Port Blair, June 30: Inviting the attention of Secretary (Personal), A&N Administration on the circular issued on 22^nd June, 2013 directing all Heads of Departments/Offices to deduct one day salary of  officers and staff with their consent from the salary for the month of  June, 2013 to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, the General Secretary, Non Gazetted Govt. Officers Association, Shri D. Ayyappan has raised objections on the procedure adopted by the Administration. 

In his letter to the Secretary (Perl), Ayyappan said that the contents of the Circular were discussed in a meeting of the Central Secretariat of this Association held on 25^th June, 2013. The meeting noted that in the past, whenever such a natural calamity occurred and government employees are to be requested to contribute, the matter was discussed with the representatives of Service Associations functioning in these islands by the Lt. Governor or Chief Secretary before making an appeal to the officers and employees. 

In the instant case, the practice of consulting Service Associations was dispensed with, and the Administration took a unilateral decision to direct the Heads of Departments/Offices to deduct the one-day wages. This Association is not against making an appeal to the government employees to contribute one day salary but the procedure followed in the matter is a deviation from the practice hitherto followed.  In fact, the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees & Workers, New Delhi, to which this Association is affiliated, had directed all its affiliates, on the basis of an Appeal made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, to appeal to all the government employees to contribute one-day salary towards the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and extend full support to the flood-affected people of Uttarkhand to rebuild their lives.      

The General Secretary of the Association also pointed out the last paragraph of the Circular, which the Association felt as unleashing of a threatening to the employees who are unwilling to contribute.  He therefore has requested to withdraw the Circular.

The Association also noted that the Administration has not made any appeal to the business community and other sections of the society to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the flood-ravaged people of Uttarakhand. Collection/contribution of money towards this national effort should not be confined to   government employees, opined the members of the Association.