The farmers have also been demanding the implementation of M S Swaminathan Commission recommendation to ensure a minimum support price (MSP) to protect the farmers from increasing input costs.

The Tamil Nadu Sugarcane Farmers Association (TNSFA) accused the policies of the Union government for the reduction in sugarcane cultivation and sugar production.

The other major demands included revamping of cooperative sugar mills and disbursal of Rs 1,217 crore due to farmers from 24 private sugar mills for sugarcane procurement during 2014-17.

INCREASE FRP AND SCRAP RSF

The farmers organisations have been demanding an MSP of C2+50% of C2 for all agricultural products. The Union government has recently announced an FRP of Rs 355 per quintal (Rs 3,550 per tonne), for 10.25% sugar recovery rate, which the sugarcane farmers association has termed insufficient.

The TNSFA, affiliated to the All-India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), has been demanding a minimum of Rs 5,500 per tonne, even though the Union government has claimed to have increased by FRP by 4.41%.

Speaking with Newsclick, D Raveendran, general secretary, TNSFA, said, “We are demanding an FRP of Rs 5,500 per tonne for a 9.5% sugar recovery rate. The state government should scrap the RSF and reintroduce the SAP and ensure Rs 4,000 per tonne as promised”.

The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) had promised to announce Rs 4,000 as SAP during the 2021 Assembly election campaign.

DISBURSE SAP DUES

The sugarcane farmers face the task of being tricked by mills which procure sugarcane from them, by inordinately delaying the payment.

In a detailed memorandum submitted to the Director of Sugar, government of Tamil Nadu, during the protest, the association has demanded the distribution of Rs 1,217 crore for sugar procurement by private sugar mills for four seasons of 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17.

The association has won a legal battle for a share in profit from the procurers as per Section 5A of the Sugar Control Order, 1966. The association has urged the director to expedite the implementation of the order.

REOPEN CLOSED MILLS

Several cooperative and public sector sugar mills are closed due to mismanagement and wrong policies of the successive state governments, besides several private mills are closed citing losses. The association accused some mills of betraying the farmers despite their financial stability.

“The state government must reopen several cooperative mills across the state to ensure the farmers receive a fair deal for procurement and increase the sugarcane cultivation. This will ensure employment in the government sector and the welfare of the farmers”, Raveendran said.

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post TN: Sugarcane Farmers Protest, Demand Better FRP, Reintroduction of SAP appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In a press statement, the farmers’ organisation said “large-scale deaths due to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and other states. At least 54 and 24 people died in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively, with some deaths reported from Hisar in Haryana and Delhi-NCR as well.”

It said the deaths have been due to lightning strikes, accidental flooding, and collapse of trees, streetlights and even buildings.

“Around 55 animals, many of them livestock, were reported to have been killed by lightning in different districts of Maharashtra. Mango orchards in the Lucknow-Unnao belt are also reported to be severely damaged. Maharashtra has been rocked by completely unseasonal rains since the second week of May, and horticultural and late Rabi crops have suffered extensive damage across ten districts.”

Appealing to the Centre and state government to take stock of the damages and compensated the farmers and the affected families, the AIKS flagged of more possible damages as weather forecasts were predicting continued heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the weekend across the country.

Read the full statement below:

Press Statement

More than 80 People Killed in Unseasonal Heavy Rainfall

Massive Damage to Crops and Orchards

AIKS Demands Adequate Ex-Gratia and Compensation to Victims

AIKS views the extreme weather situation developing around the country with grave concern. Large-scale deaths due to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall have been reported from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana and other states. At least 54 and 24 people died in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra respectively, with some deaths reported from Hisar in Haryana and Delhi-NCR as well.

Deaths have been reported from lightning strikes, accidental flooding, and collapse of trees, streetlights and even buildings. Around 55 animals, many of them livestock, were reported to have been killed by lightning in different districts of Maharashtra. Mango orchards in the Lucknow-Unnao belt are also reported to be severely damaged. Maharashtra has been rocked by completely unseasonal rains since the second week of May, and horticultural and late Rabi crops have suffered extensive damage across ten districts.

Weather forecasts were predicting continued heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the weekend across the country.

Extreme-weather events have become more common in India over the last few years. A 2023 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) had warned that the frequency of such short-duration disturbances, like thunderstorms, will increase in South Asia, leading to heavier rainfall. In urban areas, given that over the last century most of the natural water bodies like ponds and lakes have been lost, and replaced by unplanned construction, flooding has become a recurrent theme in the run up to the monsoon season. Despite these freak-incidents every year, governments are not acting sufficiently to develop flood-resistant infrastructure that protects the urban poor.

AIKS demands an adequate ex-gratia to the families of the deceased be released by the governments in the affected states. Adequate compensation must also be given to the farmers who have lost their standing crops, fruit orchards and livestock. These weather disturbances are a forewarning of further loss of life and property in the coming days if the governments, both at the level of state and Centre, do not act.

Sd/-

Ashok Dhawale, President

Vijoo Krishnan, General Secretary

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post Unseasonal Rains: Over 80 Dead, Huge Damage to Crops, Orchards; AIKS Demands Ex-Gratia appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, the Delhi state CPI(M) said the poor families were evicted despite showing valid documents.

Reminding BJP of its promise of “Jahan Jhuggi, Wahaan Makaan”, the CPI(M) demanded rehabilitation in situ, or within a 5 km radius, to ensure continued access to livelihoods, education, essential services and community.

“Construction of flats on nearby vacant DDA land should be undertaken, if no appropriate housing is available, to comply with protocols and legal obligation,” it said in a statement.

The party also called for a fair and transparent survey and appeals process, “ensuring that long-term residents—many of whom have lived in the camp for over 60 years—are not wrongfully excluded.”

Read the full press release below:

*BJP GOVT MUST FULFIL THEIR PROMISE OF ‘JAHAN JHUGGI WAHAN MAKAAN’

CPI(M) Delhi State Committee strongly condemns the inhumane demolition and forced eviction threat facing over 400 working-class families in Madrasi Camp, Jangpura-B — one of Delhi’s oldest recognised bastis. This 60-year-old jhuggi cluster near the Barapulla Drain of South East Delhi is part of the DUSIB’s notified slums list and eligible for legal protection as per the NCT of Delhi Special Provisions Act, 2011.

Despite possessing valid documentation, one-third of households have been arbitrarily denied rehabilitation, while those deemed “eligible” are being cast out to Narela—50 km away—in clear violation of all protocols. Government agencies are simultaneously pushing for demolition of the jhuggi cluster even as the rehabilitation process remains ongoing, an action that is both illegal and indefensible.

The Act clearly states that “Jhuggi Jhopri Bastis which have come up before 01.01.2006 shall not be removed (as per National Capital Territory of Delhi Laws (Special Provisions) Second Act, 2011) without providing them alternate housing. Jhuggis which have come up in such Jhuggi Jhopri Bastis before 01.01.2015 shall not be demolished without providing alternate housing.”

The Para 2(a)(iii) of the Delhi Slum & Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy of 2015 underlines: “In-situ rehabilitation – Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board shall provide alternate accommodation to those living in Jhuggi Jhopri Bastis, either on the same land or in the vicinity within a radius of five kilometers. In case of exceptional circumstances, it can even go beyond five kilometers with prior approval of the Board.

Dispossession of the Poor in the Guise of Drain Cleaning

Upon the directions of the High Court (W.P. (C) 8035/2024) in July 2024, the DDA with other government departments, incorrectly identified Madrasi Camp as an encroachment along the drain flowing into Yamuna. Following this, the issue of eviction and rehabilitation is being considered in Court. The classification of the settlement as an encroachment is an executive decision—not a judicial directive. On October 5, 2024 the Irrigation and Flood Control Department hurriedly submitted a map indicating the Madrasi Camp obstructs the flow of the Barapullah drain. However, an independent fact-finding report by senior engineer experts from IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay has identified the nearby bridges and flyover as the primary cause of drainage obstruction, not the settlement.

Jumla of BJP’s Electoral Promises 

A 2024 Housing and Land Rights Network report reveals that Delhi led India in evictions during 2022–23, with 78 clearance operations displacing roughly 278,796 people. This stark reality lays bare the hypocrisy of the previous LG-led administration and the current “triple engine sarkar” in Delhi, which campaigned on promises to protect slum dwellers. The BJP’s promises—most notably “Jahan Jhuggi, Wahaan Makaan”—now ring hollow as families face forced eviction without appropriate rehabilitation. Unless the Delhi and Central government immediately directs its agencies to halt demolitions and deliver on in situ rehabilitation, its flagship slogan will be remembered as a cruelpolitical gimmick.

Violation of Due Process & Rights

The residents of Madrasi Camp are citizens, not encroachers, as repeatedly claimed by the government and their lawyers. They vote, work, raise families, and contribute to society. Subjecting them to repeated humiliation—treating them as illegals—violates their constitutional rights. Even as the courts are deliberating on the case, the PWD and Delhi Police are issuing demolition notices in absolute disregard for protocols.

The Delhi Slum & JJ Rehabilitation and Relocation Policy of 2015 underlines under clause D(5) DUSIB will fix the date of removal of the said JJ basti and send an appropriate intimation to the local police authorities for providing security and maintaining law and order. No police will be provided to any agency in Delhi for removal of JJ bastis without the approval/letter from CEO, DUSIB.

Proper Rehabilitation Must Precede Eviction

We strongly oppose any demolition, forced eviction or relocation to Narela, which lies nearly 50 km away from their current settlement. Such a move would severely disrupt their livelihoods, cut off access to essential services like schools and healthcare, and push families further into economic hardship.

CPI(M) Delhi Demands:

1. Immediate halt to all evictions and demolitions until every resident’s appeal is fairly heard and resolved.

2. Rehabilitation in-situ, or within a 5 km radius, per the ‘Jahan Jhuggi, Wahaan Makaan’ promise and government policies, to ensure continued access to livelihoods, education, essential services and community. Construction of flats on nearby vacant DDA land should be undertaken, if no appropriate housing is available, to comply with protocols and legal obligation.

3. Preservation of livelihoods and access to essential services by avoiding displacement to distant and disconnected areas like Narela.

4. A fair and transparent survey and appeals process, ensuring that long-term residents—many of whom have lived in the camp for over 60 years—are not wrongfully excluded. Initiation of direct social dialogue with residents, ensuring meaningful participation in the rehabilitation process.

5. An end to the scapegoating of working-class communities for flooding, when evidence points to flawed infrastructure as the actual cause. The government must also allow independent scientific studies to be conducted instead of blaming the poor for its failures to control and manage floods.

The bulldozer will not decide who belongs in Delhi.

The NGT’s 2019 order to clear unauthorised structures across the Yamuna floodplain or drains has been exploited by the BJP-led central government to displace working class bastis—treating longstanding communities as ‘encroachments’ and triggering largescale evictions without proper rehabilitation. Under the guise of “riverfront revitalization” and “beautification drives”, land is being cleared for 24×7 entertainment complexes and commercial developments that serve corporate interests, not public welfare.

CPI(M) condemns this grotesque inversion of environmentalism, where the rights of the working class are sacrificed to fuel real estate profits.

The CPI(M) is a working-class party dedicated to defending the rights of labourers, informal workers, and marginalised communities—whose toil sustains this city. In coalition with other Left parties and democratic organisations, we will mount a broad-based struggle against the DDA’s bulldozer politics and the BJP-led governments that treat human lives as expendable obstacles to their pro-corporate and anti-people development agenda. We stand in unbreakable solidarity with the residents of Madrasi Camp and the lakhs of marginalised families facing dispossession. The bulldozer will not decide who belongs in Delhi.

Anurag Saxena,

State Secretary, CPI(M) Delhi

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post Madrasi Camp Demolition: CPI(M) Delhi Demands Halt to Evictions, Rehab Within 5 Km appeared first on SabrangIndia.

However, the tribal population faces the daunting task of obtaining a community certificate to pursue their dreams of better education and employment. In Tamil Nadu, three people, including a woman, have reportedly ended their lives, when their efforts to get a community certificate failed.

Tribals from communities like Kattunaicker, Malakuravan, Kondareddis, Kurumans, and Kanikkarar are struggling to establish their identity. Despite several court orders and government orders (GOs), the administrative mechanism, including the revenue department, inordinately delays the distribution of ST certificates resulting in continuous struggles and tragic incidents.

Challenge Faced During Online Submission

The government of Tamil Nadu has mandated online submission of applications for obtaining community certificates for tribal communities. The Tamil Nadu Tribals Association (TNTA) has urged the state government to keep the option of submitting applications offline open, considering several restrictions, including internet accessibility, faced by tribals across the state.

“The request by us has not been considered by the state government so far. The applications submitted by school and college students are frequently getting rejected when submitted online. Several reasons have been cited, including lack of a proper database, older card-format community certificates not being compatible with the online system, and also due to deliberate rejection by certain officials in the revenue department,” said a TNTA leader.

Intervention of the Human Rights Commission 

In 2021, the Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) took up a suo motu case after there were several reports on the sluggish approach of officials in issuing ST certificates. The commissioner of revenue administration had to appear before the SHRC and submit an affidavit promising to conduct meetings with all Revenue Divisional Officers and take measures to expedite the issuance of certificates.

“Despite the promise, major problems in issuing community certificates continue to persist across districts. Velmurugan died after setting himself on fire in front of the Madras High Court two years ago; Periyasami hanged himself in the Thiruthani Revenue Officer’s office; as also Rajeswari from the Panniyandi community in Edappalayam, Thiruvannamalai”, Dilli Babu of TNTA said.

Non-Compliance of Court Orders and GO

For the past decade and a half, the tribal community has faced a significant setback in obtaining ST community certificates. The TNTA accused several Revenue Divisional Officers (RDOs) and Tehsildars of not respecting High Court orders and Tamil Nadu GO.

“The High Court orders and G.O. 104 issued by the state government states that children and blood relatives of parents who already possess ST community certificates should also be issued ST certificates. But, most officials refuse to implement the orders”, Dilli Babu said.

There are allegations of revenue officials in Madurai, Dindigul, Palani, Tirupattur, Mettur, Aruppukottai, Virudhunagar, and Dharmapuri continuing to reject applications for tribal community certificates, forcing applicants to file appeals or subjecting them to further investigation by anthropologists, causing continued harassment.

The Pulayan and Vettaikaran tribes were included in Tamil Nadu’s tribal list till 1974 and in 1975. These two tribal communities were removed from the list, for unknown reasons. The Vettaikaran community was included in Puducherry government’s tribal list in 2016, but the struggle in Tamil Nadu for inclusion continues for several years.

Reservation and Housing Land Pattas

According to the 2011 Census, there are 969,654 tribal people in the state. However, reservation covers 1.04%. The Tamil Nadu government’s new order to provide housing land pattas has come as a relief to the tribal people, who are homeless, landless, and survive on daily wage labour. A speedy assessment should be conducted to provide free housing land pattas to all homeless tribal people, said TNTA.

“What is worse is that the state government has returned unused funds allocated for the welfare of Dalits and tribal people. In the past 10 years, approximately Rs 5,318 crore have been returned without being spent”, Dilli Babu said.

Forest and Land Rights

The Forest Rights Act 2006 (FRA) came into effect in Tamil Nadu from 2016, which ensures land rights to tribal people and traditional forest dwellers living in forest lands. Despite the act being in place for the past several years, only 15,000 applications have been processed, and have led to the disbursal of individual land pattas and community land rights.

“Community certificates are the central point for obtaining education and employment opportunities. Filling backlog vacancies according to reservation quotas and fully implementing the FRA are necessary to protect tribal people from marginalisation and position them as a community with all rights like other social communities”, Dilli Babu told NewsClick.

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post TN: Tribals Demand Better Reservation, Allege Hurdles in Getting ST Certificates appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The association has been urging the state government to expedite measures to fill up the backlog vacancies in state government departments, land titles for the needy, waiving loans availed by tribal women from microfinance companies and infrastructural facilities for schools, healthcare facilities and tribal hostels.

Poor FRA Implementation 

Ever since the FRA was enacted 17 years ago, Tamil Nadu has fared poorly in executing the provisions, aimed at empowering tribals and traditional forest dwellers with regard to their right to land holdings.

Addressing the protesters, state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], P Shanmugam, said, “In the past 17 years, only 15,442 titles were distributed to the tribals as per the FRA, which is not even 1,000 titles per year. This shows the lack of will from the government and the bureaucracy in implementing the Act”.

The TNTA has accused the administration of rejecting the applications without adequate enquiry and pending of applications due to lack of survey processes. The demands of tribals residing in several tribal hamlets, including Kallakurichi Vellimalai, Tirupathur Javathimalai, Tiruvannamalai Javathumalai, Kollimalai, Salem Kalvarayan Malai, have been pending for several years.

“The state government has constituted a committee headed by the chief secretary to implement FRA, but not even a single meeting has been held so far”, Shanmugam alleged.

Denial of Certificates Affecting Education

Several tribal communities are facing the daunting task of getting their ST community certificates, despite a government order in place to facilitate the same. Communities including Kattunayakan, Malaivedan, Malai Kuravan, Kondareddys, Kurumans, are badly affected by the delay in issuing community certificates, especially with regard to education.

The GO 104 was issued, after the intervention of the Madras High Court to ensure the disbursal of ST community certificates to the children of those parents who are in possession of the ST certificates. The TNTA has accused the district officials of withdrawing the certificates issued to the parents. This hampers the prospects of the tribal students who are longing to pursue higher education and those who seek employment as per the existing reservation rules.

Communities Removed From ST list

Another major demand is the inclusion of communities like Malayali, Kurumans, Pulauan, Vettaikaran and Kuravan from Erode district again in the ST list. The members of the community are left in the lurch after they were removed from the list of ST communities 10 years ago.

During the talks held with the secretary of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare after the protest, the government informed TNTA that the recommendation to include the communities back to the ST list has been submitted to the union government.

The government also agreed to hold surveys with the help of the tribal youth to ensure the distribution of lands to tribals in Kollimalai, Kalvarayan Malai, Kallakurichi Vellimalai.

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post TN: Tribals Flay Govt Delay in Clearing FRA Applications, Issuing ST Certificates appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In addition, power sector employees will also take part in the nationwide strike being planned by central trade unions in May against the government’s move to implement the four labour codes.

These two decisions were taken at the National Convention of the Electricity Employees and Engineers held in Nagpur, Maharashtra, on February 23, 2025, according to a press statement released by the Electricity Employees Federation of India (EEFI).

The national convention, which discussed the “multi-pronged attacks on the public electricity sector and the energy security of our country”, also noted the “growing attacks” on the democratic right of electricity employees and consumers, especially in Uttar Pradesh.

“After being elected for the third time, the NDA government has become desperate to privatize all the public electricity utilities. Under the diktat of the Central government, the Chandigarh UT Administration forcefully privatized its highly profitable, efficient and low tariff Power Utility in an irregular manner,” the statement read.

EEFI also noted the “desperate attacks of privatisation” unleashed on Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (PVVNL) and Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Ltd. (DVVNL) of Uttar Pradesh, which, it said, would put the service of 27,000 employees and engineers and 50,000 contract workers at stake.

“Electricity employees and engineers of UP are fighting for last 87 days defying the instigation and attacks of the UP administration,” it added.

EEFI also flayed the Rajasthan government that has started the  bidding process to privatise “generation and battery storage projects”, as also plans by the Telangana government to hand over electricity distribution service of the South Hyderabad Circle to the Adani group.

“Actually, the Central government is in real haste to privatize the state DISCOMs. A unique regional meeting on Power sector with States and UTs of Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh has been held on 20th February, New Delhi,” it said, citing a Power Ministry press release saying, “the States have urged Centre for support in privatization of distribution” and “Listing of Utilities will be taken up by States to bring investment.”

Calling upon electricity employees to unite and fight privatisation moves, EEFI noted that to facilitate its privatisation project, a Group of Ministers had been formed by the Centre with the UP Energy Minister as its convenor, who is “infamous for his privatization drives,” as also the new draft of the Electricity Amendment Bill being prepared by the Centre.

“Certainly, it is the final course of attack on India’s public electricity distribution sector. It will lead to massive de-electrification and food security of our country will be jeopardized. It is an attack on federal structure of India,” it said.

EEFI said its June 25 strike had already received support from central trade unions as well as the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, which has for long been opposing the new Electricity Bill.

In preparation for the countrywide sectoral strike, EEFI said it would hold regional meetings, and state-level mass conventions.

“Four massive rallies will be held in UP in the March 2025, against the privatisation attempt of the UP government,” it added.

EEFI called upon all power sector employees as well as consumers to make the strike actions a “great success”.

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post Power Sector Employees Call Countrywide Strike on June 26 Against Privatisation appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The workers are protesting, citing two major issues, namely, the suspension of three union office-bearers on ‘false’ charges and against the company using contract workers in the manufacturing process.

The workers set up a new protest pandal (tent) in front of the manufacturing unit on February 18, as they gear up for a series of agitation programmes against the “illegal measures” of the management and the “inaction” of the labour department of the government of Tamil Nadu.

Family Members Join Protest

On February 17, the workers of SIEL, along with their family members, held a protest in Kancheepuram after the management failed to break the deadlock even after 14 days of the sit-in protest.

The three office-bearers were suspended after they attempted to meet the managing director of the South Korean electronics major during the lunch hour break to appraise him of the “anti-worker policies” pursued by the Indian management.

“After turning away the office-bearers with the promise of arranging a meeting with the MD within 15 days, the management suspended the three office-bearers on February 4 without any show cause notice or enquiry”, E Muthukumar, president, SIWU, and a CITU leader told this reporter.

The union has decided to hold a protest in front of the SIPCOT unit on February 20 and serve a strike notice on February 21, if the talks scheduled on February 19 do not bring any positive outcome.

Attempts to ‘Weaken the Union’

The action of the management to suspend the office-bearers of the union, which was registered by the state labour welfare department after a 38-day strike and 212 days of legal battle, is to weaken the union and form a puppet union, the workers allege.

The management has been accused of forcing the workers, reinstated after the strike, to join the ‘puppet union’ formed by the management by deserting the CITU-affiliated one.

“The management has been compelling the workers to leave the CITU union and join the management-sponsored union. It has even opened an office for their puppet union. This shows their utter disregard to the existing laws”, Muthukumar said.

The union also accused the management of issuing show cause notices to 39 workers alleging that they plan to suspend 15 workers in their “attempt to weaken the union.”

3 Memoranda Submitted to Labour Department

The CITU has submitted three memoranda to the Assistant Commissioner of Labour against the “illegal actions” of SIEL. The management backtracked from the promises made while the previous strike was withdrawn in September 2024, it said.

The management took back the last batch of workers who joined the strike only after 45 days following the withdrawal of the strike, against their promise made in the talks held with the union facilitated by the labour department.

The management also failed to revise the wages within the stipulated time, internally transferred 40 workers and continued to force the workers to desert CITU, all against the promises made, the union alleged.

“The company is now engaging contract workers in the manufacturing process which is against the Factories Act. Even though the labour commissioner has issued a show cause notice, the management has not submitted any explanation. This shows that they do not respect the law of the land”, Muthukumar added.

Labour Welfare Department Faces Criticism

The labour welfare department of the government of Tamil Nadu has come under strong criticism for their “lethargic handling” of the disputes, particularly in the automobile hub across Chennai and Kancheepuram districts.

“The government of Tamil Nadu and the labour welfare department are acting in favour of the big corporates, betraying the interests of the workers. The police too joined hands by resorting to illegal detention of the workers and union leaders during the previous strike. The DMK government must change its policies to ensure the rights of the workers are protected”, Muthukumar said.

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post TN: Samsung Workers Continue Protest, Accuse Management of Vindictive Action appeared first on SabrangIndia.

ASHA workers and facilitators, considered the backbone of the country’s grassroots healthcare system, in an open letter to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, while thanking the government for inviting 250 of them for the Republic Day function, expressed anguish that they were still not recognised as “workers” and were deprived of social security and other benefits.

The AWFFI open letter urged the government to provide a “dignified life and statutory rights”, not just “honour” and reminded the Health Minister that their piece-rated incentives, at around Rs 2,000/month, were last revised 10 years ago, in 2010.

“Isn’t it shameful for our republic which completed 75 years, that the ASHA workers who are working among the people even at the outbreak of pandemics and communicable diseases even without adequate safety gear, are not recognised as employees or workers but are considered ‘volunteers’ and get only piece rate wages called incentives and the assured incentives are only Rs.2000 a month. There is no social security for them, no health insurance and not even maternity leave! We would like to remind you as the minister and the health secretary that the piece rated incentives were last revised in 2010!”

Read the full letter below:

Open Letter to the Health Minister of India

To

Shri J P Nadda

Honorable Minister of Health and Family Welfare

Government of India

Sub:- ASHA Workers deserves a dignified Life with statutory Rights not only ‘Honour’

Dear Sir,

We, the ASHA Workers’ and Facilitators’ Federation of India (AWFFI), the largest trade union federation of the ASHA workers, as the representatives of them would like to thank you, the Health Secretary and the Government of India for inviting ASHA workers as special guests in the 76th Republic Day celebrations in Delhi to ‘honour’ our contribution. We also recall that around 300 anganwadi workers were similarly ‘honoured’ last year on Republic Day.

As per the statement by the Health Secretary, the Health Ministry of Government of India had invited 250 ASHA workers with their spouses from various States as special guests to join the Republic Day celebrations in Delhi, although the criteria for selection is unknown to us.

It is heartening that the Health Secretary acknowledged in the press briefing that the ASHA workers are the backbone of the health sector across the country and display the Nari Shakti (women empowerment). She also mentioned that the ASHA workers are doing incredible job for eradication of Tuberculosis (Tuberculosis Elimination Mission), not only that, the health system of the entire country is now mostly dependent on their efforts, especially in maternal and child care and combating infectious diseases. The selfless dedicated work of ASHA workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, received international recognition by WHO which honored ASHA workers of our country as ‘Global Leaders’.

You may also agree that the around ten lakh twenty nine thousand ASHA workers and facilitators working sincerely across the country deserves a dignified life with statutory rights not only ‘honour’. Isn’t it shameful for our republic which completed 75 years, that the ASHA workers who are working among the people even at the outbreak of pandemics and communicable diseases even without adequate safety gear, are not recognised as employees or workers but are considered ‘volunteers’ and get only piece rate wages called incentives and the assured incentives are only Rs.2000 a month. There is no social security for them, no health insurance and not even maternity leave! We would like to remind you as the minister and the health secretary that the piece rated incentives were last revised in 2010!

Don’t you think it is high time they must be recognised as workers, pay minimum wages and social security and pension as per the recommendation of the 45th Indian Labour Conference (ILC) back in 2013.  

We would like to bring to your notice that even the meagre remuneration for the ASHA workers and facilitators are pending for months in most of the states as the Union Government do not release the funds on time. Scores of ASHA workers sacrificed their lives and the lives of their dear ones during the Covid pandemic, most of their heirs are yet to get the death compensation; the ministry do not have even the record of the number of casualties.

Such ‘honouring’ programmes organized by the Government without addressing the fact that ASHA workers and facilitators are being deprived of their rightful dignity and entitlements will be ridiculed by the ASHA workers and the public.

We hope that your government will really honour the dedicated work of the ASHA workers and Facilitators and take measures to ensure a dignified life with statutory rights at work in the Union Budget 2025-26 which will be placed in a couple of days. ASHA Workers and Facilitators Federation of India is urging the Union Government to increase the financial allocation for the National Health Mission in the ensuing Union Budget 2025 and to take immediate measurers to regularise the ASHA workers and facilitators as government employees with all statutory benefits.

Madhumita Bandyopadhyay

General Secretary, AWFFI

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post ASHA Union Demands Hike in NHM Funds in Union Budget 2025, Social Security Benefits appeared first on SabrangIndia.

In a joint press statement, the National Alliance of Journalists, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Club of India, Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Press Association, Indian Women’s press Corps, Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists’ Federation and the Brihanmumbai Union of Journalists specifically criticised the deterioration of working conditions, including excessive working hours and inadequate compensation.

Their demands include restoring the Working Journalists’ Act, extending its coverage to digital media, and establishing an independent Media Commission to address journalists’ welfare and harassment.

The organisations also emphasised the crucial social role played by journalism and the need for stronger protections for journalists’ rights.

“The day is an occasion to reflect on the collective achievements of the Indian press, especially that of the working journalists and press workers over the years. Despite epochal developments like the constitution of the first National Press Commission that led to the enactment of the Working Journalists’ Act, 1955 and the Press Council, in recent years, the press as a whole has seen several setbacks in the form of arbitrary lay-offs, unfair labour practices and deteriorating working conditions. Bodies like the Press Council have been rendered redundant over the years. The press, just as it was censored during the British Raj under one pretext or the other, faces similar pressures. Additionally, its corporatization poses a severe threat to the rights of journalists and to the nature of journalism itself,” said the joint statement.

The organisations noted that journalists and press workers today are expected to work beyond the hours specified in the Working Journalists (Conditions of Service) and Miscellaneous Provisions Rules.

“Journalists are expected to be on call at all hours of the day and work simultaneously on the print, digital and electronic space – all within the same pay package. Even though the Act excludes editors, reporters, photo journalists and camera persons from ‘shift’ duties, some prominent media groups have introduced the biometric pattern of attendance, making physical presence of correspondents mandatory in office for a specified number of hours”, the statement added.

The journalist organisations also demanded the restoration of the Working Journalists’ Act in its original, and that it be extended to cover electronic and digital media as well.

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post Indian Newspaper Day: Journalists’ Groups Demand Independent Media Commission appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The union has questioned the “double standards” of the management on its claims of manpower shortage for engaging third parties for provisioning and maintenance of the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections, while excess workforce has been cited for the loss incurred by the organisation.

BSNL has been facing multiple challenges since 2014, with the Central government indefinitely delaying the implementation of 4G services, while most private players provide 5G services.

Another VRS in the organisation would potentially end employment opportunities for educated youth and leave the workforce at the mercy of the private organisations waiting to exploit, said the union.

‘STOP PLANS TO IMPLEMENT VRS’

The public sector telecom major implemented the first VRS in 2020, resulting in around 80,000 employees opting for the scheme, “considering the apathetic approach of the union government towards BSNL and its pro corporate policies”, it said.

In a detailed letter to the Chairman and Managing Director of the organisation, the BSNLEU has lashed out at the proposed plans for another VRS to further reduce the workforce of the central public sector undertaking (CPSU). As of March 2024, only 29,750 executives and 26,750 non-executives were working with the organisation, exposing the low strength of the workforce.

BSNL is reportedly spending 38% of its revenue toward payment of salary to the employees, while this figure of other private operators is said to be in single digit.

“Jio and Airtel are earning a massive revenue and thus the percentage of their expenditure for salary payment is insignificant, when compared to their revenue”, the BSNLEU letter pointed out.

While the policies of the government and management remain a major cause for the BSNL crisis, the management is attempting to paint a picture that employee strength is the reason for the crisis, the union has alleged.

INORDINATE DELAY IN PROVIDING 4G SERVICES

Three revival packages were implemented in BSNL, in 2019, 2022 and 2023, but the revenue of the organisation has not shown any improvement. The lack of 4G services, despite private firms rolling out 5G services, is cited as a major concern for loss of customers and subsequently, the revenue.

Customers continue to face problems in getting quality voice and data services wherever the 4G installation is completed by TCS, there is an inordinate delay in completion of installation in several parts of the country, the letter said.

BSNLEU said the “terrible situation” has arisen after the Centre prevented BSNL from procuring high-quality equipment from reputed international vendors, while private players continue to utilise such equipment that helps them in providing quality services.

DISADVANTAGE TO BSNL: PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE 

A parliamentary committee on Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), in a report submitted to Parliament in December 2024 has cited the disadvantages and hurdles faced by BSNL in providing quality services on par with private providers.

The committee also noted BSNL’s delayed adoption of 4G technology, placing it at a disadvantage in a market dominated by 4G and 5G, with only 200 of one lakh planned sites commissioned so far.

REVENUE SOURCES HAMPERED

BSNL was earning most of its revenue from landline connections, whose services were badly affected by the VRS implemented in 2020, while another important revenue source, broadband connections were outsourced.

Despite a massive optic fibre network, BSNL was systematically prevented from expanding its landline connection base, while Jio has managed to emerge as the biggest service provider, the union said.

FTTH services, too, generated a considerable amount of revenue for BSNL, but the present system of engaging private partners for provisioning and maintenance of FTTH is costing the organisation badly.

“Customers are disconnecting BSNL FTTH services and opting for private services, given the lack of service from private parties engaged by BSNL,” the letter pointed out.

The BSNLEU has urged the management and the Union government to adopt policies to favour one of the biggest CPSUs in ensuring quality services to rural and semi-urban areas, instead of framing policies favouring the corporates.

Courtesy: Newsclick

The post Another VRS Will Kill BSNL, Adopt Policies to Save PSUs, Says BSNLEU appeared first on SabrangIndia.