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Sunday, April 12, 2015

CIRCULAR - 11/2015

15/1089-90, VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD (U.P), PIN-201012
Reference: AIA/Circular-11/2015                                                          Dated: 11th April 2015
To
Unit Secretaries,
Members & Spl. Invitees – NE &
Members of Women’s Committee

Dear Comrades,
OBSERVE ASSOCIATION DAY

On 15 April, 1923 few of our predecessors met at Nagpur to submit memorandum to the ‘visible god’ CAG pointing out the down-gradation of the Department by the Islington Commission which for the first time since the establishment of the institution of CAG granted lower pay scale to the UDCs of the Department from that of the Assistants in the CSS, at par with UDCs of subordinate offices and requesting for the restoration of Parity between UDCs of IA&AD and Assistants of CSS. They formed a forum – the fore-runner of All India Audit & Accounts Association - that met every year to repeat demand.

But it was never a part of any of the movement of the working class till the middle of ‘50s. The perpetuation of the injustice by the 1st CPC by not restoring the parity in pay scales – by then the Superintendents (today’s AAO) and Assistant Accounts Officer (AO/SAO of the day) were also downgraded – generated anger amongst the new generation recruits who were very much influenced by the independence movement and the various struggles going around in and out of India. Coupled with the arrogance of IA&AS and the insults heaped on the UDCs and Superintendents by these bureaucrats, the resentment grew giving a new shape to the forum that was formed in 1923 – moulding it into a vibrant and then militant All India NG Civil Accounts Association, which later became All India Audit & Accounts Association. We should not forget that when Confederation of Central Govt Employees & Workers was formed in September 1956, the Association was not a party, though it joined the Confederation in few months’ time.

The rest is part of glorious history – a history of heroic struggles and countless sacrifices scores of valiant comrades across the country.

The audit movement has seen many ups and downs – resurrection in 1950s, the chillness after the 1960 strike, the disruption in late 1960s, de-recognition after 1968 and 1974 strikes, the chaos after departmentalisation of accounts during 1976-78, the restructuring of cadres in 1984 and resultant disruptions, the victimisations and witch hunting after the Mass Casual leave on 8th April 2010.

The Association has gone through many turbulent days –  compulsory retirement of Com EX Joseph, the then Secretary General at the age of 28,  reorganisation of AG P&T in late 1960s, dismissal of Com Thrivikraman Pillai and 9 others in Kerala, dismissal of 8 comrades in (the then) Madras, dismissal of Com Biswas in West Bengal, the recent attack on democratic rights of the employees in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Rajkot, dismissal of Com Manuel and Anil in Kerala and many other victimisations in many Units.

Time is ripe for us to rise to the occasion. We should realise that we cannot just live on repeating the sacrifices of our predecessors. The struggle of the day to carry the legacy forward is a must. The tasks at hand should be clearly understood and acted upon.

The situation at national level is alarming. The policies of the central government are really a concern for all. The enactment of PFRDA Act (i.e. legalising the new pension scheme), the allowing of FDI in crucial sectors such as Railways and Defence, outsourcing and contractorisation of functions etc along with attempts to divide the working people and the people at large on religious, caste and regional lines are the real dangers that we as part of the working class has to be aware of and fight against.

At the same time, we should also appreciate that the CAG administration has for the first time taken a step that endorses our views before the 7 CPC. Also some of the issues that we have been pursuing for sometime like the one on the promotional prospects of DEOs have taken concrete and positive steps to address them. As a result of our sustained struggles, new recruitment is taking place in the Department.

Proposal for cadre restructuring has been submitted to CAG. We are on the process of mobilising the employees and officers of IA&AD on these demands; the signature campaign on this charter of demands is going on. We are to submit these signatures to CAG on 29th April 2015.

The formation of NJCA with all participating organisations in JCM to fight the retrograde policies of the government and better treatment to the employees and workers is a very encouraging development. It is the bounden duty of our comrades in every station/unit to be part of the movement, playing a leading role.

This Association Day should be observed to ensure continuity in the organisational activities through campaigns and agitations and also to mobilise the employees on the charter of demands. All the units may hoist Assocaition flag and hold mass meetings to commemorate the Assocaition Day on 15th April. The history, the sacrifices of our seniors and the achievements may be briefed to all. Focus may also be given on the March to Parliament on 28th April and the submission of the petition to CAG on 29th April and also on the forthcoming indefinite strike under the NJCA. The demands may be explained in detail. We should try with all sincerity to bring back those who strayed away from the common movement of audit & accounts fraternity and the central government employees and the working class.

All the Units are requested to send the report on the observance of Association day in writing.

With greetings,
Yours fraternally

 

 (M.S.Raja)
Secretary General