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ELECTION 2019 YUGMARG -JAG MOHAN THAKEN

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REPORT ON ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS-2018-TOP STORY

MY ARTICLE ON RAJASTHAN ELECTIONS-2018

             2018 Assembly elections : A preface to Lok Sabha polls                                           

                                            JAG MOHAN THAKEN  FROM CHANDIGARH

To impose emergency or create emergency-like situation for political gains is one of the worst   results of absolute power  and  majority rule . Majority always breeds suppression and autocracy  . Excess of everything is bad ,rather it  ends in a curse . An autocratic rule always creates fear , chaos and resentment  in the minds of not only public , but leaders too . Opposition leaders   fall prey of   revengeful politics .But , ultimately the fear  creates boldness and revolt . The mum voice of  public  turns to a current of  underwater  waves and  this unheard voice may become a game changer . Feeling the beats of  such unsung voices ,  some far-sighted  politicians of  the country  have started to float their ships on these hidden waves . As the 2019 is nearing to dawn , the different political parties  have started to beat  their tambourines in their own ways  with different beats ,but playing  the same melody of ‘Kursi Rag’( The Chair Melody)  with a common target ,alike Arjuna , to get the ‘Kursi’ . But to win over the audiences , all the drum beaters and   the  song  party members will have to keep consonance  in the rhythm . Will they ? The answer of this question will decide the fate of these drummers. 

Now the leaders of opposition parties , like NCP leader Sharad Pawar , AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh and even the chief of Shiv Sena Party ,  are leveling charges of creating Emergency–like situation against the present Modi governmrnt . Times Of India reports that Uddhav Thackeray had alleged on August 13, 2018 that there was an Emergency-like situation in the country . Addressing  a function hosted by Mumbai Marathi Patarkar Sangh Uddhav reportedly  said, “Indians overthrew the Emergency clamped by the British Raj and the one imposed by Indira Gandhi . Similarly  , we will throw the present Emergency out of the window.” Is really an Emergency-like situation prevailing in the country ? Will the Modi government meet the same fate as in 1977 elections Indira Gandhi had to face ?

In 2014 , the people , fed up with the congress era and  influenced with the lollypops of Rs.15 lakhs in each account and in the hope of regaining the system of ‘Ram Rajya’ , voted  Modi in power with a thumping majority .But during the last more than 4-year span of Modi-Raj  a lot of hot and cold water has flowed through the rivers of India . Public has enjoyed and faced the Jumalebaji ,Pradhan Mantri Fasal Beema Yojana , assurances of doubling the income  of farmers and houses for all by  2022 ,  sufferings of shivering in the queues before the banks during  Notebandi , steep  rise in oil prices , forced  linkage of Adhaar Card with Bank Accounts,voter cards ,ration cards , sim-cards etc etc. Opposition is terming these as burden ,  whereas the BJP government is preaching it as boon .What the reality is ,will be reflected by the public when they will go to the ballot box cabin .

Now the Election Commission has announced on October 6,2018 the assembly elections for five states –Rajasthan , Madhya Pradesh , Chhattisgarh ,Telangana and Mizoram . Out of these ,  first three are presently ruled by BJP .The results of these states will convey the mood of the people for 2019 Lok Sabha Poll. A poll survey  conducted by C-voter for ABP News has projected the congress as winner in Rajasthan ,Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh .Previously feeling  the heat of the hour , the entire opposition had felt the need to fight unitedly to win over the ballot battle against BJP . But , when the bugle of battle blown , the so claimed unity is  falling aground  like a deck .In the line with Bahujan  Samaj Party , the Akhilesh’s Samajwadi Party has also decided to move ahead without waiting for the company of  congress in these assembly elections. Akhilesh Yadav said that he cannot wait any longer for the congress party . It seems that the  saying-“ United they stand , divided they fall’,  is not going to be an action line for the opposition in these state assembly elections . It shows the lack of confidence among the anti-BJP buddies .

Amid this no-confidence situation  among the anti-BJP herd , the BJP has blown its trumpet in Rajasthan on the very day of election declaration through a rally of  Prime Minister Narender Modi at Ajmer on October 6,2018 . Feeling seriously the speculations of   the Rajasthan  going out of clutches , Modi  has a start from this state  to gear up the loose clutches . Modi on this occasion , in a scathing attack on congress, accused the opposition party  practicing vote bank politics and dividing people to get into power .He said, “Congress has failed not only as ruling party , but in opposition as well.”

Negating the  developmental works  of congress and praising the PM Modi ,Rajasthan Chief Minister , Vasundhara Raje said, “For 50 years India suffered .50 unfortunate years when those entrusted with power did not do their duties responsibly .It was the Modi Sarkar , determined on change , that led the nation to progress- transforming and reimaging  a New India, reaffirming the faith of millions.”

Bowing to the voters to give her a chance again  , obstinate   Raje urged, “The journey that began in 2013 has brought Rajasthan into a gilded age . I urge you to unite once again and march ahead with BJP Rajasthan , scripting another spectacular chapter of success and development in the glorious story of a Naya Rajasthan.”

On the other hand Congress seems to have adopted the Gandhian path of not  criticizing and  attacking the opponent . Its Rajasthan state leader and former Chief Minister , Ashok  Gehlot  , accepting the Raje government’s developmental  works ,has  assured to continue with  these works . As per ANI report ,October 7, former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot said that congress will go to polls on development plank and if voted to power it would continue with CM Vasundhara Raje-led government’s schemes rather bringing them to an end. “If we come to power , we promise the people of Rajasthan that we’ll not end any schemes started by CM Vasundhara Raje . We’ll take them forward. For development , it is our progressive thought to work in the interest of people without wasting time.”

Here arises the questions, “ Why the congress  leader assuring  to  continue the developmental works started by Raje ? Are the people of Rajasthan very much influenced and satisfied with these works  ? And if Raje was doing so well ,then why the public will change her in favour of congress ?”

But , the other contender of  Chief Ministership  and the present  State President of congress , Sachin Pilot twitted on October 3 , “ Met scores of upbeat ,enthusiastic congress workers and people from all parts of Rajasthan ,in PCC office ,Jaipur . They bring in one common message- people are ready to root out this BJP government with people friendly congress.”

However , due to a long political ground experience and a grip over Rajasthan politics ,Mr. Ashok Gehlot is the main stalwart of the congress party  and Sachin Pilot , a close youth associate of Rahul Gandhi has become the icon due to his strenuous efforts to raise the congress party dashed to ground by losing all the 25  Lok Sabha  seats in 2014 elections.And now the congress is in the winning race .

There are some other election fighters also in the race who claim their strength to change the election scenario of Rajasthan . A six time MLA with RSS background , staunch critic of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje , a stalwart   BJP-departed old Brahmin leader and President of his own newly formed  Bharat Vahini  Party(BVP)  ,Ghanshyam Tiwari  claims that his party will fight on all the 200 seats and  without his support no party shall be in a position to form government . PTI reports (October 7)  Tiwari , “ The congress is not in a position to form government and the BJP is set to face a historic defeat in the state . Forming government in Rajasthan would not be possible without BVP”

The Brahmin leader is sailing in the hope of getting the upper castes votes , especially the Brahmin Community. He says, “The BJP has betrayed people of upper castes and its base vote bank has slipped.”

But , Ashok Sharma, from Dudu constituency ,presently working with a Hindi daily in Jaipur since last 30 years ,  demolishing  the hope of Tiwari , says , “ Its right that some voters of upper castes –Brahmins and Rajputs have departed from  BJP in favour of Congress party, but Tiwari is not  gaining  anything from this departure . Bahujan Samaj Party will also not get a sizeable share this time too.”

Another fire brand leader, Hanuman Beniwal ,   claiming   to fetch votes of farmer community ,especially Jat Votes ,  may  swing the power balance . It is also airing that BSP may align with Tiwari and Beniwal  and this alliance can change the political scenario in the state .

Sunil Kumar Meena , a  scheduled tribe social activist and a coaching centre runner at Sardarshahar in Rajasthan says , “BSP is not in a position to win any seat on its  own, better it should have made an alliance with congress. However  a large section of  SC/ST communities are associated with congress , but during last some months the people of these communities have also shown their inclination towards BSP. If BSP makes alliance with Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal , it may fetch some  sizeable number .”

Reacting on the claim of Brahmin leader Ghanshyam Tiwari , Meena says, “ Ghanshyam Tiwari will not get a major share of his community , as Brahmins will not depart from BJP . He may  get a minor share .”

Chanan Mal , an ex-serviceman and a backward community member, resident of  village Dhanothi   from Sadulpur constituency clearly states , “Congress ka palara bhari hai Sir.jat vote judega. ( Congress is having an upper hand .  Jats will favour it.)”

Ravinder Poonia , a teacher in Rajasthan reacts , “ Sir g Rajasthan m BSP ka koi janadhaar nhi h, Mayavati g time ko dekhakar ase candidate ko ticket degi jo kisi n kisi party se asantust hoga, ase m itne bare area m, 2 or 4 seat nikalna possible h, Congress pr koi asar nhi hoga, jaat biradri puri trah BJP K khilap h, Congress ki support m h, Tiwari g apni seat aasani se nikal lega is se  jayda Kuchh nhi, sharma cast bhi BJP K khilap h, ase m Pradesh m INC ki govt banne m Koi doray nhi h .( Sir, in Rajsthan , BSP has no base. Mayawati will decide after seeing the time nerve and  give the party tickets to the dissidents of other parties . In such a big area state , only 2 or 4 seats  win over is possible  in these circumstances. BSP’s  non-companionship  will have no  affects  on congress . Jats are fully against the BJP and are in support of congress .Tiwari ji will win over his personal seat easily and not more than this . Brahmin community is also against BJP. In such conditions there are no two thoughts about the formation of government by the Indian national Congress in the state .”

A political analyst , Ved Pal ,  former Vice-Chairman of Agriculture Development Bank, says , “Certainly the congress will win the race with a huge margin due to not fulfilling the voters expectations by the BJP government . Jats and Rajputs have turned their face backwards . The leaders like Ghanshyam Tiwari  and Hanuman Beniwal  can win on their individual seats only , they have some followers on social grounds but have  no mass following on political platform . BSP’s  sharing is decreasing in every election since 2008.”

Giving figures about the decreasing share of BSP , Ved Pal states, “ BSP got 7.60 % votes in 2008  assembly elections, it further decreased to 3.43% in 2013 with a win on only 3 seats and now it seems to touch zero level .”JMT.

  thaken.journalist@gmail.com

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कितना उचित है मीसा बंदियों को पेंशन देना ?

कितना उचित है  मीसा बंदी  राजनीतिक  कार्यकर्ताओं को पेंशन देना ?

                        चंडीगढ़ से जग मोहन ठाकन

क्या  राजनैतिक उदेश्यों के लिए यानि सत्ता प्राप्ति के लिए एक राजनैतिक पार्टी के कार्यकर्ताओं व नेताओं द्वारा किसी दूसरी विरोधी सत्तासीन पार्टी के खिलाफ चलाये गए आन्दोलनों  में सक्रिय भागीदारों को सरकारी खजानों से आर्थिक लाभ पहुँचाना जनहित में सही कदम है ? यह प्रश्न कौंधता है  वर्तमान भाजपा सरकारों द्वारा अपने कार्यकर्ताओं को पेंशन देने के फैसलों पर . एक तरफ तो केंद्रीय व राज्य सरकारें अपने कर्मचारियों तथा अपने अधीन बैंक कर्मचारियों की पेंशन बंद कर रहे हैं . केंद्र सरकार द्वारा संचालित  ग्रामीण बैंकों के लगभग तीस हज़ार कर्मचारी / अधिकारी  पेंशन के लिए वर्ष २०१२ से केंद्र सरकार की हठधर्मिता का खामियाजा भुगत रहे हैं और लगभग तीन हज़ार कार्मचारी पेंशन की  इन्तजार करते करते परलोक सिधार चुके हैं  . दूसरी तरफ ये सरकारें अपने कार्यकर्ताओं को भी पेंशन की खैरात बाँट रहे हैं .  

बुधवार,११ अप्रैल ,२०१८  को चंडीगढ़ में  हुई हरियाणा के मुख्यमंत्री  मनोहर लाल  खट्टर की अध्यक्षता में मंत्रिमंडल की बैठक में हरियाणा राज्य शुभ्र ज्योत्सना पेंशन तथा अन्य सुविधाएं योजना,२०१८  को स्वीकृति प्रदान की गई जो प्रथम  नवम्बर, २०१७  से लागू होगी। इस योजना के तहत, हरियाणा के ऐसे निवासियों को  दस हज़ार  रुपये मासिक पेंशन दी जाएगी, जिन्होंने २५  जून, १९७५  से  २१  मार्च, १९७७  तक आपातकाल की अवधि के दौरान सक्रिय रूप से भाग लिया और आन्तरिक सुरक्षा रख-रखाव अधिनियम (एमआईएसए), १९७१  और भारत के प्रतिरक्षा अधिनियम, १९६२  के तहत कारावास जाना पड़ा। इसके अतिरिक्त, जो व्यक्ति हरियाणा के अधिवासी नहीं है परन्तु आपातकाल के दौरान हरियाणा से गिरफ्तार हुए और हरियाणा की जेलों में रहे, वे भी इस पेंशन के पात्र होंगे।

एक सरकारी सूचना के अनुसार  इस योजना का लाभ उठाने के लिए हरियाणा के ऐसे निवासी पात्र होंगे, जिन्होंने आपातकाल की अवधि के दौरान संघर्ष किया  तथा चाहे उन्हें एमआईएसए अधिनियम,१९७१  (मीसा )  या भारत के प्रतिरक्षा  अधिनियम, १९६२  तथा इसके तहत बनाए गए नियमों के तहत एक दिन के लिए ही कारावास जाना पड़ा हो। ये नियम ऐसे व्यक्तियों की विधवाओं के लिए भी लागू होंगे। लाभार्थी को इसके लिए सम्बन्धित जेल अधीक्षक द्वारा जारी और जिला मजिस्ट्रेट द्वारा प्रतिहस्ताक्षरित जेल प्रमाणपत्र प्रस्तुत करना होगा। यदि कोई व्यक्ति रिकॉर्ड गुम होने या अनुपलब्ध होने के कारण जेल प्रमाण पत्र प्रस्तुत नहीं कर सकता, तो वह दो सह-कैदियों से प्रमाणपत्र प्रस्तुत कर सकता है। सह-कैदियों का ऐसा प्रमाणपत्र संबंधित जिले के विधायक या सांसद द्वारा प्रमाणित होना चाहिए।

 इससे पहले वर्ष २०१४ में   राजस्थान की भाजपा सरकार ने भी एक अधिसूचना जारी कर राज्य में वर्ष १९७५-१९७७ के दौरान मीसा एवं डी आई आर के अंतर्गत राज्य की जेलों में बंदी बनाये गए राज्य के मूल  निवासियों को पेंशन दिए जाने सम्बन्धी  “ मीसा एवं डी आई आर बंदियों को पेंशन नियम २००८ “ में कुछ संशोधन कर इसे बहाल किया था  ! भाजपा सरकार ने २००८ के अपने पूर्व के कार्यकाल में मीसा बंदियों को पेंशन  प्रारम्भ की थी , परन्तु कांग्रेस सरकार ने २००९ में सत्ता में आते ही इसे बंद कर दिया था !  राजस्थान  भाजपा  सरकार ने पुनः सत्ता सँभालते ही पेंशन को दोबारा से

शुरू करने का फैसला लिया था ! संशोधन के अनुसार  पेंशन नियम २००८ के पैरा १०( क ) में वर्णित सभी मीसा व डी आई आर बंदियों एवं बंदियों की पत्नी या पति को अब हर महीने राजस्थान सरकार की तरफ से १२ हजार रुपये मासिक पेंशन दी जाएगी ! साथ ही सभी पेंशनर को पेंशन के साथ एक हजार दो सौ रुपये प्रतिमाह चिकित्सा सहायता भी नगद दी जाएगी , जिसके लिए किसी भी प्रकार का बिल प्रस्तुत नहीं करना होगा ! यह सुविधा १ जनवरी,२०१४ से लागु होगी !

   विचारणीय प्रश्न यह है की क्या किसी राजनितिक पार्टी द्वारा अपने राजनैतिक हित के लिए सरकारी खजाने से अपने नेताओं व कार्यकर्ताओं को पेंशन दिया जाना या कोई आर्थिक लाभ पहुँचाना जनहित में उचित है ? पर इस प्रश्न पर विचार करने से पहले यह जानना भी उचित रहेगा कि आखिर मीसा बंदी हैं कौन ? १९७५ में जब इंदिरा गाँधी की कांग्रेस सरकार द्वारा जबरन नसबंदी व अन्य जन दमनकारी नीतियों के विरोध में  जनता में आक्रोश प्रस्फुटित होने लगा तो तत्कालीन प्रधानमंत्री  इंदिरा गाँधी ने इस आक्रोश से साधारण तरीकों से निपटने में असफलता के बाद देश में आपातकाल की घोषणा कर दी तथा आंतरिक सुरक्षा के नाम पर मेंटेनेंस आफ इंटरनल सिक्यूरिटी एक्ट यानि मीसा लागु कर दिया ! जिसके तहत सरकार के खिलाफ जनता को आन्दोलन के लिए प्रेरित करने वाले विभिन्न राजनैतिक नेताओं व कार्यकर्ताओं को जेलों में बंद कर दिया गया ! लगभग सभी विरोधी पार्टियों के बड़े नेता मीसा में बंदी बनाये गए थे ! लोगों ने मीसा ( MISA ) को मेंटेनेंस आफ इंदिरा संजय एक्ट नाम देकर खूब नारे बाजी की थी ! जबरन नसबंदी के खिलाफ भी खूब  विरोध पनपा था और  --“ नसबंदी के तीन दलाल , संजय , शुक्ला , बंसीलाल  “ का नारा जन जन की जुबान पर चढ़ गया था !

    १९ माह तक जेल की रोटियां खाने के बाद १९७७ में कांग्रेस विरोधी जबरदस्त लहर के चलते विभिन्न राजनितिक पार्टियों के जमावड़े के रूप में जनता पार्टी की सरकार बनी ! वर्तमान भाजपा के भी  अधिकतर बुजुर्ग नेता उस समय के आन्दोलनों में किसी न किसी दल के साथ भाग ले रहे थे ! भले ही कांग्रेस सरकार के खिलाफ जनाक्रोश चरम पर था , परन्तु राजनैतिक नेताओं का आन्दोलन कांग्रेस को हरा कर सत्ता प्राप्ति मुख्य  ध्येय था ! वर्तमान भारतीय जनता पार्टी , राष्ट्रीय  स्वम् सेवक संघ तथा पुराने जनसंघ के अधिकतर सक्रिय कर्येकर्ता व नेता कांग्रेस विरोधी आन्दोलनों में शामिल रहते थे !

        परन्तु क्या  राजनैतिक उदेश्यों के लिए यानि सत्ता प्राप्ति के लिए एक राजनैतिक पार्टी के कार्यकर्ताओं व नेताओं द्वारा किसी दूसरी विरोधी सत्तासीन पार्टी के खिलाफ चलाये गए आन्दोलनों  में सक्रिय भागीदारों को सरकारी खजानों से आर्थिक लाभ पहुँचाना जनहित में सही कदम है ? क्या जनता से वसूले गए टैक्स व जनधन से ,अपनी पार्टी के कार्यकर्तायों व नेताओं को मात्र इस आधार पर कि उन्होंने विरोधी पार्टी को सत्ताच्युत करके अपनी पार्टी की सरकार बनवाने में अहम भूमिका अदा की है . सरकारी खजाने से बंदरबांट करना उचित है ?

      सरकार चाहे कितने ही बहुमत से क्यों न बनी हो वो सरकारी धन की कस्टोडियन है मालिक नहीं ! और कस्टोडियन अपने या स्वजनों के स्वार्थ साधने  के लिए जनधन का दुरूपयोग करे , कदापि सही कदम नहीं हो सकता ! पार्टी के कर्मठ कार्यकर्ताओं को सम्मान देना किसी भी पार्टी का अधिकार भी है और कर्तव्य भी ! परन्तु ऐसा पार्टी के अपने फण्ड से किया जाये तो ही जनता में अच्छा सन्देश जाता है ! चिंता की बात तो यह है कि भारतीय जनता पार्टी की सरकारों द्वारा डाली गई यह पेंशन की लीक कहीं भविष्य में खजाना लूट की परम्परा न बन जाये !  अत जरुरत है पुनर्चिन्तन की तथा दूरगामी परिणामों को ध्यान में रखते हुए फैसले करने की !

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WHY GOI ADOPTING DOUBLE STANDARDS IN GRATUITY PAYMENT

https://www.socialpost.news/national/why-government-india-adopting-double-standards-enacting-gratuity-act/

                Why  The GOI Adopting Double Standards In  Enacting  Gratuity  Act ?

                 Payment of Gratuity (Amendment)  Act, 2018

          Why  The GOI Adopting Double Standards In  Enacting  Gratuity  Act ?

By JAG MOHAN THAKEN

A retired Banker ,Thakar Singh , floated a message on Whatsapp, on the starting day of April ,2018  raising the effective date issue  of payment of Gratuity ( Amendment ) Act ,2018. He asks , “ Why the central  Govt. , claiming ‘SABKA SAATH- SABKA VIKAS’, is discriminating between the  central government employees and central government managed banks employees while awarding the gratuity?” He adds, “ Where as the effective date of gratuity payment for the central employees is w.e.f. 01.01.16 and for the bankers  it is 29.03.2018. What is the fault of all those bank employees , who retired between 01.01.2016 and 28.03.2018 ? As the issue of gratuity was delayed by the govt. and not by the employees ,so  It is totally INJUSTICE .”

To Whom  The Gratuity Act Benefits ?

 Placing the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment ) Bill, 2017 before Lok Sabha and  Rajya Sabha; Central  Minister of Labour and Employment , Santosh Kumar Gangwar ,  stated the objects and reasons of the amendment bill , “The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (the Act) was enacted to provide for a scheme for the payment of gratuity to employees engaged in factories, mines, oilfields, plantations, ports, railway companies, shops or other establishments who have rendered a minimum five years of continuous service with the establishment employing ten or more persons. The calculation of gratuity amount is based on a formula, which is fifteen days of wages for each year of completed service, subject to a certain ceiling. The present ceiling, as provided under section 4 of the Act is rupees ten lakhs which was fixed in the year 2010.

After implementation of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling of gratuity

for Central Government employees has been enhanced from rupees ten lakhs to rupees twenty lakhs. In the past, the ceiling amount of gratuity under the Act has followed the Central Pay  Commission recommendations.

Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even  in case of employees engaged in private and public sector, the entitlement of gratuity is also  required to be revised for employees who are covered under the Act.

It has also been proposed  to  empower the Central Government to notify the ceiling proposed, instead of amending the  said Act, so that the limit can be revised from time to time keeping in view the increase in  wage and inflation, and future Pay Commissions.”

What Is The Bone Of Contention ?

After getting the bill passed by Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha , the Central Government issued a  Gazette notification  on March 29 ,2018 which was effective from 29.03.2018  ,  which enables the Govt to  enhance the ceiling of tax-free gratuity to Rs. 20 lakh from the existing Rs. 10 lakh for employees under the Payment of Gratuity Act . But , now ,this effective date (29.03.2018 ) has become the bone of contention . All the remaining to be benefitted employees were sure of equivalency in the payment of gratuity .

 S. Venkateshwar  Reddy ,  National  Secretary General of All India Regional Rural Bank Employees Association ( AIRRBEA)  accepts ,  “The working class in India were of the view that the amendment provision of enhanced ceiling up to Rs. 20 lakh will be effective from 01.01.2016 , the date from which the Central Govt. Employees have been allowed the revised limit .”

 But  why the Central  Government has taken  a discriminatory step , is  hammering the Trade Unions .The Trade Unions were rest assured by the reason of Gratuity enhancement  stated by the  Central  Minister of Labour and Employment , Santosh Kumar Gangwar ,  in the Bill, which states , “After implementation of the 7th Central Pay Commission, the ceiling of gratuity for Central Government employees has been enhanced from rupees ten lakhs to rupees twenty lakhs.

Therefore, considering the inflation and wage increase even  in case of employees engaged in private and public sector, the entitlement of gratuity is also  required to be revised for employees who are covered under the Act.”

The Trade Unions are now in a jolt and  feeling cheated with the Govt’s decision . AIRRBEA  General Secretary , Mr. Reddy ,  alleges , “The notification has been a matter of not only surprising to  The  Trade Unions/Working Class , but also has been a further example of anti-employee attitude of the Central Government  and its Labour Ministry .”

Now here the question arises , “ Why the major highlighted  reason of inflation and wage increase in case of employees engaged in private and public sectors for enhancing the gratuity ceiling to Rs. 20 lakh was ignored while deciding the effective date ?  Were these employees  not affected by these factors of inflation and wage increase  during the period  from 01.01.2016 to 28.03.2018 ? Were these factors only affecting the central government employees during the above stated period ? Why the discrimination ? Why the double standards ?”

Haryana State Secretary , All India Kisan Sabha  and a Trade Unionist Dr .Balbir Singh explains the reason behind this discrimination , “ All the governments use Divide and Rule policy. The present central  government also using this policy by  bifurcating the working class into central government  employees and others . In addition  to this ,  the government is also benefitting the private sector owners  by not extending the gratuity enhancement limit to the private sector employees in consonance with central  government employees .”

 Now , what step the shorted out employees will take to get the  parity  in gratuity ? Will  they adopt the agitational  path ? Will the Trade Unions  sit calm with folded hands  ?  Mr. Reddy warns the central government , “ There will be a wide spread protest  against this motivated and anti-worker approach of the Central Government , and we shall be a party to such protest actions , jointly to be decided by Trade Unions in banks / Central Trade Unions and other Federations , so that the authorities can be forced to review the date of effect of the above amendment in line with the same related to Central Government Employees.”

A retired Banker ,Mr. S.C Bhardwaj satires , “ The Central  Government is compensating the loss made by Neerav Modi and Others by snatching  the  bread and slice of the retired  bank employees .”

 Now it is up to the central government , whether it resolves the issue with a positive thought or is ready to  face the consequences in the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections ?

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DOUBLE STANDARDS: GRATUITY ACT

HARYANA TO GENERATE BIOMASS BASED POWER

Haryana  To Generate Minimum  150 MW Biomass Based Power 

By 2022.

 

Chandigarh (Jag Mohan Thaken ),March 23, 2018 : Haryana Government has notified the Haryana Bio-energy Policy 2018 and to promote generation of energy from the surplus biomass in the State , a  target has been set to achieve minimum 150 MW biomass based power generation by 2022.

A spokesman of New and Renewable Energy Department said that the State has surplus biomass availability of 8416 thousand tonnes which has tremendous potential for utilization of the crops residues to generate electricity, biogas, bio-CNG, bio-manure and bio-fuels. Apart from this, the State has potential to generate about 1000 MW of power or 11.5 lakh tonnes of bio-CNG, he added.

He said that the need to promote these projects has been further necessitated due to the aggravated environmental issues because of burning of crop residues in fields. Promoting use of biomass for production of energy including cogeneration, bio-CNG, bio-char and bio fuels and bio-ethanol would not only help reduce dependence on conventional sources energy thereby reducing import bills but would also help to improve environment and soil health and would also create alternate stream of income to farmers and employment in rural areas.

The spokesman said that the objective of formulating this Bio-energy Policy is to create conducive environment to attract private investment in biomass projects, to harness biomass based power, biogas, bio-CNG, bio-manure and bio-fuels as it has huge potential of energy with sustainable environmental benefits through techno-economically viable technologies. He said that the Policy would strive to promote Biomass to bio energy projects based on the technologies approved by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and categorized as biomass based projects for power generation using Rankine cycle, Bio-CNG and bio-gas cum organic manure projects using advanced anaerobic digestion and bio-fuels, bio ethanol and other innovative technologies.

The State Government would provide incentives for such projects set up in the State to eligible project developers. Apart from this, the agricultural land would also be allowed to be used for setting up of bio mass based Projects in the State. The state would facilitate the lease of Panchayat land at reasonable rates directly through Panchayat as per prevailing Government Policy for setting up of biomass projects for minimum period of 35 years.

The spokesman said that Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) would be the Nodal Agency to facilitate these projects and implement this Policy. HAREDA would act as the single window to provide all clearances or arrange clearances for various departments, wherever required. All biomass project developers in the state would be required to submit their project proposals with HAREDA for approval and validation for sale of power in or outside the state.

These projects would not require any Change of Land Use (CLU) approval from Town and Country Planning and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Departments. The project would also be exempted from External Development Charges (EDC), scrutiny fee and infrastructure development charges but if special service is required for the biomass project then EDC charges would be charged on pro-rata basis. However, after the expiry of power purchase agreement period or when plant ceases to operate on the land, land use would revert to the original master plan of the area, city or town. The official source  said that 100 per cent exemption from payment of fee and stamp duty charges would be allowed for registration of rent, lease or sale deed for the land required for setting up of these projects in B, C and D category blocks as defined in the Haryana Enterprise Promotion Policy 2015.

The spokesman said that no fee would be charged by the Pollution Control Board for issuing Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) for such project anywhere in the State. However, these projects would be set up as per the prevalent pollution control norms of the Government. Though, power projects with only air cooled condensers would be allowed under this policy, the Irrigation Department or Agriculture Department would allow canal or ground water usage for such projects, except for condenser, at 50 per cent of the charges applicable to industrial units in the State, on priority basis within one month from the date of application by the project developer.

The spokesman added  that the power producers would meet with all the requirements, as per the State Grid Code for setting up their projects. For connectivity with grid, the project developers would connect the Power Plant with the nearest Sub-Station of Transmission or Distribution Licensee and inject the electricity at appropriate voltage of the Sub-Station. For biomass power projects installed for captive use or sale of power to power utilities or third party sale through open access, all arrangements for power evacuation that is voltage step up, synchronizing equipment, metering within the project premises would be done by the Project Developer as per the technical specifications, guidelines and regulation issued by Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC).

The biomass projects up to 10 MW capacity set up under this policy would be treated as “Must Run” power plants and would not be subjected to Merit Order Dispatch (MoD) principles and would not be asked to back down as this would badly affect their viability and planning for fuel linkage. In case of biomass power projects of 10 MW and above generation capacity, scheduling and dispatch code would be as per the HERC Regulations. Hundred per cent exemption from entry tax would be allowed in respect of all supplies including capital goods, structure and raw materials made for setting up and trial operations of the projects.

While referring to the eligibility criteria and financial eligibility,  the spokesman  said that there would be no restriction on generation capacity or supply of electricity to the grid up to Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and tendered capacity. The project developer may be individual, company, firm or group of companies or a Joint venture or Consortium of maximum four partners having minimum 26 per cent shareholding of leading partner. The capacity of the proposed projects would not be more than 80 per cent of the potential available in the proposed district as per biomass assessment report or biomass assessment report of HAREDA after taking into account already set up biomass projects and should be supported with a map showing catchment area for the project. Only projects with new plant and machinery would be allowed under this policy .JMT.

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