protest against the gross violation of all labour laws and human rights, by the government of Haryana in collaboration with the maruti Suzuki management, retrenching the workers and detaining 149 workers in false cases and also against the increasing violence against women and demanding adminiostrative action and speedy justice to the 23 year old rape victim in Delhi who died. The family members of some of the workers who are in jail since six months in the fake cases framed by the Maruti management attended the dharna and march to the DM’s office.
The meeting was presided over by Vimala general secretary JMS Gurgaon and Imran Khan, secretary organizing committee, Maruti workers union. The dharna wad inaugurated by Jagmati Sangwan, Vice President AIDWA. She exposed the attitude of the Haryana Government which is supporting the khap panchayaths, taking no action against the culprits in the cases of rape, particularly the recent rapes of teen aged girls. She expressed solidarity with the Maruti worker’s struggle for their democratic and trade union rights. She assured that the AIDWA will not let the family members of the Maruti workers be alone.
Satvir Singh, President CITU, Haryana explained how the Maruti management is violating all exixting labour laws by summarily terminating 546 permanent workers and more than thousand contract workers. 149 workers are still in jail without getting any bail where as the company’s FIR names only 55. Among those who are in jail, there are workers who were not there in Gurgaon even.
A R Sindhu, General Secretary AIFAWH congratulated the JMS and the Maruti Workers Union who had decided to have the joint agitation, since both the issues are related to the policies of the government. She said that the central trade union had extended all possible support to the striking maruti workers and passed a resolution in regard in the march to Parliament on 20th December 2012. Wife of one Maruti worker who is under detention, narrated her story how she is facing the questions of people around her.
The meeting was addressed by Pushpendra Tyagi, from the CITU centre and Sunand, Joint Secretary SFI. Imaan khan explained the future action plan of maruti workers union and seek the support of all.
The participants marched to the DM’s office, where they were stopped at the gate. When the workers and women were not ready to go back, the DM came out and took the memorandum from the agitators. She assured that all the suggestions made by the JMS on the safety of women are welcome and she will see it all implemented. In case of Maruti workers demand, she said she will do all needful.
Rally of ICDS and ASHA Workers
Rally of ICDS and ASHA Workers
A joint rally and deputation of ICDS and ASHA Workers to the Governor of West Bengal was organized on 11th January 2013 at Kolkata by Paschimbanga Rajya ICDS Karmi Samity. The meeting was attended by more than twenty thousand workers and helpers of ICDS projects with ASHA workers also present in good number. The meeting was presided over by Aratri Dasgupta and Neelima Maitra.
The rally was inaugurated by Shyamal Chakraborty president state CITU. He spoke about how these workers are deprived of the minimum facilities as workers like Medical leave, Pension, Gratuity, ESI etc. In many anganwadi centres there is no place to sit and run the pre-school. There is no drinking water, and no toilets. The nominal honorarium is also not paid regularly. He supported the demands of the ICDS and ASHA workers and demanded measures to immediately stop the brutal attacks on ICDS workers and women at large.
Among other speakers were Kali Ghosh, Dipak Das Gupta, leaders of CITU and Surya Kanta Mishra, leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, who spoke about what is happening in the State Government, of the role of the ministers, mainly the Chief Minister.
Ratna Datta, General Secretary of the organization, called upon the gathering to participate in and make the two day General Strike on February 20, 21 a success. She reminded them that they have to play a vital role in the ensuing Panchayat election in which a large number of workers and helpers have been nominated as candidates. She announced the union decision to participate in the two days general strike and instead to give the supplementary nutrition feeding to the beneficiaries on two Sundays which follow the strike.
Neelima Maitra spoke about the restructuring programme that the Central Government is planning and how this will hamper the whole system in which this project is running now. The cash transfer will also harm the project. We oppose all anti worker anti beneficiary moves of the government she said. She demanded that the Central Government should allocate enough money to build pucca buildings for centres, adequate drinking water, kitchen and store room etc, food should be of good quality and the workers should get extra remuneration for extra work.
“Nirbhaya” – Your Sacrifice will not go in Vain
“Nirbhaya” – Your Sacrifice will not go in Vain
16th December 2012 was a black day for Democracy in Independent India. A 23 year old para medical student was brutally gang raped by six hooligans in a private transport bus. After the heinous crime was perpetrated she and her male colleague were beaten and bruised mercilessly by the gangsters and thrown out of the moving bus. The girl who now is known as “Nirbhaya” fought a brave battle for life for 13 days and finally succumbed to the injuries in an hospital at Singapore. This gruesome and barbaric act of cowardice has moved the conscience of the entire nation. People from all walks of life have come out on to the streets and protested against this ghastly incident, demanding stringent punishment to the culprits who were involved in this inhuman act.
The Insurance Employees under the banner of AIIEA at Hyderabad also joined the protest on 2nd January, 2013 condemning this heinous crime. A candle light protest rally was organized in the premises of LIC Divisional Office, Hyderabad. More than 250 employees participated in this program which attracted the attention of both Print and Electronic media. All the leaders who spoke condemned the incident and demanded that the Government should punish the guilty immediately without any delay and also demanded the enactment of stringent laws which protect women from atrocities and assault.
Andhra Pradesh State LIC Working Women Convention
A.P. State LIC Working Women Convention
The historic First Convention of Andhra Pradesh State LIC Working Women was held at Hyderabad on 16th December 2012. More than 450 women comrades from all the nine divisional units participated. The meeting hall was named in the memory of legendary freedom fighter late Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal. The atmosphere was electrifying and festive. The theme of the convention was “TO BE THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS”.
Mariyam Dhawale, Vice-President, CITU Maharashtra was the Chief Guest. Punyawathi, Vice-President CITU, A.P, K. Venu Gopal, General Secretary, AIIEA and Dhanalakshmi, Convenor, CCWW A.P. were the guests of honour. The convention began with three revolutionary songs rendered by a choir of women comrades from Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Warangal.
Madhuri, Treasurer, ICEU Secunderabad division, accorded the welcome address. B. Rajendera Kumar, President, SCZIEF presided over the inaugural session. Clement Das, General Secretary, SCZIEF moved the homage resolution.
Mariyam Dhawale underscored the fact that economic reforms had benefited only the super rich at the cost of the majority of people who were languishing in poverty.
K Venu Gopal emphasized that women comrades must focus their attention on “Higher Participation and Higher Involvement” in the day to day activities of the organization. He pointed out that the government for over two decades made repeated efforts to privatize LIC and GIC. But it could not succeed. He appealed to the employees to be prepared for the ensuing strike actions including the All India two day general strikes on 20-21st February 2013.
It was an opportune moment for SCZIEF to felicitate the Octogenarian veteran freedom fighter Com. Mallu Swarajyam, whose presence had an electrifying impact on the audience. The inspiring biography of Com. Mallu Swarajayam was read by Com. N Aruna Kumari.
Mallu Swarajyam complimented the employees for being in the forefront to protect public sector Navaratanas including LIC, from the onslaught of disinvestment and privatization. She shared with the audience her memorable experiences of the glorious Telangana armed struggle.
Com. Aruna Kumari, Convenor, Zonal Working Women Co-ordination Committee placed a brief report for discussion, which analysed the developments in the society with a gender perspective.
The convention decided the following: to conduct exclusive trade union classes for women at Divisional Level every year, to contribute articles to the Telugu mouthpiece of SCZIEF “Karmikavahini”, to spontaneously react on acts of demeaning women in society/atrocities on women etc., by organizing solidarity actions, to keep a vigil on programmes/news items appearing in print and electronic media which lack moral values and bring it to the notice of concerned authorities to take appropriate action, to organize the state level conventions before the Zonal Conference.
The convention passed 22 resolutions.
Amendments to Relevant Laws and Measures to Deal with Sexual Assaults, Violence against Women
Amendments to Relevant Laws and Measures to Deal with Sexual Assaults, Violence against Women
The Government of India has issued a notice regarding the formation of a Committee under the Chairmanship of Justice Verma to suggest possible amendments in the “ criminal laws and other relevant laws for quicker trials and enhanced punishment of criminals accused of sexual assault of an extreme nature on women.”
We believe that a much more holistic approach is required and regret that the terms of reference are limited only to these two issues. The Committee had been set up in the wake of the heinous crime of extreme brutality including gang rape committed on a young para medical student in Delhi. Subsequently, the young woman succumbed to the injuries inflicted on her. This particular case of gangrape and murder would certainly fall in the category of “rarest of the rare” cases. Within the existing legal framework itself the sentence could be the death penalty for the criminals for which there are already legal precedents.
However in a situation where crime against women and in particular the crime of rape is the fastest growing crime it is essential for the Government to review the present laws and the proposed amendments so as to cover all the major aspects. In this context we would like to draw your attention to the Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha on October 19, 2012, which seeks to “amend the IPC, the CrPc, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act” in so far as it concerns rape and sexual harassment of women (henceforth referred to as the Bill). Some of these proposals are flawed. It will amount to the application of double standards to the crime of sexual harassment and assault on women if only clauses pertaining to a particular type of sexual crime are considered for improvement while the law remains weak and ineffective on a range of other issues connected with sexual crimes. We would also like to point out that in a society based on class and caste inequalities, women of the economically exploited and caste oppressed sections, particularly dalits and tribals are even more vulnerable to sexual assault. We therefore seek your indulgence in accepting this memorandum which deals with issues which we consider are germane to the prevention of and punishment for cases of rape and cases of sexual assault and harassment.
1. Clauses in the IPC and other relevant laws concerning sexual assault have to be gender specific not gender neutral as proposed in the Bill referred to above. It is a total trivialization of the issue of sexual assault on women to suggest that it is a gender neutral crime. Thus the amendments moved to sections in the IPC namely 375, 376,376A 376B, 376C and 376D to make them gender neutral must be withdrawn. We hope you will make this recommendation.
2. The Bill widens the definition regarding sexual assault which is welcome. However it falls short in enhancement of punishment. The Bill proposes amendments in Sec 375.2 (a to l) in the redefined clauses. The perpetrators of the crime in these sections are men who are public servants such as police personnel, management of staff of jails, other institutions etc. This list should be expanded to include army men, paramilitary forces. Sexual assault committed by them should be considered as Aggravated Sexual assault. Aggravated sexual assault should include gangrape, custodial rape, child rape, rape during communal or caste driven violence, rape of a woman suffering mental or physical disability, sexual assault which causes grievous bodily harm or disfigurement.
3. In such cases of aggravated sexual assault/rape the punishment should be rigorous life imprisonment till death. (Where the sexual assault is accompanied by other forms of violence leading to the death of the victim, the rarest of rare categories, which could include the death penalty, may be applied by the courts.)
4. In other cases of rape the maximum sentence should be life imprisonment. It is found that courts rarely give the maximum sentence. It is therefore essential to increase minimum sentences in all cases of sexual assault from the existing level which are only seven years for rape and ten years for aggravated sexual assault/rape. The present legal framework also permits courts to further reduce the sentence to even less then the minimum in the name of extenuating circumstances. This must be prohibited.
5. The critical issue is the requirement for time-bound processes of justice in all cases of rape. The law must specifically mention the formation of special fast track courts for all cases of rape.
6. In all cases of sexual assault the case must be completed within three months.
7. Since our proposal is for speedy justice, the accused must by law continue to remain in jail till the verdict is pronounced. No bail can be granted to a rape accused while the hearings are on as the entire process will be time-bound.
8. Public servants not implementing the law including timely filing of FIR should be punished with a minimum punishment of one year and fine which may extend to three years. In the proposed amendment on this issue in the Bill there is no minimum prescribed.
9. There must be rehabilitation measures including financial help mandated by law for victims of sexual assault which should be decided according to the requirements. It is humiliating and insulting to women when so-called rape compensation packages are declared such as 20,000 rupees etc. by some State Governments. The rehabilitation should include medical expenses and also may also include a Government job. Counselling and other help must be mandatorily provided.
10. Acid attacks on women are a fast growing crime. A new clause is sought to be introduced in the Bill under Sec 325 B. Depending on the extent of injury the law must provide for life imprisonment while the minimum sentence must also be enhanced. The law must provide for medical rehabilitation.
11. Sec 354 and 509, which contains such archaic terms as “outraging the modesty of a woman” must be redrafted to specifically use the term sexual harassment and the punishment enhanced. Sexual harassment has nothing to do with the modesty of a woman and everything to do with impermissible sexual behaviour and assertion of power by the criminals. The sentence should be enhanced to a minimum of one to five years depending on the degree of harassment, whether verbal, physical etc. and also a fine imposed. Serial offenders should be punished with the maximum.
12. In this connection steps are required to prevent the broadcast or publication of demeaning and highly sexist advertisements that tend to commodify women’s bodies. With the wide reach of satellite channels these advertisements promote aggressive misogynist cultures. The relevant rules and laws must be amended to prevent such advertisements, since on this count, self-regulation has failed.
13. The law must mandate the setting up of a monitoring mechanism to audit the steps being taken by various Government agencies to prevent, control and punish those involved in sexual crimes against women including minors. An annual report of the monitoring mechanism must be made public.
14. The legal framework against sexual crimes must make it mandatory to include in all educational syllabuses in schools and colleges, gender sensitization courses for boys and girls, men and women. This is essential to change the thinking of a predominantly male-child preference based society along with culturally sanctioned retrograde male privileges.
15. In spite of the surge in so-called honour crimes the Government has failed to bring any stand alone law for the purpose. The illegal fatwas of Khap Panchayats are a case in point. These diktats range from fatwas on dress codes for young women and school girls, to bans on friendships, self choice partnerships, the punishment also ranging from boycotts to public lynching and killings. Narrow vote bank politics has influenced Governments leading to inaction and even encouragement to these self-proclaimed panchayats in spite of repeated instruction for action from various courts including the Supreme Court. We request the Commission to recommend a stand alone law to cover all honour related crimes and to take strict action against the diktats and their enforcement by the so-called khap panchayats including their disenfranchisement.
There are other flaws in the Bill and the legal framework which need to be addressed and which have been raised by women’s organisations.
Administrative Steps
Along with the legal framework, it will also be necessary for the Government to urgently take administrative steps. One of the critical issues is to make public spaces safe and secure for women at all times. This must include all forms of public transport. With the privatisation of transport systems, the accountability of the Government has been diluted and no action is taken against private bus owners. For example even now many buses in Delhi have black tinted windows. Strong regulations for security must be ensured and accountability fixed including punishment for officers guilty of non-implementation. Mapping of vulnerable areas in the city and towns must also be a regular procedure to be followed. Specifically, provision for public toilets for women must be made and the area be properly lit.
For fast track courts to be set up, it is essential for the Government to recruit a large number of judges at various levels. Recruitment must go hand in hand with strict standards of the quality of the recruitment. Judges often reflect retrograde social outlooks towards women. Thus gender sensitive standards must be set for such recruitments.
It will also be necessary to recruit many more women police personnel to be able to speed up the investigations and be involved in help-lines etc. and training courses are required for this
It is essential for the Central Government and the State Governments to work out standard operating procedures which should immediately come into place once a complaint of sexual harassment and/or rape is reported.
The CITU is aware of the far reaching recommendations made earlier for legal measures against sexual harassment at the work place. Unfortunately not only has the Government diluted or subverted some of those important recommendations but it passed the Bill without discussion in the lower House while it is yet to be placed before the upper House. We mention this only because of our anxiety that without a comprehensive report on the issues connected with sexual harassment and assault, Government may find a short cut to ignore the issues which will be of great disservice to women and girls in particular and the society at large.
The CITU urges that the Committee should take note of the wider issues involved. The urgent requirement is to reform the laws and take urgent administrative steps to do justice to the brave young woman whose life was brutally cut short, as also to the countless others who have been, and continue to become, victims of sexual assault and are yet to get justice.
Editorial: The Voice of the Working Women (CITU)
Editorial: The Voice of the Working Women (CITU)
People on the Move
December 2012 saw two major protest demonstrations in the national capital. One, the massive ‘March to Parliament’ led by the joint trade union movement, of around 50,000 workers from all over the country, which was predictably almost totally ignored by the mainstream media. This March was a prelude to the two day joint country wide general strike on 20 – 21 February this year. The fifteenth since the advent of the neoliberal policies, this strike is part of the untiring efforts of the working class to force the government to heed the demands of crores of common toiling people – to immediately curb the ever increasing prices, universalise the public distribution system, for minimum wages, pension for all, social security for unorganised sector, strict implementation of labour laws, to stop the inhuman contract system, disinvestment etc.
But the UPA government is determined to push ahead its neoliberal agenda. It has announced measures that will further burden the people by escalating the prices and leading to loss of their livelihood – deregulation of diesel prices, cut down subsidies on fertiliser, curtailment of subsidised cooking gas, FDI in retail trade, direct cash transfers, further liberalisation of the financial sector, disinvestment, etc. It has passed the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill. The national pharmaceutical pricing policy will lead to huge increase in the already high prices of medicines, taking them out of reach of the common people. At the same time the UPA government has brazenly announced its decision to postpone the implementation of the GAAR (General Anti Avoidance Rules) up to 2016, thereby providing relief to the national and multinational corporate houses by allowing them to avoid payment of taxes by various means.
It is against this neoliberal policy of enriching the rich at the cost of the poor that the working class will go on a two day all India strike.
The other countrywide protests - spontaneous mobilisations of thousands of people, in which mainly young girls and boys, but also women’s organisations, families, children and old people participated, were against the brutal gang rape of a young physiotherapy student in Delhi. These were an outburst not only against the violence faced by women, but also an explosion of the pent up discontent, anger, anxiety of the people, particularly the young, about the increasing insecurity in society. The insensitivity of the government towards the issue was again blatantly displayed by its use of lathis, tear gas and water cannons on the protestors, instead of dialogue with the protestors. Though the government was forced to announce certain measures like setting up fast track courts etc, what is of great concern is the continuing violence against women. Even as the demonstrations were going on against the Delhi gang rape, some demanding death to the culprits, many such incidents were being reported, including gang rapes of small girls as young as eleven, murder etc from different parts of the country, almost daily.
While administrative measures, amendment to laws etc are definitely necessary and must be taken up immediately, what is equally, if not more important, is the need for a change in the deeply rooted patriarchal attitude towards women, the prevalent subordinate status and the denial of equal rights to them. The neoliberal policies and the market culture which promote women and their bodies as commodities and sex objects have further aggravated this situation. Statistics indicate that sexual assaults and rape are the fastest growing crimes in India during the neoliberal period. The pronouncements of certain forces including the RSS, BJP, the religious heads etc holding the women responsible for the violence are highly condemnable and clearly expose their retrograde ideology.
The two movements, though apparently seeming to be unconnected, are not unrelated. The working class, which has taken the initiative to fight against the impact of neoliberal policies on all sections of the toiling people must also take the initiative to fight against such violence on women, against the patriarchal attitudes and for equal rights and status for women.
Convention on Strike in Power Sector
Convention on Strike in Power Sector
GENERAL secretaries of all four national federations of electricity workers and employees – RPS Yadav of Akhil Bharat Vidyut Mazdur Mahasangh (BMS), Kuldip Kumar of Indian National Electricity Workers Federation (INTUC), Chakradhar Prasad Singh of All India Electricity Employees Federation (AITUC) and Prasanta N Chowdhury of Electricity Employees Federation of India (CITU) - jointly called a national convention of all organizations of electricity employees and of officers and engineers on 5 February at BTR Bhawan, New Delhi for successful 2 days general strike on 20 - 21February in power sector.
Maharashtra: Workshops & Seminar:
Maharashtra: Workshops & Seminar:
61 leading functionaries from southern states and Maharashtra on 15-16 December at Benagaluru and 73 from Hindi speaking states on 22-23 December at Patna attended workshops on ‘The Growth of Trade Unions in India’, ‘History of Bank Employees Movement’, ‘Domestic Enquiry’ and on ‘Organisation’, organized by the Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI). Patna workshop was also addressed by Prof. Nawal Kishore Choudhry of the Department of Economics of Patna University on finance capital’s aggressive character under globalization. Similar workshop is scheduled at Kolkata on 22-23 January for other eastern and north eastern states.
At Benagaluru, the state units of BEFI, All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA) and All India NABARD Employees Association (AINEA) jointly organized a seminar on ‘Financial Sector Reforms - Impact on Indian Economy’ on 16 December addressed by eminent economist Dr. Venkatesh Athreya, as the main speaker, President of AIIEA Amanullah Khan, vice president of AINEA Rana Mitra and the general secretary of BEFI Pradip Biswas in a fully packed hall. (Inputs: Pradip Biswas)
Reserve Bank of India Attempting to Cut 1500 Permanent Jobs
Reserve Bank of India
THE Reserve Bank of India (RBI), obviously under finance ministry’s direction, is attempting to cut 1500 permanent jobs by closing its Public Counters for retail distribution of coins and exchange of currency notes. In protest, the employees and officers of RBI served notice of strike on 1/2 January. However, on management’s assurance, during conciliation meeting on 31 December before the RLC (Central) at Mumbai, of withholding their decision and holding bilateral discussion with the unions; the unions also deferred the strike. BEFI congratulated the RBI employees and officers for their unity and united resistance.
On this, CITU general secretary Tapan Sen wrote to the Governor of RBI on 26 December expressed concern about RBI’s decision and pointing out that currency distribution was sovereign and primary function of RBI and part of its Citizens’ Charter. With expansion of economic activities, currency distribution network of RBI should further be expanded. The proposed closure of the bank would cause serious inconvenience for the people and make number of staff redundant.
In his reply dated 1 January, RBI Governor D. Subbarao informed Tapan Sen, about RBI’s intention of catering this service through other commercial banks and about gainful redeployment of the concerned staff confirming the job redundancy that it would cause.
Iron Ore Mines Workers Convention for Strike
Iron Ore Mines Workers Convention for Strike
ON 2 days country-wide general strike of 20–21 February, a joint convention of the workers of OMDC (Odisha Mineral Development Corporation) and of SAIL (Steel Authority of India) was held at Vikas Mahal at Barbil (Jharkhand) on 12 January. Large number of workers, including working women, attended this convention travelling long distance.
A joint trade union convention of iron ore mines workers of Kiriburu, Megahatuburu, Gua and Bolani was also held at Community Centre at Kiriburu on 13 January attended by local leaders - Ram Bilas Paswan (CITU), Kanhiya Singh (AITUC), Ghanshyam Thakur and Sultan Ahmed (INTUC) and Md. Sahajada (from JMM-affiliate).
Addressing the convention, CITU’s secretary Jiban Roy said that trade union movement should convert to mass movement by integrating local issues. Steel Workers Federation of India (SWFI) leaders - convener of Mines Coordination Committee Indramani Behra, Biswarup Banerjee, Gurupada Banerjee and Dipak Ghosh; and CITU Jharkhand state general secretary D.D. Ramanandan also attended.
The convention expressed concern about state government keeping state PSUs in mining sector closed on false grounds of elephant corridor, forest and environment control etc. to help private mining companies of Jindal, Roongta and others. Conventions also raised issues like early wage settlement by NJCS for permanent and contract workers; new pension scheme etc. for building common platform of movement.(Inputs: Biswarup Banerjee)
harkhand Convention: A state convention of road transport workers, coming from different districts of Jharkhand was held at Dhanbad on 4 November, inaugurated by all India general secretary of the federation K. K. Divakaran and attended by its secretary Raj Kumar Jha; CITU state president S. K. Bakshi, general secretary D. D. Ramanandan and Prakash Biplab. A state committee of the federation was formed, organizational decisions were taken and preparations were made for workers 48 hours general strike.
Working Committee Meeting: l The working committee meeting of All India Road Transport Workers Federation (AIRTWF), held at New Delhi on 4-5 December, decided to organize state conventions, zonal meetings and joint campaign by transport workers unions to make 2 days workers strike on 20-21February a grand success. l The meeting also decided to organize countrywide West Bengal Solidarity Day on 7 January in support of struggling public and private sector road transport workers of West Bengal against the attack on the workers by TMC government. l The meeting decided to hold 9th conference of AIRTWF at Sikkar (Rajasthan) from 1 to 3 March, 2013.
On 48 hours February strike, a meeting of transport workers from north east states was held at Guwahati on 15 December, attended by federation president Syamal Chakraborthy, general secretary K. K. Divakaran and Nikhil Mukherjee from West Bengal. More than 100 delegates from Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram participated. Delegates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura could not join. The convention elected Hareswar Das as convener. Such zonal meetings will be held for south west zone at Bengaluru on 5 January, for north zone at Jaipur on 1 January and for east zone at Kolkata on 15 January.
On 48 hours February strike, a meeting of transport workers from north east states was held at Guwahati on 15 December, attended by federation president Syamal Chakraborthy, general secretary K. K. Divakaran and Nikhil Mukherjee from West Bengal. More than 100 delegates from Assam, Nagaland and Mizoram participated. Delegates from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura could not join. The convention elected Hareswar Das as convener. Such zonal meetings will be held for south west zone at Bengaluru on 5 January, for north zone at Jaipur on 1 January and for east zone at Kolkata on 15 January.
Road Transport Workers Preparing for Country-wide February Strike
Road Transport Workers Preparing for Country-wide February Strike
AN all India joint meeting of national federations and state unions in road transport industry, including public and private sector bus services, goods carriers and local transports; was held at Mumbai on 16 December to make workers’ all India 48 hours general strike on 20-21 February grand success in road transport sector. The meeting was attended by K. K. Divakaran from All India Road Transport Workers Federation (CITU) and leaders of National Federation of Indian Road Transport Workers (AITUC), Bhartiya Parivahan Mazdoor Mahasangh (BMS), Indian National Transport Workers Federation (INTUC), Road Transport Workers Federation of India (HMS), Tamil Nadu Government Transport Corporation Employees Progressive Unions Federation (LPF), Delhi Transport Corporation Workers Unity Center (AICCTU), Uttar Pradesh Roadways Karmachari Sanyukta Parishad (Independent), Gujarat State Transport Workers Federation (NLO), BEST Workers Union, Mumbai (HMS) and Chennai Metro Transport Corporation Employees Union (LPF).
Joint Convention at New Delhi against proposed retrograde amendment of MV Act: As was decided in the joint meeting at Mumbai, a joint national convention of road transport workers is being held at New Delhi on 30 January, 2013 to oppose the proposal of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways to amend Motor Vehicle Act by deleting sections 97 to 108, which provide protection of state transport undertakings.
Pitiable Service Conditions of Transport Workers: The unorganized workers in the private transport sector such as auto-rikshaws, taxis, mini bus, private bus, goods vehicles etc have no employment regulation, fixed working hours, welfare facility and social securities such as P.F, employees insurance, gratuity, compensation in the event of injury/death; no old age pension with financial assistance from union government etc; and are denied even minimum wages. The joint meeting at Mumbai decided to take up for amelioration of such pitiable service and working conditions of lakhs of workers in private road transport sector and on failure of the union government to take steps on the recommendations of V.V. Giri national labour institute.
Restriction on Trade Unions in Nagaland: In May 2012, the government of Nagaland issued an order to close down road transport unions’ offices and put a blanket ban on collection of unions’ membership subscription, grant in aid etc. in and around Dimapur town. The high court (Kohima Bench) passed an order allowing the unions to function at certain localities. Dimapur Truck Drivers Union, Truck Owners Association, Dimapur Motor Workers Union and Dimapur Land Transport and Workers Union submitted joint memorandum and have sought CITU’s help and support.
6th Conference of All India Beedi Workers Federation Pledges participation in 20-21 February strike
6th Conference of All India Beedi Workers Federation Pledges participation in 20-21 February strike
6TH conference of All India Beedi Workers Federation (AIBWF) adopted resolution to join the 20-21 February strike in full strength. The 6th Conference of AIBWF was held at Comrade Tanulal Mandalwar and Comrade Kamalapathi Tripathi Manch in Comrade M.K. Pandhe Nagar (Swarna Palace) of on–this-occasion-CITU-flag-decorated Warangal city in Andhra Pradesh on 4 - 6 January, 2013.
On 4 January, open session was held as a public meeting at Pochcha Maidan presided over by secretary of Andhra Pradesh Beedi Workers Federation S. Rama and addressed by CITU vice president Basudev Acharya, MP; Rangareddy, MLA; general secretary of AIBWF Md Nizamuddin; Maharasthra state president of CITU Narsiya Adam; and CITU A.P. state leader Veeriah.
288 delegates and observers participated in the conference. Vice president Fatima Farida Baig hoisted the flag. After floral tribute to the martyrs, the conference began with B. Madhab, Abul Hasnat Khan, K. P. Sahadeban, M. P. Ramchandran and Fatima Farida Baig in the presidium. Inaugurating the conference CITU president A.K. Padmanavan scathingly criticized the central government for inviting FDI in retail, disinvestment in almost all profit making PSUs; periodical price hike of petroleum products; withdrawal of subsidies from fertilizer and other agricultural inputs; galloping price rise of all essential commodities and, as a result, how these decisions were having catastrophic effect on the common people; 77 % of the people living with paltry amount of Rs.20 per day. He emphasized on the responsibility of the working class of the country, including beedi workers, to defeat these policies the central government by building united movement. The unanimous resolution of all central trade unions and federations on 4 September convention in New Delhi is to build this united movement including 48 hours strike on 20-21 February, 2013. He called upon the beedi workers to take the responsibility of ensure success of the strike.
He also emphasized on the necessity of realizing of Beedi Workers demands viz, common minimum wage of Rs.200+D.A., identity card, pension, gratuity, increase in housing grant, medical benefit etc. Loss of jobs of the beedi workers because of the policies persuade by the central government and demanded that the government must arrange alternative job or compensation. Basudeb Acharya also addressed the delegates.
The report, placed by the general secretary Md. Nizamuddin noted the international and national situation and the beedi workers problems in that background. He drew particular attention to the weakness of the organizations. Beedi workers constitute the maximum numbers in the unorganized sector of the working class. They are the most deprived section in the country having no definite minimum wage, facility of pension, provident fund and other facilities. The welfare schemes, as have been granted, are not also available because of the red-tapism in welfare commissioner’s office. To ameliorate the problems in favour, the beedi workers have to develop long drawn sustained struggle jointly with other unions, and for that, there is need of matching organizational strength. The membership is far below the total 90 lakhs beedi workers in the country. Experience showed wherever the central CITU nourished the state beedi federations and state CITU nourished the district beedi unions the results are good.
After discussion 18 delegates and reply by the general secretary, the report was adopted nanimously. The conference also unanimously adopted resolutions On participation in February 20-21 strike; against FDI in retail; on common minimum wage of Rs. 200+D.A. and realization of 11 point charter of demands; on security of women; restoration of democratic rights in West Bengal; and on pension for the beedi workers. Conference called upon the beedi workers to observe All India Demand Day on April 24, 2013.
Conference re-elected B. Madhab as president, Md. Nizamuddin as general secretary, Debasis Roy as deputy general secretary and Paras Basu as treasurer and a elected a 73 members working committee with 20 office bearers. The notable feature of the conference was that the beedi workers of Warangal themselves enthusiastically contributed for the success of the conference Rs 5 lakhs from their wages. Rs. 5 lakhs more were collected from other workers and employees. More than 140 women and men volunteers from different fraternal organizations of the city toiled continuously for hosting the conference. (Inputs: Md. Nizamuddin)
Congress of Energy Workers
Congress of Energy Workers
-Swadesh Dev Roye
WORLD Congress of Energy Workers, held on 29-30 November 2012, this time had an added attraction as it was being held in Venezuela after the massive electoral victory of Higo Chavez as the country’s President. Congress report greeted the people of Venezuela stating, “We extend our warm fraternal greetings to the people of Venezuela for voting Comrade Hugo Chavez again to the Presidency of Venezuela, the great country of people’s successful struggle against imperialist machinations and the disastrous doctrine of neo-liberalism…The victory of Chavez in the elections is not merely over his conservative ‘united’ opposition candidate; but it is a victory of alternative path of people oriented economic development policies and rejection of finance capital driven neo-liberalism.”
Inaugural Session:
More than 100 delegates from 30 countries of all continents, including Latin American countries, India, China, South Africa, France, Romania, Greece, Sudan, Algeria and others; and representing all segments of energy sector - oil & natural gas, coal, electricity, water and petro-chemical - attended the Congress. A 9-members Indian delegation from Petroleum & Gas Workers’ Federation of India and Electricity Employees’ Federation of India was led by Swadesh Dev Roye. In the inaugural session, attended by large number of local electricity workers, general secretary of electricity workers federation of Venezuela, Angel Navas welcomed the delegates and Swadesh Dev Roye delivered his presidential speech explaining about US-led imperialists’ hegemonic designs in the oil-producing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America concentrating on the global energy centre – the Middle East and Central Asian region; about the urgent task of energy sector trade union movement for campaign against and exposure of such imperialist designs and of the dictatorial puppet regimes of the oil reach countries; about the support to the liberation struggle of the people of Africa and Middle East for genuine, popular and democratic rule drawing lessons from the anti-imperialist struggle of the people of Latin America.
Congress Report:
The Congress report, presented by the secretariat of Trade Union International in Energy Sector (TUI-Energy), dealt about established oil reserves, production scenarios, consumption profiles, exports and imports. The report stated that in oil consumption, United States was way ahead of the rest of the countries. United States, with just 4.5% of world population, consumes 25% of the world’s petroleum every year. Today, USA imports 51% of its total crude oil need. According to Energy Information Administration, by 2020 USA will import 64% of its crude oil requirement or 25.8 million barrels per day. U.S. foreign oil import consequently led to fall in its domestic production below 39% from the peak production in 1970. U.S. reliance on foreign oil import could increase to almost two-thirds of its total gasoline and heating oil consumption by 2020.
Congress report contains data of top 30 crude oil producing countries depicting the emerging world geo-politics of crude oil situation. According to latest OPEC data, at the beginning of 2011, highest proved oil reserves, including non-conventional oil deposits, are in Venezuela (20% of total global reserves). President Chavez said, “We have oil for 200 years.” Regarding oil price he said, “$50 a barrel – that’s a fair price, not a high price.” Such bold declaration on crude oil price stability counters the volatility of oil price.
On emergence of new players and new centres, the report focused on a new strategy that is establishment of ‘Refining Hubs’ based on total import of crude oil and total export of refined products; and based on exploitation of cheap labour. Chinese oil company SINOPEC with 37.5% and Saudi oil giant ARAMCO with 62.5% share holdings have jointly been constructing a gigantic oil refinery at reported cost of $8.5 billion which will be operational by 2014. Egypt is building its largest oil refinery with investment from China. Latest China’s agreement with Nigeria is to construct three gasoline refineries in Nigeria at an investment of $23 billion.”
Venezuelan Development:
The report noted that oil industry in Venezuela, under Chavez, has witnessed huge changes in policy perspective. Government’s authority in the oil industry of the country was established, first by reducing the stake of private oil companies and ultimately by enacting Hydrocarbon Act, 2006 for full Government control. ‘Prior to the new arrangement, Venezuela was a US oil colony,’ Chavez strongly denounced, ‘the previous deals as a part of drive to attract more investment into the country’s oil industry...are foreign oil companies too much and the government too little.’
Another bold step was in diversifying oil export from USA to mainly China, India, Japan and other countries on which Venezuelan Minister said, “we are neither subject to the problems of the US and European economies, nor to the devaluation of the dollar.”
Under Chavez, Venezuela established a shining example of spending money, earned from oil revenue, for true economic development of the country and the people. According to UN agencies, Venezuela made tremendous strides since Chavez first came to power in 1999. Unemployment dropped from 14.5% in 1999 to 7.6% in 2009. Per capita GDP rose from $4,104 in 1999 to $10,801 in 2011. The population, living below poverty line, in 1999 was above 23% which dropped to 8.5% in 2011. Infant mortality rate has also gone down substantially. Most importantly, the U N data declared, “Venezuela has the least unequal society in Latin America.”
The Challenges:
The major energy sources are afflicted with ills of different dimensions - oil & natural gas sector is victim of imperialist hegemonic design, the coal sector has almost been grabbed by giant MNCs, while the electricity – generation, transmission & distribution – has reached to the height of anarchy due to privatization, restructuring and total departure from people orientation to private profit orientation.
The consequence of the disastrous privatization of coalmines and that too in the major countries of established reserves with dangerous degree of monopolistic concentration is a big challenge before the trade union movement. The ‘quick buck’ philosophy of private monopolies has created human, environmental and sustainability of coalmines.
Electricity sector are most wide-spread and literally global. In the matter of access and affordability, the situation is deceitful and worsening. The USA itself is a glaring example as to how restructuring and privatization has plunged the US people into repeated darkness. Both, the workers of the industry and the people in general are victims of neo-liberal policies in power sector. Therefore, trade union movement of the sector must join hands with the people and unleash long drawn united movement.
Common to entire energy sector is the menacing contractorisation of employment which has become most exploitative labour practice and must be fought with top priority all over the world. It is not merely fighting against exploitation of a section of workers, but must be perceived as a huge danger to the trade union movement itself. This attack of capital must be understood ideologically and fought as a class battle.
Struggle Experience:
The discussion by the delegates covered all segments of energy and continents. Speeches of Latin American delegates were stimulating because of their rich experience of struggle against US imperialism and for people-oriented alternative policy to the finance capital driven neo-liberal economic path. In the face of intense neo-liberal drive, Latin American countries witnessed vast increase in political mobilisation of the working class. Under pressure of mass movement, discredited governments in Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Argentina were compelled to resign. Grassroot movements across the region defeated such governments’ attempts to privatise public services and natural resources; withdrawal of the state from its basic social duties concerning everyday life such as housing, nutrition, childcare, education and other productive work. In Latin American countries, under pressure of mass movement, the discredited USA’s puppet governments were repeatedly defeated in electoral battles one after another. According to a New York Times editorial, out of 365 million people in Latin America, 300 million people have come under the rule of Leftist or of Left-oriented governments.
Delegates from Arab Region narrated the sordid state of affairs of the energy industries plagued by techno-economic-political domination of the MNCs and the pathetic plight of the workers of the industry in the countries under subservient regimes to US imperialists. As the peoples of these countries are denied of their fundamental rights, including the right to elect the governments of their choice, so also the working class is denied of free and unfettered trade union rights. However, as magnitude of exploitation of workers is increasing, so also the anger of the exploited workers is heightening and the struggle is widening.
The Congress discussion also narrated about the increasing struggles of workers in energy sector against the onslaught of privatization and against attack on rights of workers. Struggles have been continuing and intensifying, in varying degrees, from capitalist outposts, epicentres of current capitalist crisis, to the countries of developing economies, who are pursuing neo-liberal policies,.
Tasks Ahead:
The tasks, adopted by the Congress, include - Conducting continuous world-wide agitation and propaganda against the hegemonic onslaught of imperialist powers centering round the energy sector; - Exposing the machinations of different vested interests in creating volatility in crude oil pricing; - Contractorisation, casualisation of employment and out-sourcing of jobs must be strongly opposed and all categories of non-regular workers must be organized into trade unions; - While strengthening the central functioning of TUI (Energy) in observing democratic organisational principles, continent-wise regional centres should be established by constituting regional secretariats and also unleashing segment-wise activities.
Leadership:
The Congress unanimously elected a secretariat with Martin Esparza of Mexico as president and Simon Mofokeng of South Africa as general secretary and Aldemir De Carvalho Caetano of Brazil as assistant general secretary. General secretary of Electricity Employees’ Federation of India (CITU) Prasanta Nandi Chowdhury was elected one of the vice presidents.
DELHI: 14TH CITU CONFERENCE
DELHI
CITU’s 14th Delhi state conference, held in Comrade M. K. Pandhe Nagar at Comrade Dipankar Mukherjee Hall (Dilshad Colony Community Hall) in East Delhi on 6-7 February, was attended by 161 delegates representing the workers of different sectors of industries and services in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida.
Inaugurating the conference, CITU’s general secretary Tapan Sen stressed on intensive campaign among workers and other sections of the people exposing the anti-people character of UPA-II government, which is allowing unhindered loot and plunder of natural resources and public exchequer by the domestic and foreign corporates and big business. This is leading to and legitimizing corruption everywhere with active support of those in the governance, promoting horrendous crimes, violence against women and degenerations in the society. On the other side miseries are being inflicted on common people through continuing price rise, drastic cut in subsidies, privatization of public services, aggravating unemployment, attack on trade union and democratic rights.
Crucial task before the working class is to go for united countrywide action against the present day policy regime including immediate task to carry campaign for countrywide two days strike on 20-21 February. Working class movement of the capital city has to take up this task most seriously and CITU has to be in the frontline of this battle, he said.
Commending Delhi state committee for increasing membership above 66%, Tapan Sen drew attention to not much increase among industrial workers which calls for serious introspection about work in industrial sector, functioning of concerned district committees and the unions for taking concrete steps for improvement so as to increase CITU’s capacity to rally lakhs of industrial workers in strikes and agitation and converting them as members and in organization. In respect of work in the unorganized sector, the intervention of the state committee in the construction sector was commendable while there is need for more organized effort in construction, rehri-patri, brick-kiln etc and new initiative in private transport sector.
Chairperson of the reception committee Maimuna Mollah welcomed the delegates. General secretary of All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers A. R. Sindhu, representatives from AIDWA, SFI and DYFI also addressed the conference.
With opening comments by state general secretary Mohan Lal; the report, presented by K. M. Tiwari, elaborated on movemental and organisational initiatives and struggles in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida facing onslaughts of the employers and governments and steps taken for improvement in membership, organization and its functioning. In a self critical manner, the report evaluated successes, shortcomings and in implementing collective decisions at various levels of the organization; and on steps to be taken for overcoming the shortcomings and difficulties.
39 comrades took part in deliberation on the general secretary’s report and made important suggestions. After M. L. Malkotia replied, the report was adopted unanimously. The conference adopted resolutions on food security, on the problems of working women in Delhi and in support of the struggle programmes of the central trade unions.
The Conference unanimously elected a 43 members state sommittee and 12 members secretariat with Mohan Lal as President, M. L. Malkotia as general secretary and Laxminarayan as treasurer.
MAHARASHTRA CITU CONFERENCE
MAHARASHTRA
3 DAYs Maharashtra state conference of CITU was held on 28-30 December on A.K. Hangal Manh at Comrade M.K. Pandhe Hall in Capt. Lakshmi Sehgal Nagar, Chandrapur. After flag hoisting by CITU’s senior leader K.L. Bajaj, paying floral tributes to the martyrs, introduction by reception committee secretary Prof. Rameshchandra Dahiwade and welcome address by its chairman S.H. Baig; the conference was inaugurated by CITU general secretary Tapan Sen.
In his address Tapan Sen drew the attention to the grim situation for the workers in the capitalist countries due to economic crises; to Congress-led UPA government’s corruptions, scams and scandals; despite Supreme Court’s direction not disclosing the names of the black money holders in foreign banks; their huge budgetary concessions to industrial houses and big business; and going ahead with anti-people measures including massive disinvestments of PSUs and allowing FDI in retail trade etc. BJP-led NDA government’s record was no way different from that of Congress and its allies.
In the series of 14 all India workers strikes in last 18 years against liberalization policies of the BJP-led and Congress-led governments; February, 2012 was historic with 12 crore workers participation and even INTUC joining. In 2 days all India workers strike to take place on 20-21 February, 2013, called by all 11 central trade unions; Maharashtra is expected to be in the forefront as the state has a glorious record of working class struggles since freedom movement and has to regain its glorious past.
On organization, Tapan Sen pointed out that though there is increase in CITU membership, it is more in unorganized sector. More attention is needed towards12 lakh labour force in organized sector industries in Maharashtra. General secretary Tapan Sen and secretary Dr. K. Hemalata attended and guided throughout the conference.
Greeting the delegates Hemalata drew attention especially to the problems of women workers and the struggle of unorganized workers, particularly the women workers, for wages and social securities. She emphasized on improving the quality of work of state and district committees; and to bring changes in work methods equipping to face the new challenges with the changes which are taking place.
Fraternal organizations’ leaders, greeting the delegates, include state AITUC general secretary Sukumar Damale, AIAWU president Kumar Shiralkar, AIDWA president Kiran Moghe, AIKS secretary Shankarrao Danav, SFI secretary Vinod Govindwar, and DYFI president Bhagwan Bhojane.
Narsayya Adam Master in his presidential address pointed out about NCP-INC coalition government in Maharashtra is curtailing labour rights and their hard-earned benefits; at the same time lavishly increasing perks, salaries and other facilities of ministers, MLAs, MPs. The report by state general secretary Dr. D.L. Karad pointed out about the membership drive in both organized and unorganized sectors; about the struggle to protect existing rights; efforts to expand among new sections; efforts for widening trade union unity to effectively check capitalist onslaughts and against imperialist penetration in country’s economic, industrial and political areas; and placed a 12 point programme for future.
86 delegates took part in discussion on general secretary’s report including 21 women. After reply, the report was adopted unanimously with the statement of accounts. 15 resolutions were unanimously adopted including the one condemning the bus gang rape of the brave girl in Delhi demanding exemplary punishment to the culprits.
Conference unanimously elected a 82 members General Council, 35 members Executive with re-electing Narsayya Adam Master as president and Dr. D. L. Karad as general secretary and K.R. Raghu as treasurer. Tapan Sen summed up the conference.
The conclusion of the conference was capped with a massive procession from Kasturba Road junction and marching through the main thoroughfares of Chandrapur city converted into huge rally and public meeting at local Sardar Vallbhbhai Patel college ground. Addressing the rally, Tapan Sen said that by seeing the large assembly of women in red attire and red scarfs, he felt assured that this backward district of Maharashtra would be in the forefront of working class movement in the state. Others, who addressed the rally, were Hemalata, Narsayya Adam Master, D.L. Karad, Rameshchandra Dahiwade, S. H. Baig and district committee member Rajesh Pijarkar.
(Inputs: P. R. Krishnan)
KERALA CITU CONFERENCE
CITU STATE CONFERENCES
KERALA
12th Kerala state conference of CITU
The 12th state conference of Kerala state committee of CITU was held on 12 – 14 January 2013 in Kasargode. The conference started with the hoisting of CITU flag by KN Ravindranath, president of the state committee of CITU. Tapan Sen, general secretary of CITU inaugurated the conference which was attended by — delegates and observers from all the 14 districts in the state. Leaders of AITUC, UTUC, BMS, STU addressed the inaugural session. The general secretary’s report was placed by MM Lawrence, general secretary of the state committee while KM Sudhakaran, treasurer, placed the accounts. AK Padmanabhan, president of CITU made the concluding remarks.
The membership of CITU in the state increased from 1274445 in 2008 to 1415170 in 2011 but the conference felt that the full potential could not be realised. The conference self critically analysed the functioning of organisation at all levels in the state, from the state centre to the committees at the district level as well as that of the state federation and union committees during the intervening period after the last conference. The conference identified some shortcomings in the functioning at different levels and adopted certain concrete measures to improve the functioning.
The conference discussed four important issues – ‘some ideological issues’, ‘organisation’, ‘traditional sector’ and ‘welfare schemes’ - in four different commissions. Written papers were presented in all the commissions. 112 delegates participated in the commission ‘on some ideological issues’, 105 delegates participated in the commission ‘on organisation’, 155 in the commission ‘on welfare schemes’ and 130 in the commission ‘on traditional sector’. The gists of the discussions in the various commissions were placed in the plenary of the conference which authorised the newly elected office bearers to finalise the reports by incorporating the suggestions and opinions of the delegates.
62 delegates participated in the discussion over the general secretary’s report. The report and the accounts were unanimously adopted after MM Lawrence, P Nanda Kumar and KM Sudhakaran replied to the points raised in the discussion. The conference also unanimously adopted 24 resolutions on different issues.
A 460 member state general council, 157 member state committee including 30 office bearers were unanimously elected in the conference. Anathalavattom Anandan and Elamaram Kareem were elected as the new president and general secretary of the state committee. KN Ravindranath and MM Lawrence were elected as vice presidents. 3 out of the 30 office bearers are women, an increase by 1 over the last team of office bearers.
A massive rally was conducted on the concluding day of the conference in which around 20000 workers from Kasargode district alone participated. The public meeting organised after the rally was inaugurated by AK Padmanabhan. The meeting was presided over by Anathalavattom Anandan, and addressed by Elamaram Kareem and others. Tapan Sen distributed prizes to the winners of cultural and sports competitions conducted in connection with the conference.
Kasargode district committee has done a commendable work in making the conference a historic success. CITU activists visited almost every home in the district, irrespective of their political affiliations, to collect funds for the conference using Rs 10 coupons. The response of the people was overwhelming. 14 seminars on different topics were conducted in various parts of the district. Cultural and sports competitions were also organised. There was good involvement of people from all sections in all these programmes.
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