Cong throws challenge,govt firm

The convention was called today to protest the proposed ban on forming of trade unions by government employees and also against the government’s move to punish employees who did not report for duty on the day of the strike.

“I called Purnendu Bose (minister for labour) the day after he announced the government’s plan to ban trade union activities among government employees and told him he should call a convention before making such a move. He did not pay heed to that. I also wrote to chief secretary Samar Ghosh after he issued the circular on February 23 that no leave would be granted on the day of the strike. The Congress is totally opposed to it. I warn the state government that if they go on with such arbitrary decisions and make the administration subservient to the party,they will have to face the music,’’ Bhattacharya said during his speech.

The convention was also attended by representatives from other trade unions like TUCC of Forward Bloc,AITUC of CPI,UTUC of RSP and BMS of BJP.

At Writers’ Buildings,an official said action will be taken against absentees whose explanation for absence are not satisfactory. “We will ask for explanations from those who did not come for duty. And we will take steps against those whose explanation does not satisfy the government. It may be either striking off leave of one day or non-payment of one day’s salary,’’ the official told The Indian Express.

The Home Department is already in the process of compiling names of those employees.