WFTU 75th Anniversary on 03.10.2020

 

 NCCPA

President:                        Com.  Shiva Gopal Mishra

Secretary General.          Com. K.K.N. Kutty

 

Dated: 20^th September, 2020

 

Dear Comrades,

 

                This is in continuation of our circular letter dated 09.09.2020, wherein we had requested you to kindly observe the Pensioners day on 1^st October, 2020.  We have now received a letter from the World Federation of trade Union, to which we are affiliated through TUI (P&R). (copy of which is appended hereunder). It is the 75^th anniversary of WFTU.  As you are aware, WFTU is the one trade union organisation which functions at the world level with a clear class orientation.  Through the long period of 75 years, it has looked at the interest of workers and have taken stand on all matters with a clear perspective and understanding that but for the workers the world cannot exist.   It strived to foster unity of the entire working class in the world. To a great extent it has succeeded. It has always emphasised the need to look at the things from workers perspective. 

 

                The observation of the 75^th year is to culminate on 3^rd October, 2020.  Since we have decided to organise a programme on 1^st October, 2020, the 75^th year observance of WFTU may also be made on that day.  All Pensioners Associations may kindly send the photographer of the observance of the programme to NCCPA chq for onward transmission to the TUI and WFTU.

 

                With greetings,

 

Yours fraternally,

Sd/-

K.K.N. KUTTY

Secretary General

 

 

 

 

1968 Strike Martyrs Red Salute!

 

Remembering the great one day

strike of 19^th September, 1968

I consider it as my solemn duty to be associated with the webinar organised to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the martyrs of the great one day strike of Central Government employees that took place on 19^th September, 1968. The Government had considered the strike as a rebellion or a revolt against a democratically elected system. Whatever they could do to terrorise, oppress and subjugate by brutal power, they did – but it could not dent the determination of the employees. 17comrades lost their life in that struggle indicating how the Government of the day had been dastardly in their approach towards the strike of the employees, which happened, having failed to receive a reasonable response from the Government over their just, genuine and indisputable demand for the grant of Minimum wage, which proposition had been accepted by the Government earlierin the tripartite meeting.  The name of Pathankot, Bikaner, I.P. Estate in Delhi will always be a painful memory in the annals of that great strike action. Thousands of comrades lost their job.   Many were terminated and innumerable comrades were proceeded against.  Several comrades were dragged into criminal cases, which lingered on for years together. 

 

It is through such sacrifices, a great edifice was built .  Confederation became the voice of lakhs of Central Government employees.  It became the single platform to articulate the demands, negotiate and settle issues.  It united all employees and workers of all departments of the Government of India. Confederation became the forum to initiate struggles and carry it to its logical end.

 

The 1968 one day strike had a great prologue and a much greater epilogue.  The 1960 indefinite strike of the Central Government employees and the 1974 strike in which the Railways workers were the predominant participants, are recorded as the bitter struggles of civilian employees ofIndia.  No strike had created such a tremendous impact over the society.  It compelled the Governments and the employers in general to effect a change in their attitude.  The Government set up a permanent negotiating forum called JCM.

 

The 1968 strike will also be remembered for another historical feat. Kerala was the only State in the country then ruled by a communist Government.  It openly defied the directive of the Government of India and refused  to take recourse to repressive measures to suppress the movement.  The then Chief Minister of Kerala, com. EMS. declared that his government would not take any police action against the striking workers, as he firmly believed that strike is an inalienable right of every worker. Com. EMS was threatened of dismissal of his Government but the rulers at the centre did not dare to do.

.

The 1960,1968 and 1974  strike actions were not mere pages in the struggle history of our movement but glittering stepping stones cemented by blood and sacrifice of our predecessors. We must on this day, though painfully realise that the basic issue that motivated and enthused the rank and file was the demand for a decent wage system based on the minimum wage formula, which the country had promised to the working class.  That demand continues to be our demand unrealised till today basically due to the inability of waging a united struggle of all Central Government employees.  Today is the day for us to remind ourselves of that unaccomplished task and take inspiration from the fact that the 1968 strike paved way later for the cost indexation of our wages in the form of Dearness allowance for employees and dearness relief for pensioners.

 

The post 1968 period witnessed political upheavals of an exponential nature. The declaration of emergency and consequent  suspension of all fundamental rights; the losing of power for INC at the centre, the experience of coalition  governance, the collapse of the economy, the emergence of communal forces through the spread of hatred; the disappearance of scientific temper from the society; the attack on secularism;  the attack on constitutional institutions,  capture of State power by creating communal frenzy  and above all the intensification   of neo liberal economic policies, the corporate  ascendancy  over governance, the growth of crony capitalism etc. are a few that compels mention.

 

Whenever the political power is concentrated on a single party having brute majority in the Parliament, the common man had suffered.  The rights are curtailed.  Legislations which are clearly anti-people in character would be made without deliberations.  Most of the labour welfare legislations presently in the statute book of the country have been withdrawn or replaced.  Ever since the new liberal economic policies were ushered in, there had been concerted efforts on the part of the Central Trade Unions to unite and fight.  Today barring the BMS, the trade union wing of the ruling party, all Central Trade unions have  come together to fight the continuing onslaught.  Confederation of CGEs and workers had been and continue to be the partners along with the Central Trade Unions and other independent Federations in this venture.  Innumerable strike actions were organised by the Indian working class since 1991.  Confederation was part and parcel in all these struggles.  But still, the unity of Central Govt. employees is  a mirage.  There had been no negotiation worth the name even on a vital issue like wage revision after the 7^th CPC recommendations.  The Government has refused to make any correction to the blatant mistakes in the computation of minimum wage by the 7^th CPC. There had been no consultation when the dearness allowance was freezed and denied in April, 2020 taking advantage of the Covid 19 situation.   Never before such arbitrary decision has been taken by the Government in the matter of dearness allowance compensation.  The Joint consultative machinery, which was set up with the avowed objective of avoiding the civil servants going on strike has been almost dismantled.  Its meetings are not held and no consultation is made on any issue.  The efficacy of our organisation in the face of these onslaughts has undoubtedly dwindled.  The unity of the Central Government employees, which  gave militancy to  the movement in 1968 has disappeared. This is not to say that the Confederation had been complacent or is complacent today.  It is only to emphasise that our activities are not sufficient enough.

 

In 1960s and 1970s, we have been raising the slogans against the monopoly capital. The Indian industrial scene in those days were dominated by two houses, viz. Tatas and Birlas.  Today when the entire country is gobbled up by Adani and Ambani, we must painfully realise that it did not figure even in our slogans.  19^thSeptember, when we salute  our martyrs, when we commemorate that great struggle,  when we feel gratified of our achievement of cost indexed wage structure, when we remember with gratitude the sacrifices of ourpredecessors, it must also be an occasion to ponder over the present state of affairs, make introspection and do things tangible enough to encourage the younger comrades to tread the path of struggles and ensure a better tomorrow .

KKN.Kutty

Secretary General NCCPA

 

O0o

 

 

Trade Union International Calls to observe 1.10.2020 the World Pensioners Day and Hold Demonstration!

 

* NCCPA Calls Upon All Affiliates to befittingly observe 1st October World Pensioners Day by Trade Union International (Pensioners & Retirees)!

* The Circular received from the General Secretary Trade Union International is also given for the information!

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: 10th September, 2020

To

All the affiliates, State Committees, CGPAs, State Cocs.

 Dear Comrades,

 

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR OLDER PERSONS.

OCTOBER IST.

OR DAY OF ELDERLY.

We send herewith the circular letter from the General Secretary, TUI (Pensioners and Retirees) of the World Federation of Trade Unions written in connection with the observance of International day for older persons . Throughout the world the retirees and pensioners observe Ist October as  a day of solidarity with all those who fight against exploitation.  It is also to express solidarity with all old people to ensure that the well-being of senior citizens is the responsibility of the society.  To have a decent standard of living and well looked-after old age is considered an inalienable human right.   Unfortunately few countries and fewer governments have recognised this  right of the old people. The welfare society concept in fact came into being in the capitalist society to ward off the threat from the socialist ideology which was pervading in a major segments of the world in the beginning of the 20^th Century.  Now that they could obliterate that threat by foul machinations,  In most of the countries the senior citizens are driven to a wretched life.  The world is now fed with the eulogy of free market, global economy, higher GDP growth rate, mega corporates, super profits and the consequent tickle down effect to serve the people and rescue from the misery and agony.  The greater the inequality , prosperous the country is the new propounded theory.  In our own country, social security and pension payment was considered a drain on the economy and a wasteful expenditure.  The next generation civil servants in the country shall live their retired life in uncertainty and penury as even their hard earned income would have been gobbled up by the so called mega corporations with the tacit help rendered by a Government elected by the same people in the hope that it will look after them. 

 It was the avalanche of the renewed idea of exploitation that has compelled many countries to make a relook into their social security system and ensure its demolition as has happened in our own country.  They are mocking at the person who made the chair in which the ruler is today sitting.  Observance of this day is to rededicate ourselves to the cause of a struggle to bring in a society sans exploitation; to have a better evening in the life of a human being and a non-dependent existence.  

 It was the avalanche of the renewed idea of exploitation that has compelled many countries to make a relook into their social security system and ensure its demolition as has happened in our own country.  They are mocking at the person who made the chair in which the ruler is today sitting.  Observance of this day is to rededicate ourselves to the cause of a struggle to bring in a society sans exploitation; to have a better evening in the life of a human being and a non-dependent existence. 

 The world Federation of Trade Unions and the Trade Union International ( P&R)  have called upon us  to observe Ist October, 2020 in an appropriate manner. Not forgetting that we are in the midst of a deadly disease called corona virus covid 19 pandemic, we call upon our affiliates, State CoCs CGPAs and our members to organise demonstration by holding the placard, (specimen depicted hereunder) at-least for an hour. We know that this is a small step in the direction of the realisation of our dream – a world sans exploitation- but we are confident from our own experience that our small steps early in our life has enabled us to leap into giant strides. 

 With greetings,

 Yours fraternally,

 K.K.N. KUTTY

Secretary General.

TUI General Secretary's Circular

THE TUI OF P&R

PREPARES THE ACTIONS FOR OCTOBER 1^st, INTERNATIONAL DAY OF STRUGGLE

FOR THE RIGHTS OF PENSIONERS AND RETIRED PERSONS (P&R)

October 1^st was established by the UN as International Day of Older Persons, or also Day of the Elderly. Since the creation of the International Union of Trade Unions (TUI) of Pensioners and Retirees of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), this date has become a world day to fight against exploitation, due to the requirement to defend the rights of pensioners and retirees, for a decent life based on the wealth that the working class produces every day with its work.

 Once again, from the WFTU TUI of the WFTU, we call all our organizations and friendly organizations to action, in order to make next October 1^st a day of vindication and fight for the rights of those who have already reached retirement and for the right to worthily retire for those who have not yet reached this stage of life, whether their activity has been carried out in the formal economy or in the informal economy.

 It is an inalienable human right that, after a life of work, people of working class and popular extraction can leave their habitual activity and live with dignity. We qualify a decent life as one in which, thanks to the retirement pension or the income to which one is entitled, sufficient resources are available, such as habitable housing, drinking water, healthy food and health care, culture, leisure and free, quality public commuter transportation. Today there is enough wealth on the planet for all this; it is only enough to distribute it fairly, instead of spending it in imperialist wars.

 However, the reality is very different and many people who should have reached retirement must continue working because they do not have access to a sufficient pension, while many of those who have retired cannot have a decent life, a situation that worsens in the case of those who have been unemployed for a time or have worked all or part of their lives in the underground economy or in caring for other people, something that especially affects women.

 The real and fundamental cause is the capitalist, unfair and exploitative mode of production, strengthened after the temporary defeat of the socialist countries. Currently, the capitalist governments are promoting new anti-worker measures, against pensioners, the working class and the people. In general, the working life is extended, the years of contribution are increased to be entitled to a pension and the amount received is decreased, all with the final objective of privatizing pensions and converting into another business for financial capital, what should be a universal right. That is the meaning of the existence and extension of the Pension Fund Administration entities (AFP) in numerous countries and the approval, by the European Union, of the so-called European Personal Pension Plan (PEPP), which as TUIof P&Rof the WFTU We have denounced (in Europe the First European Action of the P&R was held on June 17).

 In the name of capitalist competitiveness, retired people and pensioners around the world experience the worsening of their living conditions and those of their descendants, while social goods are commercialized and bloody conflicts and wars are promoted (with money from all citizens) imperialists.

 Against all this, we call for coordinated international action on October 1. We will fight with unity and common action as the working class, the people and those who suffer capitalist exploitation, for our immediate objectives, but always with the perspective of a society without exploitation, oppression, poverty, war or calamities.

Every October 1^st we will demand that a decent job is guaranteed for all people, adapted to their abilities, that allows them to live with dignity and generate a decent pension or, if this fails, that the state budgets assign them a decent pension. without the humiliating adjective of "non-contributory".

Every October 1^st we will go out to the streets to approve, in the laws and constitutions of the countries, the obligation of the states to ensure, through public budgets, pensions that allow all people to retire from their jobs and live worthily.

LONG LIVE THE FIGHT DAY OF OCTOBER 1^st!

LET'S ALL PARTICIPATE IN IT!

July 2,020

TUI (International Union of Trade Unions) of Pensioners and Retirees (P&R) of the WFTU.

NCCPA Writes to Health Secretary on CGHS issues of West Bangal and Kerala States!

 NCCPA has written to Health Secretary on CGHS related issues of West Bengal and Kerala as provided by the CGPA organisations of these two states. The copies of letters are placed hereunder: 

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: 10th August, 2020

To

The Secretary (Health)

Government of India,

Nirman Bhawan,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dear Sir,

                It has been represented to us by the Pensioners and employees residing in the State of West Bengal that they encounter the  following difficulties in getting treatment when they are afflicted with the corona virus Covid-19 . We shall be grateful if you will  kindly direct the concerned to address  these difficulties of the pensioners.

1.       The Government of West Bengal is yet to stipulate the rates for various corona related treatment if taken from the private hospitals located in that State.  Consequently the private hospitals charge exorbitantly  driving  the CGHS beneficiaries  in agony.  The Govt. Of India has issued orders that the Private hospitals might either charge the rates available at Delhi or whatever finalised by the respective State Governments.  The private hospitals in West Bengal do not abide by this decision of the Government of India.  The CGHS reimburses  the expenses only if the bill is prepared on the basis of the above directive.  This places the beneficiaries in great difficulties.   The Government of West Bengal may be advised to enter into discussions with the Association of Private hospitals  as is done by other States and ensure that reasonable rates are fixed taking into account the peculiar conditions of that State for various treatment pertaining  to Covid 19 .  

2.       No  private hospital in the country is presently able to provide cashless treatment to the CGHS beneficiaries especially in the matter of corona treatment.  It is also not possible for the pensioner community to bear the expenditure and claim refund from Government later.  We, therefore, request that the Additional Director CGHS in the case of pensioners and the concerned heads of Department in the case of working employees may be delegated the financial powers to sanction advance equivalent to 90% of the estimated cost of treatment.

We solicit your urgent intervention in the matter.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

K.K.N.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)

10th August, 2020

To

The Secretary (Health)

Government of India,

Nirman Bhawan,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dear Sir,

 Sub: Problems and issues of the CGHS beneficiaries Of the State of Kerala.

 

                The Central Government Pensioners Association,  Kerala, which is an affiliate of NCCPA  has brought to our notice that the following issues  which they had taken up with various authorities are still pending  resolution.   We shall be grateful if you will kindly direct the concerned to kindly address these issues as early as possible.

 

1.             The CGHS centres sanctioned for the two Cities in Kerala, viz. Kozhikode, and Kannur have not become operational till date though a year has lapsed.  The Pensioners, particularly are disappointed over this inordinate delay.  While the delay after the commencement of the pandemic corona virus is appreciated,  it is requested that steps may kindly be taken to open these centres without further delay.

2.             The other two Centres, viz. Trivandrum and Ernakulam  are unable to cater to the requirements of the beneficiaries for want of posting of personnel to man the Centres   We request that till such time, permanent employees are recruited and posted to these centres, the Additional Director, Trivandrum may be delegated the power to appoint personnel on temporary/casual basis so that the beneficiaries would not  suffer further.

3.             Most of the employees who retire from the Union Territory  services  especially from Anadaman & Nicobar Islands settle down either at Kerala or West Bengal.  The so retired personnel who are pensioners of the Government of India, are denied the CGHS benefits in Kerala.  The fact that in good old days, people were sent on deputation to the Andaman & Nicobar and later absorbed in the Union Territory Service is often forgotten.  After serving the island they have decided to return to their homeland .  We, therefore, request that the personnel retired  from the A & N. UT services may be offered the CGHS facilities, if they have chosen to settle down in the mainland. 

Thanking you,

 

Yours faithfully,

K.K.N.KUTTY

Secretary General

NCCPA CHQ LETTER ON CGHS TO JCM STAFF SIDE SECRETARY FOR ONWARD TRANSMISSION TO GOI

 NCCPA Letter to Staff Side Secretary for onward transmission to Health Secretary on CGHS

NCCPA has written a letter to Comrade Shiv Gopal Mishra for onward transmission to Health Secretary on CGHS related issues as discussed in the Executive meeting of NCCPA by video conference and provided by affiliates including AIPRPA. The Draft letter is as follows:

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: 10th August, 2020

Dear Comrade,

 

                Kindly refer to the discussions, we had at the NE meting of the NCCPA, which  you presided over.  On the basis of the feed back, I have prepared a draft letter to be sent to the Secretary, Pension, GOI, New Delhi.  I am sending the same along with.  Kindly go through the same and send the letter to the  Secretary if you find it alright. 

 

                With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

 

 

K.K.N. Kutty

Secretary General.

 (Draft letter)

 

To

The Secretary, Health

Government of India,

Sardar Patel Bhawan,

New Delhi. 110 001

 

Dear Sir,

 

Sub: Problems and difficulties encountered by the beneficiaries of Central Government Health Scheme.

 

                We detail hereunder certain issues pertaining to the difficulties encountered by the beneficiaries of CGHS both the pensioners and the working employees.   We solicit your kind attention to the minutes of the last meeting, the JCM Staff Side had with your predecessor when some of the issues were discussed.  It was agreed that the periodical meeting to resolve the problems of beneficiaries of CHGS would be convened to subject these maters to discussion and resolution thereof.  We shall be grateful if such a meeting is convened as early as possible so that these issues along with the pending matters could  be discussed and amicable settlement reached. 

 

1.       Consultation with Specialists:

Many beneficiaries, mostly the pensioners, require constant consultation with the specialists, especially those requiring treatment from cardiologists, Urologists, Nephrologists, Ophthalmologists, Paediatrician, Gynaecologists etc.  Except on the initial occasion, a reference from the doctors of the concerned dispensaries may be dispensed with.  They may be allowed to have direct consultation with the specialists from the empanelled lists.  The beneficiaries may also be allowed to seek consultation with the specialists from their private clinics and consultation rooms.

 

2.       Private hospitals are recognised for in-patient treatment for the benefit of the CGEs working in non-CGHS localities.  These hospitals may be recognised for in- patient treatment of CGHS beneficiaries on the basis of a pre determined charges.

 

3.       The treatment of Covid-19 patients in Private hospitals are now permitted.  It is stated that the concerned State Governments  must in consultation with the Private Hospital Associations, fix the charges for various treatments connected with Covid-19.  While some of the State Government have done this, many are yet to enter into such agreements. Wherever, such agreements are not entered, the CGHS beneficiaries are made to suffer. The private hospitals charge exhorbitantly  and the Government has decided to reimburse only at the rate agreed upon by the State Government or What the Delhi Govt. Has stipulated.  The employees and pensioners should not be made to suffer on account of the non adherence of the instructions and directives of the Government of India by the private hospitals  especially in the pandemic situation.  The Government  has to arm itself with  the powers  even to close down such hospitals which do not abide by the directive of the Government or else the beneficiaries be reimbursed with the full amount they had paid to the private hospitals.

 

4.       Many pensioner beneficiaries have complained of the inordinate delay in settling the bills submitted for reimbursement.   It is requested that the Government must fix a time frame say one month  for scrutiny and payment of the bills.  Any delay beyond the stipulated period must bear interest to be recovered from the person responsible for the delay.

 

5.       In many CGHS dispensaries, the services of a Gynaecologist is seldom available.  It is appreciated that it might not be possible at all time.  In such cases, our suggestion is that the Government should recognise a panel of Gynaecologists  in such towns.  The beneficiaries may be permitted to have consultation with them by payment of the prescribed fees, which might be reimbursed. 

 

6.       The CGHS took over the Postal dispensaries . However, there is acute shortage of staff in these dispensaries.  The shortage threatens the very functioning of these units.  It is requested that the concerned Addl. Directors may be permitted to recruit personnel on temporary basis till permanent arrangements are made. 

 

7.       The North Eastern Region is a far flung area with difficult terrain with little travel and communication facilities. To cater to the requirement of the pensioners and employees of this vast region, presently there is only one CGHS centre located at Guwahati.  Taking into account the very peculiar situation in this region, the Government may kindly consider setting up dispensaries or CGHS centres in all the State capitals of the NE Region.

8.       The number of units  under CGHS which practices the alternate medical systems, viz. Ayurveda, Homeopathy, unani etc. Is very few.  Of late the people have started evincing confidence in the alternate medical system.  Some of the medicines prescribed under those systems have been found to be very effective in curing certain chronic diseases.   It is, therefore, requested that more and more units under the alternate medical system is opened at CGHS centres. It is also  reported that certain medical preparations are available in the alternate  medical system, which boosts the immunity system.  The veracity of this may please be enquired and if found to be appropriate, the Doctors may be allowed to prescribe those remedies in the treatment of Covid19.

 

9.       In the State of Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh and in certain other States too, there are no offices of the Additional Directors.  The absence of an Additional Director creates  difficulties to the beneficiaries, especially the pensioners. We request that a policy decision may be taken to have the office of the Additional Director CGHS at all State Capitals.

 

10.   The wellness centre at Vijayawada, in Andhra Pradesh is presently located in a building owned by the City Corporation.   As part of the renovation exercise,  the space occupied by the CGHS dispensary has become unfit for its functioning.   There is no water supply  and the washrooms are demolished.  The Centre has to be shifted at-least temporarily  and the Pensioners Association at Vijayawada has suggested to shift the dispensary to the vacant BSNL. Quarters.  We request you to kindly direct the concerned Additional Director to make arrangements for the shifting of the dispensary. 

 

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Shiv Gopal Misra,

Secretary Staff Side JCM.

 

 

Shiv Sankar Roy Amar Rahe!

 

COMRADE S.S.ROY AMAR RAHE

It is with great sadness, we received the message of  the sudden demise of Com. S.S. Roy, working President of NCCPA today the 13^th August, 2020.  He was afflicted with the deadly virus Covid 19 further saddened us.   He was taken to a Private Nursing home at Kolkata by his son due to acute abdominal pain  and cardiac difficulties  but could not be saved.  The end came at the small hours of the day. 

 

Com.S.S. Roy was an astute leader of the Postal Employees and have led them in many capacities, both at the National and State levels.  Mostly he was stationed at Kolkata and was responsible to a great extent  in shaping the movement of the Central Govt. employees in the State of West Bengal.  If the COC of Central Government employees of West Bengal is the most united and militant organization and if it is today a class conscious organization,  a good amount of credit must go to him.  The untiring efforts, disciplined functioning and leadership qualities  of comrades like S.S. Roy had been instrumental in the present day stature of the COC West Bengal.   After his retirement from service, he did not choose to have a peaceful life away from the trials and tribulations of the working class movement. The advent of neo-liberal policies and the constant attack on the working class; the continous efforts of the successive governments to enslave   the country  once again; the ideological shift especially amongst the middle class employees; the communal polarization of the society, emergence of fundamentalism and religiosity ; eclipse of secularism as a way of  social life; sliding down the scientific temper in the contemporary society; all saddened him and made him active in the movement which he aspired to make it mighty.   He seems to have decided that he must be active in the movement as long as his physical ability permits which extended till his date of death.  He was the Working President of the National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Associations.  On 16^th July, 2020, he chaired the National Executive Committee meting of  NCCPA.  He was a very soft spoken person but at the same time firm and unflinching on certain ideals.   While he patiently hears all presentations at the meetings,  the views contrary to the working class interest is seldom considered by him.  He was clearly conscious of the requirement of discipline as the supreme pre-requisite for the well functioning of an organization.

 

Born in Murshidabad, West Bengal, in 1941, Com.Roy had his primary education in his home town.  He took his graduation and entered the Government service in Postal Department and rose to become a Supervisor in SBCO wing.  He dedicated his whole life in the service of the Postal Employees.  The Postal employees are the backbone of the Central Government employees’ movement and have the presence in every nook and corner of the country. 

 

In all the general strike actions, organized by the Central Trade Unions in the country against the  economic policies, the participation of the postal employees and the consequent closure of post offices even in small rural villages, had made the event a truly pan Indian matter.  Extensive travel to the rural areas  was a pre- requisite before every such action, which the leaders had undertaken. It is the determination and dedication of comrades like Com.S.S. Roy that made the Postal employees movement in West Bengal so strong and united today. 

 

In 1999, Com.Roy was elected as the President of the COC. West Bengal. From 2002 to 2005, he worked as its General Secretary. For a long time, thereafter, he was the joint convenor of the united Committee of Teachers, workers and employees (popularly known as 12^th July Committee), which had been the joint platform for struggle especially of the middle class employees of West Bengal.  He had spent considerable time and energy in organizing the Central Government employees movement in West Bengal. 

 

His departure is bound to orphan the young comrades who are presently in the forefront of Central Government employees’ movement in West Bengal.  They shall no doubt be able to overcome the void created by the departure of Com. S.S. Roy though  the absence of his physical presence and sanguine advice will be felt daunting for many more days to come.

 

On behalf of the National Secretariat of the NCCPA and on my personal behalf, I convey my heartfelt condolences to all his colleagues and comrades, who had the occasion to work with him and importantly to the bereaved members of his family.  Lal Salam Comrade; Long live Com.SS. Roy’s memory.

 

K.K.N. Kutty,

Secretary General, NCCPA and Vice President

Confederation of CGE & Workers.

 

RED SALUTES TO COMRADE SHIB SANKAR ROY!

 OUR WORKING PRESIDENT COMRADE S.S.ROY BREATHED HIS LAST TODAY!

RED SALUTES TO S.S.ROY!

With heavy heart we share the sad news that our Working President of NCCPA Comrade S.S.Roy has breathed his last as a victim of Corona. He lost his battle against covid-19 in a Hospital in Kolkata today morning. We dip our banner in his honour and fond memories! 

- KKN Kutty SG NCCPA