A Heartfelt Note of Gratitude on the Resounding Success of the 9th July 2025 One-Day General Strike in Odisha

The 9th of July 2025 shall remain etched in the hearts of every conscious employee and worker who stood united, rose with conviction, and voiced their collective dissent against anti-worker policies through the historic nationwide general strike. In Odisha, this strike was not just a protest—it was a declaration of unity, resistance, and hope. The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, Odisha State CoC, bows its head in deep gratitude to each comrade, young and old, who contributed to the grand success of this one-day strike. Without your spirit, leadership, and dedication, such a resounding strike would have remained a distant dream.

To the Leadership and Members of ITEF Odisha Circle, ITGOA, and ITPA

Our heartfelt thanks and revolutionary greetings to Com. Chittaranjan Pattnaik, General Secretary, ITEF Odisha Circle, whose impeccable leadership and organizational capability made the strike meeting at Aayakar Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, a vibrant expression of resistance. The presence and active participation of ITGOA under full unconditional support and the dignified involvement of the Income Tax Pensioners' Association added immense value to the programme. The spirited turnout of young comrades under NPS and their attentive participation in the address by Com. B Samal, General Secretary, and Com. Dipti Ranjan Mohanty, Financial Secretary, was a special hallmark of this gathering. 

The Confederation Odisha State CoC deeply appreciates the Presidents, General Secretaries, Office Bearers, and the staff of ITEF, ITGOA, and ITPA, Odisha, for making this event both powerful and purposeful.

To the Courageous Fighters of GSIEA, Odisha State Unit

The strike programme organized by the GSIEA, under the dedicated leadership of Com. Iswar Chandra Sahoo, along with the active involvement of Com. Somanath Nayak, Com. Ajaya Moharana, Com. Kabita Panda, and many others, stood as a glowing example of unity in action. We are equally grateful for the strong presence of young employees under NPS who listened with serious concern as Com. B Samal explained the threats posed by the new Labour Codes, NPS, UPS, and the draconian provisions of the Finance Act 2025. Com. Dipti Ranjan Mohanty, along with Confederation members Com. Lingaraj Sahoo and Com. Padmalochan Nayak, graced the event with their solidarity and commitment. 

The Confederation Odisha State CoC salutes Com. Iswar Chandra Sahoo and his vibrant team for their steadfast contribution to the success of this historic action.

To the Inspiring Team of PIV NFPE, Bhubaneswar Division

Despite being deprived of coordinated support from other wings of NFPE, the PIV NFPE Bhubaneswar Division under the fearless leadership of Com. Ajay Kumar Barik, Divisional Secretary, displayed exceptional resilience and capability. Gathering hundreds of postal comrades for the strike meeting in front of the office of the Chief Postmaster General, Odisha Circle, was no small feat. Com. B Samal, Com. Dipti Ranjan Mohanty, and Com. Rabindranath Dhal, State President, addressed the gathering with passion and clarity. The presence of Com. J K Mishra from the Institute of Physics, and comrades like Com. Sudhir Kumar Swain, Com. Srikant Mallick, and Com. Bishnu Prasad Das further strengthened the morale of the striking employees. 

The Confederation extends its sincere thanks to Com. Barik and each member of his dedicated team for organizing such a forceful and impactful event.

To the Torchbearers Across Odisha—Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and Beyond

While the General Secretary was physically present in specific locations, the spirit of strike reverberated throughout the length and breadth of Odisha. In Cuttack, under the guidance of Com. R N Dhal, our State President, the strike was conducted with dignity and intensity. We also acknowledge the vital role played by Com. MCS Rao, All India President of PIV NFPE CHQ, for mobilizing a strong base in Berhampur. The success of the strike in Sambalpur, particularly in Rourkela, under the leadership of PIV NFPE comrades, proved that Odisha’s working class stood shoulder to shoulder on this critical day. Last but not the least, the wholehearted support of the All India Postal and RMS Pensioners’ Association, Odisha Circle, lent moral strength to the strike everywhere.

We extend our deepest gratitude to every individual, every team, and every organization whose hands joined in solidarity to script this day of workers’ unity. Your contribution is not just acknowledged—it is revered. Together we proved that resistance, when united, is unstoppable. Thank you, comrades. Let this be just the beginning of greater struggles and greater victories.

In unity, with gratitude,

= Bruhaspati Samal -

General Secretary

Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers

Odisha State Coordination Committee

Not Against, But For

Not Against, But For

= B SAMAL =

General Secretary

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers

Odisha State CoC, Bhubaneswar

I do not shout out of hatred or spite,

Nor in anger, nor for some personal fight.

My voice rises from the heartbeat of pain,

Of workers toiling through hardship and strain.

I shout like a mother cries out in fear,

When her child is hurt and no help is near.

Not for myself, but for every broken soul,

Whose silent suffering has taken its toll.

I shout not against the nation or law,

But for those crushed beneath injustice's claw.

For those whose backs are bent by the weight

Of promises broken by the hands of the State.

I raise my voice like a burning flame,

To awaken hearts gone silent in shame.

My cries are not noise, not meant to divide,

But the song of the unheard, amplified.

Some say I shout too loud, too long,

But how else can I correct what's wrong?

When truth is hushed and wrong glorified,

Silence is betrayal—so I have never complied.

I shout not with bitterness, nor for fame,

But for dignity lost in power’s name.

I speak for my people, my colleagues, my kin,

For every worker forgotten, cast in a bin.

Yes, my words are sharp—they pierce the air,

But they rise from love, from duty, from care.

From every denied promotion, unpaid due,

From every promise the rulers never knew.

Don't mistake my fire for mindless rage,

It’s the call of justice, the cry of an age.

It’s the echo of footsteps that march unseen,

Of revolutions born in alleys unclean.

I will shout, and I will not stop—

Until the last exploited stands on the top.

Until labour is honoured, not sold on demand,

Until fairness rules across this land.

So don’t say I’m shouting against the State—

I shout for those whom the rulers negate.

And if my voice disturbs your peace,

It means your comfort rests on others’ grief.

*****

“Who Will If Not You?”

 “Who Will If Not You?”

(A direct call for responsibility and unity)

= B SAMAL =

General Secretary

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers

Odisha State CoC, Bhubaneswar 

Who will carry the banner high,

If you just watch the moments fly?

Who will shout when voices fall,

If fear becomes your final wall?

You wait for others to start the flame,

But later cry when you’re left in shame.

This world won’t change by silent prayer,

It needs bold hearts who truly care.

Don’t curse the cost of what you claim,

Don’t point at others, shifting blame.

If justice means so much to you,

Then walk the path, however blue.

What if Gandhi had stepped aside?

Or Bhagat had chosen fear to hide?

What if workers had never fought?

Your rights today — would they be bought?

Stop asking “What if I’m crushed or fined?”

Start asking “Why am I leaving others behind?”

The struggle’s not just to win or lose —

It’s choosing fire when you could refuse.

So rise today, not just to speak,

But to be the strength when others feel weak.

The tide will turn when you stand true —

The question remains: Who will, if not you?

*****

Confederation CHQ Circular dated 7th July 2025 on 9th July nationwide general strike

General Body Meeting by PIV NFPE, Bhubaneswar Division on 6th July 2025 with unanimous decision to participate enmasse in the forthcoming Nationwide General Strike on 9th July 2025

I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt thanks to the President, Secretary, members, and organizers of the P4NFPE, Bhubaneswar Division for convening today's General Body Meeting on 6th July 2025 at such a crucial juncture when the entire working class of the nation is gearing up for the historic Nationwide General Strike on 9th July 2025.

The successful conduct of this meeting holds great significance in our collective effort to mobilize and motivate our members for their active and massive participation in the forthcoming strike. I feel honoured to have addressed the gathering as the Chief Speaker, and I tried to highlight the relevance and urgency of the Charter of Demands and the compelling reasons for resorting to this legitimate path of protest. It is deeply unfortunate that the long-standing and genuine demands of workers, employees, and pensioners have remained unattended by both the Government and the Administration, leaving us with no other option but to rise in unison.

Among others, while Com. R N Dhal, State President, CCGE&W, ODisha State CoC and State Secretary, AIPRPA, Odisha State Committee inaugurated the meeting, Com. Dipti Ranjan Mohanty, Com Lingaraj Sahoo, Com. Purna Chandra Moharana, Com. Srikant Mallick, Com. Sudhir Kumar Swain and Com. Rajib Nayak and many Divisional Secretariea and pensioners addressed the gathering. Com. Bijay Nayak, President P4 presided over the meeting and Com. Ajay Barik, Divisional Secretary gave the vote of thanks.

The disciplined organization, enthusiastic participation, and serious deliberation reflected the unwavering commitment of our comrades towards the larger cause of the working class movement.

I once again express my sincere appreciation to the entire team for their dedication and efforts. Let us remain united and determined in our struggle for justice.

In solidarity,

- Bruhaspati Samal - 

General Secretary 

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers 

Odisha State CoC,  Bhubaneswar

Strike for Survival

 Strike for Survival

(“When all doors of dialogue are closed, the streets become the voice of justice.”)

= B SAMAL =

General Secretary

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers

Odisha State CoC, Bhubaneswar 

On July 9, 2025, India will witness a countrywide shutdown—not orchestrated by political parties, but led by the millions of workers, employees, pensioners and common citizens whose voices have long been stifled. The nationwide strike being organized by all Central Trade Unions and Independent Federations is not a spontaneous act of rebellion; it is the outcome of years of patience, petitions, peaceful protests and unheeded cries for justice. It is not a strike by choice, but a strike by compulsion. The working class has knocked on every democratic door—from representations and black badge demonstrations to dharnas and lunch-hour meetings—but every time, they have been met with silence, denial, and indifference from the government. What else remains when the system refuses to listen?

The demands of this strike are not imaginary nor excessive—they reflect the lived realities and legitimate expectations of the Indian people. At the core of these demands is the call to scrap the four Labour Codes that have replaced the 44 existing labour laws. These new codes, enacted without proper consultation with stakeholders, severely dilute workers' rights and protections. They legalize hire-and-fire policies, weaken safety norms, restrict the right to strike, and reduce the bargaining power of unions. What is being hailed by the government as “labour reform” is nothing but a rollback of decades of hard-won rights, threatening to turn India’s workforce into a voiceless and vulnerable mass.

Equally pressing is the demand to abolish the National Pension System (NPS) and the recently proposed Universal Pension Scheme (UPS). Both schemes tie the future security of government employees to market performance, stripping pensioners of dignity and predictability in old age. These schemes shift the burden of risk from the government to the individual—a cruel irony, especially for those who have served the nation for decades. The only way to ensure a secure post-retirement life is to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which guaranteed inflation-indexed, assured income after retirement. OPS was not just a policy—it was a commitment to social justice and welfare. Its removal has broken the trust of lakhs of government employees who now face uncertainty in their most vulnerable years.

As inflation spirals out of control, ordinary citizens are suffocating under the pressure of unchecked price rise. The cost of essential items like cooking gas, food grains, medicines, vegetables, school fees and public transport has skyrocketed. For the poor and the middle class, survival has become an everyday struggle. While the government continues to boast about GDP numbers and global rankings, the people are being pushed to the brink of hunger and despair. The demand to control inflation and remove the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essential items is not a political slogan—it is a cry from the nation’s kitchens. When mothers skip meals to feed their children, when senior citizens cannot afford medicines, when families compromise on education to pay electricity bills, it becomes clear that the economic policies are failing the very people they were supposed to serve.

Another major concern is the rapid privatization of public sector undertakings and the outsourcing of permanent jobs. From banking and insurance to railways, postal services, defence units, airports, and power corporations, the government is on a selling spree. Public sector units, built over generations with taxpayer money, are being dismantled and handed over to private Corporate Houses. This process not only destroys employment security but also erodes national assets. Outsourcing of jobs to private agencies has become a backdoor method to deny fair wages, regular employment and social security. Workers employed through contractors receive lower wages for the same work, are denied benefits like medical aid, leaves, and pensions, and live under constant fear of job loss. This exploitative practice must be stopped, and all casual and contractual workers must be regularized with full rights and dignity.

The plight of Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDS) in India Post is particularly painful. These rural postal workers perform essential duties ranging from mail delivery to financial inclusion, yet are not treated as regular government employees. Their pay is abysmally low, their service conditions harsh, and their future uncertain. The demand to grant status pension and regular employment benefits to GDS is long overdue. Ignoring their contribution while exploiting their labour is a national injustice.

Equal pay for equal work remains another unfulfilled promise. The same government office often employs individuals in identical roles—one regular and one outsourced—with drastically different salaries and benefits. This goes against the constitutional principle of equality and fairness. No nation can call itself just while allowing such blatant discrimination to continue in its institutions.

Equally important is the demand for a minimum pension of ₹9000 per month to all, including workers in the unorganized sector. India’s economy may have embraced globalization, but it still runs on the sweat and strength of informal workers who clean cities, cook meals, deliver goods, and build infrastructure without any social safety net. A universal pension is not a charity—it is a recognition of their contribution and a step towards a more inclusive economy.

Despite growing inflation, the government has shown no urgency to constitute the 8th Central Pay Commission, though declared already. Pay revision, every ten years, is a basic institutional mechanism to ensure that employees do not fall behind the cost of living. Beyond wages and pensions, the strike raises fundamental concerns about the very soul of Indian democracy. The demand to declare the right to work, right to free and quality healthcare, and right to free education as fundamental rights reflects the aspirations of a nation that values its people. These are not luxuries to be bargained—they are necessities that define dignity. Millions of young Indians face unemployment. Lakhs of families are pushed into debt due to medical expenses. Crores of children drop out due to unaffordable education. This is not the vision of India that the Constitution promised.

The government’s continued silence on these issues, even after repeated appeals and mass protests, exposes a dangerous disconnect between power and people. The arrogance of authority and the insensitivity of decision-makers have left the common man with no choice but to disrupt normalcy. This strike is not an act of rebellion—it is an act of survival. It is a loud and unified cry from Bharat’s villages, towns and cities: enough is enough. The foundations of democracy tremble when those in power forget to listen. And if the government continues to turn its back on its people, it will not be long before the streets become the new Parliament, and the workers’ voice becomes the new law. “Swaraj does not mean just self-rule—it means rule that listens, serves and uplifts every citizen. If this spirit is betrayed, the people will rise, not in hatred but in rightful resistance.”

*****

(The writer is a Service Union Representative and a Columnist. Mobile: 9437022669)

March On, Pension Warriors!

 March On, Pension Warriors!

= B SAMAL =

General Secretary

Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers

Odisha State CoC, Bhubaneswar

You built this nation brick by brick,

Now they play a power trick.

Your sweat and labour fed the land,

Yet they strike with greedy hand.

The pension once came with respect,
Now your dignity they neglect.
Through new laws they twist the game,
And leave you lost without a name.

Sou motu rights—now cast away,
They choose who gains and who must pay.
Pay Commission’s words now bent,
Justice delayed is justice spent.

They set the date, they draw the line,
Create new class by cruel design.
A pensioner is now split in two,
A favoured few, and rest of you.

Revisions once were just and true,
Now they delay, divide, subdue.
The Finance Act in veiled disguise
Strikes at justice, truth, and ties.

No more divide in equal pay,
No class within a class, we say!
The Constitution still stands tall—
Equality and rights for all.

Can a nation so bold and vast
Forget its builders of the past?
Will silence greet this rising wrong,
Or will your voice grow loud and strong?

Rise again, with fire in chest,
Don’t let the rulers steal your rest.
You gave your youth, your days and nights,
Now claim your due, defend your rights!

Future retirees, hear the call—
This fight is yours, it’s one for all.
If today we fail to stand,
Tomorrow brings a trembling hand.

This is no plea, this is demand,
For justice now to take its stand.
Strike, protest, in every street—
Let thunder roll beneath their seat!

Not alms we seek, not favour’s grace,
But equal rights in every case.
Drop the Act that divides and mocks—
Or face the power of united blocks.

So march ahead, in one bold line,
Let courage rise and anger shine.
From post to port, from desk to mine—
Rise, O Pensioners! This is your time!

*****