Port Blair, Sept 10: The 3-day Evening Mass Dharna by the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association, Andaman and Nicobar Islands which began at Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar, Port Blair on 05.09.2013 has come to an end on 7th September with a public meeting at the same venue. The 3-day Mass Evening Dharna was organised as part of the nation-wide agitation launched by the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers, New Delhi, in pursuance of its 15-point Charter of Demands.
Addressing the gathering on 7th September at Tiranga Park, Mr. KG Das, former General Secretary of the Association said that the government has taken the help of major opposition party in the Parliament to pass the PFRDA Bill. It was astonishing that even those MPs who were found speaking in favour of retaining the old benefit pension scheme, have voted in favour of the anti-employee PFRDA Bill and New Pension Scheme in the Parliament. Mr. KG Das said that the number of billionaires in the country have increased several times during the last few years while the condition of poor people have become more and more miserable. Referring to the recently enacted Food Security Act, Mr. KG Das said that it will destroy the public distribution system in the country as the new legislation cannot guarantee foodgrains to all the people on reasonable rates. He further said that UPA government’s flagship programme are not being implemented properly, but wider publicity is given through government media about its successful implementation.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU A & N State Committee said that in the name of Liberalisation policies, nation’s wealth is being plundered by ruling politicians and corporate houses in the country. He said that the government has failed to solve the problems of the people like poverty and unemployment.
Addressing the gathering Mr. D. Ayyappan, General Secretary, Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association explained in detail the 15 point demands and called upon the government employees and workers to continue to be part of the ongoing nation-wide struggle.
Mr. TS Sreekumar, Asst. General Secretary and Mr. Anand Raj, Secretary, Secretariat Sub-Committee also addressed the gathering. Mr. Sadanand Rai, who presided over the programme, proposed vote of thanks.
Mass Demonstration was held at Diglipur and Rangat also in which a large number of government employees and workers participated.
