Meeting with the Secretary of Health Ministry

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

 New Delhi. 110 001

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated 17^TH May, 2019.

Dear Comrades,

            The 47^th meeting of the National Council JCM was held on 13^th April, 2019.  This meeting was held after a lapse of about a decade.  As you are aware, the Staff Side of the JCM had to take the decision to organise a dharna programme at New Delhi to force upon convening such a meeting.  Since the Government indicated their willingness to convene the meeting of the National Council and the date was notified the proposed dharna programme was not held. 

            The agenda taken up for discussion at the meetings were pretty old and mostly pertaining to the 6^th CPC issues.  The record of discussions that was prepared by the Staff Side is on the website of the National Council, JCM. Staff Side.  We are not reproducing the same for it has lost of its relevance to day.  If any comrade wishes to see the same, they may kindly visit the website of the National Council JCM. Staff Side. 

            In the said meeting, the issues related to the Health Ministry was discussed at length.  However, the staff side pointed out that the convention of having separately discussing the health-related issues must be followed.  Accordingly, the Secretary Health convened a meeting of the National Council, Standing Committee on 16^th inst.   The undersigned attending the meeting in his capacity as the Standing Committee member.  After the meeting, a synopsis of the discussion was prepared by the Staff Side and the same is reproduced hereunder.  The issues discussed mostly pertains to the CGHS problems.  On the basis of the feed- back we have received from some of the affiliates, the NCCPA had prepared a listof items (fresh) and the same had been submitted to the Government for discussion in the meeting of 16^th inst.   However, these items could not be taken up for discussion as the official side had complained of lack of sufficient time for them to study and respond.   It has now been agreed that another meeting will be convened soon to discuss those issues.  We send herewith the items we proposed to discuss at the meeting as and when it is convened.   We request our comrades to kindly go through these items and if any important issues have been omitted, we may be informed immediately so that the same can be included well before the next meeting is convened.   Incidentally we may point out that only from a few units, we received suggestions and views on problems connected with health care.  Many units chose not to respond to our communication in the matter. 

            We shall pursue these issues to reach a settlement.  With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N. Kutty.

Secretary General.

A meeting with the Staff Side of the National Council JCM under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Health & FW was held today at Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi. The Staff Side was represented by Comrades Shiva Gopal Mishra, Guman Singh, KKN Kutty, C. Srikumar, M. S. Raja and R.N. Parashar. The following agenda points were taken up for discussion and the decisions taken are given below for your information.

Item No	Agenda Points	Decision
1.	Non grant of 90% Medical Advance for all type of treatments by the Audit Authorities in the Ministry of Defence in violation of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Letter No.      S.14025/18/2015-MS/EHSS dated 17.10.2016	It was Clearfield by the Official Side that 90% advance even in the case of other than package can be made to the employees as per Ministry of Health OM dated 17.10.2016. In case the Accounts Authorities of the MOD is not allowing the same, the MOD may be requested to refer the matter to Ministry of Health.
2.	Review of ward entitlement for Central Government Employees	It was agreed to reconsider the wage limit for Ward entitlement and also to streamline the same as per the 7th CPC pay matrix.
3.	Withdrawal of the condition imposed in Ministry of Health OM No. S.14011/1/73-M.C.,   dated 23rd August, 1973 with regard to diabetic treatment	The condition to produce certificate from DMO / Civil surgeon for continuing the treatment for diabetics etc has been removed and any Government Doctor can issue certificate in this regard.
4.	Review of package rate for Organ Transplantation	The actual cost of organ transplantation will be considered depending on merit of each individual case
5.	In-patient treatment in Hospitals without going through the AMA.	The Ministry of Health OM dated 2nd May 1953 will be re-circulated to all the Ministries which permits the in-patient treatment without AMA sanction
6.	Reimbursement of preventive Vaccination charges	This is a policy matter which Government will have to decide
7.	Emergency Treatments in CGHS recognized Hospitals.	At present the CGHS beneficiary can directly approach the recognized hospital with the CGHS Card without any referral memo. The proposal of the Staff Side to avoid hardship to the patient for subsequent dealings with the CGHS Wellness centre would be considered the concerned hospitals will be asked to get the approval of the concerned dispensary doctor.
8.	Reimbursement of Medical expenses not covered under the CGHS Package Rates.	Steps are being taken to revise the CGHS packages and at that time the inclusion of new procedure etc  would be considered.
9.	Issue of Medicines to CS(MA) beneficiaries availing inpatient treatment in CGHS recognized Hospitals.	Not agreed. CS(MA) beneficiaries has to get reimbursement of the Expenses
10.	Permission / Ex-post facto approval for elective treatment / investigation taken in non-empanelled Hospitals / Diagnostic Centers for CS(MA) beneficiaries at par with CGHS beneficiaries.	Not Agreed
11.	Treatment of dependents of the deceased Employees / Employees who have taken voluntary retirement / premature retirement / medical invalidation / compulsory retirement etc.	Provisional CGHS Card will be issued to the above category of employees based on the Last Pay Certificate
12.	Opening of CGHS Dispensaries in AGRA, Barrackpore (Kolkata) and Kochi	Government orders are already issued in this regard. As regards Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur steps are taken to acquire accommodation for the wellness Centre. At Kochi the BSNL Quarters have been identify. Formalities to access the same is under way. The doctor shortage of Agra would be looked in to. At present Barrackpore wellness Centre is functioning as an extension counter. Depending upon its utility the demand for establishing the same as a permanent wellness centre would be considered.
13.	Central Government health Scheme. Empanelling of hospitals – streamlining the procedure to provide in-patient treatment to the beneficiaries.	More than Rs. 300 crores are due to the hospitals are being cleared and under way  to clear the same. steps are taken to streamline the payment procedure for the Hospitals
14.	DISPROPROPOTINATE  REVISION OF SUBSCRIPTION UNDER CGHS DUE TO REVISION OF PAY AND ALL0WANCES  OF  CENTRAL  GOVT. EMPLOYEES  ON ACCOUNT OF IMPLEMENTATION  SEVENTH PAY COMMISSION.	Not Agreed
15.	Direct consultation with Specialists in CGHS/Central Government/State GovernmentHospitals /Polyclinics. Continuation of the facility to those CGHS beneficiaries who wereeligible for direct consultation before revision of the Monetary Ceiling	The monetary ceiling is already removed
16.	Revision of monetary Ceiling for direct consultation with Specialists in CGHS/CentralGovernment/State Government Hospitals /Polyclinics in respect of Pensioners and Family Pensioners.	The monetary ceiling is already removed
17.	Plastic Cards	Settled
18.	Indication of Ward entitlement in plastic cards of pre-1-6-2009 Beneficiaries	Would be considered
19.	Grant of one time option to CGHS Beneficiaries to opt for ward entitlement as per their revised Pay in Pay Band.	Would be considered
20.	Provision of CGHS facility for life time to dependent disabled/mentally retarded children of Central Government Employees/Pensioners	Agreed to consider the demand in consultation with Department of Expenditure
21.	Extension of CGHS facilities to retired BSNL employees - follow up action by the Ministry of Health and family Welfare & fixation of rates of contribution & ward entitlement.	Settled

The remaining twelve fresh agenda points would be discussed later. The Health Ministry will fix the date for the said meeting.

The issue of inadequacy of CGHS empanelled hospitals at Mumbai was seriouslydiscussed in the meeting. After discussion the official side agreed to re visit the issue considering the difficulties being faced by the Central Government Employees posted in Mumbai it was also agreed that the demand of the Staff Side for establishing a Central Government Hospital at Mumbai  would be considered again and the proposal of the Staff Side to locate the said hospital at Antop Hills was favourably responded.

With Greetings,

Yours Comradely,

(Shiva Gopal Mishra)

KKN KUTTY

Member,standing Committee.

To

The Secretary,

Staff Side,JCN.NationalCoubcil,

New Delhi.

Dated: 9^th May, 2019

Dear Comrade,

            I am sending the following agenda items for discussion with the Secretary Health.  This may kindly be forwarded to him.  This is prepared on the basis of the memorandum and letters, the staff side office has received.   The items are not exhaustive.  However, all important issues have been incorporated. 

            Thanking you,

Yours fraternally, 

KKN Kutty

Agenda Item No. 1

Empanelling Hospitals

The Government has recognized Private Hospitals for in-patient treatment of CGHS beneficiaries. The list of such hospitals in each cities is given on  the website of the CGHS. We hope that the list has been periodically getting updated.   The following are some of the oft repeated complaints over the functioning of the CGHS empanelled hospitals.

i.)                  Inadequacy of the Number of hospitals.

ii.)                 Non-permission for cashless treatment by the hospital due to the outstanding Bills for pensioners.

iii.)               Non-permission of consultation with specialists of Private recognized hospitals by the beneficiary without reference from the CGHS

iv.)              Lack of basic infrastructure and facilities in  some of these hospitals

In view of these and other complaints,  we may suggest the following for the consideration of the Government.

1.       The No. of hospitals to be recognized in each city must have some relationship with the No. of Beneficiaries in that city.

2.       The Ministry must stipulate  certainbasic amenities in hospital which are proposed to be recogfnised.  Viz.  sufficient  number of doctors and other , Para medical Staff, Beds, Patient Rooms, pathological laboratories, icu, iccu,  etc as a pre requisite for empanelment.

3.       Cashless treatment for pensioners has to be a pre-condition to be insisted upon.

4.       Government must provide a system generate for payment of bill to hospitals within six x months failing which government must pay lowest at a stipulated rate. Responsibility for the delay in payment and consequent payment of interest may be accounted for and the person responsible for the delay be penalised..

5.       The beneficiaries must have the right conferred upon them seek consultation with a specialist in a recognized hospitalas  a matter of course  and in case of surgery or treatment for follow up for a period not less than 3 years.

6.       For each city, the No. of such recognized hospitals for General treatment must not be less than 5 and for specialized treatment for chronic  diseases, not less than three.

7.       The Government must prepare a list of hospitals which have applied for empanelment and their cases taken up for recognition as and when they comply with the stipulated requirement.

8.       Continuous empanelment introduced by the Government has the inbuilt condition that the concerned hospital can opt out of CGHS  as and when they like.  This has not worked properly and therefore may be reviewed.

9.       The Government has been stipulating that all private hospitals which enjoys certain tax benefits or land allotment  must provide free treatment to poor as part of social obligations.  The Government shall not have any difficulty in stipulating that these hospitals should also provide treatment to Government employees on payment of charges restricted to the governmental stipulations.  We, therefore, that such a stipulation if made will go a long way in ensuring health care to the government employees at reasonable rates.         

Item No. 2.

Emergency Dispensaries

The dispensary timings are so conceived to ensure the optimum utilization of the available man-power. This however, creates a situation whereby at certain point of time, no dispensary will be available even to help a patient  in emergency. This causes problem and therefore we suggest to have one dispensary in each city earmarked as emergency dispensary functioning 24 x 7 and sufficient manpower is provided to that dispensary.

Item No. 3

Diagnosis centers/laboratories .

Doctors depend on the report of tests conducted by the diagnoses centre/ laborites for diagnosis and to prescribe medicine. it is better that all emergency dispensaries, which may be opened in all CGHS cities  have also an attached diagnosis centre/Labs. If it is not feasible to do so, the Government many undertake to recognize reputed private pathological centres and the bills paid to the laboratories directly by the Government. These recognised centres may send the report of the test directly to the concerned CGHS doctors, aso that the patient need not visit the centres twice for undergoing the test and obtaining the report thereof.

Item No.4

Government has recognized various private hospitals in non CGHS areas. The employees and others who work in non CGHS areas and are covered by CCS (MA) Rules are entitled to get in-patient treatment at these hospitals. This has helped the employees to get quick and better  treatment and consequently unburdenthe Government run hospitals. The CGEs who are CGHS beneficiaries are often transferred to non CGHS areas. They are per force as per the present regulation to seek in-patent treatment in those hospital recognized by Government in CGHS areas. It  isour request that those  hospitals which are recognized for the purpose of reimbursement under CCS (MA) Rules at non CGHS centres may also be recognized for treatment for CGHS beneficiaries, whenever required.

Item No. 5

Dispensing  branded Medicines

Themedicines  prescribed by Specialists  often not available in the dispensary. The autyhroised chemists are approached through indent and they take a few days tpo deliver the prescribed medicines. More often they supply substitute medicines.  It is not our points that the substitutes supplied by the chemist mightalways  be of any lower quality. Howeverthe patient being ignorant of the component and ingredients of the medicine is psychologically impacted.  The authorised chemists must be instructed that the prescribed branded medicine must be dispensed with and they should not substitute it with another brand medicine..

Item No.6

Reconsidering the norms of appointment of Specialists in major metro cities:

The existing norms for appointment of Specialists in major metro cities are totally inadequate to treat the number of patients in CGHS. For example in Chennai City with more than 1,00,000 CGHS beneficiaries, only one Eye Specialist Doctor is in place. This Specialist is being rotated between two Centers at K.K.Nagar and Annanagar Wellness Centers during the week. The  eye patients are more in number and the  availability of Specialist only on selective days of the week is causing extreme hardship to senior citizens especially octogenarians and septuagenarians. It is therefore requested that the norms may be so amended as number of specialists in a particular city has some relationship to the No. of registered beneficiaries in that city.

Item No. 7

Medicines:

Currently in almost all CGHS centers, the patients are not supplied with all the required medicines immediately after consulting the Doctors. Even routine medicines like the tablets for Blood Pressure and Diabetes are not available on the first visit of the patients. Local Purchase is ordered and the patients are asked to come back again after three days for those medicines. This is causing unnecessary travel strain on the aged patients besides the patients remain medicine less for some days. This condition is prevalent in many States like Tamilnadu, Andhra and Telangana etc. Therefore we propose that suitable arrangements as in the past should be made to stock sufficient medicines for supply to the patients on their first visit to the CGHS Dispensaries. We also would like to point out that the retired MLAs and M.Ps for whom the medicines to be purchased on local purchase (LP) are at present sent by Couriers by post. They need not come back again the next day or later when the LP medicines are ready with the Wellness Centre. Similar facility may be extended to the Pensioners who are CGHS beneficiaries but living in far flung non-CGHS areas so that they get the medicines of local purchase by speed post.

Item No.8

Recognizing referral hospitals and Clinics in all Districts:

CGHS is now opened for all P&T Pensioners living in non-CGHs areas also. P&T Pensioners are known to be present and living in all districts of the country. We can understand that CGHS wellness Centers cannot be opened in all Districts. But CGHs has a panel of private referral hospitals. Similar is the case with the Clinics and labs for pathological tests for the beneficiaries. The condition is that these hospitals and Clinics should agree to charge at the CGHS rates. We propose that at least one referral hospital and one or two clinics in each district  should be recognized or approved on certain conditions. This will go a long way to help the Pensioners to take treatment without straining themselves to undertake a long journey to reach out the CGHS city for any treatment.

Item No.9

Lump sum payment for life termCGHS benefit to be related to the pay drawn at the time of retirmenet in the case of pensioners.

P&T Pensioners living in non-CGHS areas were not allowed to join CGHS due to the earlier.. Now after the recommendations of the 7^th CPC and due to Court intervention at Kerala, the Health Ministry has taken back the earlier prohibition.All the P&T Pensioners are not permitted to join CGHS. But the question is they are to remit the subscription at the rate finalized after 7^th CPC. The enhanced rate of subscription is understandable for the serving employees and the pensioners retiring now after getting higher salaries of 7^th CPC. But fixing the same 7^th CPC rates for the past Pensioners especially those who had retired long back is a bit unjustified. We propose that the past pensioners as a one-time measure may be permitted to join CGHS on remittance of lump-sum payment at the rates prevailing in the month in which the beneficiary retired. .

Item No.10.

Other miscellaneous issues:

(a)    The CGHS doctors may be asked to honour the prescription of the specialist doctors of recognised hospitals;

(b)   Explore whether  separate queue can be provided for pensioners at dispensaries.

(c)    Facility of lift may be provided in all dispensaries which are housed in multi-storey buildings.

(d)   Introduce the medical insurance scheme for the Pensioners and working employees residing in non CGHS areas, onthe lines of the scheme enunciated by the Government of Kerala.

(e)   The Additional Directors may be instructed to hold periodical meetings (say once in three months)  with the representatives of CGHS beneficiaries to resolve the local problems.

(f)     To revise the package rates immediately  as the prices of certain medicines and procedure charges have increased enormously.

All Affiliates to send the information urgently!

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

 New Delhi. 110 001

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated 28^th March, 2019.

Dear Comrades,

                Kindly refer to the discussions and decisions of the National Sectt. Meeting held at New Delhi on 16^th March, 2019 at AIRF Office.  It was decided that the CHQ will prepare an account of subscription due and received from various affiliates.  In order to enable us to prepare such a statement, we require the following information.  All affiliates are requested to kindly provide this information either through e mail ( which is preferable) or through  post immediately.  Com. Pavitra Chakraborthy, Deputy Secretary General is specially requested to kindly send post copy of this letter to the Chief Executives of all affiliated Association, the list of which is in his possession. This letter has been sent by post to all National Sectt. members and members of the Executive as per the list available at the CHQ.

1.       Name of the organisation.

2.       Date of affiliation with NCCPA

3.       Membership as on                                   

       1.4.2016

1.4 2017

1.4.2018

1.4.2019

4. Amount paid as subscription during the

     Period between 1.4.2016 to 31.3.2019. 

                               

                Thanking you, and with greetings,

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

KKN.Kutty

Secretary General.

NATIONAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

OF PENSIONERS ASSOCIATIONS..

Website: nccpahq.blogspot.in.

E mail: nccpahq@gmail.com.

13.c Feroze Shah Road,

 New Delhi. 110 001

PRESIDENT:       COM.SHIV GOPAL MISHRA.(97176 47594)

SECy. GENERAL:          COM.K.K.N.KUTTY. (98110 483030)

Dated 24^TH April, 2019.

Dear Comrade,

            We invite your kind reference to our letter  dated 28^th March, 2019 seeking certain information to enable the CHQ to prepare the subscription due statement.  The requisite information was not supplied to this office till today.  We extract the relevant portion of the said letter for your ready reference.   Kindly respond to this communication immediately through e mail, followed it up with post copy to the Treasurer, Com. H.L. Sidhu in the following postal address:( Com. H.L. Sidhu, Treasurer, NCCPA.F.349, Street No. 23, Sadh Nagar II Palam Colony, New Delhi. 110 0045.

            We are glad to inform you that we have been allotted the following PAN. No. by the I.T. Department.  We will now undertake the formalities connected with the grant of registration under the society Act.                                 

                                    PAN NO.:                               AAEAN8586F

            We are getting in touch with the Manager, Syndicate Bank to get the account which is presently in the joint name of the Secretary General and Treasurer to be transferred in  the name of NCCPA.  As and when the formalities are completed, we shall let you know so that the future transaction could be made in the name of NCCPA. 

INFORMATION REQUISITIONED IN OUR LAST LETTER.

All affiliates are requested to kindly provide this information either through e mail ( which is preferable) or through  post immediately.  Com. Pavitra Chakraborthy, Deputy Secretary General is specially requested to kindly send post copy of this letter to the Chief Executives of all affiliated Association, the list of which is in his possession. This letter has been sent by post to all National Sectt. members and members of the Executive as per the list available at the CHQ.

1.       Name of the organisation.

2.       Date of affiliation with NCCPA

3.       Membership as on                                   1.4.2016

1.4 2017

1.4.2018

1.4.2019.

4. Amount paid as subscription during the

                                     Period between 1.4.2016 to 31.3.2019. 

            With greetings

Yours fraternally,

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

NCCPA Secretariat Resolution on Elections!

RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY SECRETARIAT ON GENERAL ELECTIONS 

The National Secretariat of NCCPA, which met at New Delhi on 16^th March, 2019 while reviewing its efforts in the last five years getting the Government to address the issues, concerns, grievances and demands of Central Govt. Pensioners came to the conclusion that the nugatory attitude of the Government in power at the Centre was the root cause of not finding resolution to any of the issues.   It was so disappointing for the entire Pensioner community that the Government chose to crush their expectation for a decent pension raised by the recommendation of the 7^th Central Pay Commission by rejecting the Option No. 1 on the specious ground that it was not feasible to be implemented due to the non availability of records in the case of a minor segment of them. The recommendation, if accepted, would have brought about the much sought after parity between the past and present pensioners.

The meeting  noted with dismay and anger that during the five year period, the NDA under the BJP was in power they had acted contrary to the directive principles enshrined in the constitution of the country i.e. to provide justice to the people, social , economic and political.   It had continued with the hated neo-liberal economic policies, the change of which was the ardent hope of the people when they voted them to power in 2014.  The UPA-2 regime’s adherence to these policies, discarding the welfare scheme evolved by the successive post independent governments of the country,  which had been the greatest source of sustenance of the poor people; permitting the unhindered foray of private enterprises in every sphere of economic and industrial activities; the rampant corruption were the significant   concerns of  the Indian multitude in 2014.  They expected a change, a change that will bring about deliverance from  abject poverty and hunger. They were disappointed and are despondent. 

The Central Government employees and pensioners know well how this government took decisions on the recommendations of the 7^th CPC.  There had been no negotiation at all- a complete departure from what had been the practice hitherto. Assurances held out to force withdrawal of the indefinite strike slated to commence in July, 2016 was never honoured.  Not even once the group of Ministers met the union representatives, thereafter.  The JCM which was set up as a forum for effecting negotiation with the employees never met even once during the Modi regime. Even small issues, which has a bearing only  over a very small segment of the employees were not addressed. Only those benefits the higher echelons in the bureaucracy received consideration and favourable nod.  The employees were dragged to litigation and there had been an eruption of petitions before the Courts.  Contrary to its own directive not to prefer appeal over the verdicts of the Administrative Tribunals, this Government had been preferring even writ petitions against the Tribunal’s orders as a matter of routine, derailing the process of an expeditious justice delivery system. This attitude resulted in the litigants ( who are often pensioners  or low paid employees) to shell  out enormous amounts to plead their cases before Courts to seek justice.  Even after such procrastinated and inhuman journey, the Government either will not act upon these judgements or restrict the application of those judgements only to those who were the petitioners in the court.  This has been the gruelling story of pensioners and employees in the last five years. Never in the history of wage negotiations the Government especially in the matter of pension had taken recourse to rejection of a recommendation made by the  Pay  Commission.   Before the Courts, the Government avers that the recommendations of the  Pay commissions are to be treated as one that has emanated from an expert body after deliberations of  all pros and cons. The opinion No. 1  was conceived by the Commission to  bring in parity between the past and present pensioners in real terms.  It was rejected on the malicious ground  that it was not feasible to implement in the absence of  relevant records.  It was admitted unashamedly that the records were available in 86%of the cases and in the rest of the cases  supplementary evidences could be collected to operationalise Option No 1.   It is not difficult to discern the real reason behind such rejection as the said recommendation was not providing the requisite benefit for the personnel in organised Group A services, as they are favoured with a time-bound promotion scheme throughout their service career. The alternate suggestion made by the Committee headed by the Secretary Pension was to benefit the very same personnel  in Group A services.  It was strange that even the most sensible suggestion put forth by the Staff  Side to offer all the three options to the Pensioners were summarily rejected.

Throughout the five year reign, this Government had been pursuing crony capitalism.  The decision taken just before the announcement of the elections to hand over the six Indian Airports to  private influential  Group of companies is a befitting example.   The country had been going through a continuous period of crisis, be it in agriculture, farm prices, industry, trade or employment.   Farm income has crashed to its lowest levels  against the poll promise of doubling it; rural wage growth was abysmally poor at 0.5%, unemployment has risen to the highest peak in the last 45 years as per CME, whose report has been concealed; the money collected over the sale of PSU  shares had been doubled in the five years;  all constitutional institutions were subjected to attack eroding its  autonomy; resurgence of corruption in defence deals involving crores; indulgence in jingoistic nationalism to garner votes; to put faith beyond the pale of constitutional law and above all systematic disruption of the social harmony had been some of the hall-marks of the present Government in its five year long governance. 

The meeting thus came to the inescapable conclusion  that a relook into the issues concerning the working people and pensioners would become possible  only and only if a change is brought about  by replacing the present people in the governance of the country . The inevitable democratic process for which the country is committed to,  provides an opportunity to its citizens to make a change every five years.  The coming two months will witness a fierce battle between those who want to retain the power and those who want to stop them at all costs.  The meeting decided to appeal all its members to strive hard through diligent   exercise   of their franchise  enlisting the support of all sections of the working class to bring about a change of Government in the country in the coming elections.

The  state of economy and society

After the five years of NDA regime

1.       During  these five years every area of economic activity has been  opened up for direct foreign investment promoting maximisation of profit  by them

2.       Large scale of privatisation of public assets and handing over prime assets to chosen foreign and Indian corporates.

3.       Unfettered promotion of crony capitalism as reflected in the Rafale  scam, the granting of rights to  privatise domestic airports , India’s first power sector SEZ to the Adani Group  on the eve of election, removing all previous curbs on funding political parties , introduction of electoral bonds  as the route to reap the spoils of such cronyism,

4.       Facilitating and promoting the loot of public money as reflected in the Rs.11 lakh crore plus amount of NPA.

5.       Destruction of livelihood of corers of people surviving on cash transactions through demonetisation.

6.       Virtual destruction of the micro small and medium enterprises the largest employment provider after agriculture through the implementation of the GST.  The Mudra loan NPAs rose to 53per cent in the first nine months of 2018-19 from 2017-18.

7.       Farm income crashed to the lowest in 14 years during the last quarter of October-December, 2018 at 2.67 per cent (Central Statistics Office)  RBI reports that loans that are not returned in the farm sector increased to Rs; 1lakh crore in September, 2018 from Rs. 70000 crores in September,2017.This is the level of agrarian distress leading to rising distress suicides of farmers.

8.       Our youth are frustrated due to the sharp fall in employment opportunities during the last few years. Modi had promised creation of 2 crore new jobs annually i;e. 10 crores by now.  Reality is that the unemployment rate rose to the highest levels in 45 years at 6.1. per cent. (NSSo) Unemployment rate inFeb.2019 increased  to 7.1. per cent from 5.9 per cent in 2018 (Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy) Situation in rural India is worse. NSSSO  reports a 3.2.crore  job loss of casual labourers from 2011-12 to 2017-18 affecting over1.5 crore families dependent on income from Casual labour and agriculture.

9.       As per the Gujarat Assembly records, the  crime against SC and ST  increased by 32% and 55% respectively during the last five years in that state.

10.   Women have been subjected to increased violence.  The year 2016 reported a big increase in crimes against women- four rapes on an average per hour.  Since then the Government has stopped publishing statistics by the National crime records bureau in this regard.

11.   During these five years the share of the total wealth accruing to the top one per cent of the population increased from 49 per cent in 2014 to 73 per cent in 2018.

12.   The lowest growth rate of GDP during these five years  from.8.2 per cent  in 2013-14 to 7percent in the first three quarters of 2018-19 even according to the motivated data series introduced by the Government. According to the earlier data series this stands at mere 4.7 percent.

13.   In the last quarter, the GDP growth rate fell further to6.6  per cent indicating that the economy is sliding into a recession.   So much for Modi’s claims of India being the “fastest growing economy” in the world.

14.   GST collection despite all the tall claims  shown steady  decline from 7.6 per cent in 2017-18 to 5.8 per cent in 2018-19.  This  reflect a massive slowdown in the economy.

15.   Demonetisation and GST were a double whammy attack undermining the country’s economic fundamentals. Pre-demonetisation global GDP was 2.6 per cent and grew post demonetisation to 3.1.percent. In contrast, the post demonetisation  India’s GDP  growth fell from. 7.6 per cent to 6.8 per cent.

16.   Destruction of people’s  livelihood  has led to a drastic fall in levels of domestic demand crippling manufacturing and industrial growth. As a consequence, the country’s leading automobile manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki has announced a production cut of 27 per cent  citing the fall in demand.  The eight core infrastructure  industries  growth saw a decline  of 2.9 per cent between February, 2014  and January, 2019.  The index of industrial production registered an abysmal low of 0.3 percent inNovember,2018 compared to an average growth of 5.7 per cent in the preceding seven month.

17.   Depreciation of rupee to its lowest levels- the value of the rupee to a US dollar was 63.19in 2014.  This shot to71.76 in 2019 .

18.   Drastic fall in India’s export earnings – Between Feb.2014 and January, 2019 India’s trade balance declined by whopping 29.8per cent. Growing current account deficit  ie. Gap between India’s export and Import value has been registered during these five years.  The current account deficit increased from 1 per cent of the GDP in 201718 to. 2.9  per centin 2018-19. In dollar terms this translates into deficit growth from 6.1. billion US dollars to 19.1. billion.

19.   Agriculture growth is at a record low during these years. Agricultural growth rate fell from 5.1. percent to 2.7 per cent and further to 1.7per cent between Feb. 2015  and Feb,2019(CSO) The fourth successive negative growth rate registered in the last four quarters.

20.   The incidents of terror have exponentially gown between  2009-14 and 2014-19.  The number of terrorist attacks increased from 109 to 626.  The number of security personnel killed increased  from 139 to 483.  The number of civilians killed increased from 12 to 210 and the number of  ceasefire violations increased from 563 to 5596.

21.   There is an alarming rise in the number of local youth joining militant groups.  Local militants killed rose from 16 in2014 to 191 in 2018.

22.   Foreign policy orientation changed to dovetail to US global strategic interests reducing India as a junior partner of US imperialism. 

23.   Deterioration of friendly relations with all neighbouring countries.

24.   Deepening defence ties with USA and Israel.

25.   Virtual abandonment of India’s leadership role in the non- aligned movement.

26.   Abandoning India’s traditional solidarity with the people of different countries whose sovereignty is being attacked by US Imperialism including military interventions.  The latest instance  being Venezuela.

27.   During these five years, the BJP , particularly Narendra Modi has betrayed every single promise that was made to the Indian people.  Generation of two crore jobs every year   i.e. ten crores by now  and  MSP of 1.5. times the total cost of production  to the farmers, return of black money and depositing 15 lakhs in the account of all Indians and so on. 

28.   Engaging in a despicable politicising of the issue of terrorist attacks when the entire country and all opposition  parties stood  as one to fight terrorism.

29.   Sharp decline in the working conditions for the working class and employees is accompanied by unbearable hike in the price of petroleum products with the Government refusing to reduce its taxes and duties.

30.   Deepening  agrarian distress leading to the ruination of the Indian farmers and growth in distress suicides.