Port Blair, Jan 29: The 41st Death Anniversary of veteran trade union leader PKS Prasad was observed jointly by CITU and Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers Association in Andaman & Nicobar Islands today (29.1.2024). The main function was held at Port Blair in the evening. Wreaths were laid on the memorial column of PKS Prasad in front of Crusade House on behalf of CITU and various trade unions. Thereafter, a meeting was held at the Crusade House premises.
Addressing the participants in the programme, D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU A & N State Committee expressed concern over the anti-working class policies being pursued by the BJP government at the Centre. He said that while PKS Prasad had fought for achieving various benefits in the 1960s and 1970s, the trade unions and employees’ organizations are now fighting to protect whatever benefits the working class is enjoying now. He further said that it was due to the valiant struggles conducted by the Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers’ Association and trade unions under the leadership of PKS Prasad that most of the benefits like residential accommodation, LTC/Annual Free Sea Passage, Joining Time, Andaman Special Allowance, timely promotion, etc. were granted to government employees and workers in the islands.
Speaking on the occasion, P. Banerjee, former President of Non-Gazetted Govt. Officers Association, who closely worked with PKS Prasad, briefly explained the movements conducted under the leadership of PKS Prasad throughout the islands. SB Choudhury, Vice President, South Andaman Teachers Branch of NGOs’ Association and SL Vinjit, Asst General Secretary, NGOs’ Association also addressed the participants. BC Bhattacharjee, Vice President, CITU State Committee presided. A large number of workers and employees from various unions and NGOs’ Association attended the programme.
At Diglipur, a meeting was organized to commemorate the Death Anniversary of PKS Prasad which was addressed among others by Sunil Bepari, Vice President, CITU Diglipur Zonal Committee.