CPSU officers on indefinite hunger strike

New Delhi, Dec 22 (UNI) Officers of Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs), except those from ONGC and IOC, today started an indefinite hunger strike to press the Government for their demands.

More than one lakh officers, under the aegis of the Coordination of Officers Association of CPSUs, are staying away from work, which will cost the state exchequer about Rs 750 crore per day in duties cess and taxes.

The officers are demanding merger of 50 per cent DA with basic pay with effect from January 1, 2005 as done for central government employees, removal of monetary ceiling on payment of gratuity, release of lump sum ad hoc pending discussion with the next pay plan for salary revision with effect from January 1, 2005 and removal of 50 per cent ceiling on allowances.

Officers from BSNL, MTNL, NTPC, NHPC, HPCL, BPCL, BHEL, OIL, EIL, IBP, CRL, ONGC, IOC, NRL, CPCL, GAIL, BL, SAIL, COAL INDIA and other PSUs are participating in the strike.

ONGC and IOC officers were earlier scheduled to participate in the strike but stayed away due to internal problems within their respective organisations, sources said.

Coordination Committee Convenor Rakesh Pandey said the Government had not left the employees with any other option but to agitate.

''Our demands are long-standing. This is the first time we have taken this step. The discriminatory and wrong policies of the government towards the PSUs have led to the situation,'' he said.

Mr Pandey said flight of talent from PSUs to the private sector, due to sharp pay disparity, had posed a threat for the PSUs.

''If the PSUs have to be saved and talent retained, then our demands must be met,'' he added.

He said the existence of a healthy public sector is in the national interest as they have played a crucial role in the development and growth of the country.

''The policies of the government are intended to make PSUs sick by the way of demoralising their officers,'' he claimed.

The strike will spell doom for the economy and the Government is responsible for that, Mr Pandey said.

Regretting inconvenience caused to the common man, he said the agitation is a step to save the PSUs.

''The strike will affect supply of power and petroleum products and telecom services immediately,'' he added.

UNI NR PA BD1355