15/1089-90,
VASUNDHARA, VASUNDHARA (P.O.), Dt. GHAZIABAD
Website:
www.auditflag.blogspot.com
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
