THE casual and contract workers engaged in the BSNL, numbering around one lakh, will go on a two days strike on April 21-22, 2015, demanding the government action for the revival of BSNL and also demanding regularisation of casual contract workers and implementation of minimum wage, social security measures like the EPF, ESI, gratuity etc. These workers are being brutally exploited and the labour laws of the country are not at all implemented for them.

The regular employees are also going on strike demanding revival of BSNL on the same days.

THE nationwide secret ballot to identify majority unions in Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for representation in the Powergrid National Bipartite Committee (PNBC) was held on March 16. PNBC is the national forum in PGCIL where negotiations for long-term settlements on all issues concerning wages and service conditions take place and work-related issues are discussed and settled. It is a regular standing forum. Out of the total 26 seats for which secret ballot took place, CITU has won 14 seats while BMS and INTUC have won seven and five seats, respectively.

THE insecticide was there in the house to prevent infection of aphids on mustard seeds. But Gudu Murmu had no intention whatever of spraying it on the mustard seeds. The marginal farmer from Bhatar poured it into his own throat.The cost of the insecticide bought from a local fertiliser shop is still due to be paid. The onus is now on Ram Murmu to repay his father’s debt.100 grams of the pesticide costs Rs 180. Mustard aphids, a type of little bug, infest the mustard seeds.

A TWO member delegation from the Communist Party of China headed by Lin Tao, first secretary of the International Department of the Central Committee, CPC visited the office of the Central Committee of CPI(M) on March 23, 2015.

The delegation was welcomed by Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member of the CPI(M) and head of the International Department and Hari Singh Kang, central secretariat member.

The delegation exchanged views on the current political developments in both the countries.

The following is the text of the message of greetings sent by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on March 23, 2015, to the Committee for External Relations, Central Committee, Lao People’s Revolutionary Party on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its foundation.
DEAR Comrades,
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) sends its revolutionary greetings to the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its foundation.