17-05-2023 : In a meeting organized by the president of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) Jammu & Kashmir, Raman Bhalla, the working president of JKPCC, expressed grave concerns over the policies of the BJP government. Bhalla accused the government of attempting to eradicate the labour movement in the country and implementing laws that primarily benefit big industrial houses. He called these policies “anti-human” and “anti-labour” and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the anti-labour rules.
Bhalla emphasized the need for INTUC to focus on labour issues and actively address the problems faced by workers. He criticized the BJP government for enacting laws that favor employers while undermining the existence of the labour movement. Bhalla contrasted this approach with the welfare measures taken by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, after Independence, asserting that the Congress party played a crucial role in empowering the country with the support of workers. In contrast, the BJP-led central government appeared determined to dismantle these hard-fought gains.
Drawing attention to recent events, Bhalla highlighted the government’s efforts to curtail the labour movement through employer-specific laws. He also mentioned the controversial agricultural laws, which sparked widespread protests by farmers until the government eventually repealed them under pressure from the opposition, including Congress. Bhalla criticized the Modi government for reneging on its promises, such as creating two crore jobs per year, depositing Rs 15 lakh in people’s bank accounts, and doubling farm incomes. These unfulfilled promises have become a source of ridicule, according to Bhalla.
During the meeting, Shashi Syal was appointed as the vice president of J&K INTUC. Bhalla congratulated Syal and urged INTUC office bearers to focus on assisting unorganized workers in achieving decent employment and fair pay, which would enable them to have adequate purchasing power. Shiv Kumar Sharma, the INTUC chief, accused the government of amending laws that previously protected workers’ rights and privileges. He argued that these changes primarily serve the interests of employers and create an environment that exploits workers. Additionally, Sharma alleged that important projects are being awarded to a select group of industrialists who have close ties to the central government.
Sharma further stated that the Modi government’s promises of providing two crore jobs annually, depositing Rs 15 lakh in people’s bank accounts, and doubling farm incomes have proven to be nothing more than hollow claims. Instead, under BJP rule, workers are experiencing widespread economic hardship due to job losses, declining incomes, soaring food and fuel prices, and chronic unemployment. The discontent among the workers against the Modi government is palpable.
The meeting was attended by various prominent individuals, including Block president Suriender Singh Dutt, Satpal Sapolia, Mohd Ashraf, Ghulam Hassan, Sunil Kumar, Yashpal, Bana Ram, Vishal Singh, Sunil Sehgal, Kamla Devi, and others.