JAKS to observe foundation day in Kurseong

The Janmukti Asthayi Karmachari Sangathan or JAKS was formed in 2007 and is an umbrella organisation comprising more than 6,000 casual workers of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration. It will commemorate its sixth year of inception and hold a celebratory programme on Saturday in Kurseong.

The JAKS, an affiliate of the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, will also use the opportunity to update the general public of the progress made on its various demands, including what transpired in Kolkata’s bipartite and tripartite talks on November 20 and 21.

Overseeing preparations for the programme at the bus terminus in Kurseong in the afternoon, JAKS spokesperson Deepkak Sharma said, “It is a big occasion for us as we have reached our sixth year of formation despite many odds. Members from all the three sub-divisions will attend tomorrow’s programme.”

GJM chief Bimal Gurung is also presently in Kurseong to strengthen the party following the exodus of supporters to rival camps in recent months.

The JAKS programme was initially scheduled to be observed on November 5, the day the organisation was formed in 2007, but had to be re-scheduled because of Tihar (Diwali).

Hinting at what leaders and union members could talk about in the event, the JAKS spokesperson said, “We have several issues that need to be addressed by the state government. The key one definitely is the regularisation of the causal workers who have been kept in the lurch for more than 20 years.”

At the same time, Sharma acknowledged things have changed prior to 2007. “The situation is not like what it was before 2007. There have been changes and up-gradation in terms of worker benefits. But we still need to struggle as there is a lot to be achieved,” he added.

The JAKS spokesperson further said, “Since our inception, we have toiled hard to ensure maximum demands of casual workers get addressed. We have managed to an extent.”

He noted the organisation has resorted to dharnas, hunger strikes and even a non-cooperation movement against the state government to get its demands heard.

On the issue of the TMC trade union- Darjeeling Hill Karmachari Sangathan (DHKS) taking the initiative to address casual workers’ interests, Sharma said, “If it helps all casual workers we have nothing to say.”

But he was quick to point out that all ground work has been done by the JAKS. “Whatever issues are being raised by the DHKS have already been taken up by us with the state government and even the central government on several occasions. It is only a follow-up that is being done,” concluded Sharma.9EOIC)

‘Illegal’ transfer to Darjeeling alleged by employees’ union

 

Kolkata, 22 November
An Opposition-led employees’ union today alleged that a member has been ‘illegally’ transferred to Darjeeling for spearheading the movement against the state government on Dearness Allowance (DA).
Mr Sandip Dasgupta, a staff of the finance department has been sent on deputation to Gorkhaland Territorial Administration in Darjeeling.
West Bengal Government Employees’ Union (Nabaparjay) said the order is uncalled for since a secretariat member is never transferred to an autonomous body. This apart, an employee is sent on deputation only after receiving his approval, said Mr Dasgupta adding that no such initiative was taken in his case.
“The only reason behind the transfer is that Mr Dasgupta is the secretary of the anti-Trinamul Congress association that has been staging a prolonged agitation against the state government demanding payment of DA,” said a member of the association.
 Several Opposition-led unions recently staged half-an-hour demonstration on the 11th floor at Nabanna in Howrah where the finance department’s pay branch is located. The unions protested against the state finance minister Mr Amit Mitra’s statement in the Assembly that there was no arrears due to the employees and demanded that the minister should withdraw the comment. (SNS)