Convention vows to make strike a success

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 6. The general secretary of the All India State Government Employees Federation, Mr. Sukumol Sen, has vowed to make the national strike of Central and State Government employees on July 25 a historic event.

Inaugurating a State convention of Central and State Government employees in connection with the strike here today, he deplored the move to reduce the strength of the employees and privatise Government services.

Privatisation was increasing in the telecom and postal departments. In the Postal Department, the strength of employees was being reduced by the day and vacant posts were being abolished. The situation in the states was no different.

He contended that a law was underway to give only 60 per cent of the payment to the employees and impound the remaining 40 per cent. The privatisation of departments and slashing of posts were taking place with impunity in different parts of the country.

The Uttar Pradesh Government even gave an incentive to the departments which reduced their expenditure. The sales tax department was handing over tax collection to private agencies and was giving a specific percentage of the collection as incentive to them.

Even primary health and education were being privatised. Treatment, education and even irrigation for cultivation were becoming dependent on money. The public sector was becoming unapproachable to the new generation. The interests of monopolies alone were being protected in the country.

He said that the strike of July 25 was against these policies also. July 18 was being observed as anti-privatisation day as a prelude to the strike.

The vice-president of the federation, Mr. R.L. Bhattacharya, was among those who spoke. Over 1,500 delegates attended the convention.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Rise in incidences of missing children
Next     : BSNL to hold subscribers' meet