INCOME TAX EMPLOYEES FEDERATION
Manishinath Bhawan A/2/95 Rajouri Garden,New Delhi. 110 027.
www.itef.blogspot.com email: itefcentral@gmail.com.
Telefax. 2510 5321; 6543 1807
President: K.P. Rajagopal. Secretary General: Ashok B Salunkhe
Cir. No. 13 Dated: 25.11.2011.
Dear Comrades,
You must have come across a circular issued by the All India SC-ST Employees Welfare Federation to their members, which has also been placed on their website. It has been alleged that ITEF and all other service Associations/Unions have failed to protect the interest of the SC-ST employees of the Department and have asked the SC/ST employees to resign from the primary membership of Associations/unions. In sofar as ITEF is concerned, we must tell with all emphasis at our command that the said allegation is untrue especially the one that states that ITEF is opposed to the formation and functioning of SC-ST Welfare Associations. The ITEF firmly believes that the reservation policy advocated by the political leaders in our country and enunciated in the Constitution was not only a right initiative but also a progressive step to bring about upliftment of certain segments of Indian society who were oppressed for centuries. We have endeavored to ensure that what is decided by the Govt. of India i.e. the political authorities are implemented by the bureaucracy. Our functionaries at all levels have abided by this policy. We consider that resignation of any individual from the primary membership of ITEF will weaken the organization and will consequently strengthen the hands of the authorities.
ITEF is a trade union and functions democratically. We are proud of the fact that despite divergent views, it could over the years bring into existence a monolithic movement of employees below the level of Officers and functions as such for several decades now. We have not and we could not afford to make any distinction or discrimination in the name of Caste, Religion, Region, Language, Gender etc. In its development as a militant and strong Trade Union movement of the employees, immense contribution has been made by all sections of employees and undoubtedly the SC & ST employees have played a great and significant role. The SC-ST employees of the Department have both in the past and presently adorn leadership positions in the ITEF.
It is the sense of belonging that integrates the members of a trade union and makes it the binding force. It should be our endeavour to eradicate any misgivings be it real or perceived for we cannot afford to have even a slight disfavor from any of our members. We therefore appeal to our leaders and cadres at all levels to meet the employees especially those belonging to SC-ST , explain the basic tenets of ITEF as a democratic Trade Union and ensure that our unity is not disrupted through desertion, dissention or disinformation.
Yours fraternally.
Sd/
(Ashok B Salunkhe)
Secretary General.