Demonstrations on 28.12.2012 – a report

      As decided by Executive Committee of NOINO, the protest demonstrations were organized by NOINO at Yogakshem on 28.12.2012 on the following issues:-

1. Not considering some batches for promotion to the cadre of ADM/DM.
2. Immediate commencement of discussions on Charter of Demands.
3. One more option for pension.
4. Harassment of Class one officers on recovery of EWP.
5. Compulsion of property returns/DOPA/P-form on class one officers.
6. Immediate recruitment of Class III employees to ease the burden on Class I Officers. 

    There were many obstacles in the way. Many officers were on leave, some were away at ZTC, Akurdi for induction training. Some branches were in the midst of Inspection. In some places, officers were prevented from attending the demonstrations. In spite of these impediments, more than 500 local officers registered their presence. The presence of Lady Officers among them was overwhelming. The officers from the divisions outside Mumbai like Pune, Satara, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Amravati, Vadodara, were also present in good numbers.

A section of demonstrators at Yogakshema

    At exact 1.30 pm, the meeting began with robust slogan shouting on the above issues. After thunderous slogans, Shri Manish Patankar, President Mumbai NOINO welcomed Smt Anagha Sant, All India GS & our Chief Advisor Shri Ganesh Kamath.

Smt Anagha Sant, GS, speaking

Smt Anagha Sant, All India GS, spoke forcefully in her maiden speech at Yogakshem. She explained the reasons which compelled us to organize such protest demonstrations. She briefly dwelt on the issues of harassment of class I officers on recovery of EWP, Immediate discussions on charter of demands, & the need for a just and transparent promotion policy. She said that the officers need not feel isolated & NOINO would endeavour to take care of their genuine expectations. She made an earnest appeal to all present to participate whole-heartedly in all future agitations.

    Our Chief Advisor Shri Ganesh Kamath then summarized the issues in his speech. He expressed his unhappiness over the delay in resolving the issues like one more option for pension, Mediclaim Subsidy, & the delay in commencement of discussions on Charter of Demands. He reiterated NOINO’s opposition to the compulsion of filing of property returns on Class I officers and tagging this to promotion. He said that the officers were frustrated over many things like late-sitting. He said that massive recruitment of Class III employees & cashiers was the need of the hour to ease the late-sitting. The security issues involved with late-sitting, especially for female officers needed to be taken care pro-actively by the management, he said. He also said that these security issues should be taken seriously with so many untoward incidents happening around us.

     The prime focus of the meeting was non-inclusion of some batches for promotion to ADM/DM. Shri Kamath said that this move had further demoralized the Class I Officers who were toiling day & night. He demanded immediate review of the promotion policy to include the left out batches. In his speech, he also spoke about the several solutions that NOINO has offered to resolve the issue. He concluded his speech by exhorting the assembly to continue their co-operation in future agitations.

      Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar, our All India Resident Secretary, offered vote of thanks. After one more round of slogans the demonstration programme concluded.

Activities at  other Zonal Headquarters.

While writing this report, we have also received the details of demonstrations conducted at other Zones.

Demonstration at New Delhi

·       North Zone: The demonstrations were organized at Zonal office in Delhi. Our All India Working President Dr S.B.Sharan, All India Vice President Shri S.K.Saini and all Zonal Committee members took active part, along with other officers present from Delhi. Dr S.B.Sharan informed the gathering about the prevailing situation. He also expressed his strong unhappiness over the long pending issues of class one officers. Our Zonal Secretary Shri Yash Pal Singh also raised the issues of NZ in his speech such as Proactive module for BMO’s, arbitrary and partial attitude of a section of management.

Demonstration at Chennai

·        South Zone: - In spite of the very recent formation, our SZ unit organised the demonstrations at ZO in Chennai with gusto. Our fire-brand Zonal Secretary Shri. R.Dhayalan spoke at the meeting after robust slogan-shouting by more than 60. Shri Dhayalan asserted that only NOINO could protect the interest and dignity of the class one officers. He also appealed the officers who were not members of NOINO to join NOINO immediately. The Zonal Committee later met the Zonal Manager and RM(P&IR) and conveyed the issues raised.

·   South Central Zone: The demonstration was held at Jeevan Bhagya, Hyderabad – the Zonal headquarters. After slogan shouting, Shri Hari Somayaji, Zonal Secretary addressed the gathering and talked on different issues for which demonstrations were being held all-over-India.

·      Central Zone: At Bhopal, the demonstration was held at Jeevan Prakash. A good number of officers assembled there and shouted slogans. Shri Anand Jharia, Zonal Secretary spoke on the occasion. He briefed the reasons for which NOINO had to resort to protest demonstrations at Yogakshema & all Zonal headquarters. The Zonal Committee also distributed leaflets enumerating the demands.

   ·   East Zone, East Central Zone & North Central Zone: Due to bad weather conditions demonstrations could not be held at Kolkata, Patna and Kanpur; however, officers did other activities like distribution of circulars related to demands etc. of the demonstration at these three places. Officers showed their solidarity with NOINO on the issues raised by us.