Date:23/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/23/stories/2007102361730300.htm

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Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Retired employees of BHEL observe fast

Staff Reporter

Seek immediate implementation of ex-gratia benefit scheme

Board of Directors has power to decide on issues
MPs to take up demands with BHEL Chairman

— Photo: M. Moorthy

IN PROTEST: Members of the BHEL Retired Employees Association observing a fast in Tiruchi on Monday.

TIRUCHI: Hundreds of retired BHEL employees observed a hunger fast near the township’s training centre seeking immediate implementation of the ex-gratia benefit scheme.

Complaining of discrimination, they demanded payment of enhanced gratuity for employees who retired between April 1, 1995 and September 23, 1997, as in the case of other public sector undertakings such as Neyveli Lignite Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation.

The protesters belonging to the BHEL Retired Employees’ Association also sought distribution of Golden Jubilee Gift and employment for their wards.

Association general secretary R. Kaliaperumal charged the BHEL management with ignoring their repeated representations though it was well within the power of the Board of Directors to decide on the issues addressed well by other PSUs.

He said ONGC came up with ‘Agrani Saman’ Ex-gratia Benefit for its ex-employees in 2003 and the NLC Board followed suit by approving the ex-gratia payment conditionally during 2004. Likewise, Life Insurance Corporation announced Golden Jubilee Cash Awards to its ex-employees, including part-time workmen, earlier this year.

BHEL, on the other hand, denied the Golden Jubilee gift of 10 grams of gold coin and two wrist watches to each of the retired employees.

Expressing their solidarity with the retired BHEL employees, Tiruchi MP L. Ganesan and Rajya Sabha MP and association chairman N. Siva said they would take up their demands with the Chairman and Managing Director of BHEL.

Association president S. Paulchamy presided over the hunger fast inaugurated by A.G. Chandrasekaran, retired deputy general manager-engineering and association advisor.

Representatives of major trade unions, including general secretary of the Employees Progressive Union Muthukaruppan, CITU general secretary Sampath and INTUC general secretary Baskaran addressed the gathering.