SECRETRY GENERAL's SPEECH IN THE WEBINAR ORGANIZED BY KARNATAKA COC OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS
COM. PRESIDENT, MY DEARY COLLEAGUES, COMRADES AND FRIENDS.
It gives me great happiness in associating myself with this gathering on this international Elders day. International days are occasions to educate people on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems. We are observing this day in the midst of a global catastrophe, the covid 19 pandemic that threatens our very existence .
This year the theme of the day itself centres around this issue. Healthy ageing. Aged population has certain peculiar problems. It did not have a social dimension a few decades back. The earlier social set up in our country has undergone changes. So is the problems concerning the ageing. Looking after the aged people had not been considered as the responsibility of the society in those days. The children considered it as the sacred duty to look after them and attend to their every need.
Globalisation did not only make changes in the way economic activities are organised in a country, though that is the major thrust, but has also impacted the social life. Many old social ethos, customs and conventions have undergone vast changes. And today few think that it is their responsibility to take care of old people, despite cacophony of the ancient culture and civilisation of our country.
As you all know it was in 1982 the world attention was drawn to the problems connected with ageing. International recognition and response came after about a decade in 1990. The United Nation’s General Assembly adopted a resolution to observe Ist October as the international day for elders, when the member countries will evaluate what they have done to the elder community and chalk out what they must further do in the coming years
NCCPA is affiliated with TUI (Trade Union International Pensioners and Retirees) a unit of the World Federation of Trade Unions. To the best of my knowledge, NCCPA and two of its affiliates are those from India associated with the world movement. TUI (P&R) was founded in 2014 and ever since then, it has been observing this day every year with larger and larger participation of its members. This year the observance has a little more importance in as much as 2020 happens to be the 75th year of the UN existence and the 30th year of the passing of the said resolution. The milestones are important as the efforts put in during this period has yielded impressive gains to the aged population of the world. This is also the year of nurses and midwife and the decade 2020-30 is declared as decade of healthy ageing. Incidentally It also happens to be the 75th year of the World Federation of Trade Unions. The WFTU was founded 75 years back, i.e. on 3rd October, 1945 in Paris, France. Its objective was and continues to be to create a world sans exploitation and unite the working class to achieve that objective.
The international study has estimated that by 2050 the word will have 1.5 billion old people most of them living in low or middle income Nations. Good number of them will be inhabitants of East and South East Asia. By the end of 2020, the number of aged people in the world is expected to be more than the number of children below the age of 5. These figures indicate the serious situation that might come about in the years to come.
The attitude of many of the Governments in the world towards the aged persons, especially after the globalisation scheme got accelerated in third world countries, is extremely unhelpful despite they being party to the UN resolution. Any expenditure from the exchequer on aged people are considered as wasteful and to be curtailed. It is reported in the media that in many countries the corona affected aged people are not treated at all. Or they are given the least importance.
Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union as a socialist country, and before the advent of the globalisation process, even the capitalist countries had a good number of welfare measures targeting the weaker segment of the society including the old people. Though It was conceived as a cushion to absorb the nagging resentment over the exploitative methods of the capitalist development, it had its advantage to the society. Subsidies, freee health care, food and shelter camps, unemployment allowance, concessional public transport,a fair taxation system, market protection, Protectionof home industry, restriction over the extent of ownership of land, etc.. Most of the countries had an affordable or free social security system by virtue of which the old and the aged, the retired and the pensioners benefitted immensely.
The collapse of the soviet socialist system had its impact in as much as the capitalist world began to consider these welfare measures as a drain over the resources of the Government. Intense propaganda was unleashed to the effect that the socialism is an impractical and utopian theory and must be destroyed as quickly as possible. The ascendancy of the left ideals seen in the freedom struggles of the many Asian and African Nations in the early part of the 20thCentury started sliding down. The imperialist and despotic nations thrived. The world became almost unipolar. When the world was under the hegemonic dispensation of the two super powers, India took the initiative to have a non aligned block. India became the first to desert it after it adopted the new economic policies. Indian ruling class began to tilt and with an apology of there being no alternative sided with the west initially tacitly and later unashamedly openly. The globalisation manta, the virtues of an integrated economy, the abject surrender at WTO the selling away of public sector undertakings, withdrawal of Government from all welfare activities; diverting funds to projects that help the corporates to thrive and maximise profit; unbridled corruption were some of the features, we saw in the two decades that followed the grand declaration of Globalisation, Liberalisation and Privatisation in 1991. When we meet today, in the aftermath of the of the about turn of the economic policies of free India, we see our rulers standing in the shade of imperialist powers losing all self- respect of a sovereign country, the emergence of which millions sacrificed their life.
I know many of our friends who are participating in this webinar belong to India of those yester-years. We dreamt a free and egalitarian Indiabound together with the bond of friendship, bereft of poverty, bereft of communal or religious segregation. We have tirelessly worked for such a prosperous and peaceful India. We suffered deprivation to enable the Government to look after the unfortunate and poor countrymen. Today we sit here apprehending whether the pension we had earned deferring our wages would be available tomorrow. We are aware that those who were recruited in our time, who worked with us may not get the pension for there is no guarantee of return for their contributions to the pension fund.
The denial of Dearness relief is just the harbinger of the things that are likely to emerge in the days to come. Millions of workers who toil in the field, in the construction sites, in projects in remote places do not have any social security. Can you imagine what type of old day life is waiting for them. The very resolution passed by the UN general assembly to have a healthy ageing talks about the dire need for such a pension. The Government and the society which consider the pension as a wasteful expenditure , to have a social security scheme a drain on the Nation’s economy seldom remembers that the infrastructure facilities the present generation enjoys had been the product of the labour of those people whom they want to deny the security at their old age. This is what we are to remember and remind the society while observing the international day for the elders.
It is often said that there is no ageing if you are concerned, convinced and determined. We can fight the injustice rather we must. Our erstwhile leaders who dreamt of a free India, wanted our polity to be a democratic republic, they wanted the citizens to abide by the law; they wanted no injustice is perpetrated; they wanted every child who is born in India should feel proud that he or she is born in this great country; Look around today; degeneration of politics and politicians is understandable. But what about the great institution called the judiciary. The needle of suspicion over its impartibility, its ability to be just and reasonable has been pointed. The moment the people lose confidence in this institution, anarchy will follow.
Last year we observed the international day for elders in an entirely different atmosphere. Had I been an invitee to that gathering we would have shared our bond of friendship through our palms. Corona pandemic has changed everything so drastically. The pandemic is spreading in our country without any leaps and bounds Many States have no public health care system or machinery to combat this dangerous situation. Wherever existed, it has been stretched beyond its capability. In the post independent era, systematic efforts were made to improve the public health care. Primary and secondary level institutions were built Super-speciality and research centres came up thereafter. In the post 1991 days, we have systematically dismantled it paving way for the private entrepreneurs to enter into this sensitive area. They built luxurious hospitals. They could successfully convert the human misery into a lucrative business. Together the health insurance companies came They also made huge profit out of anxiety and agony of the people. They now charge exorbitantly for covid treatment without any guarantee of recovery whatsoever. The Government have forgotten that there had been a social obligation clause when they allotted the prime land in urban agglomerations to the private entrepreneurs. Many of them have enjoyed the tax rebates and concessions.
The Central Government health Scheme was the product of hard negotiations. Though it covered only a few cities, initially it was considered a very good venture. The post 1991 policies saw it dismantled. It was financially squeezed. Its expansion was arrested on the plea that the Pay Commission has suggested an Insurance scheme. Had that institution been allowed to expand, it would have been of great help in this pandemic day not only for the Central Govt. employees but even to the society as a whole. They could have helped the meagre public health system in many states to survive. If we are unable to cope up with the spread of the pandemic and treat the patients properly, without hesitation, we can assert that the single reason is the systematic dismantling of the public health care institutions. My friend Com. Radhakrishna wanted me to speak on CGHS elaborately. What I suggest is an interactive session where specific questions could be raised and replied. Without doubt one can say that the CGHS as an institution conceived to take care of the health related problems of Central Government employees; its days are numbered.
As on today, more than 3.5 crores of people are affected by Covid 19. And it is fast spreading. More than 10 lakhs people are in our own country, of which slightly less than one lakh lost their life. The number of death is really alarming. The people have started talking about fate and destiny instead of pinning any hope either over the medical system or the Governmental efficacy, even though the health workers all over the world have acquitted themselves creditably in combating the pandemic. There appears to be only a slight degree of difference in so far as the attitude of the capitalist Governments are concerned with perhaps the exception of Switzerland, New Zealand, South Korea etc.
The study that was conducted over the impact of the covid on world economy as early as in April, 2020 has stated that the disruption of supply chain of commodities due to closure of factories or reduction in the workforce will decelerate the growth by a whopping 32%. How far this study was right could be seen from the fact that the India’s growth rate dipped to minus 24% in the last quarter. Some of the conclusions of the study were:
(a) The world will have to face a severe economic crisis;
(b) Delay of every month in combating the covid pandemic either by preventive or curative remedies, the world GDP will have a reduction of 2.5 to 3% on an average
(c) If the covid continues to spread in the same rate for another 2-3 months, the world will witness the greatest recession in the past two centuries.
India specific situation is summed up as under:-
(i) The supply chain disruption was extreme in India, as the migrant workers fled from the work-spots in the absence of any protection provided by the owner of the factories or the concerned Governments;
(ii) Demand reduction was of the order of 30% during the lock down period;
(iii) Goods movements in Port was declined by 20% ;and in Railways by 30%
(iv) Civil aviation sector alone registered a loss of Rs. 40 Billion dollars.
(v) Tourism industry became the worst affected and reached its turnover to almost zero during the lock down period.
(vi) The farm goods were destroyed due to the non availability of personnel to harvest to the extent of 37%.
(vii) Of the 46 crores employed in the country 42 crores were in informal sector. Those who lost job in rural areas was 57% and in the urban agglomerations 80%
(viii) India’s manufacturing sector is predominantly in what is called the MSMEs. (Micro, small and medium enterprises) 30% of the GDP is provided by this sector. 50% of our industrial workers are in this sector. It is estimated that 40% of the Units will be closed down permanently.
(ix) Tourism, hotel, real estate, financial services, Banks, metal industry, automobile, textile, electricity, mining, food products, all have incurred heavy losses during the lock down period.
(x) India will experience economic recession worse than what happened in 1929-30
Before, I talk of the micro issues, referred to by Com. Radhakrishna, in his welcome address, let me mention a few facets of the 20 Trillion pandemic package of the Prime Minister.
We are witness to the global financial crisis of 2008. It is now widely recognised that the unhindered use, abuse and misuse of Bank instruments and derivatives triggered the said crisis. Profit at any cost is the single point objective of the corporate existence. If India could, despite the globalisation of its economy escaped from its terrific fall out it was s due to the PSU banks.. Having recognised and having admitted that, our rulers consistently between 2008-2020 pursued the policy of privatisation of the PSU banks. In the name of consolidation, the present government has started amalgamation of various banks thereby withdrawing their presence from the market systematically. The recessionary trend in the economy which has started even before the pandemic made its entry, will now turn into a full- fledged recession . It is not that our present day rulers are not awareof it. The 20 Trillion package was supposed to avert it. But when the details were unfolded one could find that 90% of the package was to help out the corporates. To address a production crisis some times, such stimulus package might be helpful. Even the rate of reduction of taxation rates, especially for those in the manufacturing sector is considered a panacea. But the present day scenario or the oncoming crisis is basically the offshoot of the supply chain disruption and low demand due to the obliteration of wage earners from the society. The remedial proposals ought to have been centred around the strengthening of the purchasing power of the common people. Hardly 10% of the package went in for that. The recent survey indicated that most of the covid affected patients are from the lower rung of the society who are per force to go in search of work as the alternative is penury. It was in fact a Hobson’s choice between disease or destitution. As mentioned earlier, the significant cause as to why we could not arrest the spread of the deadly disease is the weakened public health system and the unhindered foray of private players in an area which basically must have been service oriented and nor profit motivated.
As I mentioned initially, the convenor wanted me to address some of the issues he had raised. The most important in my opinion is the organisational state of affairs of NCCPA. NCCPA as the name suggests was meant to be an apex organisation of all Pensioners Associations and Federations especially of the Central Government employees. In its Ratlam conference, decision was taken to open its doors to all organisations of the pensioners and retirees. The idea to submit a common memorandum to the 7thCPC by all Pensioners Associations of the CGEs was mooted in the National Executive Committee meeting. Due to the untiring efforts of Late Com.S.K. Vyas, that attempt had a fair chance of success. But after the convention at Chennai and preparation of a common memorandum, the enthusiasm seems to have been faded out. Many presented a reflection of a perceived superiority over others. To overcome this Com. Vyas suggested the formation of a confederation under the name and style of BCPC. After his demise, both, the idea and the organisation, he so assiduously created were abandoned. Quite a number of impediments had come up thereafter. The registration of NCCPA as a federal set up could not be brought about. It was decided at the last meeting to seek registration under the Trade Union Act. The decision was put to practice. All papers were prepared and submitted. Now it is pending for the reasons that in order to be registered as a federation, it requires two Associations registered under the trade Union Act must be affiliated to the said federation. Steps have been taken in this direction and we hope to fulfil this condition soon.
If any organisation has to be effective and perceived to be so, it must have the capacity to raise the issues of the members before the authorities and get them resolved. The present Government has taken the decision, it appears, to give representation to only those small state level organisations in the SCOVA set up. Since both the President and Secretary General of NCCPA are members of the JCM National council and are its standing committee members, many issues were taken up in that forum and settlement brought about. That effort has continued and quite a number of issues connected with the Covid 19 treatment of CGEs could be got settled. Financially also, the organisation cannot be said to be on a sound footing. The matter came up for discussion at our Jaipur conference and it has been decided to double the rate of subscription. NCCPA has been publishing a journal, thanks to the help of our West Bengal comrades, and the same has come out uninterrupted up to March, 2020. Consequent upon the Covid and the close down of Post offices, Printing presses etc. it has now been discontinued. Attempts are being made to re-commence the publication. In the meantime, the National Executive decided to bring out the journal in electronic form . The first edition of that will be released by 15th October, 2020.
As per the decision of the last conference, we had prepared a document on health insurance. This was subjected to one round of discussion. There had been certain suggestions and certain reservation expressed by some comrades. Once this is ironed out it could be presented to the JCM Staff side as the insurance scheme covers the working employees also
Reduction of Bank interest will no doubt cause depletion of the income of the pensioners. The rate is fixed taking into account various factors. Consequent upon the reduction and the denial of Dearness relief the pensioners have been put to hardship. This will have to be taken up with a view to find out a separate dispensation for senior citizens.
Autonomous organisations. On the basis of the report of the Committee set up by the Government, the functioning and funding of autonomous organisations have been re-evaluated by the Government. NCCPA will take up the issue concerning pension with a view to protect the entitlements of the pensioners to whom the new scheme should not be made applicable During the discussion earlier the Staff Side had demanded that the entitlement of the employees and pensioners must not be depended upon the performance of the organisation. It is better, that the coffee board pensioners Association takes the initiative to have a meeting of all autonomous organisations’ leaders along with the National sect. of the NCCPA.
Privatisation of many departments are on the anvil. Normally the matter is discussed with the employee’s representatives in so far as its impact on service conditions are concerned. In the matter of pension entitlement there must be a specific clause in the agreement.
The denial of DR has been objected by the NCCPA and all its affiliates. In fact we have spearheaded the programmatic action as per the decision taken at the National Executive meeting. Thousands of E mail messages have been sent to the Prime Minister and the same is continuing. We are in close contact with the serving employees’ organisations. Whatever joint decisions are taken, we will strive our best that it is implemented at all centres.
I thank all of you for the patient hearing. I am grateful for the organisers for inviting me to this function to observe and commemorate the international day for elders. Millions of retired persons must have joined together to observe this day throughout the world. Let us be together in this endeavour that not a single elder person suffers in the world. Thank you once again.
K.K.N. KUTTY
Secretary General, NCCPA.
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