REPORT ON THE MEETING HELD BETWEEN OFFICIALS OF FNME (CGT), FRANCE AND COM PRASANTA NANDI CHOWDHURY, GENERAL SECRETARY, WBSEB WORKMEN’S UNION AND WORKING COMMITTEE MEMBER, EEFI.

CITU nominated Com. Prasanta Nandi Chowdhury to represent CITU in the programmes of celebration of May Day at Havana, Cuba between 29^th April & 3^rd May this year. Com. Nandi Chowdury made programme with the international department of FNME (CGT) to visit the Central Load Despatch Centre of France and a few other power stations along with discussion in respect of struggle of the French Electricity Workers & Employees on his way back.

Accordingly the FNME, the Mines & Energy Organisation of France affiliated to CGT received Com. Nandi Chowdhury in their Office in Paris on 5^th May 2003. A detailed discussion was held. Com. MADJID CHERIKH, Head of the International Department, COM. MICHELLE SIMON, and COM. SERGI Terrier took part in the discussion. At the on set FNME leaders expressed regret for their inability to arrange visit to Power Station and Load Despatch Centre due to very stringent security measures following the war situation . In the course of discussion they recalled the anxiety of the representatives of EEFI and other Indian delegates took part in the IEMO congress held at Kochi on the attack upon electricity Industry. On the part of EEFI it was mentioned that the Government of India has become successful to get the electricity bill 2003 passed in the parliament.

The heroic struggle of Electricity workers, Employees and Engineers against the adoption of the draconian Bill to curb the right of the majority of Indian people on Electricity in particular and Energy in general was explained in details. The all India strike of Electricity workers, Employees & Engineers on 7^th April 2003 i.e. on the day of placement of the Bill in parliament for discussion and passing was a grand success . In almost all the states nearly 100% of the Electricity Employees took part in the strike. It was explained to the French Comrades that this Bill will not only lead to this vital energy sector towards privatisation but also create an environment where most of the rural people including agriculture, cottage & small industries will be debarred from electricity. As per rules in force i.e. Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 this sector had socio economic importance which will be totally lost by the new Act and availability of electricity will depend upon profitability of the Traders & Merchants dealing in Electricity. It was also mentioned that Indian Power Sector along with the related technology has become self reliant through a developing process of five decades will be thrown on the whims of National and International business houses. The State Electricity Boards and nationalised power sector organisations built the network to cater 800 millions of Indians residing in 0.52 million villages and also energised 12.5 million pumps for irrigation of agricultural lands through out the country. Food production has been multiplied by five times growth resulting into fullest food security for the country. All these positive development will be handed over to the Traders & Business men for their games of speculation and gambling. Comrades of France showed keen interest to have the information on Indian Power Sector and the struggle of the workers and employees of this sector. In view of their keen interest Com. Nandi Chowdhury explained in details the situation of India through last one decade at the instance of World Bank and IMF. Out of 1.2 million electricity workers of electricity industry of India, more than 25% is the members of different Trade Unions affiliated to EEFI.

Comrades of FNME informed that they are also on the path of struggle both in the National sphere against the policy of the government to denationalise the power sector. Till the present time the electricity generation, transmission & distribution of France is catered by 100% state owned company "Electricity De France" popularly known as EDF. This company is dealing electricity in 24 other countries also with total installed capacity of 121000 MW of which 101000 MW is in France, 16,000 MW in other countries of Europe and 4,000 MW in non European countries. The employees’ strength of EDF group is more than 170,000 out of which 115,000 serving in Generation, Transmission & Distribution of Electricity to 31 million consumers in France. The Electricity Tariff in France is cheap in comparison to other European countries. Government of France is contemplating over privatisation of this prestigious energy sector company. CGT is on the path of struggle upon the decision of the Government. In France also all these privatisation policy is adopted or contemplated at the behest of World Bank and IMF. They are also worried on curbing the right to energy of the people all over the world and united action is necessary. They will organise the next congress of their organisation in the month of October, wherein all these matters will be taken up for discussion. They will be happy if EEFI depute their delegates to attend their conference. On the part of EEFI Com. Nandi Chowdhury informed them the conference of EEFI will take place by end August and early September. EEFI will also be happy if CGT delegates make it convenient to attend the EEFI conference. As conference of EEFI will be over, Com. B.S.Meel, General Secretary EEFI may be available to attend the CGT congress on having formal invitation. They expressed satisfaction on the issue.

Com. Nandi Chowdhury showed his interest on the activities of Right to Energy Association, who organised a Seminar in Kochi during the IEMO congress. FNME leaders informed him that the organisation is fully vibrant and spreading its activities all over the world from their head quarters in Paris. They made contact with the head quarter of the organisation and informed that one representative from EEFI has come to Paris and expressed his eagerness on the activities of the organisation. They also showed interest to have discussion with the representative of EEFI and invited him to the office of Right to Energy Association on the next day.

On 6^th May at 1030 hrs. Com. MADJID CHERIKH, General Secretary of the organisation accompanied with Com. P.N.Chowdhury to the office of the Right to Energy Association in 9, Avenue Percier, Paris. During the course of discussion Com. Michel Clerc, President, MADJID CHERIKH, General Secretary, Joel Da Silva , Treasurer took part in discussion, Francoise Morelli also took part in the discussion and helped as interpreter.

At the outset the President explained: "the objects of the Association are to defend and promote – at the level of each State, People and Nation and also at regional and world levels – the Right to Energy for everyone, as a fundamental human right, in conditions of equality and solidarity, as laid down in international texts on human rights of peoples and the international community regarding natural resources." They appreciated the role of CITU & EEFI during holding the Seminar in Kochi. They requested EEFI to be an affiliated organisation of this Association as EEFI is fighting for similar cause. They expressed their eagerness to up dated in respect of right to energy struggle of the Indian people. Com. Nandi Chowdhury informed them that Parliament of India has already passed Electricity Bill 2003 which will cease the right of the Indian people to electricity. He requested the right to energy association to raise a voice of protest against the activities of curbing the energy right in India. The leaders of Association requested to have details on the new legislation and a draft text of the protest the Association and its affiliated organisations may send to Government of India.

Both the meeting ended with exchange of thanks and expectation of close relation on the developing situation world wide for the broader interest of the world population and workers and employees of energy industry globally.