23rd conference of Bijili Karmachari Sangh, Bharhampur, Orissa was held on 13,14,&15 of November 2004.The name of the hall in which the conference was held was named as Com. S.K.M Pathra hall, which roused every body the remembrance of the beloved and brave leader of Bijili Karmachari Sangh, who fought for the cause of Electricity employees and other working class and under privileged till his last breath.

The conference was held at a very critical time as far as electricity employees are concerned. About 200 delegates from the 7 districts out of the 30 district in Orissa participated in the conference. The operating area of the organization is 7 district with its’ HQ at Bherhampur. The conference started after paying homage to martyrs and Late Com.S.K.M Patra, on the eve of 13th after a rally of the workers. The inspiring and significant matter to note was the co-operations of all the mass organization in conducting the conference. In the above open session, Com.Adv. Bishnu Mahanthi, General Secretary, CITU state committee, Com.K.R.Unnithan, Secretary, EEFI and Biswaraj Mishra, General Secretary, Orissa Gridco. Engineers Association spoke. Com.Bisnu Mohanthi spoke on the recent political developments and trade union issues in general, K.R.Unnithan spoke on the consequences of the implementation of the E. Act 2003 and Er.B.Mishra on the need for united action.

On 14th, in the forenoon session, leaders of the fraternal unions greeted the conference. Com. Kalu Panda, CPI (M) district committee secretary also greeted the conference. Com.K.R.Unnithan also greeted the delegates on behalf of EEFI and explained the latest developments in power sector including the October 14th NCCOEEE convention and its’ action programme. Presence of activist and leaders of other constituent organizations of NCCOEEE like Orissa Grid corporation Engineers Association, Diploma Engineers Association of Orissa, AIFEE etc converted this meeting as a convention of state unit of NCCOEEE.

In the afternoon, Panchanana Janna, V. President of the organization chaired the conference. Com.J.C.Acharya, General Secretary of BKS presented the report, which was printed and circulated on the previous day itself. Com.Rama Rao presented the accounts.

Number of delegates participated in the discussion. Main points raised in the discussion were the following:

Pay revision of the employees are delayed for the last 4.5 years

Pension and pensionery benefits of the retired employees are not settled and paid properly.

Higher posts of the private distribution companies were filled by retired officers of the Reliance Company from other parts of the country.

Delegates proposed to agitate united against these. The only organization agitating against these attacks on employees is BKS. The state federation to which BKS is affiliated is totally ineffective and defunct. The INTUC organization is supporting this anti – working class measures of the management, as they do everywhere and the leaders are benefited personally. For example, when the son of our former leader S.K.M.Pathra expired his son is not blessed with a job in compassionate grounds, which was part of the agreement between the erstwhile OSEB and employee’s organization, even though he is moving from pillar to post to get the job. But on the other hand two sons of the INTUC leader got appointment in the private distribution companies of Ambani’s. The INTUC leadership is promoting bribery as usual and manages to get a share of it, in case of transfers and promotions.

The low level of consciousness of the delegated reflected in the discussions. Non of them discussed on the need to fight against Elec. Act 2003 and the neo-liberal economic policies, even though they applauded and accepted it when the leaders explained the need for it.

The conference again elected Com.Panchanana Janna as V.President and J.C.Acharya as General secretary. The conference also decided to launch campaigns among people against E.Act 2003 and to delegate few comrades to participate in the rally on Dec.10th.

Of course the conference will give a boost to EEFI activities in Orissa.