[Onthebarricades] Workers' protests, India, Apr-Aug 2008

[Andy]

ON THE BARRICADES:  Global Resistance Roundup, April-August 2008
https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/onthebarricades
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/globalresistance/


India workers' protests news clippings



* Teachers *  Weavers * Train drivers *  Dismissed conductor * Washing 
workers * Plantation workers * Council workers * Benefits workers * Retail 
workers * Tax workers * Linemen * Education workers * Rail workers * Kashmir 
govt workers * Teachers and local govt workers * Electricity workers * 
Housing Corp workers * Station masters * Agricultural labourers * Anganwadi 
(childcare) workers * Various workers * Weavers * Government workers * 
Airline workers * Oil mill workers * Bank workers * Industrial workers * 
State employees * Railway workers * Childcare workers * Rural workers * 
Artisans * Ministerial staff * Electricity workers * Civic workers * 
Autorickshaw and bank workers * Plantation workers * Major unions * 
Anganwadi (childcare) workers * Bank workers * Vets

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/04/stories/2008080455920400.htm

Teachers protest 'raw deal'
HYDERABAD: The A.P. State Teachers' Union has protested against the 'raw 
deal' meted out to teachers in the report of the Rangachary Committee which 
looked into the PRC anomalies. The union in a statement issued here 
expressed displeasure that its various representations to set right the 
anomalies in respect of teachers were ignored by the committee. -Special 
Correspondent

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/20/stories/2008062055000600.htm

Weavers strike work; stage protest against increase in prices of yarn
Staff Reporter
They hold demonstration at Jakkampatti in Theni district

THENI: Over 1,000 weavers and owners of powerlooms and allied industries 
struck work and a staged demonstration on Thursday at Jakkampatti, a major 
powerloom centre in the district, to protest increase prices of yarn and 
other raw materials. All shops and business establishments, in support of 
powerlooms, joined the stir.
Later, the protesters marched to the taluk office at Andipatti and handed 
over a petition to the revenue officials seeking intervention of the 
government in controlling prices of yarn, the main raw material for 
powerlooms.
Yarn prices would go up further in the coming months, feared powerloom 
owners (hovering at Rs.560 a bundle four days ago, it shot up to Rs.590 on 
Tuesday).
At the same time, prices of raw materials for processing also had increased.
Even if we were prepared to pay higher prices, short supply of chemicals had 
hit the production. Chemical traders could not keep stock owing to massive 
fluctuation of prices in the market.
No credit facility
Already, yarn manufacturers had stopped supplying yarn to weavers on credit 
and insist on down payment for purchase of every bundle. Even weavers' 
cooperative societies also were not supplying yarn to us, they added. "Our 
future is very bleak. We do not know what to do and how to proceed. "No one 
knows when this precarious situation will change."
Rs.40-lakh loss
Total loss due to stoppage of production of powerlooms is estimated at Rs.40 
lakh a day. Over 4,000 powerlooms in the district did not function. 
Andipatti, Jakkampatti, T. Subbulapuram and nearby areas in the district are 
the major power loom centres that offer jobs directly and indirectly to over 
20,000 workers.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/18/stories/2008061860020300.htm

Train engine drivers stage protest
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The All India Loco Running Staff Association held protest 
demonstrations in different centres of Southern Railway on Tuesday, to 
protest against what the Association termed as moves to dismiss some engine 
drivers who took part in a flash strike held in December 2007.
The national vice-president of the Association K. A. S. Mani inaugurated the 
protest held at the Ernakulam Junction railway station. The Association has 
warned of indefinite strike if the Divisional Railway Manager went ahead 
with dismissal plans. It demanded that their daily working time be 
restricted to eight hours.


http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/18/stories/2008061852060300.htm

Dismissed conductor stages protest
Staff Correspondent

He was charged with continued absence from work

DAVANGERE: The former Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) 
conductor Oblappa, who was dismissed from service recently, staged a dharna 
along with his wife and children in front of the bus depot here on Tuesday, 
threatening to consume poison if he was not reinstated. Senior officials of 
the KSRTC, Davangere division, made a futile attempt to pacify the 
protesters and later complained to the police. The police rushed to the spot 
and asked Mr. Oblappa to handover the poison bottle lest he be arrested. 
Meanwhile, Mayakonda MLA Basavaraj Naika also came to the spot and took Mr. 
Oblappa to KSRTC Divisional Controller Venkata Reddy. Mr. Venkata Reddy told 
the MLA that the conductor had been given sufficient warnings before being 
dismissed. He said Mr. Oblappa had been continuously absent from work for 
months together without prior permission.
He suggested that he make an appeal before a committee that dealt with the 
welfare of the road transport corporation officials. Later Mr. Oblappa 
returned home along with family, deciding to plead his case before the 
committee.
Continued absence
Mr. Venkata Reddy told The Hindu that as many as 80 conductors were 
dismissed for continued absence from work and asked how buses could be 
operated without the required staff. The head office would not sanction 
additional posts as it had already recruited several conductors, he said and 
added that he had instructed the habitual absentees to take voluntary 
retirement if they could not work.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/26/stories/2008042651380300.htm

Washermen protest
PUDUCHERRY: A group of washermen from Nellithope on Friday staged a 
demonstration in front of the municipality to protest the lack of 
availability of water in Nellithope for their work.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/06/stories/2008050651950300.htm

Plantation staff protest on June 16
Staff Reporter
'Black day' to be observed; token strike on July 2

'Plantation managements trying to subvert minimum wages'
Salary revision from January 1, 2005 sought

KOTTAYAM: The Joint Council of Plantation Staff which met here on Sunday has 
alleged that the plantation managements were trying to subvert the minimum 
wage and dearness allowance fixed by the State government. In a press note 
issued after the conclave, the Council leaders said they would observe June 
16 as 'black day' if the managements refused to implement the order till 
then. This will be followed by a token strike on July 2, they added.
The leaders said that during the last three decades the service and 
remuneration package of the plantation staff in Kerala have not been 
scientifically reviewed. Instead, plantation managements had followed a 
policy of imposing the contracts that they had entered with their staff in 
Tamil Nadu on their Kerala colleagues, they alleged. Last year the 
government had issued an order revising the remuneration and service 
condition of the plantation labourers, but the managements had succeeded in 
obtaining an interim stay order from the court. But, on account of sustained 
struggle by the labourers, the managements were forced to implement the 
government decision, they said. However, in the case of the plantation 
staff, the managements have refused to implement the government decision, 
they pointed out. The leaders said that this was because of the fact that 
the strength of the plantation staff was less than 5,000, against the four 
lakh plantation labourers.
Though the Labour Commissioner had called meetings nearly a dozen times, the 
managements had refused to attend. They said. "This was a planned strategy 
to impose their contractual terms with Tamil Nadu counterparts, after 
obtaining a stay order against the government notification," the leaders 
alleged. The starting salary of the plantation staff in the private sector 
has been put at Rs.3,330, while that of the staff in public sector 
plantations get three times the salary. They asked the managements and the 
government to take necessary corrective steps and to implement the same with 
effect from January 1, 2005.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/20/stories/2008052053910400.htm

Joint Council protest
Thiruvananthapuram: The Joint Council on Monday took out a march to the 
Higher Secondary Directorate here and organised a dharna before it to 
protest against the seniority list of employees finalised by the department 
"irresponsibly and in violation of all norms". It wanted a fresh list to be 
prepared removing the anomalies and maintaining the 1:1:1 ratio which was in 
force. - Special Correspondent

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051661270600.htm

Central staff plan protest
Staff Reporter
BANGALORE: Union Government employees will stage a dharna in front of the 
Mahatma Gandhi statue on Mahatma Gandhi Road in the city on Friday pressing 
for various demands, as per the call given by the Confederation of Central 
Government Employees and Workers, New Delhi.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/14/stories/2008051454650300.htm

BSNL staff protest
KOCHI: Executive and non-executive employees of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd 
held demonstrations on Tuesday against the management's delay in merging 50 
per cent of the Dearness Allowance with the basic pay as was proposed for 
the public sector employees.
Protests in Ernakulam Telecom district were held in front of BSNL Bhavan, 
Catholic Centre Telecom Exchange, CTO, Kochi, Palluruthy, Wellingdon Island, 
Panampilly Nagar, Aluva, Kizhakambalam, Angamaly, Perumbavur, Muvattupuzha 
and Thodupuzha exchanges.
A.V. Kuriakose, K. K. Gopakumar, K. D. Sebastian, K. N. Mohanan, P. M. 
Damodaran, P. G. Suresh. T.P. George, P. S. Peethambaran and C. P. Narayanan 
Nair led the protests-Staff Reporter

http://www.katu.com/news/local/19293949.html

Supplyco staff stage protest against 'harassment'
Special Correspondent
Thiruvananthapuram: The Supplyco Employees' Association took out a 
demonstration to the Regional Office here and held a dharna in front of it 
on Tuesday to protest against what it described as the harassment of 
employees through transfers violating norms and misbehaviour towards 
employees in the name of inspection.
At a meeting held after the dharna, the leaders of the organisation charged 
the regional authorities with trying to wreck the public distribution system 
and promote the entry of monopolies into the retail field.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052361880300.htm

I-T employees protest over fund distribution
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Income Tax Employees' Federation organised a sit-in 
outside the office of the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Cadre 
Controlling Authority) on Thursday to call upon the Central Board of Direct 
Taxes to immediately rescind the decision to give a huge portion of the 
infrastructure fund worth Rs.195 crore meant for the Income Tax Department 
to a few senior officials alone. The Federation also submitted a memorandum.
Federation president Ashok Kumar Kanojia said following the record tax 
collection in the previous year the Finance Ministry had recently announced 
a surprise package of Rs.195 crore for the welfare of IT Department 
officials and improvement of the infrastructure.
Mr. Kanojia said the CBDT was entrusted the task but its officials announced 
certain welfare measures mainly for the officer cadre, overlooking the 
remaining workforce of the IT Department.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/04/stories/2008060459370300.htm

Contract linemen protest
Staff Reporter
HYDERABAD: Fearing that the APTransco might terminate the services of the 
contract junior linemen, the United Electricity Employees' Union under the 
aegis of CITU organised a demonstration in front of the Vidyut Soudha on 
Tuesday.
The junior linemen in question numbering 7,114 were recruited a year ago to 
work within the jurisdiction of the four State-run power distribution 
companies (Discoms) at Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Warangal and Hyderabad. 
Their contract would terminate by June end sans regularisation.
The A.P. High Court upon a petition, issued orders to the Government asking 
it not to extend the contract of the junior linemen and to fill the posts by 
conducting fresh interviews on the basis of merit. "We are asking the 
government to retain the services of the existing employees even while 
recruiting fresh candidates as there are many more vacant posts," said the 
regional secretary of the union K. Eeswar Rao. The union's major demand is 
for an appeal by Transco against the previous ruling.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/12/stories/2008061255180200.htm

Protest by OPEPA staff
BHUBANESWAR: More than a 1,000 employees engaged on contractual basis with 
the Orissa Primary Education Programme Authority (OPEPA) staged a 
demonstration in Bhubaneswar drawing the atten tion on insecurities, which 
were associated with their jobs on Wednes- day.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/11/stories/2008061158290200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Protest by railway employees
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: Members of the Southern Railway Mazdoor Union on Monday staged a 
demonstration in front of the Station Manager's office in Chennai Central 
protesting against alleged harassment of employees by Vigilance Department 
officials.
According to the union, the employees, working in commercial, ticket 
checking and reservation departments, were being victimised by the Vigilance 
Department on flimsy grounds.
Some employees were transferred to other divisions without any valid reason.

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=369159

Srinagar government workers hold protest march, dispersed

IANS     Tuesday 10th June, 2008
Hundreds of government employees held a protest march to the civil 
secretariat here Tuesday, demanding higher salaries and better designations. 
Police used batons and water cannons to disperse the demonstrators.

The protesters wanted a pay hike, redesignation of Class four employees like 
orderlies and an increase in the superannuation age from the present 58 to 
60 years.

They were intercepted by the police at Jahangir Chowk, barely 100 metres 
from the civil secretariat.

'Police used batons and high speed water jets to stop our protest march. 
Dozens of employees have been taken into custody while nearly half a dozen 
sustained injuries during the police action,' said one of the protesters.

Government employees in the state have been on a path of confrontation with 
the administration as they claim their demands, which Chief Minister Ghulam 
Nabi Azad had earlier agreed to meet, were still hanging fire.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060855411200.htm

Kerala

Call to make 'protest day' a success
Staff Reporter
KOLLAM: The district unit of the Federation of State Employees and Teachers' 
Organisations has called upon State employees and teachers to ensure the 
success of the protest day being observed on Tuesday against the alleged 
neo-liberal policies being implemented in the country.
In a statement, Basil Joseph, district secretary of the federation, said the 
call for the nationwide protest was given by the All India State Government 
Employees Federation. Employees and teachers would join duty wearing black 
badges on the day. A demonstration would be held in front of the Civil 
Station complex here during the afternoon break, he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/08/stories/2008060853700400.htm

KSEB union plans protest
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The pro-CPI Kerala Electricity Workers Federation will 
take out marches to Central government offices and organise dharnas on June 
11 to protest against the move to convert the Kerala State Electricity Board 
into a company.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070154000300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool

Housing corporation staff stage protest
KURNOOL: Employees of State Housing Corporation staged a demonstration here 
on Monday demanding regularisation of their services.
-Special Correspondent

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063050540300.htm

Station masters' protest
PALAKKAD: Station masters of the Palakkad Railway Division will stage a 
24-hour token hunger fast on Monday in front of the Divisional Railway 
Manager's (DRM) office at Olavakkode raising various demands.
In a statement here, chairman of the Divisional Action Committee G. 
Premkumar said that the fast would be inaugurated by S. Ajayakumar, MP. - 
Staff Reporter

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062752310300.htm

Workers protest delay in payment of wages
Special Correspondent
GULBARGA: Landless agriculture workers from different parts of Gulbarga 
district picketed the office of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 
Gulbarga Zilla Panchayat here on Thursday to protest against delay in 
payment of wages and failure of some gram panchayats to provide them 
employment despite making a request under the National Rural Employment 
Guarantee Scheme (NREGS).
They withdrew their agitation after CEO of the zilla panchayat assured them 
that the wages would be paid within a week and action would be initiated to 
take up works.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/24/stories/2008062450480200.htm

Karnataka

A day of protests in Chitradurga
Staff Correspondent
Anganwadi workers demand a hike in their honorarium

In full force: Anganwadi workers taking out a protest rally in Chitradurga 
on Monday.
Chitradurga: The city on Monday witnessed four protests by various 
organisations on diverse issues.
In a protest organised by the Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers and 
Assistants' Federation under the aegis of the Communist Party of India 
(CPI), the anganwadi workers of the district demanded an increase in the 
honorarium paid to them.
The protest march by the workers stated from the Mahatma Gandhi Circle here 
and culminated at the Deputy Commissioner's office. District president of 
the CPI, H.K. Ramchandrappa, said that over 1 lakh anganwadi workers were 
working in the State for a meagre monthly honorarium.
"Though a marginal hike was given recently, but given the spiralling prices 
of essential commodities, the hike was too small," he said.
Mr. Ramchandrappa demanded that the Government provide a monthly honorarium 
of Rs. 3,000 to anganwadi workers and Rs. 2,000 to the assistants.
He urged the Government to extend retirement benefits to the workers by 
paying them a pension of Rs. 1,200 a month.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/08/stories/2008070852450300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

Anganwadi workers stage protest
Staff Correspondent

Memorandum submitted to official

BELLARY: The district unit of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers 
Federation staged a demonstration in front of the Deputy Commissioner's 
office here on Monday seeking implementation of several demands.
Shot slogans
The workers, who came in a procession shouting slogans, submitted a 
memorandum addressed to P.M. Narendraswamy, Minister for Women and Child 
Development, through the headquarters assistant to the Deputy Commissioner, 
urging him to find solutions to their problems. They have sought increase in 
honorarium, better retirement benefits and pension, withdrawal of the order 
entrusting Stree Shakti groups with supplying nutritious food, enactment of 
a special provision to appoint already selected anganwadi workers , housing 
facilities and cooking gas connections.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/08/stories/2008070853030300.htm

HARWAD: It was a day of protests in Dharwad on Monday. Five separate 
agitations on different issues were held on Monday.
There was a huge protest rally by anganwadi workers held under the aegis of 
Karnataka Rajya Anganawadi Karyakarteyaru Mattu Sahayakiyara Federation, 
affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress.
Hundreds of anganwadi workers marched to the Deputy Commissioner's office to 
press for their various demands including increase in the remuneration paid 
to them.
The protestors demanded pension for anganwadi workers, a minimum 
remuneration of Rs. 3,000 to anganwadi workers and Rs. 2,000 to anganwadi 
assistants and pressed the Government to fulfil their other demands. They 
then submitted a memorandum to the authorities.
There was another protest march by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad 
members in Dharwad demanding better facilities at hostels for students of 
Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
The protestors said that the food allowance sanctioned per student was 
meagre and should be increased from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,000 month. They also 
demanded special grants for development of the SC/ST hostels.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/08/stories/2008070851120300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Weavers take out protest rally
Staff Reporter
Demand implementation of State and Central schemes

Seeking justice: Handloom weavers staging a dharna in front of the 
collectorate in Anantapur on Monday.
ANANTAPUR: Silk handloom weavers from different parts of the district took 
out a protest rally from Arts College to the Collectorate and staged a 
dharna here on Monday under the aegis of All-India United Trade Union Centre 
(AIUTUC), affiliated to the SUCI.
SUCI district secretary B.S. Amarnath stated that the handloom weavers in 
the district had been leading pathetic lives for long in the absence of any 
support from the government. The schemes being implemented by the State and 
Central governments were being exploited by middlemen with the connivance of 
the officials of Handlooms and Textiles Department, he alleged.
Plea for loans
He requested the banks to sanction loans to weavers for construction of 
houses, setting up of looms and purchase of raw material. State convener of 
the trade unions' body L.V. Sudheer urged the government to sanction 
scholarships for children of weavers, medical facility, pension for workers, 
etc. He also asked the Handlooms Department to make the schemes public with 
proper publicity.
Handloom weavers from Nethulapalli, Yarragunta, Tirumaladevarapalli, 
Srirangarajupalli, Kaluvapalli, Melapuram, Nyamaddela and others 
participated in the protest. Later, they submitted a memorandum to DRO.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070552400300.htm

Karnataka - Belgaum

Government staff take out protest march in Belgaum
Staff Correspondent
Various organisations condemn attack on irrigation official

Protest was organised by Karnataka State Engineering Service Association
Associations seek action against policemen for remaining mute to the attack

Belgaum: A large number of employees of the Irrigation, Public Works and 
other State Government departments on Friday took out a procession in 
protest against the attack on S.S. Khanagavi, Chief Engineer of Irrigation, 
North Zone, and seeking the arrest of BJP MLA Abhay Kumar Patil here on 
Friday.
Mr. Patil had allegedly led the attack on the official by his supporters on 
Thursday.
Even as the employees were getting ready for the procession, the police 
arrested Mr. Patil and produced in the local court. Four other accused in 
the case were also arrested and produced in the court. The court released 
Mr. Patil and four others on bail.
The protest was organised by the Karnataka State Engineering Service 
Association. The procession passed through Club Road, College Road, 
Bogarves, Kirloskar Road and Rani Channamma Circle and ended at the Deputy 
Commissioner's office where they submitted a memorandum addressed to the 
Chief Minister.
Branches of Institution of Engineers, Government Employees' Housing 
Development Association, All India Karnataka State Government Employees' 
Association, Treasury Employees' Association, The Buddhist Society of India, 
Bhim Sena, Karnataka State Government SC/ST Employees' Association, 
employees of Public Works Department and the Belgaum District Contractors' 
Association participated in the protest.
Members of the district unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike of the Narayana 
Gowda faction also joined the procession and condemned the attack. These 
associations also sought action against the policemen who allegedly remained 
mute when Mr. Khanagavi was being beaten up by Mr. Patil's henchmen. They 
alleged that Mr. Patil's supporters had entered the chamber of Mr. Khanagavi 
and spoke in foul language while asking him to close his office in support 
of "Bharat bandh" called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Subsequently, they 
dragged him out of his chamber and started assaulting him. Employees of the 
Irrigation Department, North Zone, would stay away from work till the 
Government took action against Mr. Patil and the policemen, the protesters 
said. Karnataka Engineering Service Association's president Shivanand Hugar 
and vice-president of Karnataka Engineers' Association R.T. Jungal were 
among those who participated in the protest.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/06/stories/2008070661350300.htm

Kerala

Protest rally against airline labour policy
A Correspondent
NEDUMBASSERY: The CITU area committee held a rally of party workers at the 
Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) against the Air India management 
here on Saturday. They were registering their support to the labourers of 
the Air India Casual Employees Association (ACEA).
The march, which began from the central gate of the airport moved to the Air 
India office located inside the CIAL complex, was blocked at the cargo gate 
by a team of police. Later, the protestors sat down on the road and a 
meeting was held. Inaugurating the meeting, M.M. Lawrence, CITU state 
secretary, urged the airline management to meet the demands raised by the 
casual labourers at the earliest. CPI(M) central committee member M.C. 
Josephine and P.S. Shyla, district panchayat president, were also among 
those who addressed the gathering.
The ACEA has been on a relay hunger strike at the central gate of the 
airport since June 21 in protest against the apparent indifference of the 
Air India management to meet their demands of better pay and working 
environment.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/19/stories/2008071951180300.htm

Karnataka

Protest against bid to close oil mill
Staff Correspondent
Chitradurga: Protesting against the alleged attempts to shut down Sri 
Murugharajendra Oil Mill here, members of the All India Trade Union Congress 
(AITUC) and mill workers staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's 
office on Friday.
Addressing the protesters, AITUC district president G. Chandrappa said that 
in drought-prone district like Chitradurga, there were a few industries that 
were providing a livelihood to poor families.
"Earlier some of the factories in the district were shut down leaving 
numerous workers unemployed," he said.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/13/stories/2008071352610300.htm

Kerala

Protest against dismissal

Family concern: Members of the Bank Deposit Collectors' Union (Kerala) 
staging a dharna along with their family members as part of a nation-wide 
protest against the dismissal of deposit collectors from service, in the 
city on Saturday

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/09/stories/2008070952290300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati

Protest rally against Chiru
Staff Reporter

In protest: TDP leaders take out protest rally against actor Chiranjeevi in 
Chittoor on Tuesday
TIRUPATI: Chittoor town on Tuesday witnessed what could be the first ever 
protest programme against film star Chiranjeevi even before he could jump 
into active politics.
March
Protesting against the "anti-worker" stand taken by an industrial unit in 
Nagari, run by Mr. Chiranjeevi's kin, the affected labourers led by Telugu 
Desam Party (TDP) leaders took out a protest march in Chittoor town, laid 
siege to the Collectorate and presented a memorandum to Joint Collector 
in-charge Mr. Chandramouli.
L.V.R. Dong-In-Granites, a 100 per cent export-oriented unit (EOU) in Nagari 
run by Chiranjeevi's elder son-in-law L.Vishnu Prasad and his father L. R. 
Sivaprasad since 1986, had announced a lockout and layoff last April.
The management had even decided to close down operations from July 26 and 
dispatched termination notices to the workers by post, causing heartburn to 
the latter.
Addressing workers at a protest rally, Nagari-based TDP youth leader 
Ramanujam Chalapathi said that even as the yet-to-be-launched political 
outfit was touted as a champion of masses, the mega star's close relatives 
had brought dozens of labourers on to the streets.
"Instead of making sensational announcements every day in the media, Mr. 
Chiranjeevi could do well to come down to Nagari to render justice to the 
masses," he suggested. The company's union president M. Prabhakar alleged 
that the management had either deliberately abstained from the meeting 
scheduled to be held in the presence of labour officials or failed to arrive 
at a consensus with the union.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/10/stories/2008071054690500.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Capital city teems with protesters
Staff Reporter
Thiruvananthapuram: Protest marches and demonstrations disrupted traffic for 
several hours in the city for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. The 
Bharatiya Janata Party, Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha, Kerala State Employees 
Association, Youth Congress and All Indian Youth Federation held almost 
simultaneous demonstrations in front of the Kerala Legislative Assembly and 
the Secretariat. Hundreds of persons participated in the demonstrations. The 
situation is likely to be the same on Thursday, when the police expect over 
20,000 traders to participate in the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasaya Samithi 
protest march.
The police diverted vehicles and public transport buses from the arterial 
M.G. Road, forcing motorists and two-wheeler riders to take long detours to 
reach their destinations. Hundreds of passengers had to wait for several 
hours in bus stops. Much of the city remained off limits for citizens. Many 
people found it difficult to access key government offices, banks and 
commercial institutions situated in the city centre.
A section of autorickshaw drivers refused to ferry passengers to Statue, 
Palayam, P.M.G. and Ayurveda College areas.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/12/stories/2008071253470400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

SCR staff stage protests
HYDERABAD: The South Central Railway Mazdoor Union (SCRMU) held 
demonstrations, lunch-hour and gate meetings on Friday demanding 
implementation of the Sixth Central Pay Commission recommendations without 
any delay. A press release from SCRMU said more than 1,500 railway employees 
demonstrated before the Rail Nilayam. - Special Correspondent

http://feeds.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid=384805

Care centre workers protest in Chandigarh

IANS     Monday 21st July, 2008
Over 200 workers of daytime child care centres from across Punjab Monday 
held a protest march on the busy roads of Chandigarh despite allotment of a 
fixed site for public conventions and rallies.

The march was held from sector 34 to Sector 22 and then to the busy road 
dividing Sectors 16 and 17 in the afternoon.

The incensed Anganwadi workers demanded an immediate increase in the 
salaries, provision of travelling allowance (TA) and daily allowance (DA), 
promotions according to seniority, pension scheme and summer holidays for 
the employees. They also raised slogans against the Punjab government.

The Chandigarh police made arrangements to control the situation and blocked 
the sectors 16-17 road for users. As a result, traffic suffered heavily due 
to these diversions at peak hours leading to traffic jams in the adjoining 
sectors of 17, 16, 22, 23 and 34.

'We are sitting on a relay fast since June 7 to press our demands. Every 
day, 51 members of our union sit there on fast, but the authorities are not 
moved at all so we are forced to take this extreme step,' Surjit Kaur, one 
of the agitators, told IANS.

The road dividing Sectors 16-17 has become a favourite site for protesters 
to hold rallies leading to traffic snarls.

The inaction of administration to ensure the free flow of traffic during 
such events is in violation of the Punjab and Haryana High Court's 
directions. It is also contrary to the Chandigarh administration's decision 
to mark a site in sector 25 for protests and rallies.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/22/stories/2008072256550300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Ramanathapuram

Workers protest against "low wages"
Special Correspondent

They said though they executed work as per the norms, they were paid very 
low

RAMANATHAPURAM: A group of 200 persons of T. Nagani panchayat near 
Thiruvadanai thronged the Collectorate here on Monday protesting against low 
wages for working under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The crowd utilised the opportunity to "surround" K. Hasan Ali, MLA of 
Ramanathapuram constituency, when he came to the Collector's office.
They dispersed from the scene after he told them that he was not the MLA of 
their constituency and inform their grievances to the MLA concerned. The 
villagers later met the Collector, R. Kirlosh Kumar, and presented a 
petition that though they executed work as per the norms, they were paid 
very low as against Rs.80 for a day's work.
He assured that he would look into the issue and take necessary action.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/24/stories/2008072451680300.htm

Artisans' protest

Pressing demands: Artisans belonging to various organisations staging a 
dharna in front of the Doordarshan Kendra in Malappuram on Wednesday.
http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/24/stories/2008072452060300.htm

Other States - Puducherry

Ministerial staff to stage protest
PUDUCHERRY: The Pondicherry Ministerial Staff Association on Wednesday 
announced that its members would stage a 'dharna' before the Chief 
Secretariat from 5 pm to 7 pm on Thursday in support of their demand for 
filling vacancies to the posts of junior and senior accountants.
The association said in a release that the protest was also aimed at urging 
the government to release the amended recruitment rules for the appointment 
of superintendents.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/15/stories/2008081553430300.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

Employees' protest
Kozhikode: A 'human chain' was organised in front of the Vaiduthi Bhavan in 
the city on Thursday as part of a State-wide protest organised by the Kerala 
State Electricity Board Employees' Confederation against the move to convert 
the board into a company. KPCC vice-president Mullappally Ramachandran spoke

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081358010300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Karimnagar

Civic workers beg for alms in protest
Staff Reporter
Karimnagar Municipal Corporation has not paid wages for five months

- Photo: Uppu Damodar

Novel protest: Sanitation workers collect alms from people in Karimnagar 
town on Tuesday.
KARIMNAGAR: The sanitary workers of Karimnagar Municipal Corporation have 
come on to the roads and collected alms from the people to eke out their 
living on Tuesday in protest against the non-payment of their wages by the 
corporation since last five months.
Several hundreds of sanitation workers have participated in a rally from the 
Corporation office to the Indira Chowk in the town and collected alms from 
the passersby. They appealed the locals to provide some assistance through 
their donations so that they could eke out their livelihood.
It may be recalled that Karimnagar Mayor D. Shankar had assured to take 
measures for the payment of wages to the sanitation workers on August 11 
during the municipal corporation general body on August 7. Contrary to the 
claims made by the Mayor, the municipal authorities have failed to provide 
the salaries to the sanitation workers.
The Karimnagar municipal corporation sanitation workers association district 
president B Ailaiah said that they had requested the corporation for the 
payment of their wages since last five months, but in vain. He said that the 
sanitation workers were facing starvation and forced to make huge debts 
because of non-payment of wages.
He demanded the corporation authorities to provide wages to all the 
sanitation workers through bank payment, ESI facilities and other welfare 
schemes.
He threatened to intensify their agitation programme by launching indefinite 
relay hunger strike in Karimnagar town from Independence day onwards.
He said that the sanitation workers would protest against the municipal 
authorities' attitude by wearing black badges on Wednesday and Thursday.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/21/stories/2008082153410300.htm

Karnataka - Shimoga

It was a day of protests
Special Correspondent
Autorickshaws were off the road in Shimoga

Airing demands: Insurance and postal employees staging a protest in Shimoga 
on Wednesday.
SHIMOGA: It was a day of protests in Shimoga city on Wednesday as employees 
of banks, insurance companies, and those of the Central Government, and 
autorickshaw drivers observed strike in support of their demands.
Bank employees abstained from work in response to a call given by the All 
India Bank Employees' Association and the All India Bank Officers' 
Association.
They demanded that the Government should not go ahead with its plans of 
privatising nationalised banks. They also opposed merger of 27 public sector 
banks and foreign investment in the banking sector. They said that public 
sector banks should expand their area of operation by opening more branches, 
particularly in rural areas. Postal and insurance employees condemned the 
"anti-labour" policy of the Union Government. They also criticised the 
Government for its "failure" to keep the prices of essential commodities 
under control. They demanded greater job security to the them.
Autorickshaws were off the road in the city on Wednesday. Autorickshaw 
divers demanded that the Government provide them below poverty line (BPL) 
ration cards, earmark 25 per cent of sites under the Ashraya scheme to them, 
launch a pension scheme for autorickshaw drivers aged above 60, cancel green 
cards, waive loans obtained by them from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled 
Tribes and Backward Classes Development Corporation, and stop issuing fresh 
autorickshaw licences.
Members of the National Students' Union of India held a demonstration to 
urge the Government to observe the 93rd birth anniversary of the former 
Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs in a befitting manner. They demanded revival 
of work on the Devaraj Urs Memorial Hall.
Non-teaching staff of the Sahyadri College staged a dharna demanding 
implementation of the University Grants Commission pay scale.
Dharna
Chikmagalur Correspondent writes:
Members of the Communist Party of India (CPI) organised a demonstration here 
on Wednesday to protest against the policies of the Union Government, in 
response to a nationwide call.
They took out a procession from the taluk office to the district offices and 
staged "rasta roko" near Hanumanthappa Circle. They shouted slogans against 
the Union and the State governments and staged a dharna in front of the 
district offices. Later, they presented a memorandum to the Deputy 
Commissioner of Chikmagalur district.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/21/stories/2008082153370300.htm

Karnataka - Madikeri

Labour union members take out protest march, stage dharna
Staff Correspondent
Their demands include payment of minimum wage to plantation workers

'Scrap contract system of labour in plantations'
Centre urged to reduce prices of petrol, diesel

Show of strength: Workers affiliated to various organisations and trade 
unions holding a protest in Madikeri on Wednesday.
Madikeri: Members of several labour unions in Kodagu took out a march in 
Madikeri and staged a dharna on the Deputy Commissioner's office premises at 
the Fort here on Wednesday pressing for their demands and protesting against 
price rise and anomalies in the public distribution system (PDS).
The dharna was staged as part of the nationwide strike being observed by 
trade unions.
A large number of plantation workers; members of trade unions, Communist 
Party of India (Marxist), Karnataka Pranta Raitha Sangha, Kodagu District 
General Workers' Union, Kodagu District Construction Workers' Union, Loaders' 
Association, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and employees' 
unions of LIC and BSNL came out in support of the strike here.
President of the General Workers' Union Durgaprasad; general secretary of 
the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, Kodagu, Mahadev; the former president of 
Kodagu DYFI Vasant Kumar Hosmani; president of the Life Insurance 
Corporation (LIC) of India Employees' Union Gopal and secretary of Bharat 
Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) Employees' Association Anthony were present at the 
Fort.
Leaders, who addressed the workers, said minimum wage be given to plantation 
workers in the district. Below poverty line (BPL) cards should be 
distributed to the workers without delay, they said.
They demanded scrapping of the contract system of labour in plantations, 
daily wage system and outsourcing, which they said would deprive workers of 
livelihood. Labour laws should be strengthened and actions initiated against 
those violating them. Withdrawal of stakes from public sector institutions 
such as banks, telecom companies, ports and harbours should be given up with 
a view to stop privatisation of the enterprises and steps taken to revive 
sick industries, the leaders demanded. They wanted the Government to scrap 
the unit system in the PDS and pay remunerative price to agricultural 
produce.
The trade unions opposed moves to privatise the LIC and sell shares of BSNL 
to private parties, the leaders said.
Anganwadi workers should be paid gratuity of Rs. 1 lakh and assistants Rs. 
50,000 at retirement, they said.
The leaders urged the Union Government to bring down prices of petrol and 
diesel, and appoint a judge to the Labour Court here to expedite trials. The 
Government must put an end to future trading and initiate stringent action 
against hoarders, they said.
A memorandum addressed to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa was handed over to 
the district administration authorities.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/21/stories/2008082157110300.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

Major unions protest against rising inflation, Pension Bill
Staff Correspondent
Cancellation of contract jobs and filling of about 50 lakh vacant posts 
sought

SFI demands more fund allocation to education sector
Nationalised banks did not function in Raichur

BIDAR: Members of the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), the Centre of 
Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the Akhila Karnataka State Government 
Employees' Union took out a rally here on Wednesday urging the Union 
Government to control inflation and strengthen of public distribution system 
(PDS).
In a memorandum, they sought the withdrawal of Pension Bill and providing 
the pension facility to all employees appointed after January, 2004.
It demanded cancellation of contract jobs and filling of about 50 lakh 
vacant posts. Regularisation of services of daily wage earners in the State 
was also sought.
Right to protest
The memorandum said all government employees should get trade union rights, 
including the right to stage protests.
It said there should be strict implementation of labour laws, and social 
security should be provided to workers.
The memorandum said payment of minimum wages and the working hours should be 
strictly followed.
The Government should take steps to check farmers' suicide in the country 
and encourage farmers to take up organic farming, it said.
Pay hike
The protesters sought pay hike for employees of anganwadis, gram panchayats, 
those involved in midday meal scheme and for librarians.
They also urged the Government to provide land to a polytechnic on the 
Industrial Training Institute premises and take steps to construct a for the 
ITI.
The rally was taken out from Ganesh Maidan to the Deputy Commissioner's 
office.
District unit secretary of AITUC Baburao Honna and district unit president 
of AKSGEU Shankar Shivgonda led the protest rally.
Schools and colleges closed
Schools and colleges in Bidar city remained closed on Wednesday after a 
bandh call was given by members of the district unit of the Students 
Federation of India.
In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, district unit 
vice-president of the SFI Uttamkumar Hivoore said the bandh was called to 
protest against setting up of foreign and private universities in the 
country.
Their other demands are elections for students' union in colleges and 
universities according to Supreme Court's directions, appointment of 
teachers in vacant posts, constitution of a committee against sexual 
harassment in educational institutions, and increase in fund allocation to 
education sector.
The members submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.
Raichur staff correspondent reports:
The bandh in Raichur was peaceful.
Except for petty shops, fruit stalls and medical shops, most of the business 
establishments in the city were closed.
Schools and colleges were closed. Most of the nationalised banks did not 
function.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/22/stories/2008082257650300.htm

Karnataka

Protest march
CHAMARAJANAGAR: A large number of anganwadi workers took out a procession 
here on Thursday urging the Government to fulfil their demands, including 
regularisation of their service. The workers submitted a memorandum to 
Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena. They urged the State Government to 
fix a minimum salary of Rs. 4,080 to them and extend maternity leave and 
other benefits on par with government employees.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aO9dJDSEMWOg&refer=india

State Bank of India Officers Strike to Protest Merger Plan
By Sumit Sharma
Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Staff at State Bank of India, the nation's biggest 
bank, and its seven subsidiaries went on strike today, protesting the merger 
of subsidiary State Bank of Saurashtra with the bank, a union official said.
About 60,000 officers of State Bank and another 20,000 at seven subsidiary 
banks will stay away from almost 15,000 branches today, G.D. Nadaf, the 
general secretary at All India State Bank of India Officers' Federation said 
by phone from Bangalore.
``It will affect the bank's operations as no transaction can pass through 
without the approval of an officer,'' Nadaf said. ``We are demanding that 
officers at the subsidiaries be given the same superannuation benefits as 
those at the State Bank of India.''
The more than 200 year-old bank is seeking to bolster its size and strength 
as the central bank reviews policies to permit overseas banks to acquire 
local private banks. The bank has more than 130 million customers and plans 
to absorb all seven units.
The 59.73 percent government-owned bank got approval to absorb the 
subsidiary, according a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange on Aug. 14. 
State Bank of India owns between 75 percent and 100 percent of its seven 
subsidiaries.

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/18/stories/2008081853910400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Protest by SBI officials today
BANGALORE: Normal business transactions in branches of State Bank of India 
and its associate banks will be affected on Monday with over 80,000 officers 
observing a nation-wide strike in protest against the merger of State Bank 
of Saurashtra with SBI. The officers of associate banks are also demanding 
extension of superannuation benefits as available to officers of State Bank 
of India. - Staff Reporter

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/08/stories/2008080852070300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Kurnool

Veterinarians protest pay disparity
Special Correspondent
KURNOOL: AP Veterinary Assistants Surgeons Service Association members took 
out a rally here on Thursday seeking parity in pay-scale with medical 
doctors. The association leaders said the Pay Commission fixed a basic pay 
of Rs. 10,285 for medical doctors and Rs. 9,285 for veterinarians.
They said both doctors discharged same duties and had equal qualifications 
but in different disciplines.
One treated human beings and other animals.
They said the veterinarians discharges their duties in remote areas and 
helping the rural communities.
Vacancies
On account of the poor wages, most of the veterinary graduates were 
reluctant to join the service. Out of 2,023 posts nearly 550 posts were 
vacant in the State. They urged the government to remove wage anomalies in 
order to provide quality veterinary service in rural areas