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Udupi : National Federation of Postal Employees and Federation of National Postal Organization under Joint council of Action will go on day’s strike in all over India on Thursday, 16^th March, 2017.

Speaking to media persons at Udupi Press Club, H. K. Bhaskar Shetty President of the AIPWA said that we are forced to go on a day’s strike on 16^th March, 2017 due to the inaction of the government. Regarding 7^th Central Pay Commission, the financial benefit given by the central government was exaggerated by the media. It was colourfully highlighted that the minimum wages of central government employees have been raised from Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 18,000/= .

He said that it is clear that even though the basic pay was increased to more than 200%, the DA was brought down from 125% to 0%. It is also clear that minimum total pay of a central government employee was 15,750/ before the implementation of 7^th pay commission, and it was increased to Rs. 18000/ after the implementation of 7^th pay commission.

It was false report which was highlighted in the media that the total pay of the central government employees is increased by 23%, but the actual increase was only 14.28%.

Even though the recommendations of the 7^th CPC were implemented w.e.f. 01.01.2016, only basic pay was modified accordingly and arrears were also paid to the employees in the month of August. But allowances are still being paid in pre revised rates only and separate committee had been formed by the government to study and decide about the allowances.

A group of ministers comprising Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitly and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu called NJCA leaders on 30^th June, 2016 and assured that a high power committee will be constituted t o look into the matter regarding revision of wages and fitment formula.

As assured a committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Finance and discussions held, but the response was very much disappointing. Against this we conducted a protest week from 12^th December to 19^th December 2016 and submitted a memorandum to our Prime Minister through state Governors as well as in his office, there is no response till date.

On 19^th January, 2017 a meeting was held with the Cabinet Secretary, Govt. of India, wherein staff side secretary and president were present. The staff side explained the cabinet secretary about various issues of the central government employees pending at the government level. Cabinet Secretary stated that the report of the allowances committee is likely to be submitted in the next month.

The government is not ready to honor its commitment made on 30.6.2016 to NJCA leaders, even after 8 months. Till now four committees have been formed in this regard, but they did not givbe any positive recommendations. The revised allowances are already delayed for 14 months and still there is no decision on payment of HRA and other allowances.

The need of the hour is unity and employees are agitated on the future. Hence the decision is for a strike on Thursday, 16^th March inevitable.

Rajesh M.K., Suresh K., B, Vijay Nayari, Janardhan, Hiryanna Madivala and other postal union leaders were present.