"Congress does neither communal politics nor regional politics"

 Thursday 2nd May 2024, 6:53PM

Non-Congressmen also enthusiastically attended Raja Waring's road show

Raja Waring was warmly welcomed by the city residents, thousands of Congress workers arrived

Ludhiana: 2nd May 2024: (Media Link//Comrade Screen Desk)::

In Ludhiana, there was excitement for the election war. People were on the streets. Communal and regional divisions were a big protest show. There was euphoria and enthusiasm among the workers as well as the common people. Punjab Congress president and party candidate from Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency Amarinder Singh Raja Waring was welcomed on the red carpet by thousands of Congress workers here today.

As soon as they entered Ludhiana city, they were welcomed by senior party leaders Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Rakesh Pandey, Captain Sandeep Sandhu, Surinder Dawar, Sanjay Talwar, Kuldeep Singh Vaid, Ishwarjot Singh Cheema etc.

For the first time since the announcement of the party's candidate from Ludhiana, Congress workers who brought party flags and banners to welcome Waring in the city witnessed unprecedented enthusiasm and enthusiasm.

Loyal workers said that it was a matter of honor to make the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president the party's candidate from Ludhiana to contest the election against Ravneet Bittu, who joined the BJP and betrayed the party.

He said that not only Bittu has betrayed the party, but also betrayed lakhs of party workers who voted for him and supported him continuously in both the 2014 and 2019 elections.

On this occasion, Waring said that he was very impressed by the love and affection shown by the party workers on his first day in Ludhiana. A visibly happy Waring told the workers, "I feel very grateful and blessed with the love you have showered on me". He said “Having a good start means half the battle is lost. He assured that the party workers will carry this fight to the end.

The PPCC president said that no party in Punjab is as popular as the Congress party. He said that Congress neither does communal politics nor regional politics like BJP, Akali or Aam Aadmi Party. He said “We take everyone along and everyone supports us.

In an informal interaction with reporters during the road show, he said that the Congress party is fully united in its mission to win all the 13 seats in Punjab. He said that Congress did not see any challenge or competition anywhere in Punjab.

He said that on one side there is Congress and on the other side there are others and even if they all come together, they cannot compete with us. It is worth mentioning that the Communist Party of India has supported the Lok Sabha election party and the party workers are fully active in Ludhiana. Congress party candidate is also supporting Raja Waring.

Bharat Bandh was a sign and proof of people's power and will

 Friday: 16th February 2024 at 4:43 PM

 Bharat Bandh proved as passion and energy sign of peoples 

Ludhiana:16th February 2024: (Media Link//The Comrade Screen Desk)

Bharat Bandh has shown the country and the world the passion and energy of people's power. Bharat Bandh has brought out the anger and protest against the Modi government before the world. It strongly was seen in the villages from dawn to dusk. The impact of this Bharat Bandh was very strong in Ludhiana, Mohali, Mansa, Faridkot, Kharar, Jalandhar and in many other places too. 

The purpose and message of this bandh seemed to have reached every home. People were seen closing their business establishments. While walking on the streets, middle-class shopkeepers closed their shops and sat outside them with stools and chairs. These people were also supporting the bandh and encouraging the people on the way to make the bandh successful. 

People who were near the places of dharnas and rallies were listening to the speakers very attentively. Wherever the farmers, laborers and workers were standing, the boys and girls passing by were making videos of the sit-in with their mobile phones and sending them to their acquaintances living far away. 

On the way, the streets were deserted like a curfew tzpype look. Despite this, the volunteers of the farmer workers were sending the people who had left their homes for medical needs and other necessary tasks in different directions by giving them the right directions. 

Those who had left without need, their vehicles were being sent back after being towed from the nearby cut. Water, tea, biscuits, chips and langars were also provided at the places of dharnas and rallies. 

The traffic was also being stopped by blocking the roads with tractors, trolleys and big trolleys which did not understand the seriousness of the Bharat Bandh. During this Bharat Bandh, people freely came out on the streets against the anti-people policies and impertinent behavior of the Modi government. 

During the rallies held at different places, the speakers strongly condemned the government's behavior towards the farmers' movement. Strongly condemning the atrocities on farmers and workers, it was described as unfortunate. 

Along with this, the decision of the Supreme Court abolishing the election bond was praised and this decision was welcomed. The speakers said that this decision exposes the corporate corruption of the Modi government, so it had to happen.

Workers and farmers out in streets for Bharat Bandh

Criticized governments atrocities on farmers at Shambhu border

Demand Modi’s resignation after Supreme Court verdict on Electoral Bonds

Amid the resounding slogans of Mazdoor Kisan Ekta, a rally was held here today at Bus Stand Ludhiana on the call of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and the Central Trade Unions Sectoral Federations/Associations for nationwide strike and Bharat Bandh. 

This call has been given against the repressive policies of the Modi government and its turning away from the commitment given while withdrawing the three Agricultural Bills. After the rally thousands of workers, employees and people from other sections of the society marched to the Mini Secretariat. 

Then a rally was held at the Mini Secretariat which was addressed by the leaders of various organizations including AITUC, CITU, CTU and INTUC. The speakers condemned the Modi government's repression on the farmers at the Shambhu border and throwing of tear gas shells with Drones and firing with plastic pellets on the peacefully protesting farmers. 

Several of them have been injured as a result of the repression. This is against the constitutional provisions of our country which guarantees the freedom of expression and protest to all the citizens. The government has completely turned away from fulfilling the commitment on the farmers demands after the Prime Minister Narendera Modi withdrew three Agriculture Bills. The speakers at the rallies blamed that laws are being made constantly against the workers and the government is all out to serve the corporate sector. 

Whereas the poor people are being denied right to livelihood and jobs and are suffering under the exorbitant price rise, the corporate sector has been given ample concessions in the form of tax reduction declaring their unpaid loans as NPA and these are being waived off. Against this, workers, employees, farmers, students, youth, women, small and medium entrepreneurs, small shopkeepers and others have sounded the bugle. 

Today's action in which the farmers have observed Band in every village and the workers have gone on strike across the country is a reflection of the growing resentment among the people. Having failed on all fronts the government is resorting to dangerous game of splitting the society on communal lines and engineering communal riots to garner votes.  The Supreme Court verdict on Electoral Bonds has completely exposed that this is the most corrupt government of the on-going period.

The protesters emphasized the following major demands, among others:

•Provide statutory guarantee and purchase guarantee as per the formula of MSP @ C2+50% for farmers produce.

•Stop privatization of public sector enterprises.

• Withdraw four labor codes that are anti-worker and anti-employee.

• Withdraw the provisional recruitment of Agni Veers under the Agnipath scheme in the army and make permanent recruitment as before.

• Reject the pro-rich and anti-people New Education Policy 2020.

• Repeal the new pension scheme, restore the old pension scheme.

• Bring all group construction workers under ESI scheme for free health facility.

 • Withdraw the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2022. Don't install a pre-paid smart meter.

• Make minimum wage for workers Rs.26000/- per month.

•Guarantee 200 days of work per year and Rs.700/- per diem under MGNREGA.

• Guarantee food security and expand the public distribution system.

• Make a memorial at Singhu border for all martyred farmers, give compensation and rehabilitate their families, withdraw all pending cases.

• Sack and prosecute Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Ajay Mishra Tenny.

The protestors said that it has become very important to prevent the Modi-led BJP government from coming back to power in 2024, otherwise the policy of not only the rights of farmers, anti-labourers and the corporate sector will continue in this country but also the name of religion in the society. By creating divisions, the unity, integrity and constitution of our country will be threatened. 

Those who addressed the rally include Comrades Bant Singh Brar – President AITUC Punjab, Mangat Ram Pasla – Vice President CTU, Subhash Rani, D P Maur, M S Bhatia, Vijay Kumar, Jagdish Chand, Joginder Ram, Sukhwinder Singh Lotey, Chamkaur Singh, Dr Rajinder Pal Singh Aulukh, Dr Arun Mitra and others.

'Countrywide Labor Protest Day' on 8 February

Sunday: 28th January 2024 at 5:29 PM

All the existing legal labor rights should be strictly implemented

Ludhiana: 28th January 2024: (Media Link Ravinder//The Comrade Screen Desk)::

‘Mazdoor Adhikar Sangharsh Abhiyan’ (MASA), a joint platform of various labor organizations, has called for celebrating February 8 as country-wide Labor Resistance Day. On this day, protests will be held by different organizations of workers in different parts of the country against the Indian and state governments regarding the problems and demands of the workers.

Supporting this call, 'Karkhana Mazdoor Union', 'Textile-Hosiery Workers Union' and rural laborers' organization 'Pendu Mazdoor Union (Mashal)' will hold a protest at Samrala Chowk in Ludhiana. 

This decision was taken today in the meeting of representatives of the three organizations. Issuing a press statement, Lakhwinder, President of Factory Workers Union, Punjab, said that this protest is against the exploitation of workers by domestic and foreign capitalists, the crushing of people's rights by Indian and state governments and the incitement of hatred in the name of religion by fascist forces. Will be opposed. There will be a demand from the Indian and state governments that the monthly minimum wage should be Rs 26000 for eight hours of work. This should be done, equal pay should be implemented for women as men for equal work, Modi government should immediately withdraw the new four anti-worker labor laws/codes. 

All anti-worker amendments made in labor laws by the state governments should also be cancelled. The Bhagwant government of Punjab should cancel the notification to increase overtime hours, all the existing legal labor rights should be strictly implemented, back-breaking inflation should be stopped, all direct and indirect taxes imposed on the working people should be canceled, according to the increasing income of the capitalists. 

Taxes should be imposed, all the facilities related to ration, health, education, bus-train travel, accommodation and other basic needs should be provided free of cost to the laborers by the government, communal-fascist attacks on democratic rights should stop, spreading hatred based on religion and caste should stop. yes. Labor organizations have appealed to maximum number of workers to participate in these protests.

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Attack on CPI office at Bangalore condemned

Thursday: 26th December 2019 at 4:22 PM

Fascist Face of RSS–BJP Exposed

Photo from CPI Sources

Ludhiana: 26th December 2019: (M S Bhatia//The Comrade Screen Bureau)::

The district Ludhiana unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) has condemned in strong words attack on the office of the CPI at Bangalore. Goons had attacked the CPI office at night at 1.40am damaging the party hall and motorcycles. Party leaders Comrade D P Maur-Distt. Secretary, Dr Arun Mitra, Chamkaur Singh, M S Bhatia, Ramesh Rattan and Gurnam Sidhu said that this has exposed the fascist designs of the RSS and its political output the BJP. First they attacked the minorities, now the communists and after this they will go for other political parties and anyone questioning them. They appealed to the people to thwart their fascist designs and save secular democratic constitution of the country.

CPI seminar to pay homage to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha

Criticized Communal and obscurantist policies of BJP 

Ludhiana: 16th November 2019: (The Comrade Screen Bureau)::

It is time to strengthen the struggle against the communal and obscurantist forces and to save our constitution. In a seminar organised by the Communist Party of India District Ludhiana unit to pay homage to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Com. Charan Singh Sarabha, an educationist and former General Secretary of the Government School Teachers Union Punjab, said that Kartar Singh Sarabha laid down his life at a very tender age. He fought against the British  imperialism  relentlessly and did not bow down to their atrocities or diktats. He was part of the Ghadar movement with aim to throw the British imperial power and to build an India which is secular, democratic and a society based on justice and equality. They preached freedom of all religious beliefs, end to discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion, gender and financial status. It is unfortunate that their dreams have not been fulfilled even after seventy two years of independence. The spirit of constitution is being flouted. Right to freedom of expression is being curbed in a very subtle way. Those disagreeing are being labeled as anti national or are being eliminated. Silence by the Prime Minister on mob lynching amounts to tacit support to such heinous crime. Rights of the states are being curbed. Abrogation of article 370 in J & K and converting it into Union territory is a clear example. They are out to create Jingoism to garner votes.

D P Maur – district secretary said that economic situation is very grave. India's rank is 102 out of 117 countries in the hunger indexThe GDP which was expected to be at 9% has now fallen to 4.2%. After demonetization and the way GST was implemented there is rampant joblessness which has reduced the purchasing power of the people. The crisis is obvious from the very fact that the government has taken 1.76 lakh crores from the reserves of the RBI. The corporate sector has been given a concession of Rs.1.46 lakh crores in the income tax whereas the ordinary people have to pay high indirect taxes. Dr Arun Mitra assistant secretary said that there is design to push society into backward situation by spreading completely unscientific ideas and are propagating obscurantism like the use of ‘Gau Mutra’. The very talk of putting head of elephant on human body in the ancient India is totally unscientific and a sinister design to keep the society backward.  Such forces need to be fought back relentlessly he said. Others who addressed include Com Ramesh Rattan, CPI National Council member Guzar Goria, Chamkaur singh, Maninder Singh Bhatia Gurnam Singh Sidhu, Avtar Chibber, Ranjt Singh, Kewal Singh Banwait. The seminar was presided over by Comrades Gurnam Gill and Gurnam Sidhu. Young student leader of AISF Kartika recited a poem on present situation. Seminar demanded that ideals of Shaheed Kartar Sngh Sarabha and Ghadar movement should be part of syllabus all over the country. Earlier the party leaders garlanded the statue of Shaeed Kartar Singh Sarabha.

The Left parties held Rally at the Ldh Railway Station

Sat, Jan 25, 2014 at 3:08 PM
Then marched to the Clock Tower Chowk against Govt.

Ludhiana: 25 Jan 2014: (Rector Kathuria//Comrade Screen):
The Communist Party of India (CPI) and  CPI(M) held a protest march against the rise in prices of essential commodities including the LPG Petrol, deteriorating law and order situation and other anti people policies of the state government, consolidation of land and sand mafia, criminal activities of drug mafia and increase in the petty crime. The parties held rally at the railway station and then marched to the Clock Tower Chowk. Speaking on the occasion various speakers said that even the police personnel are not safe as proved by the killing of an ASI trying to save the honour of his daughter by a member of the Akali Dal. The incident of violence at the mini secretariat is also another evidence. The law and order situation has deteriorated to the lowest ebb ever in the recent period. All sections of the people particularly the women have never felt them so unsafe as today. The unwarranted behaviour with the struggling teachers is highly condemnable the speakers said. There is political interference in the functioning of the police. Land Mafia and Sand Mafia as well as the drug peddlers are active without any fear. The speakers also lambasted the government for imposing taxes to the tune of Rs. 9000 crores on the people of Punjab in form of property tax, increase in bus fare, registration of vehicle rates increase, enhancement of rate of Intqal and TS 1, electricity tariff etc. The tax on petrol is also maximum in Punjab. Not only that the employees are not being paid salaries on time. Even the pension is not being disbursed. Over and above increase in the prices of LPG have completely imbalanced the ordinary family. Large number of people have not got the subsidies. They are even finding it difficult to get Aadhar cards. People have to wait in long queues for this and then run around in the banks. Policies of both state and central governments have robbed the people. Those who addressed the gathering include Com Vijay Mishra- Member State Committee CPM, Com Kartar Singh Bowani- Secretary CPI Ludhiana, Com Sukhminder Singh Sekhon- Member state committee CPI (M), Com Gulzar Gorea, Com O  P Mehta,  Com D P Maur, Com Jatinder Pal , Com Jagdish, Com Ramesh Rattan, Com Amarjeet Mattu- Distt. Secretary CPM, Com Badev Singh Latala, Com Surinder Singh Jalaldiwal, Com Avtar Gill, Com Gurnam Sidhu, Com Sukhminder Lotey, Com Devraj, Com Kewal Singh, Com Jagdish Chander, Com Amarnath Koomkalan, Com Anod Kumar, Com Manjeet Singh Buta, Com Ramadhar Singh.

AITUC again exposed the anti peoples policies of UPA-2

Com Gurudas Das Gupta–MP was the main speaker

Ludhiana: 22 November 2013: (Rector Kathuria//Punjab Screen): The workers in our country have to meet dual challenge of saving the social fabric of the society by fighting against the communal & divisive forces as well as to save the country from economic onslaught by the multinational corporations, this was said by Com Gurudas Das Gupta–MP and General Secretary All Indian Trade Union Congress (AITUC) while addressing a convention here at Punjabi Bhawan today. The UPA-II Govt. is increasingly working in the interest of big corporate business houses of India and the international cartels undermining the national interest. Latest decisions of the Govt. are enough indicators of the rightist shift in the policies detrimental to Indian growth and progress based on justice and equality. These are against the basic spirit of the Indian constitution which speaks of justice and equality as its mainstay.  The Govt. is more inclined to respond to the demands of the international finance capital and the MNCs while hitting the common man hard, even denying them basic amenities like food, shelter, health and education. Therefore there is an urgent need for the working people to unite in strength to lead the struggle against these policies so as to meet the goal of sustainable development in the interest of all the people of the country, he said. On that score, the job insecurity and the job losses on the one hand and increased trends of contractorization and outsourcing,  contractualisation and casualisation of labour is norm of the day. There is attack on unionization itself and pressure on existing unions to suppress and intimidate them to contain their activities. Bringing in FDI  in retail trade will be big blow to more than 4 crore small traders, shopkeepers, marginal and poor farmers, other small producers of goods in home based and small scale industries etc. The government has been responsible for unprecedented rise in corruption at higher places with loss to national revenue and denial of rightful share of common people in the wealth being produced in the country. He further deplored that accumulation of wealth in the hands of few, whereas the vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. The latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees whereas 70% Indians are forced to live on meager spending of Rs.16.60 paise per day. With the policies being pursued will further hasten these gaps. 

He said, the govt. continues to act in ruthless manner against the common people and the response to people’s agitations by the Prime minister and some of his ministers are arrogant to the core. Corruption at the higher places has become rampant which is obvious  from the scandal like 2-G Spectrum. The Gas price hike in connivance with the Ambanis will cost a loss of nearly 2.20 lakh crores to the exchequer, he highlighted.

Taking advantage of this situation the rabidly communal RSS and BJP have floated Modi as their Prime ministerial candidate. This is a very serious danger before the nation which the workers have to fight back tooth and nail.

In this background the Trade Unions have decided to intensify their joint agitations and march to Parliament on 12th December 2013 on the charter of demands which includes seeking check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, for social security and pension to all workers, abolition of any ceiling on Provident Fund, gratuity and bonus, abolition of contract labour, steady regularization of them and equal pay for equal work, no disinvestment of public sector/ govt. sector enterprises and resources, national minimum wage to be raised to not less that Rs. 10,000, universal entitlement of maternity benefit to working women etc.

Addressing the gathering Com Bant Singh Brar - President  and Com Nirmal Dhaliwal - General Secretary of Punjab unit of AITUC said that the state govt. of Punjab is not following a different course as regards the economic policies in general are concerned. Rather it has been taking anti labour and anti farmer measures. They informed that several more conventions will be held in the state on these issues, where Com Gurudas Dass Gupta MP, General Secretary AITUC will address.

Today’s convention was attended by representatives of various organisations of workers and employees from Construction, Hosiery, Roadways, PRTC, Banks, Power sector, FCI Palledar, University, PSSF, Govt. Class 4 employees, Corporation, BSNL, ASHA workers  and unorganized sector.

Com Kartar Singh Bowani – Vice President Punjab Kisan Sabha also addressed the gathering.

Com O P Mehta General Secretary AITUC Ludhiana and Com D P Maur, General Secretary Joint Council of Trade Unions Ludhiana assured that they will participate in large number in the march to parliament at Delhi on 12th December 2013.

AITUC meet at Ludhiana: A grand success

Com Gurudas Das Gupta, MP Calls upon the workers

Three Days Dharna in front of the GMT office Ldh

Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 5:55 PM
The Nation wide call given by the united forum 

Ludhiana: 22 Aug 2013:(Rector Kathuria for Comrade Screen):Three Days Dharna in front of the GMT office BSNL Ludhiana by the Activists of BSNL Employees Union and National Federation of Telecom BSNL Employees Ludhiana entered in Day 2nd Today. The Nation wide call for demonstration was given by the united forum of unions, demanding immediate settlement of following long pending Demands:
Addressing the gathering Com. Balbir Singh, Circle Secretary, BSNLU Punjab told that the Govt. is deliberately denying their justified demands. Most of the demands are accepted by the BSNL Management but no action to implementation of the same has been taken so far. The BSNL management is evading the genuine demands of the staff and deliberately delaying the implementation of the decisions taken in the past. He also told that the Dharna in Punjab Circle is highly successful and massive numbers of members are participating in the Dharna. 
Com. Balwinder Singh, District Secretary BSNLEU Ludhiana told that the management of BSNL is curtailing the various facilities extended to the staff one by one. Leave travel concession has been freezed, facility of fix medical allowance has been withdrawn. He demanded immediate restoration of LTC and Medical facility all the demands contained in the demand charter. He further said that they will intensify the struggle if the demands are accepted.  
Com. S.P. Singh, Circle Secy, and Com Pritam Chand Distt. Secy, National Federation of Telecom BSNL Employees said that while the Employees of BSNL are working hard for the revival of BSNL, the management is discouraging the employees by curtailing the facilities. 
 Others who spoken on the occasion includes Com. Budh Singh, Circle Treasurer, Com. Paramjit Singh District President, Com. Avtar Singh Jhande , Asstt. District Secretary BSNLEU Ludhiana Com. Amarjit Chander, District Treasurer, Com. Jaswant Singh, Gurcharan Singh, Surinder Singh, Surjit Singh, Avtar Singh Focal Point, Tejinder Singh,  Avtar Singh Sudhar, Braham Dass, Sudesh Joshi, Amrik Singh, Jogesh Kumar, Narinder Singh Doraha, Sohan Singh Khanna, Avtar Singh Dehlon, Gurmukh Singh Samrala,  Balwant Singh Dugri, Jag Parshad Mullanpur, V.K. Kalia and Chaman Lal Admn Branch. 
The Dharna will be continued on 23-08-2013 also. 

AITUC meet at Ludhiana: A grand success

Com Gurudas Das Gupta, MP Calls upon the workers
Lead the fight against policies of the govt.
AITUC meet described the policies as Anti people & pro-corporate 

The UPA-II Govt. is increasingly working in the interest of big corporate business houses of India and the international cartels undermining the national interest. Latest decisions of the Govt. are enough indicators of the rightist shift in the policies detrimental to Indian growth and progress based on justice and equality. These are against the basic spirit of the Indian constitution which speaks of justice and equality as its mainstay.  The Govt. is more inclined to respond to the demands of the international finance capital and the MNCs while hitting the common man hard, even denying them basic amenities like food, shelter, health and education.  Therefore there is an urgent need for the working people to unite in strength to lead the struggle against these policies so as to meet the goal of sustainable development in the interest of all the people of the country. This was stated by Com. Gurudas Das Gupta, Member Parliament and General Secretary All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) while addressing the 19th State Conference of AITUC at Punjabi Bhawan Ludhiana today. On that score, the job insecurity and the job losses on the one hand and increased trends of contractorization and outsourcing,  contractualisation and casualisation of labour on the other hand is norm of the day. There is attack on unionization itself and pressure on existing unions to suppress and intimidate them to contain their activities. Bringing in FDI in retail trade is a virtual sale out of small business to the foreign companies. It will be big blow to more than 4 crore small traders, shopkeepers, marginal and poor farmers, other small producers of goods in home based and small scale industries etc. Recent announcement of 100% FDI in Telecom and raising of FDI limit in oil sector would further lead to perpetuate the economic crisis.  The government has been responsible for unprecedented rise in corruption at higher places with loss to national revenue and denial of rightful share of common people in the wealth being produced in the country. He further deplored that accumulation of wealth in the hands of few, whereas the vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. The latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees whereas 70% Indians are forced to live on meager spending of Rs.16.60 paise per day. With the policies being pursued will further hasten these gaps. 

He said, the govt. continues to act in ruthless manner against the common people and the response to people’s agitations by the Prime minister and some of his ministers are arrogant to the core.  The government’s announcement that only 21.9% of the population lives below poverty line is a shear mockery. How can anyone earning Rs.33.00 per day is above poverty line he asked. In this background he said, the trade unions have come out with their strategies to fight the attacks of government on working people. The successful two days strike by all the Central Trade Unions on 20-21 February,in which independent federations, associations and other independent trade unions also participated, first ever such action in the independent India have shown the unity among the working class and is a big challenge before the government.
Com Amarjeet Kaur – National  Secretary AITUC in her speech said that the workers charter of demands includes seeking check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, for social security and pension to all workers, abolition of any ceiling on Provident Fund, gratuity and bonus, abolition of contract labour, steady regularization of them and equal pay for equal work, no disinvestment of public sector/ govt. sector enterprises and resources, national minimum wage to be raised to not less that Rs. 10,000, universal entitlement of maternity benefit to working women etc.

Comrade D L Sachdev in his greetings  called upon the unions to prepare for the next round of proposed joint agitations which includes campaign on demands at grass root level to be followed by massive rallies in the state capitals on 25th September and then a march to parliament on 12th December to be adopted in a joint national convention of Trade Unions to be held on 6th August 2013 at New Delhi.
Addressing the conference Com Bant Singh Brar – President and Com Nirmal Dhaliwal - General Secretary of Punjab unit of AITUC said that the state govt. of Punjab is not following a different course as regards the economic policies in general are concerned. Rather it has been taking anti labour and anti farmer measures more aggressively.  There is increase in the unemployment and due to contractualisation of jobs the real wages of the workers in the state have come down. The workers protests are being crushed by using the police force. AITUC will resist all this.
The conference began with hoisting of AITUC flag by veteran trade unionist Com O P Mehta.
The conference was attended by over 250 delegates from various sections from different parts of the state. The conference elected Com Bant Singh Brar as president and Com Nirmal Singh Dhaliwal  as general secretary. It also elected a  working committee to run the affairs for the coming period.
Earlier Dr.Arun Mitra – Chairman Reception Committee welcomed the delegates.  A reception committee with Dr Arun Mitra as Chairman, Com O P Mehta as President and Com D P Maur as General Secretary worked day and night to make the event successful.
Today’s conference was attended by the elected delegates of various organisations of workers and employees from all over the Punjab. They included workers from different industries, Hosiery, Textile, Construction, Roadways, PRTC, Corporations, BSNL, Banks, Power sector, FCI Palledar, University, PSSF, Govt. Class 4 employees, Khet Mazdoor, MANREGA Workers, ASHA workers Anganwadi workers and other unorganized sector.

Com Gurudas Das Gupta, MP Calls upon the workers

AITUC again exposed the anti peoples policies of UPA-2

The nationwide strike--2nd day

Workers jammed the railway track and held a rally

The nationwide strike call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions and various independent federations, unions and associations had an effective participation on the second day today. The workers affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), INTUC, BMS, CTU, TUCC and CITU observed strike today in their respective industries and other institutions and thereafter they gathered at Bus stand from where they marched to the Provident Fund Office in Sham Nagar. After that workers in Thousands went to the Loco Diesel Shed and jammed the railway track and held a rally. Today’s protest rally  was presided over by Com Om Parkash Mehta - AITUC, Com Jatinder Pal Singh of CITU and  Shri Swaran Singh of INTUC, Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh Nageshwar Singh of BMS, Shri Sham Narain Yadav of TUCC. Speaking on the occasion state leaders Com Raghunath Singh, General Secretary of CITU Punjab,  Com. Inderjeet Singh- President CTU Punjab, Com Paramjeet Singh of CTU, Sh. Swaran Singh- President INTUC Punjab, Hari Singh Sahni-TUCC and Com D P Maur member state working committee AITUC.
The speakers said that yesterday’s strike was a complete success and it reflected the growing resentment among the working class against the anti people policies of the government.  They demanded minimum wages to be fixed by the Punjab Govt. @ for unskilled workers Rs 10,000, Semi Skilled 15,000, Skilled workers 20,000 per month, end to contractual and outsourcing and filling up of all govt. and semi govt. posts on regular basis, to disband the new pension policy effective from 1.1.2004 and implement the same old pension scheme on all employees. They also demanded creation of social security fund for the workers of the unorganized sector.   They cited low wages in the state as major reason for the shortage of labour in the state. They demanded all anti worker acts recently promulgated by the Punjab government to be withdrawn with immediate effect. The speakers said that the labour laws in the state are being flouted by both public and private sector with impunity. The contractual workers in both the sectors be regularized hence forth.  These must be implemented in letter and spirit. They deplored that under the process of so called globalization and privatization at the diktat of the world bank and International Monetary Fund ,  the economic policies of both central and state governments there has been accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, while vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. Latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families in India own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees where as 70% are forced to live on meager spending of Rs. 16.60  per day.  Speaking on the occasion Com. Tarsem Jodhan, Com D P Maur, Com Ram Lal, Jagdish Chand and Gurjeet Singh Jagpal, Gulzar Singh Gorea opposed FDI in banks, LIC and retail as this will hit the job situation hard for the employees and also the production in the small scale sector. They also demanded  regular jobs and equal wages for ASHA, Aanganwadi and mid day meal workers. They warned that if the govt. does not change its economic policies benefitting the rich and the corporate sector, then more militant agitations   are on the anvil. Others who addressed include Com Bhagirath Paliwal, Suresh Sood, Gurnam Gill, Laddoo shah, Haniuman Prasad Dubey, Samar Bahadur, Gurnam Sidhu, Kameshwar Yadav, Sarbjit Singh Sarhali, Manjeet Singh Buta, Charan Dass, Amarnath Kumkalan, S K Tiwari and Rajesh Kumar Sharma, Com Naresh Gaur, Dr Arun Mitra and Shri Gurbaksh Rai.
The protestors included large number of women, construction workers, industrial workers, Public health workers,  contractual workers, Corporation workers, roadways  and others sections of workers and employees.  

Lead the fight

Com Gurudas Das Gupta Calls upon the workers
AITUC Convention against anti people & pro-corporate policies of the govts    
Fri, Oct 5, 2012 at 3:25 PM

The UPA-II Govt. is increasingly working in the interest of big corporate business houses of India and the international cartels undermining the national interest. Latest decisions of the Govt. are enough indicators of the rightist shift in the policies detrimental to Indian growth and progress based on justice and equality. These are against the basic spirit of the Indian constitution which speaks of justice and equality as its mainstay.  The Govt. is more inclined to respond to the demands of the international finance capital and the MNCs while hitting the common man hard, even denying them basic amenities like food, shelter, health and education.  Therefore there is an urgent need for the working people to unite in strength to lead the struggle against these policies so as to meet the goal of sustainable development in the interest of all the people of the country. This was stated by Com. Gurudas Dass Gupta, Member Parliament and General Secretary All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) while addressing a largely attended convention of the workers organized by the AITUC at Punjabi Bhawan here at Ludhiana today. on that score, the job insecurity and the job losses on the one hand and increased trends of contractorization and outsourcing,  contractualisation and casualisation of labour is norm of the day. There is attack on unionization itself and pressure on existing unions to suppress and intimidate them to contain their activities. Bringing in FDI  in retail trade will be big blow to more than 4 crore small traders, shopkeepers, marginal and poor farmers, other small producers of goods in home based and small scale industries etc. The government has been responsible for unprecedented rise in corruption at higher places with loss to national revenue and denial of rightful share of common people in the wealth being produced in the country. He further deplored that accumulation of wealth in the hands of few, whereas the vast majority is suffering under acute poverty and unemployment. The latest reports have indicated that 100 top rich families own assets to the tune of 16 lakh crores of rupees whereas 70% Indians are forced to live on meager spending of Rs.16.60 paise per day. With the policies being pursued will further hasten these gaps.  
He said, the govt. continues to act in ruthless manner against the common people and the response to people’s agitations by the Prime minister and some of his ministers are arrogant to the core.  
In this background he said, the trade unions have come out with their strategies to fight the attacks of government on working people. National convention of workers organized by 11 central trade unions and other independent federations and associations representing several sectors of economy held on 4th September at New Delhi noted with grave concern on the government’s non-responsive attitude to the plight of the working people and their agitations. They have decided to intensify their joint agitations on the charter of demands which includes seeking check on price rise of essential commodities, end to labour law violations, for social security and pension to all workers, abolition of any ceiling on Provident Fund, gratuity and bonus, abolition of contract labour, steady regularization of them and equal pay for equal work, no disinvestment of public sector/ govt. sector enterprises and resources, national minimum wage to be raised to not less that Rs. 10,000, universal entitlement of maternity benefit to working women etc. 
It is decided in the convention that 18th – 19th December 2012 would be observed as All India Law Violation Day and on 20th December there would be march to Parliament which will be carried forward later on through intensive campaign for organizing  two days national general strike on 20-21 February 2013. 
Addressing the gathering Com Nirmal Dhaliwal, President and Com Bant Singh Brar, General Secretary of Punjab unit of AITUC said that the state govt. of Punjab is not following a different course as regards the economic policies in general are concerned. Rather it has been taking anti labour and anti farmer measures. They informed that several more conventions will be held in the state on these issues, where Com Gurudas Dass Gupta MP, General Secretary AITUC will address. 

Com Kartar Singh Bowani – Vice President Punjab Kisan Sabha criticized the present Akali BJP State government as it tolerates and permits communal activities of several groups reminding the dark days of terrorism which people of Punjab would never want to be revived in this land of peace and harmony amongst common masses. The people of the state while fighting against retrograde, anti people economic policies of the central and state govt. would have also to be continuously vigilant and brave fighters against divisive forces.

Today’s convention was attended by representatives of various organisations of workers and employees from Construction, Hosiery, Roadways, PRTC, Banks, Power sector, FCI Palledar, University, PSSF, Govt. Class 4 employees, Corporation, BSNL, ASHA workers  and unorganized sector. 

Com O P Mehta General Secretary AITUC Ludhiana and Com D P Maur, General Secretary Joint Council of Trade Unions Ludhiana assured that they will participate in large number in the march to parliament at Delhi on 20th December and the general strike on 20-21 February 2013.

Comrade O P Mehta                                                       Comrade D P MAUR 
Gen. Secy: AITUC Ludhiana                 Gen. Secy:Joint Council of Trade Unions Ludhiana 

AITUC: Ludhiana convention on 5th October

Com. Gurudas Gupta will address Convention

                                                                                                                                                                              File photo

Meeting of the Joint Council of Trade Union was held to discuss the issues concerning the workers of organized as well as unorganized sectors. Expressing concern at the recent hike in prices of Diesel and reduction of subsidy on LPG, the meeting felt that this will hit the working class the most as they are already low paid. Contractualisation has further added to their woes. It is ironical that even the public sector units are not paying minimum wages. The meeting which was attended by All Indian Bank Employees Association, PAU Employees Union, PSSF, Punjab Roadways Workers Union, PRTC Employees Union, Construction Workers Union, Hosiery Workers Union, Municipal Corporation Workers, AITUC, Asha Workers and Punjab Govt. Class IV Employees Union also condemned the Lathi Charge and registration of FIR against the agitating teachers demanding jobs at Ludhiana.
The meeting demanded the review of new pension scheme effective from 01.01.2004 on all govt. and public sector employees, Increased minimum wage of Rs. 10,000-00 per month, Enrollment of  employees in various departments/sectors on regular basis instead on contract & daily wages, Effective implementation of already existing labour laws, Immediate implementation of security of service laws for the workers of un organized sector, Anganwadi and Asha workers be given regular employment with grade equivalent to class 3 and 4 employees, Pension for all, creation of social security fund for unorgnaised sector workers.
Com D P Maur – General Secretary Joint council of Trade Unions Ludhiana informed that a convention of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) will be held at Punjabi Bhawan, Ludhiana on 5th October to finalise the upcoming programme of the central trade unions i.e March to the Parliament by the Trade Unions at Delhi on 20th December 2012 and then nationwide general strike of the workers and employees on 21 and 22 February 2013. This convention will be addressed by Com Gurudas Das Gupta – M.P, General Secretary AITUC.   AITUC: Ludhiana convention on 5th October
D P Maur
General Secretary Joint council of Trade Unions Ludhiana
Mobile: 94176 02333                                            Date: 27.09.2012