AIDEF Executive Committee to meet tomorrow

Bangalore, Nov 19: The National Executive of the All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF), which has more than Four lakh Defence civilian employees as its members, will be meeting here tomorrow to discuss, among other issues, privatisation of defence production, AIDEF General Secretary C Srikumar said today.

Talking to newsmen here, Mr Srikumar alleged that allowing private participation in defence production would threaten national security as there are instances of leakage of defence secrets.

The meeting would also discuss about the ban on recruitment in defence sector.

Mr Srikumar said that ''since 1996 the recruitment has been banned, although many have retired and a large number of posts are lying vacant. The workload has increased but no steps have been taken to lift the ban.'' ''Moreover, about 48 more equipment has been identified for production by the Defence units but the ban on recruitment still continues leading to more workload on the existing workers. Besides, since there is tremendous technology development, youngsters with knowledge about modern technology needs to be recruited'', he added.

Other issues to be discussed in the Executive meeting includes grant of Interim Relief since it would take at least two years for the Sixth Pay Commission to submit its report, withdrawal of new contributory pension scheme.

UNI