Circle Office issued order for shifting of SSRM 'N' Division Headquarters to Map Publication Building Jobra, Cuttack

The complete story behind the struggle

For construction of a multi-storied building demolishing the existing dilapidated building of the office of the SSRM, RMS ‘N’ Division Cuttack functioning since 01.12.1956 in Machhua Bazar, Cuttack, the Postal Directorate gave its approval during June-2018.  The requirement was to shift the office of the SSRM and HRO, Cuttack RMS temporarily to some other place(s) in Cuttack till completion of the new building.  But the SSRM repeatedly tried to shift it to Postal Printing Press, Bhubaneswar (now about to close)  since October 2018. Since then the drama was going on and the Staff Side (Divisional Union) was strongly opposing it. In the meantime several round of discussions were made with the Official Side and finally it was decided to do anything with due intimation to staff side. The SSRM also gave press statements during October, 2018 and February, 2019 which was published in several local Odia dailies that there was no proposal for shifting of RMS N Dn Hqrs to Bhubaneswar. But all on a sudden, the SSRM instead of consulting with the Staff Side or finding out a suitable  accommodation at Cuttack, advised the Office Supervisor to issue an Office Order to function the Divisional office from 14.5.2019 in Postal Printing Press, Bhubaneswar  in complete violation of his own agreement dated 22.2.2019.

Being aggrieved, the Divisional JCA (NFPE & FNPO) of RMS ‘N’ Division, Cuttack in their letter No. N-Dn/RMS JCA/Strike/2019, dated 12.03.2019 intimated the SSRM ‘N’ Division, Cuttack that in case the office is shifted to Bhubaneswar then strike may take place from the day of shifting. Accordingly, the staff members of Divisional JCA (NFPE & FNPO) of RMS ‘N’ Division, Cuttack went on Indefinite Strike since 14.05.2019.

Immediately, as Chairman, NFPE, Odisha State CoC, we rushed to the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle and arranged a meeting with him on 15.05.2019 (Forenoon) requesting his kind intervention. Accordingly, the Chief PMG, Odisha called a meeting of the Staff representatives on 15.05.2019 (Afternoon). As per the decision in the meeting with Staff Side in the Conference Hall of the Circle Office on 15.05.2019 regarding bringing out a solution to end the Indefinite Strike by the Postal JCA (NFPE & FNPO) of RMS ‘N’ Division Cuttack started since 14.05.2019 in protest against the shifting of RMS Divisional Office to Bhubaneswar, we paid a personal visit to Cuttack RMS accompanied with the staff representatives who attended the above meeting to assess the feasibility of functioning of the office of the SSRM, RMS ‘N’ Division, Cuttack in the 1^st floor of RMS building. What we observed, there no dearth of space at all to run the office of the SSRM, RMS ‘N’ Division, Cuttack in the 1^st floor of Cuttack RMS building accommodating some sections in the ground floor of the building.  Our observations in detail have already been communicated to the Chief PMG vide our letter No. NFPE–ODI/01/2019, dated 16.05. 2019.

After submission of our visiting report, a meeting was convened in C O under the Chairmanship of  DPS (HQ), Bhubaneswar on 17.05.2019 which was participated by Sri B N Purohit, AD(Bldg), Sri B K Panda, APMG (Vig) anf Sri A K Rath, AD (SB) from Official Side and Sri B Samal, Leader (RJCM), Sri D K Sethi, CS, R-III (NFPE), Sri R Pattnaik, CS, R-III (FNPO). After thorough discussion with both the Circle Secretaries, it was unanimously decided on mutual agreement to withdraw the Indefinite Strike continued since 14.05.2019 and accordingly the strike was withdrawn from 17.05.2019.

Thereafter, the situation took different shape when the Govt. of Odisha offered a rent free accommodation in the office building of Joint Director, Statistics, Central Range, CDA, Cuttack to run the office of the SSRM, RMS ‘N’ Division at Cuttack itself. Immediately when we received the message, as the Chairman, NFPE, Odisha State CoC we wrote to the Chief PMG, Odisha Circle to examine the proposal of the State Govt. But the proposal was not acceptable to the Circle Administration on the plea of shortage of space. Being aggrieved, serious protest demonstration was arranged by members of public on 22.5.2019 before O/O the Sr Supdt, RMS N Dn Cuttack jointly by the leadership of CCGE&W CoC, AIPRPA, Cuttack and all Central Trade Unions of Cuttack City attended the programme  and demanded to retain the office of Sr. Supdt. of RMS N Dn Hqrs at Cuttack.   Hon'ble MLA, Cuttack Choudwar and the nonagenarian senior most Leader of P &T Trade Union Movement of Odisha Com. Banshidhar Mohanty addressed the programme

Again the State Govt. offered another rent free accommodation for the purpose in the Map Publication Building, Jobra, Cuttack – 753003 which was considered suitable by the Circle administration and thus they wrote vide C O letter No. Bldg/ 8 – Misc / Ck City / 2012, dated 13.06.2019 to the District Magistrate and Collector, Cuttack for formal approval for the period of construction of the new building. In turn, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Govt. of Odisha vide their letter No. RDM-REM-MISC-0023-2019/R&DM, dated 19.07.2019 approved the proposal and permitted to Postal authorities to occupy the building free of rent excluding energy charges till March-2021 and vacate by 30.04.2021.

But once again, the Circle Office wrote to extend the permission till August-2021. And now, the result comes as above.

On behalf of NFPE, Odisha State CoC, we congratulate the struggling attitude of of RMS employees.