India Post: Reclaiming Autonomy in the Digital Age

India Post: Reclaiming Autonomy in the Digital Age

- Bruhaspati Samal –

India Post, the world’s largest postal network, stands as a living testament to India's administrative evolution, social integration, and financial inclusion. Established formally in 1854 under the colonial regime, it redefined communication in the subcontinent with the introduction of uniform postage and the creation of an all-India postal structure. India Post has never just been about delivering letters—it has been about delivering trust, dignity, and connection, especially to the remotest corners of the nation shouldering the responsibility of keeping the country connected—geographically, emotionally, and economically for nearly two centuries. Its legacy has only grown stronger through its three principal verticals: Mail services, Financial services through the Post Office Savings Bank (POSB), and Insurance through the Postal Life Insurance (PLI) and Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) schemes. With over 1.65 lakh post offices, nearly 90 percent of which are in rural India, India Post is not merely a department—it is a lifeline. But in the last decade, particularly after 2018, new waves of strategic partnerships and policy experiments have sparked concerns about a slow dilution of its autonomy and the infiltration of corporate interests.

The creation of India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) on 1st September 2018 was intended to provide inclusive digital banking through the post office network. While the idea had promise, its execution led to troubling developments. POSB, which holds the distinction of being Asia’s largest savings bank, with over 25.83 crore active accounts and Rs.12,68,542 crore in savings deposits (as on 31.03.2023), began to see its identity fade as the government initiated moves to merge these legacy accounts with IPPB. During the fiscal year 2021–22 alone, POSB processed transactions worth Rs.8.19 lakh crore and opened over 1.67 crore new accounts. It is a trusted institution with unmatched grassroots reach and simplicity, yet its distinct operation is now being absorbed into a loss-making enterprise. IPPB, not yet profitable and dependent on state support, stands in contrast to the time-tested success of POSB. This creates an avoidable conflict of interest and undermines the operational clarity of India Post's financial mandate. And now, adding salt to the injury, on May 22, 2025, IPPB announced a strategic partnership with Aditya Birla Capital Limited to enhance the accessibility of loan products across India.

The story doesn’t stop there. In 2021, India Post entered a tie-up with Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC) to market annuity and term insurance products through its network. This raised eyebrows because India Post already has its own insurance arms—PLI and RPLI—which are arguably among the most beneficial insurance products available in India. These schemes offered a total sum assured of Rs. 4,74,243 crore across 3,37,52,778 lakh policies as of March 2024. With higher bonuses, low premium rates, and an impeccable record of service, these postal insurance products have long been the insurance backbone of rural and semi-urban India. Promoting a private insurance partner’s offerings through the same channel risks cannibalizing PLI’s market share and creating internal competition. It also weakens the morale of the India Post workforce, which has been trained and committed to promoting postal insurance schemes. 

Further complicating the situation is India Post’s engagement with corporate logistics partners like Amazon and Shiprocket. In 2023, India Post signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amazon India to deliver customer packages using its vast reach, particularly in hard-to-access rural areas. This partnership tripled Amazon’s parcel volume through the postal network in 18 months. Similarly, a tie-up with Shiprocket, a shipping aggregator, was launched to provide last-mile logistics for e-commerce sellers, predominantly startups and SMEs. These ventures may appear to capitalize on India Post’s infrastructure for commercial utility, but they also raise serious policy questions.  

While leveraging the postal network for e-commerce logistics is not inherently problematic, the prioritization of private business interests over public service could shift the department's ethos from citizen service to profit-centric delivery. It’s worth asking whether postmen and postal vehicles should be repurposed to handle e-commerce packages at the cost of traditional services. Already there are signs of increased workload, logistical confusion, and diluted service standards in routine mail delivery. The department originally intended to serve the nation and especially the under-served, risks being reduced to a contract delivery agent for corporate India.

These developments also have direct repercussions on the workforce of India Post. The shift in operational focus due to private tie-ups has created an identity conflict for employees. The Department of Posts' skilled cadre including Gramin Dak Sevaks is being stretched to accommodate corporate parcel deliveries while maintaining their core responsibilities. Many are now required to promote third-party insurance and banking products without adequate training or incentives. During marketing of such third party products, the valued customers of India Post start asking, “Are you from Bajaj Allianz or from India Post? Now, they may ask, “Are you from Aditya Birla Capital Limited?” How embarrassing and offensive really such questions are for an employee proudly wearing the Identity Card of India Post?

On the stakeholder front, particularly for rural users, the erosion of public service in favour of private partnerships could mean loss of trust and eventual withdrawal. Citizens accustomed to secure, low-cost, high-reliability services may find themselves dealing with the pricing models and service quality of private players masked within the India Post brand. This blurring of lines could lead to reputational damage in the long run, weakening India Post’s foundational goodwill. It is also important to highlight that all these developments occur in an ecosystem where India Post has been historically underutilized. As the custodian of savings and social welfare in rural India, it could have been turned into a financial powerhouse akin to a rural development bank or nationalized insurer. Instead, it is being nudged towards becoming a passive facilitator of private profit under the garb of modernization.

To reclaim its autonomy and reposition itself as a central institution in India’s digital and economic future, India Post must be empowered through a new legislative and administrative framework. The government should grant the Department full operational autonomy to run its financial, mail, and insurance businesses without overlapping mandates from newer institutions like IPPB. India Post’s core verticals—POSB, PLI, and mail services—should be protected and modernized with in-house resources. Strategic investments must be made in upgrading digital infrastructure, automating logistics, and training employees—not for selling third-party products but for delivering enhanced public services. India Post should also revisit its MoUs with private corporations through an independent review committee that includes postal unions, finance experts, and citizen representatives. The principle of public interest must take precedence over private profit. Existing agreements should be renegotiated or discontinued if found detrimental to the Department’s self-sufficiency or service quality.

To mitigate internal conflicts, the government must ensure that no external financial products are sold in competition with India Post’s own offerings through the same channel. India Post must be allowed to create and manage its own suite of competitive financial and insurance products in the digital age, tailored to the needs of its core demographic—rural and middle-class India.

In conclusion, India Post is not just another government department. It is an institution built on trust, continuity, and public service. With its unparalleled network and proven legacy in delivering both social and financial services, it holds the key to inclusive growth in digital India. But to fulfil that promise, it must be shielded from exploitative partnerships and given the space to breathe, innovate, and thrive on its own terms. The government must act with vision and responsibility—protecting what is truly India’s and empowering India Post to serve smarter, not as a shadow of corporate interest but as the vanguard of national service. Will the Central Govt. allow freedom and flexibility to the Postal Department with a separate Ministry as Ministry of Posts so that it could restructure itself and operate competently with functional autonomy and financial independence having a separate budget and control by the Department of Posts?

(The writer is a Service Union Representative and a Columnist. eMail: samalbruhaspati@gmail.com, Mobile: 9437022669)

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Central Civil Services (Pension) Amendment Rules, 2025

"The dismissal or removal from service of the public sector undertaking of any employee after his absorption in such undertaking for any subsequent misconduct shall lead to forfeiture of the retirement benefits for the service rendered under the Government also and in the event of his dismissal or removal or retrenchment the decision of the undertaking shall be subject to review by the Ministry administratively concerned with the undertaking."

Confederation Odisha State CoC writes to the Addl. Director, CGHS Bhubaneswar for early solution of common problems faced by the CGHS beneficiaries in Odisha

Dear Comrades,

Experiencing the inexpressible difficulties faced by the CGHS beneficiaries in Odisha consequent upon migration HMIS from NIC to C-DAC platform since 28th April, 2025, we are compelled to draw the attention of the Addl. Director, CGHS, Bhubaneswar under intimation to our Secretary General for early solution of the issues.

We have given them 15 days time for bringing proper solution to the issues on one hand and for a cordial discussion with us on the other failing which we have decided to go for an agitational programme from 10 AM to 2 PM on 10th June 2025.

Expecting your collective cooperation to give justice to the CGHS beneficiaries in Odisha.

With greetings.

B SAMAL
General Secretary

No. Confdn-Odi (CGHS)/01–05/2025

Dated at Bhubaneswar the 24^th May 2025

To

            The Additional Director

CGHS, Bhubaneswar – 751 001

 Sub:   Immediate solution to the problems of CGHS beneficiaries in Odisha – Request regarding

  Respected Sir,

As aware, consequent upon migration of HMIS from NIC platform to C-DAC platform, since 28^th April, 2025, the CGHS beneficiaries in Odisha, especially the pensioners at their old age are put into inexpressible troubles for no fault of their own. In spite of repeated requests by the beneficiaries verbally / personally, the problems are not being solved although a period of one month is going to be completed since migration. The following problems have been brought to the notice of this Confederation so far.

 

1.    Due to frequent server issues and software problems, beneficiaries are deprived of online registration in the new ‘myCGHS 2.0’ app developed by C-DAC. Secondly, many super senior citizens / pensioners are neither using smart phones nor well conversant with their operations.  As a result, beneficiaries are seen to remain in queue since 5 O’ clock in the morning for off-line registration and waiting up to 2 PM for their turn to come to meet the doctor. The sluggish connectivity existed earlier has now been increased further with the new software adding to the beneficiaries’ difficulties.

2.    Due to the limitations fixed by the local Wellness Centres, (maximum 50 patients per Doctor inclusive of online and offline registration), many beneficiaries are compelled to return and to attend again and again in subsequent days. Unfortunately, it has been witnessed that while one doctor is overloaded with patient, one is dealing with re-indented and unsupplied medicines leaving the long queue of beneficiaries to suffer for hours. This is the case of WC-III, Bhubaneswar as personally witnessed by this General Secretary.

3.    The display board to call the beneficiaries is not working since long (WC-III, Bhubaneswar) for which there is a regular dispute in between the offline and online beneficiaries inviting an unpleasant situation always in front of the Doctor’s chamber. No SOP is being followed or notified for both the beneficiaries for a peaceful meeting with the doctor.

4.    In spite of repeated requests by us, no action has yet been taken for installation of Geneset / supply of UPS to WC-III, Bhubaneswar for which the beneficiaries are forced to suffer during power failure.

5.    As earlier replied by you earlier during a meeting, the recruitment for 14 vacant posts was finalized out of which only 6 candidates (4 Pharmacists and 2 MTSs) joined. For rest vacant posts, a revised vacant list had been submitted to the Regional Office Kolkatta for necessary approval and recruitment.  Similarly, there is shortage of Doctors in CGHS WC No.1 & II, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The WC No. III, Bhubaneswar and Berhampur are having Doctors as per sanctioned strength. Especially, in Cuttack, there are 2 vacant posts. Similar is the position in WC-I, Bhubaneswar. 

6.    Due to shortage of regular subordinate staff, casual and out-sourced workers are seen managing the day to day works whose services are being discontinued frequently due to lack of timely approval by the competent authorities. Even though they are seen working regularly, their remunerations are not being paid during the non-approval period. 

7.    The supply of regular medicines is highly irregular. This General Secretary who had attended the WC-III, Bhubaneswar on 23^rd May 2025 witnessed that the indented medicines up to 12^th May 2025 had only been supplied by the authorized supplier which implied that medicines are now supplied inappreciably after 10 days. 

8.    Adding salt to the injury, the supply of life-saving medicines also faces the same fate. It has come to our notice that supply of such costly medicines beyond the financial power of the Addl. Director and sent to the CGHS Directorate for necessary prior approval are being delayed unexpectedly forcing the beneficiary to suffer without medicines. Similar is the position of some cases referred to the CGHS Directorate for getting prior approval for going on surgery. The case of Sri A K Parida ( Id No. 8739549) and Pradip Chandra Mohanty (Id No.7778024), both from WC, Cuttack for surgery approval and supply of medicine respectively may kindly be referred.

9.    The delay in issuing CGHS Cards to the applicants is highly unsatisfactory. As known, many applicants have still waited in the queue to get their Cards. 

10. It has come to the notice of this Confederation that due to the dilapidated condition of the existing building of Cuttack WC, it is about to be shifted from the existing building to the campus of Tulasipur TV Centre. This will bring unnecessary difficulties of the beneficiaries of Cuttack WC. Though this matter has been discussed earlier severally with you during the Zonal Advisory Committee Meetings with assurance to get it repaired through CPWD, we have not yet received any satisfactory reply from you. As such, we strongly oppose the proposed shifting the Cuttack WC and suggest to undertake required repairing work at the earliest.

11. It is also witnessed that the Zonal Advisory Committee Meeting is not being conducted regularly and we are not also invited to each such meeting. Being the General Secretary of Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers, Odisha State Coordination Committee, we have also an objection to the formation of the Advisory Committee of WCs Bhubaneswar excluding us since we are leading all the Central Govt. Employees and Workers in the State of Odisha.

12. Further, in spite of our repeated requests, no action has yet been taken to repair the frontage of WC-III, Bhubaneswar for the purpose of parking by the beneficiaries which is a regular problem faced by them.

13. We are still waiting for opening of CGHS WC in Sambalpur already approved by the CGHS Directorate. Similarly, other two justified cases of CGHS WC in Balasore and Puri already forwarded by you are yet to be finalized and we are in dark in this regard.

14. Inviting a kind reference to our letter dated 15^th March 2024 regarding issue of instructions to all Health Care Organizations in Odisha to strictly follow the terms and conditions in accordance with the MoU issued vide Notification dated 14.03.2024 by Addl. Director, CGHS, Mumbai, we have to say that as seen,  15 common major problems of the CGHS beneficiaries have been illustrated in the said Notification which are equally faced by the CGHS beneficiaries in Odisha.  Out of these common issues, we have already brought some issues earlier to your kind notice and discussed in the last Zonal Advisory Committee Meeting held on 28.11.2023. But unfortunately, we are not in receipt of the Minutes of the said meeting till date.

 Under the facts and circumstances, we would like to request you to kindly act upon the following demands immediately without any further delay failing which we may be compelled to adopt trade union activities as found justified. However, we will be happy if you decide for a cordial discussion on all issues with our representatives including pensioners in this regard.

Our Demands

1.    Solve the deficiencies experienced in ‘myCGHS 2.0’ app developed by C-DAC including server connectivity issues.

2.    Fix uniform number of beneficiaries (both offline and online) per doctor to attend in all CGHS WCs per day circulating the SOP for both the offline and online beneficiaries to avoid daily conflicts between them.

3.    Regularise supply of medicines at once without further delay. Keep sufficient stock of regularly indented medicines for instant supply. 10 days delay is not appreciable.

4.    Prioritize and expedite supply of life saving medicines and take proper action to obtain early prior approval from CGHS Directorate against the cases which are beyond the financial power of the Addl. Director. In urgent cases, prefer post-facto approval. Inordinate delay in the name of prior approval is not appreciable.

5.    Fill up all vacant posts of doctors and subordinate staff within a reasonable period and create additional new posts in each cadre as per norms.

6.    Take proper action well in advance to continue the services of the casual / out-sourced workers to avoid discontinuity and release their remunerations immediately for the services already rendered during the discontinued period.

7.    Ensure timely issue of CGHS Cards.

8.    Stop shifting of CGHS WC, Cuttack and repair the existing building with priority.

9.    Supply a Geneset / UPS to WC-III, Bhubaneswar with repairing of the Display Board immediately and take action to repair the frontage for parking purpose.

10. Take action for immediate functioning of proposed CGHS WC, Sambalpur and pursue the case of Balasore and Puri more seriously.

11. (a) Reconstitute the Zonal Advisory Committee including the General Secretary, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers, Odisha State Coordination Committee and General Secretary, All India Postal and RMS Pensioners’ Association, Odisha State Committee for better negotiation on behalf of the CG employees and Pensioners.

(b) Conduct the Zonal Advisory Committee Meeting regularly.

12. Instruct all HCOs to follow the instructions contained in the MoU issued vide Notification dated 14.03.2024 by Addl. Director, CGHS, Mumbai since the issues are similar in nature in Odisha also.

 As such, we hope that each issue and demand stated above will be considered positively and you will find it convenient for a cordial discussion with us failing which this letter may be treated as a notice to adopt trade union activities including demonstration and dharna from 10 AM to 2 PM on 10^th June 2025 in front of your office.

Expecting your kind cooperation with a line of reply on the action taken.

  With regards.

Sincerely yours,

 (BRUHASPATI  SAMAL)

General Secretary

Copy for kind information and necessary action to:

1.    The Secretary General, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers, CHQ, New Delhi. He is requested to take up the issues with CGHS Directorate and such other competent authorities and arrange to instruct Addl. Director, CGHS, Bhubaneswar for settlement of all issues within the time frame.

2.    The President, Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers, Odisha State CoC, Gopalpur, Cuttack.

Revised instructions for issue of generic / branded medicines at CGHS WCs - regarding

Revised guidelines for Referral Process in CGHS

Grant of notional increment on 1st July / 1st January to the employees who retired from Central Govt. service on 30th June / 31st December respectively for the purpose of calculating their pensionary benefits - regarding.

 

Postponement of one day nationwide strike of 29th May 2025

 

Reimbursement of OPD (Indent only) Medicines

 

Nation Council (Staff Side) JCM writes to DoPT on CEA

Nationwide General Strike rescheduled to 9th July 2025 instead of 20th May 2025

Dear Comrades,

After due consideration of the prevailing situation throughout the country ( political developments after the henious terror attack in Pahalgam and the response of Indian Armed Forces in their combat strike action), the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations,  as an integral part of the responsible patriotic citizenry of the country decided to re-schedule the Nationwide General Strike from 20th May to 9th July, 2025 against implementation of Labour Codes and other legitimate demands of the workers, farmers and people in general. 

However, as decided,  massive demonstrations / mobilisations will be held at State Capital / District / Industry level / Workplace.

B SAMAL

General Secretary 

 

ଉଚ୍ଚ ମାନବ ବିକାଶ ଶ୍ରେଣୀ ପାହ୍ୟା କେବେ?

 

ଉଚ୍ଚ ମାନବ ବିକାଶ ଶ୍ରେଣୀ ପାହ୍ୟା କେବେ?

ବୃହସ୍ପତି ସାମଲ

ସାଧାରଣ ସମ୍ପାଦକ 

କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ସରକାରୀ କର୍ମଚାରୀ ଓ ଶ୍ରମିକ ପରିସଂଘ

ଓଡ଼ିଶା ରାଜ୍ୟ ସମନ୍ୱୟ ସମିତି, ଭୁବନେଶ୍ଵର

   ୟୁନାଇଟେଡ଼ ନେସନ ଡେଭଲପମେଣ୍ଟ ପ୍ରୋଗ୍ରାମ (ୟୁଏନଡିପି) ଦ୍ୱାରା ୬ ମଇ ୨୦୨୫ରେ ପ୍ରକାଶିତ ମାନବ ବିକାଶ ରିପୋର୍ଟ ୨୦୨୫ ଆଧାରରେ ଭାରତ ମାନବ ବିକାଶ ସୂଚକାଙ୍କ (ଏଚଡିଆଇ)ରେ ୧୯୩ଟି ଦେଶ ମଧ୍ୟରୁ ୨୦୨୨ର ଏଚଡିଆଇ ମୂଲ୍ୟ ୦.୬୭୬ ସହ ୧୩୩ତମ ସ୍ଥାନରୁ ଟିକିଏ ଉପରକୁ ଉଠି ୨୦୨୩ରେ ଏଚଡିଆଇ ମୂଲ୍ୟ ୦.୬୮୫ ସହ ୧୩୦ ତମ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ରହିଛି। ଏହି ଅଗ୍ରଗତି ଆୟୁ, ଶିକ୍ଷା ଏବଂ ମୁଣ୍ଡ ପିଛା ଆୟ ଭଳି ମୁଖ୍ୟ ମାନଦଣ୍ଡଗୁଡ଼ିକର କ୍ରମାଗତ ଉନ୍ନତିକୁ ପ୍ରତିବିମ୍ବିତ କରେ। ତେବେ, ୦.୯୭୨ ଏଚଡିଆଇ ମୂଲ୍ୟ ସହ ଏହି ସୂଚକାଙ୍କରେ ଆୟରଲ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ ଭଳି‌ ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ର ସର୍ବୋଚ୍ଚ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ରହିବା ସହ ନରୱେ, ସୁଇଜରଲ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ, ଡେନମାର୍କ ଏବଂ ଜର୍ମାନୀ ଯଥାକ୍ରମେ ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟରୁ ପଞ୍ଚମ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ରହିଛନ୍ତି। ସୂଚକାଙ୍କରେ ଭାରତର ଅଗ୍ରଗତି ଘଟିଥିଲେ ବି ଏହାର‌ ରାଙ୍କିଂ ପଡୋଶୀ ବାଙ୍ଗଲାଦେଶ ସହ ସମାନ ଏବଂ ଭାରତ ଏଯାଏଁ ମଧ୍ୟମ ମାନବ ବିକାଶ ଶ୍ରେଣୀରେ ରହିଛି। ୦.୭୦୦ରୁ ଉର୍ଦ୍ଧ ଏଚଡିଆଇ ମୂଲ୍ୟ ସହ ଉଚ୍ଚ ମାନବ ବିକାଶ ଶ୍ରେଣୀକୁ ପ୍ରବେଶ କରିବାକୁ, ଏହାକୁ ଅନେକ ଦୀର୍ଘକାଳୀନ ଧୂସର କ୍ଷେତ୍ରଗୁଡ଼ିକୁ ଉପରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିବାକୁ ପଡିବ ବୋଲି ରିପୋର୍ଟ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟ କରିଛି।

   ଏଦିଗରେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ଅସମାନତା ଏକ ପ୍ରମୁଖ ଅନ୍ତରାୟ ଯାହା ଭାରତର ଏଚଡିଆଇ ମୂଲ୍ୟକୁ ୩୦.୭% ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ହ୍ରାସ କରୁଛି। ଏହି ଅବକ୍ଷୟ ଆୟ ଅସମାନତା ତଥା ଗୁଣବତ୍ତାମୂଳକ ଶିକ୍ଷା, ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟସେବା ଓ ସାମାଜିକ ଏବଂ ଆର୍ଥିକ ପ୍ରବଞ୍ଚନାରୁ ଉତ୍ପନ୍ନ ହୁଏ। ଆର୍ଥିକ ଅଭିବୃଦ୍ଧି ଯଦିଓ ଜନସଂଖ୍ୟାର କିଛି ଅଂଶକୁ ଲାଭ ଦେଇଛି, ତାହା ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ସମାନ ଭାଗରେ ମିଳିନାହିଁ। ଶୀର୍ଷରେ ଥିବା ୧୦% ଜନସଂଖ୍ୟା ପାଖରେ ମୋଟ ଆୟର ୫୭% ଥିବାବେଳେ, ତଳ ଅର୍ଦ୍ଧେକଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ମାତ୍ର ୧୩%। ଗିନି ସଂଖ୍ୟାଙ୍କ ଅନୁସାରେ ଶୂନ୍ୟ (୦) ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ସମାନତାକୁ ସୂଚିତ କଲାବେଳେ, ଏକ (୧) ସମ୍ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ଅସମାନତାକୁ ସୂଚାଇଥାଏ। ଭାରତରେ ଏହି ଅସମାନତା ୦.୩୫ ଅଛି, ଯାହା ଆୟ ବ୍ୟତିକ୍ରମର ଚିନ୍ତାଜନକ ସ୍ତରକୁ ସୂଚିତ କରେ। ଏହି ଅସମାନତାକୁ ଦୂର କରିବା ପାଇଁ ସରକାର ପ୍ରଗତିଶୀଳ କର ନୀତି ଲାଗୁ କରିବା, ସାମାଜିକ ସୁରକ୍ଷା ଜାଲରେ ବେଶି ନିବେଶ କରିବା ଓ ମନରେଗା ଭଳି ରୋଜଗାର ସୃଷ୍ଟି ଯୋଜନାଗୁଡିକୁ ବିସ୍ତାର କରିବା ଆବଶ୍ୟକ। 

     ଲିଙ୍ଗଗତ ଅସମାନତା ହେଉଛି ଆଉ ଗୋଟିଏ ଧୂସର ଅଞ୍ଚଳ। ସମ୍ବିଧାନ ସଂଶୋଧନ ଦ୍ୱାରା ମହିଳାଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ସଂସଦରେ ଏକ ତୃତୀୟାଂଶ ସ୍ଥାନ ସଂରକ୍ଷିତ କଲାପରେ ବି ମାତ୍ର ୧୪% ମହିଳା ସାଂସଦ ସହ ଭାରତର ରାଜନୈତିକ ପ୍ରତିନିଧିତ୍ଵ ଉତ୍ସାହଜନକ ନୁହେଁ। ଅପରପକ୍ଷେ, ଅର୍ଥନୈତିକ ଓ ଶାସନ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାରେ ନାରୀଙ୍କ ସମ୍ପୃକ୍ତିର ଅନୁପାତ ଏଯାଏଁ ବେଶ୍ ଅବହେଳିତ ଅବସ୍ଥାରେ ରହିଛି। ଭାରତରେ ନାରୀ ଶ୍ରମ ବଳ ସମ୍ପୃକ୍ତି ମାତ୍ର ୨୮% ଓ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟରତ ମହିଳାଙ୍କ ସଂଖ୍ୟା ୩୭% ପାଖାପାଖି ରହିଛି, ଯାହା ବିଶ୍ୱ ହାର ଠାରୁ ଢେର କମ୍। ୨୦୧୧ ଜନଗଣନା ଅନୁଯାୟୀ, କେବଳ ୬୫% ମହିଳା ଅନ୍ତତଃ ପ୍ରାଥମିକ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପାଇଥିଲେ, ଯେଉଁଠି ପୁରୁଷଙ୍କ ହାର ୮୨% ଥିଲା। ତେଣୁ ସମାଜରୁ ଏହି ଲିଙ୍ଗଗତ ବୈଷମ୍ୟକୁ ଦୂର କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଦୃଢ଼ ନୀତି ଏବଂ ସାମାଜିକ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନର ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ଅଛି। ସମସ୍ତ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ମହିଳାମାନଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଉଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ ସଂରକ୍ଷଣ ନୀତିକୁ ସରକାର ପ୍ରଭାବୀ ଢଙ୍ଗରେ ତ୍ୱରାନ୍ୱିତ କରି ମହିଳା ଉଦ୍ୟୋଗୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆର୍ଥିକ ସହଯୋଗ ଓ ଦକ୍ଷତା ଉନ୍ନତି କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମ ଦ୍ୱାରା ସମର୍ଥନ ଦେବା ଉଚିତ। କାର୍ଯ୍ୟସ୍ଥଳଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ଏମିତି ଏକ ଅନୁକୂଳ ପରିବେଶ ତିଆରି କରିବା ଆବଶ୍ୟକ ଯେଉଁଠି ନାରୀମାନେ ସୁବିଧାଜନକ ଭାବରେ ଅଂଶଗ୍ରହଣ କରିପାରିବେ, ଏବଂ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠାନଗୁଡ଼ିକରେ ଲିଙ୍ଗ ସନ୍ବେଦନଶୀଳ ପାଠ୍ୟକ୍ରମ ପ୍ରଚଳନ କରି ଶିଶୁ ବୟସରୁ ନାରୀମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଥିବା ପକ୍ଷପାତିତାକୁ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିବା ଦିଗରେ ପ୍ରଚେଷ୍ଟା କରିବା ଦରକାର। ମହିଳା ସ୍ୱାର୍ଥ କେନ୍ଦ୍ରିକ ନୀତି, ସ୍ୱୟଂ-ସହାୟତା ଗୋଷ୍ଠୀକୁ ଅକୁଣ୍ଠ ସହଯୋଗ ଓ ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଦାନ ଏବଂ ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ରୋଜଗାର ଅବସର ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିବା ଦ୍ୱାରା ଏହି ଅସମାନତା ହ୍ରାସ ପାଇପାରିବ।

    ଭାରତରେ ଶିକ୍ଷାର ବିସ୍ତାର ହୋଇଥିଲେ ବି, ଶିକ୍ଷାର ମାନ ଓ ଗୁଣବତ୍ତା ଏଯାଏଁ ଚିନ୍ତାଜନକ ସ୍ଥିତିରେ ଅଛି। ୨୦୨୩ରେ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟ ପ୍ରବେଶର ହାରାହାରି ବୟସ ୬.୮୮କୁ ବଢ଼ିବା ସହ ଉଚ୍ଚ ଶିକ୍ଷା ପ୍ରଣାଳୀରେ ଗ୍ରସ୍ ଏନରୋଲମେଣ୍ଟ ରେସିଓ ୯୮% ହେବା ଅପେକ୍ଷାକୃତ ସନ୍ତୋଷଜନକ ଥିଲେ‌ ବି, ଶିକ୍ଷାର ଫଳାଫଳ ଖୁବ୍ ଅସନ୍ତୋଷଜନକ। ୨୦୨୩ର ବାର୍ଷିକ ଶିକ୍ଷା ସ୍ଥିତି ରିପୋର୍ଟ ଅନୁଯାୟୀ, ପଞ୍ଚମ ଶ୍ରେଣୀର କେବଳ ଅର୍ଦ୍ଧେକ ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀ ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ଶ୍ରେଣୀର ପାଠ୍ୟପୁସ୍ତକ ପଢ଼ିପାରିବାକୁ ସକ୍ଷମ ଯାହା ଶିକ୍ଷା ଓ ଶିକ୍ଷାନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ଏକ ବଡ଼ ଦୁରତାକୁ ଇଙ୍ଗିତ କରେ। କରୋନା ମହାମାରୀ ପରେ ଡିଜିଟାଲ ଶିକ୍ଷା ଅତ୍ୟାବଶ୍ୟକ ହୋଇପଡ଼ିଥିଲାବେଳେ, ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳ ଓ ସହରାଞ୍ଚଳ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଏଥିରେ ବ୍ୟାପକ ଭିନ୍ନତା ରହିଛି। ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ୭୦% ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀ ଆନଲାଇନ୍ ଶିକ୍ଷା ସାଧନରୁ ବଞ୍ଚିତ। ଅଧିକନ୍ତୁ, ଅନେକ ଉପାନ୍ତ ଅଞ୍ଚଳ ଓ ଶୋଷିତ ଜନଜାତି ପାଇଁ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାପ୍ତ ସ୍କୁଲ୍ ଓ ଶିକ୍ଷକଙ୍କ ଅଭାବ ଏବଂ ଭାଷାର ଭିନ୍ନତା ଶିକ୍ଷାରେ ବାଧା ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରୁଛି। ଶିକ୍ଷାର ମାନ ଉନ୍ନତି ପାଇଁ ସରକାରଙ୍କ ଦ୍ୱାରା ଶିକ୍ଷକ ନିଯୁକ୍ତି, ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ, ଦକ୍ଷତା ମୂଲ୍ୟାଙ୍କନ ଏବଂ ଜାତୀୟ ଶିକ୍ଷା ନୀତି ୨୦୨୦ର ସଠିକ୍ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରିତା ଉପରେ ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱ ରହିବା ଜରୁରୀ। ଡିଜିଟାଲ ମାଧ୍ୟମର ଅଭାବକୁ ପୂରଣ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଗ୍ରାମୀଣ ବିଦ୍ୟାଳୟଗୁଡିକୁ ଇଣ୍ଟରନେଟ୍ ସଂଯୋଗ, ଡିଜିଟାଲ ସାଧନ ଓ ସ୍ଥାନୀୟ ଭାଷା ଆଧାରିତ ଶିକ୍ଷା ସାମଗ୍ରୀ ଯୋଗାଣର ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ରହିଛି।

    ଭାରତରେ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟସେବାର ଉନ୍ନତି ହୋଇଥିଲେ ବି, ଏହାର ଲାଭ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ପରିବ୍ୟାପ୍ତ ନୁହେଁ। ୧୯୯୦ରେ ମଣିଷର ହାରାହାରି ଆୟୁ ୫୮.୬ ବର୍ଷରୁ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ଘଟି ୨୦୨୩ରେ ୭୨ ବର୍ଷରେ ପହଞ୍ଚି ଥିବା ସତ୍ତ୍ବେ ଗ୍ରାମୀଣ ଓ ବଞ୍ଚିତ ଅଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଉତ୍ତମ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାରେ ଘୋର ଅଭାବ ରହିଛି। ଦେଶର ଅଧିକାଂଶ ଲୋକ ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ବସବାସ କରୁଥିବା ସତ୍ତ୍ୱେ ଏଠାରେ ଉପଯୁକ୍ତ ଭିତ୍ତିଭୂମି ସଂରଚନା ଓ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷିତ ଚିକିତ୍ସାକର୍ମୀଙ୍କ ଅଭାବ ଚିନ୍ତାଜନକ। ବିଶ୍ଵ ସ୍ତରରେ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟସେବା‌ ପାଇଁ ମୋଟ୍ ଘରୋଇ ଉତ୍ପାଦର ହାରାହାରି ୬% ବ୍ୟୟ ହେଉଥିଲା ବେଳେ ଭାରତରେ ତାହା ମାତ୍ର ୨.୧%ରେ ଅଟକି ଯାଇଛି। ଏହି ଅସମତାକୁ ଦୂର କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଭାରତର ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟସେବା ବ୍ୟୟକୁ ଅତି କମରେ ଜିଡିପିର ୩%କୁ ବଢ଼ାଇ, ପ୍ରାଥମିକ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ସେବାର ବିସ୍ତାର ଓ ଗୁଣବତ୍ତା ବୃଦ୍ଧି, ଟେଲିମେଡିସିନ୍ ଓ ମୋବାଇଲ୍ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟସେବା ଦ୍ୱାରା ଦୂରଦୂରାନ୍ତ ଅଞ୍ଚଳକୁ ସେବା ପହଞ୍ଚାଇଯିବାର ଉଦ୍ୟମ ଆବଶ୍ୟକ। 

    ସମନ୍ୱିତ ଆର୍ଥିକ ବିକାଶ ଓ ଇ-ଶାସନ ଜରିଆରେ ଭାରତ ଡିଜିଟାଲ୍ ପ୍ରଯୁକ୍ତି ବିଦ୍ୟାରେ ବେଶ ଅଗ୍ରସର ହୋଇଥିଲେ ବି, ଇଣ୍ଟରନେଟ୍ ସଂଯୋଗରେ ଗ୍ରାମ ଓ ସହର ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଏବେ ମଧ୍ୟ ବେଶ ତାରତମ୍ୟ ରହିଛି। ସହରାଞ୍ଚଳ ଲୋକଙ୍କୁ ୭୨% ଇଣ୍ଟରନେଟ୍ ସଂଯୋଗ ଉପଲବ୍ଧ ଥିଲାବେଳେ, ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ଏହା କେବଳ ୩୮%। ଅଧିକନ୍ତୁ, ଭାରତରେ ମାତ୍ର ୧୫% ଶ୍ରମିକ ଡିଜିଟାଲ୍ ଶିକ୍ଷିତ। ଯଦି ଏହି ଡିଜିଟାଲ ବିଭେଦକୁ ଦୂର କରାଯିବ ନାହିଁ, ତେବେ ଏହା ଅର୍ଥନୈତିକ ଓ ସାମାଜିକ ଅସମତାକୁ ଅଧିକ ପ୍ରଭାବିତ କରିବା ସହ ଶିକ୍ଷା, ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ଓ ରୋଜଗାରରେ ବାଧା ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରିବ। 

    ଅଣଦେଖା ହୋଇ ରହିଥିବା ଅନ୍ୟ ଏକ ଦିଗ ହେଲା ଗ୍ରାମ ଓ ସହରର ଉନ୍ନତି ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଅସମାନତା। ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ରହୁଥିବା ଦୁଇ-ତୃତୀୟାଂଶ ଲୋକ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ, ଶିକ୍ଷା ଓ ରୋଜଗାର ଭଳି ବିକାଶର ମାନଦଣ୍ଡରେ ସହରାଞ୍ଚଳ ଠାରୁ‌ ଢେର୍ ପଛରେ। ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳର ଏଚ୍.ଡି.ଆଇ. ମୂଲ୍ୟ ୦.୬୩୮ରେ ରହିଥିବାବେଳେ ସହରାଞ୍ଚଳରେ ତାହା ୦.୭୪୧ରେ ରହିଛି। ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳର ୧୫ରୁ ୨୯ ବର୍ଷ ବୟସର ଯୁବଗୋଷ୍ଠୀଙ୍କ ବେକାରି ହାର ୧୭.୩% ରହିଛି, ଯାହା ଜାତୀୟ ହାର ଠାରୁ ବେଶି। ଗ୍ରାମୀଣ ଉନ୍ନତି ପାଇଁ ଏକ ସାମଗ୍ରୀକ ନୀତି ଆପଣେଇ, ଶିଳ୍ପ, ଯାତାୟାତ ଓ ସଂଯୋଗ ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥାର ଉନ୍ନତି, ସୂକ୍ଷ୍ମ ଓ ମଧ୍ୟମ ଧରଣର ଉଦ୍ୟୋଗରେ ନିବେଶ ବୃଦ୍ଧି ଓ ଉତ୍ତମ ଜନସେବା ସହିତ ଏକାଠି ଅଗ୍ରସର ହେଲେ ଏହି ଅସମତାକୁ ଅନେକାଂଶରେ ଦୁର କରାଯାଇ ପାରିବ। 

 ଜଳବାୟୁ ପରିବର୍ତ୍ତନ କାରଣରୁ ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ ଓ ଖାଦ୍ୟ ନିରାପତ୍ତା ପ୍ରଭାବିତ ହୋଇ ଭାରତର‌ ପ୍ରଗତି ମଧ୍ୟ ଅନେକାଂଶରେ ବାଧାପ୍ରାପ୍ତ ହୋଇଥାଏ। ପାଣିପାଗ ଜନିତ ଦୁର୍ବିପାକ ଯୋଗୁଁ ଭାରତ ତା'ର ବାର୍ଷିକ ମୋଟ୍ ଘରୋଇ ଉତ୍ପାଦର ୨.୫% କ୍ଷତି ସହିଥାଏ। ବିଶେଷ ଭାବେ କୃଷି ଉପରେ ନିର୍ଭରଶୀଳ ଓ ସମୁଦ୍ରକୂଳିଆ ଅଞ୍ଚଳର ଅନ୍ୟୁନ ୬୦ କୋଟି ଲୋକ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକ ବର୍ଷ ପ୍ରାକୃତିକ ଦୁର୍ବିପାକର ଶିକାର ହୋଇଥାନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ବିକାଶ ଯୋଜନାକୁ ସଫଳ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଭାରତକୁ ଜଳବାୟୁ ଅନୁକୂଳ ରଣନୀତି ଆପଣେଇବା ସହ କୃଷକମାନଙ୍କୁ ଜଳବାୟୁ ସହନଶୀଳ କୃଷି ପଦ୍ଧତି ବିଷୟରେ ପ୍ରଶିକ୍ଷଣ ଦେଇ ସ୍ଥାୟୀ କୃଷି, ନବୀକରଣୀୟ ଉର୍ଜା, ଜଳ ସଞ୍ଚୟ ଓ ସବୁଜ ଚାକିରୀକୁ ପ୍ରୋତ୍ସାହିତ କରିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିବ।

     ତେଣୁ, ଭାରତଙ୍କର ଏଚଡିଆଇ ସୂଚକାଙ୍କକୁ ୦.୭୦୦ରୁ ଉପରକୁ ନେଇ ଏହାକୁ ଉଚ୍ଚ ମାନବ ବିକାଶ ଶ୍ରେଣୀରେ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଭୁକ୍ତ କରିବାକୁ ହେଲେ ଉପରୋକ୍ତ ‌ଧୂସର କ୍ଷେତ୍ରଗୁଡିକ ଉପରେ ଧ୍ୟାନ ଦେବା ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନର ଏକ ଅତ୍ୟାବଶ୍ୟକ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ। ବିଭିନ୍ନ କ୍ଷେତ୍ରରେ ଅସମାନତା ହ୍ରାସ, ମହିଳା ସଶକ୍ତିକରଣ, ଜନସେବାରେ ଉନ୍ନତି, ସୂଚନା ଓ ପ୍ରଯୁକ୍ତି ବିଦ୍ୟାର ସମ୍ପ୍ରସାରଣ ସହ ଗ୍ରାମାଞ୍ଚଳ ଓ ସହରାଞ୍ଚଳ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଥିବା ଡିଜିଟାଲ ସୁବିଧା ସୁଯୋଗରେ ଅସୁବିଧା ଦୂରୀକରଣ ଇତ୍ୟାଦି ଏବେ ଏକ ଆବଶ୍ୟକତା ଯେଉଁଥି ପାଇଁ କେବଳ ରାଜ୍ୟ ନୁହେଁ, ନୀତି ନିର୍ମାତା, ଶିକ୍ଷାବିଦ୍, ନାଗରିକ ସମାଜ, ସ୍ୱେଚ୍ଛାସେବୀ ଅନୁଷ୍ଠାନ ସରକାରୀ-ବେସରକାରୀ ସଂଗଠନ ଓ ଗଣମାଧ୍ୟମଙ୍କ ସହ ସମସ୍ତ ହିତାଧିକାରୀଙ୍କ ନିସର୍ତ୍ତ ଉଦ୍ୟମ ଆବଶ୍ୟକ। 

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Bridging Grey Areas

Bridging Grey Areas

Bruhaspati Samal

General Secretary 

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers 

Odisha State CoC, Bhubaneswar 

India has demonstrated remarkable progress in recent years on the Human Development Index (HDI), with the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) recently released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) marking a notable rise in the country’s global standing. India moved up three spots, from rank 133 in 2022 to 130 in 2023, and its HDI value rose from 0.676 to 0.685. This advancement reflects continued improvements in key areas such as life expectancy, education, and per capita income. However, despite being on a promising trajectory, India remains in the medium human development category. To break into the high human development tier (HDI > 0.700), it must address several persistent grey areas that hinder inclusive progress. 

A major stumbling block is inequality, which continues to erode India’s overall human development achievements. According to the HDR, inequality reduces India’s HDI by as much as 30.7%, one of the highest losses in the region. This erosion stems from disparities in income, access to quality education and healthcare, and socio-economic exclusion. While economic growth has benefited segments of the population, the benefits have not reached everyone equally. The income gap is stark: the top 10% of the population holds nearly 57% of the total income, while the bottom half holds only 13%. The Gini coefficient, which measures inequality, stands at 0.35, indicating a worrying level of income disparity. Bridging this divide will require the government to implement more progressive taxation policies, increase investments in social safety nets, and expand employment generation schemes such as MGNREGA.  

Gender disparity is another area that demands urgent attention. Though steps like the recent constitutional amendment reserving one-third of legislative seats for women are promising, the gap in women’s participation in the economy and governance remains wide. Female labour force participation in India remains low, hovering around 28%, which is well below the global average. Political representation also paints a dismal picture, with women occupying only about 14% of parliamentary seats. These figures underscore deep-rooted societal norms and systemic barriers that limit women’s empowerment. Addressing this requires strong policy enforcement and societal change. The government should ensure the effective rollout of the reservation policy across all levels and support women entrepreneurs through financial and skill-building initiatives.    

Education in India has expanded in terms of access, but quality remains a challenge. While the average years of schooling increased to 6.88 in 2023 and school enrolment levels are commendable, learning outcomes are far from satisfactory. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 reveals that only half of the students in grade 5 can read a grade 2-level text. This reflects a disconnect between schooling and actual learning. Moreover, digital education has become a necessity post-pandemic, yet a vast rural-urban divide persists. Over 70% of students in rural areas lack access to online learning resources. The government needs to make quality education a priority by improving teacher training, introducing performance-linked assessments, and ensuring the full implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.  

Health outcomes in India have improved, but the gains are uneven. Life expectancy has reached a record 72 years, up from 58.6 years in 1990. Yet, significant gaps persist, especially in rural and marginalized communities. Rural areas, which house the majority of the population, continue to suffer from inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of trained medical staff. Public health expenditure remains low at just 2.1% of GDP, well below the global average of 6%. Urban centres dominate the availability of hospital beds and specialist care. To rectify this imbalance, India must increase its health spending to at least 3% of GDP and strengthen the reach and quality of primary healthcare services. Telemedicine and mobile health units can help bring services to remote areas, but their effectiveness hinges on digital connectivity and trained personnel.   

The digital divide is an emerging challenge that mirrors and magnifies existing inequalities. India has rapidly embraced digital technology, particularly in financial inclusion and e-governance. However, internet access remains skewed. Only 38% of rural households are connected to the internet, compared to 72% of urban households. While India boasts the world’s highest self-reported AI skills penetration, this digital progress does not reflect the experiences of most rural Indians, where only 15% of the workforce is digitally literate. If left unaddressed, this divide could deepen socio-economic disparities and hinder access to education, healthcare, and employment.  

Another under-addressed issue is the urban-rural development imbalance. Urban areas enjoy better infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities, while rural India—home to nearly two-thirds of the population—lags in nearly every dimension of development. This disparity is reflected in the rural HDI, estimated at 0.638 compared to 0.741 in urban areas. Youth unemployment in rural areas, especially among the 15–29 age group, stands at 17.3%, significantly higher than the national average. Rural development requires a holistic strategy that includes localized industrialization, improved transport and communication networks, and better public services.  

 

India's development is also increasingly threatened by climate vulnerabilities. As one of the most climate-affected countries in the world, India loses approximately 2.5% of its GDP annually due to climate-related disasters, according to the World Bank. Over 600 million Indians are at risk of climate-induced livelihood disruptions, especially in agriculture-dependent and coastal regions. Climate change undermines health, food security, and water availability—all critical aspects of human development. The path forward requires integrating climate adaptation strategies into development planning.  

In sum, while India’s steady climb on the HDI ladder is commendable, achieving a score above 0.700—and joining the ranks of high human development countries—will require a concerted push across multiple fronts. Reducing inequality, empowering women, strengthening public services, bridging the digital divide, and fostering sustainable development are no longer optional—they are imperative. These efforts must involve government policy, private sector innovation, academic research, and community engagement. The future of human development in India rests not just on economic indicators, but on inclusive choices that uplift every segment of society. As Angela Lusigi, UNDP India's Resident Representative, aptly noted, India’s progress is a testament to its resilience and ambition. But moving into the high human development category will depend on how equitably and sustainably the nation consolidates its gains. The time to act decisively on these grey areas is now.

(The writer is a Service Union Representative and a Columnist)

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Trade Unions and Federations to defend the rights, dignity and future of workforce

Trade Unions and Federations to defend the rights, dignity and future of workforce

- Bruhaspati Samal –

Presently, the entire working class including employees and pensioners is passing through a period of unprecedented challenges and turmoil. The Central Government, through a series of regressive policies and legislative measures, has been persistently attacking the hard-earned rights of the working class in India. In the guise of reform and modernization, the government is systematically dismantling the social security architecture that once guaranteed the dignity, protection, and well-being of government employees and workers at large. The recent enactment of the Finance Act 2025 and the proposed implementation of the Four Labour Codes mark a dangerous turning point. These measures are not only discriminatory and anti-employee but are also indicative of a long-term plan to corporatize, privatize, and pauperize the public sector and the Indian working class.

To protest against this onslaught, the National Convention of Workers held at Pyarelal Bhawan, New Delhi on 18th March 2025, with the participation of all major Central Trade Unions barring the BMS, along with several independent federations, unanimously resolved to call for a nationwide general strike on 20th May 2025. This is not just a call for industrial action; it is a call to awaken the collective conscience of the nation and to defend the rights, dignity, and future of our workforce.

Let us begin by understanding the context of this struggle through a global comparison. Across the world, nations are increasingly recognizing the importance of strong social safety nets. Countries such as Germany, France, Japan, and Canada invest heavily in ensuring the financial security of their aging populations. For instance, Germany spends approximately 10.3% of its GDP on public pensions, while France allocates an even higher 13.8%. In contrast, India spends a meagre 1.7% of its GDP on pensions, excluding defense pensions. This disparity is stark and reflects the systemic apathy towards retired government employees. Japan has a two-tier pension system which covers over 90% of its elderly citizens, while Canada provides a public pension plan that guarantees a basic income to all retirees, irrespective of their contribution. Such models stand in contrast to India’s fragmented and exclusionary pension architecture.

Coming to workers' rights, the scenario is equally grim. In Scandinavian countries like Sweden and Denmark, collective bargaining coverage is over 80%, ensuring equitable wages, job security, and comprehensive workplace protections. These countries enforce a 37-hour work week, with strict regulations against forced overtime. Australia and the United Kingdom have strong minimum wage laws pegged to inflation and regularly revised based on cost of living indices. In contrast, in India, with the impending implementation of the Labour Codes, the working day is likely to be extended to 12 hours without proportionate remuneration or adequate safeguards. This is a direct assault on the historic gains achieved through decades of workers' struggles, including the 8-hour work day, a fundamental right recognized by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

The Four Labour Codes passed by the Central Government without adequate discussion or consultations with stakeholders are designed to favour employers while severely curtailing the rights of workers. The Code on Wages amalgamates four laws, but in doing so, it removes several essential worker protections and leaves the fixing of minimum wages at the mercy of state governments, many of whom have poor implementation records. The Code on Industrial Relations increases the threshold for layoffs without government permission from 100 to 300 workers, effectively legalizing mass retrenchments. The Code on Social Security excludes a large segment of informal workers due to stringent eligibility criteria and inadequate enforcement. It seeks to replace guaranteed benefits with contributory schemes which, in the Indian context, are practically non-functional due to poor compliance and administrative inefficiencies. The Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions further weakens inspections and workplace safety norms, placing millions of workers at risk.

After segregating the employees into three distinct groups, i.e.; beneficiaries under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), contributors under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), and a new category under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), now the Finance Act 2025 introduces a new layer of discrimination among government employees and pensioners by institutionalizing multiple categories based on retirement date and the implementation of Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations. This division violates the fundamental principle of equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution. Employees who retire on different dates but serve under the same conditions are now being treated unequally, with different post-retirement benefits. A study by the Reserve Bank of India in 2022 confirmed that NPS beneficiaries are significantly worse off compared to OPS retirees, with pensions ranging from only 18% to 23% of their last drawn salaries. Similarly under UPS, the Govt. has tried to abolish the term ‘Pension’ for all purpose. Now instead of Assured Pension, Assured Minimum Pension and Assured Family Pension as declared, the Govt. has notified to give Assured Payout, Assured Minimum Payout and Assured Family Payout which is clear betrayal to the crores of employees and pensioners across the nation. It is pertinent to note that several states including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand have acknowledged the failure of the NPS and have taken concrete steps towards restoring OPS. These actions reflect the growing realization among political leadership at the state level that social security cannot be left to the vagaries of the market.

Further compounding the injustice is the arbitrary and delayed implementation of Central Pay Commission recommendations. There is no uniformity in the grant of benefits or the date of effect of revised scales. Many employees who retire just before a cut-off date lose out on revised pension and arrears. The demand for the merger of Dearness Allowance with basic pay, pending since long, has also been ignored. As per the current inflation trends, the DA has already crossed 50% of basic pay, yet the government has not taken any steps to revise the minimum wage, which remains stagnated at Rs. 18,000 despite recommendations by the Seventh CPC for periodic revisions.

On the broader national front, the government’s economic policies continue to exacerbate inequality. As per the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate has hovered between 7.4% and 9.3% over the past year, with youth unemployment exceeding 25% in urban areas. Informal employment accounts for nearly 91% of total employment, and most of these workers lack access to healthcare, pensions, and workplace protections. The massive push towards privatization of PSUs, closure of sick units without revival packages, and monetization of public assets is systematically destroying secure employment and turning permanent jobs into contract-based, low-paid, insecure work. 

Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed. Retail inflation as per the Consumer Price Index has remained above 5% for several quarters, with food inflation touching 7% in many months. Fuel prices, despite global moderation, continue to rise due to high excise duties. Subsidies on LPG, fertilizers, and food grains have been slashed drastically. The Union Budget 2025-26 shows a 17% reduction in food subsidy allocation and a 12% reduction in rural employment guarantees under MGNREGA. These cuts directly affect the working poor and marginal populations.

It is under these circumstances that the General Strike on 20th May 2025 assumes monumental importance. It is not a mere protest. It is a decisive battle to reclaim the rights that have been snatched from the workers. It is a collective assertion of the dignity of labour, workers’ right to a life of security and a refusal to accept second-class treatment in a democracy.

(The author is a Service Union Representative and a Columnist. eMail: samalbruhaspati@gmail.com, Mobile: 9437022669)

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Appeal by General Secretary, Confederation Odisha State CoC

 

GSI Employees' Association, Odisha State Unit served Strike Notice

 

Media Coverage on the State Level Convention organized on 3rd May 2025

 

State Level Convention organized by Confederation Odisha CoC concluded successfully with unanimous resolution to participate enmasse in the forthcoming Nationwide General Strike on 20th May 2025

Dear Comrades,

The State Level Convention was held today (3rd May 2025) at Budha Mandir Auditorium, Bhubaneswar by the Confederation of Central Govt. Employees and Workers, Odisha State Coordination Committee (CoC) under the Presidentship of Com. Rabindranath Dhal, State President of the CoC and discussed on “The present attacks on the workers, employees and pensioners and the role of working class”. 

At the outset, Com. Bruhaspati Samal, General Secretary of the State CoC briefed the purpose of the Convention which is based on the Declaration of the National Convention of Workers held in New Delhi on 18th March 2025 and participated by the major Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations with unanimous resolution to go for a Nationwide General Strike on 20th May 2025. This Convention is a step forward to mobilize the grass root level leadership for massive participation in the above strike to defend the rights, dignity and future of workforce.

Inaugurating the Convention, Com. Janardan Pati, State President, CITU, Odisha briefed the attacks on the workers both nationally and internationally and urged the working class to rise to the occasion. The Four Labour Codes passed by the Central Government without adequate discussion or consultations with stakeholders are designed to favour employers while severely curtailing the rights of workers. The massive push towards privatization of PSUs, closure of sick units without revival packages, and monetization of public assets is systematically destroying secure employment and turning permanent jobs into contract-based, low-paid, insecure work. Prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed. Fuel prices, despite global moderation, continue to rise due to high excise duties. Subsidies on LPG, fertilizers, and food grains have been slashed drastically. The Union Budget 2025-26 shows a 17% reduction in food subsidy allocation and a 12% reduction in rural employment guarantees under MGNREGA. These cuts directly affect the working poor and marginal populations.

Addressing the Convention as Chief Speaker, Com. S B Yadav, Secretary General, Confederation CHQ told that the Central Government, through a series of regressive policies and legislative measures, has been persistently attacking the hard-earned rights of the working class. In the guise of reform and modernization, the government is systematically dismantling the social security architecture that once guaranteed the dignity, protection, and well-being of government employees and workers at large. After segregating the employees into three distinct groups, i.e.; beneficiaries under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), contributors under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), and a new category under the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), now the Finance Act 2025 introduces a new layer of discrimination among government employees and pensioners by institutionalizing multiple categories based on retirement date and the implementation of Central Pay Commission (CPC) recommendations which violates the fundamental principle of equality enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution. 

Among others, while Com. Chittaranjan Pattnaik, General Secretary, ITEF, Ishwar Ch. Sahoo from GSIEA, Com. J K Mishra from IoPPA, Com. Debabrata Mohanty, Com. Sapan Mohanty and Com. M C S Rao, Com. Lopamudra Bhoi from NFPE and Com. Purnendu Ku. Dash and Co. Srikant Ku. Mallick from AIPRPA have addressed the Convention, more than one hundred leaders and representatives from many affiliates of the CoC like, RMRC, CPWD, CWC, CGWB, AIAIT, AG Audit, DAG, CIFA, AIGDSU etc. have also attended. Com. Dipti Ranjan Mohanty, Financial Secretary of the CoC gave the vote of thanks.

The Convention unanimously resolved to actively participate in the forthcoming Nationwide general Strike called by CTUs and Independent Federations on 20th May 2025.

B SAMAL

General Secretary