Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Government Employees and Teachers goes on indefinite strike in Kerala

The indefinite strike by service organisations owing allegiance to Left parties  which began on 8th January, Tuesday, against the Kerala State government’s decision to introduce Participatory Pension Scheme for government employees and teachers had badly affected functioning of government offices and educational institutions in the state .

Though the government issued orders making ‘diesnon’ (no work, no pay) applicable to striking employees, attendance at offices was thin. The organisations called for the strike after talks held by the government with service organisations failed.

Even after the government had warned of stringent measures against protesters and using police force against the agitating workers the indefinite strike is a huge success. The pro-LDF unions of KSRTC and KSEB also struck work on Tuesday to express solidarity with the agitation. The agitating employees took out marches in front of the various government offices in the state on Tuesday morning.

On the second day the congress is using goons to destablize the strike. CPIM State secretary Com. Pinarayi Vijayan in a press meet has clearly given a warning against such attempts by congress goons to attack agitating workers.

Protest Rail Fare Hike

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
 
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly opposes the all-round hike in rail fares announced by the railway minister. The hike in the fares of second class, sleeper and suburban fares is particularly unjustified as they will burden the ordinary people who are already suffering from all-round price rise.
 
The railway minister has shown contempt for parliament by announcing these fare hikes just a month before the railway budget is to be placed in parliament.
 
The Polit Bureau demands the withdrawal of the fare hikes in all categories except the top two classes – AC I and AC II.
 
The Polit Bureau calls upon all its Party units to organize protests against the new burden being imposed on the people.