Demand for CGHS Wellness Centre in Jamshedpur reiterated during Jharkhand unit meeting
RANCHI : The Jharkhand unit of the All India Postal/RMS Pensioners Association held its meeting on Saturday under the chairmanship of K.D. Rai 'Vyathit'. The members observed July 11 as "Struggle Remembrance Day" and "Martyrs' Day", paying tribute to the historic struggles and sacrifices of postal employees.
Presenting his report, the State Secretary informed the meeting that a seven-member delegation had met the Additional Director of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ranchi, on June 30. The delegation urged the early
operationalisation of the proposed CGHS Wellness Centre in Jamshedpur and stressed the need to regularise and strengthen the Local Advisory Committee so that CGHS beneficiaries receive better healthcare services.
The meeting recalled the historic four-day strike of July 11, 1946, launched by postmen and lower-grade postal employees in support of a 12-point charter of demands. Speakers noted that negotiations with the then British Government resulted in the acceptance of the employees' demands, making it one of the first landmark victories in the history of the postal employees' movement.
Members also remembered the five-day nationwide strike that began on July 11, 1960, led by the Confederation of Central Government Employees and other employee organisations, demanding Dearness Allowance and a Need-Based Minimum Wage. The then government invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), declared the strike illegal, and suspended, dismissed, and jailed a large number of employees. Union leaders said the movement continued for four years, eventually leading to the constitution of the Das Commission to address the issue of Dearness Allowance.
Tributes were paid to the employees who sacrificed their lives and careers during these movements. Speakers said their courage and determination played a vital role in securing employees' rights and welfare.
The meeting was addressed by M.Z. Khan, Sadhan Kumar Sinha, Triveni Thakur, K.D. Rai 'Vyathit', Mohammad Shameem Akhtar, S.P. Mandal, R.K. Verma and Krishna Murari Prasad, among others.
The association also resolved to stage a dharna at the Ranchi GPO premises at 3 p.m. on July 14 in support of the pending demands of postal employees and pensioners.
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