IOFSOA and Federations Boycott Absorption Package Meeting of 07 DPSUs — Demand Implementation of Madras High Court Assurance
Defence civilian employees continue to oppose corporatization move; unions demand Government honour its commitment on deemed deputation status
The Indian Ordnance Factories Service Officers’ Association (IOFSOA) has joined hands with various defence employees’ federations to boycott the proposed meeting on the Absorption Package of the seven newly created Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
It has been more than four years since the Government of India decided to split the 41 Ordnance Factories into seven DPSUs. Over 70,000 Central Government employees of the erstwhile Ordnance Factories have since been working in these new corporations on a deemed deputation basis, without any deputation allowance.
Defence civilian employees and their federations have been protesting the corporatization move and have challenged the decision in various High Courts. While the courts have noted that corporatization is a policy decision beyond judicial interference, the Madras High Court—in a case filed by the All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF)—recorded a key assurance from the Ministry of Defence. The Ministry had stated that the employees would “continue to be Central Government employees on deemed deputation to the new corporations unless they themselves opt for permanent absorption.”
Citing this assurance, federations and the Confederation of Defence Recognised Associations (CDRA) have repeatedly urged the Ministry of Defence to issue a formal notification safeguarding employees’ service conditions. AIDEF has even served a Contempt of Court notice to the Secretary (Defence Production) and the CMDs of the seven DPSUs, following the government’s move to reduce sanctioned strength across various categories and to appoint a committee headed by retired IAS officer Suresh Chandra to examine absorption-related matters.
The federations have reiterated their firm stance — “No to Absorption Package” and demanded that the Government honour its written assurance given before the High Court.
The joint letter from the unions is given below for the benefit of the viewers of www.indianpsu.com –
