Padma Bhushan Award Stinks

Sekhar Gupta
Tarun Madhira tarun.madhira@gmail.com
Date: Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Subject: Congrats for Padma award & Poor content research & quality in your recent express columns - Addendum to my mail
To: sg@expressindia.com

Dear Shekhar jee

Congrats for your Padma award announced on Republic Day, from an Express loyalist for several years, though I subscribe for other dailies incl business ones BS & ET. Though I admire you as an incisive reporter & like many of the Walk the talk interviews, I was shell shocked to know how little you know about Govt. Undertakings or even about Armed Forces & their issues.

It speaks so low about you if you pen such things yourself rather than delegate it to someone else coz., this is undeserving from your Pen for the quality of its content except for the theme which is acceptable.

Though the strike by businessmen 'truckers' and working class of PSU can't be painted in the same brush, the strike per se are not justified by anyone. Infact many of the officers & thier leaders were shown live conceeding the same line and conveyed to the media that there were four such strike notices issued and withdrawn based on solid assurances from none other than Minster himself were not acted upon.

I buy the employees contention that being full time professionals in organised in public utility related areas, Strike is the last thing and rarely it occured in the industry because it is thier profession. I know the tricks played by several industrial houses with vested interests when it comes to PSUs coz., it is No ones baby so they dont hesitate to use it for all means including poaching of the talent. Expecting top class Techno talent and Scientists and MBAs for Rs. 30-40 thousand can happen only in Indian PSUs. As I know many of them excepting for some semi qualified people from ranks most of the educated donot need the job security in Oil Industry coz jobs are always available in India & Abroad for manufacturing unlike Services like Financial ot IT based which you seem to refer. Being related to this Industry I have seen even retired low level people from ranks being paid not less than 1-1.5 lakhs per month. In IT this is much above the figure. In many cases jobs were lost but . Several jobs are immediately available with 30-40% lesser salary & this is limited only during the low time. Come On you cant be that ignorant about professional job market in differnt industries Shekhar , for the experienced and qualified hands.

Nowhere you tried to touch the circumstances which led to such situations in Oilmen case as well as the outcome of the meetings of the Armed Forces Chiefs with the PM rather than with the concerned BABUS. WE EXPECT YOU TO DO THE HOMEWORK PROPERLY BEFORE OFFERING VIEWS TO THE PUBLIC, SHEKHAR. PLEASE DONOT JOIN THE LEAGUE OF SOME HINDI TV CHANNELS intersted only in Sensationalism, which I have personally seen, since my business is indirectly linked to the oilmen and I was also affected to some extent at that time and I was feeling bored with free time though I rarely watch Hindi news channels. Common People can say anything since they are the affected and they are not expected to know about all the problems of PSUs & Armed forces, but not the Media which has some responsibility. By the way there was no discontent in the entire rank & file of the Armed forces to precipitate a strike, but limited to a few affected small groups which were not properly benchmarked compared to their peers in Govt and other services. So this is also a different case.

The irresponsible media esp Hindi TV channels were virtually instigating a war like situation with their reporting. And no wonder Pakistani media was also crying hoarse about it without even any credible investigation or proven evidence. Nevermind even I agree with people's views and perceptions which may be perfectly correct. But can we substantiate it conclusively in the first 3-4 itself. News Channels were just forcing views and injecting venom in peoples minds virtually to wage a war and pressurise thinking in the government and people, who are already traumatised by the 26/11 incidents and the next 3-4 days events.

In case of Oil men Stike I have seen full page Ads given by the ministry reeling similar figures and Clippings which arreared in leading national dailies Economic Times, Business standard & Hindu/Frontline which are portraying the true picture by exact analysis of the history and chronology of events preceeding, based on documentary evidence which contradicts the Govt. line, which negates your 'empty rhetoric & emotional spills from your pen look.

Readers including myself respect you a lot for some of your qualities. So please take care to write only on the issues about which you have full information to keep your image intact. If it is an interview things would not have been so much in poor light, since it is a dialogue in first place and secondly rarely does one appears to be that incisive in interiews so they carry lesser impact to that extent than the print, of course except for some Karan Thapar, who is an outstandingly incisive interviewer and reporter on political and business issues because he does a lot of home work since he works for the content viewed by the most educated and influential in India.

Yours etc
Tarun Madhira

Letter to Financial Express- from Asim Kumar Tiwary, CEC IOOA UPSO-II

Dear Editor,

I write apropos to your Editorial "Monopoly Profits" in FE dated 27/01/2009. Your edit was a great disappointment (which is actually a gross understatement) and has affetced adversely upon your image in my eyes. I am shocked at your uni-dimensional approach in disparaging the sterling performance of PSUs which has been acknowledged by a well known International Consultant from Private Sector in its study on which you have commented. What is more galling that you have ignored important parameters in the study e.g. the fact that effective tax rate for PSUs has grown to 31.4% in 2008 as compared to 22.9% (which has come down) in case of Private sector companies. Moreover, contribution by the way of dividends to their shareholders by PSUs was 33.5% of their profits as compared to 20.6% of Private Sector.

Sadly, you have also completely ignored the contribution of Public Sector in social upliftment e.g. reservations in jobs for social objective category (SC/ST etc) while writing your referred editorial . Oil PSUs have provided Petrol Pumps and Gas agencies to these categories at their own cost even after so called deregulation. Upstream & Down Stream Oil PSUs still bear/ or contribute towards under-recoveries for subsidising petroleum products (merit of such a move is, of course, debateable) under instructions from Government of the day. These costs incurred by Oil PSUs, which are over Rs 50000 Crores for year 2008, are not even accounted for any where in their contribution to the exchequer, which means these contributions are over and above the figures reported by Dun & Bradsheet in their report. Private Sector companies are mortified of reservations and are also horrified when a Narayan Murthy starts talking of giving up tax exemptions.

And as regard Monopoly Profits? The true benefit of the monopoly and license & permit regime and government's largesse has been taken by most of the top Business Houses in India, whose current profits come more by way of saving taxes by lobbying in Power Corridors and vicinity to those who matter than their competitive abilities. Had the competitive ability been the forte of Private Sector then BSNL & MTNL would not have been restrained from growing and Oil Sector would have been fully deregulated rather than pursuing policies which selectively benefit largest business house in the country.

I would once again like to request you to consider other costs on private sector, before considering it as more efficient than public sector, like yearly Tax exemptions totalling around Rs 1 lac Cores a year, NPAs of about 20000 Cores a year of PSBs (if Dear Editor, if I remember correctly India Express reported a cumulative NPA of 11 Lac Crores a couple of year ago and these did not belong to Public Sector.)

I would like to say that Public Sector is more profitable for government as well as public (as shareholder as well as consumer) whereas private sector is more of a burden for public and government. But, yes, Private Sector is profitable for the promoters and politicians.

Asim Tiwari


(Not to be printed : I hope you display the trademark courage of Indian Express group and publish this comment,howver, you are free to edit for more clarity or to correct the figures quoted by me. But if you don't print my opinion in next two days then it would go on to prove my point)

Who cares for Oil !!

From: "Vikrant Kumar" vikrant0107@gmail.com
To: editor@expressindia.com

Dear Sir,
Hurt and Anguish of Oil Sector Workmen has been ignored by your publications, without verifying the underlying facts and portraying these soldiers of nation in bad light. As media houses sabotaged salary figures and sidelined two and a half year peaceful struggle by Oil Men, sadly not one explored the reasons for taking the drastic step. Sir, Even an ant will bite back when pushed to the limits. Your fraternity was prompt to respond to Govt. Control on your working, however genuine demands of OilMen working in far corners and remote locations for your safety, security and comfort were never contacted to explain their stand. I will not give you any salary figures or perks or facilities as they fall in public domain and can be verified from any source. However I would you to see the pain in our eyes who have been denied any increments for years due to flawed pay scales policies. How does it feel to work on pay scales effective from 1997. how does it feel to actually see reducing increments from 4 % to 3%. How does it feel to be duped since 2006 to be promised one committee after another and withdrawl of strike notices on one promise after another. 6th Pay Commission for Govt . Employees was implemented with increased benefits, while Rao Committe recommendations for PSUs rejected and sent to trash. All the studies by eminent judges and presentations by various forums dumped in one go by Committe of Secretaries without discussing with persons affected. All this a pain in the heart of not being able to place our grievances.

Sir, your publication have protected and presented attack on communities (minorities etc.). Taken up national debate. But when it came to Community of Oil Men who were brutally sabotaged of their reputation on unverified facts and doctored accounts, Where was any one of you. When a feeling of hate was being promulgated against educated, hardworking, socially responsible and highly patriotic community was promulgated by media. Where were you?

We dont demand an enquiry, nor we seek your sympathy. We understand our toil and hardwork doesn't attract front page headlines, But then we can at least demand a fair treatment by giving us the chance. We dont intend to come forward and explain. We want YOU to go deep in to the whole issue that ails oil sector employees. and Please compare apple with an apple. Don't compare us with Army (We maintained supplies even when strike was on !). Compare us with hazarodous industries and offshore companies. Refineries, Pipelines and Netwrok of Distribution. We don't compare legislative with judiciary or Media with IT Companies. All are important and need each other in a civilization to survive. Dont cite troubled times. Had the pay revision taken place from 1st January 2007. No News would have been generated.

Don't cite terrorists attack, Our own people have perished in such attacks from Mumbai to Guwahati. Our people have worked in militant infested Areas and maintained supplies to Kargil amidst enemy firing. Our supplies to defence forces never cease and we guard our strategic supplies more than we guard our homes.Our citizens died fighting a terrorist attack. Now don't kill our Oil Sector with economic attack and Don't Kill our people with attack on their prestige.

Don't cite AC Rooms. Executive functions happen from offices in cities and towns, but the oil is extracted and refined and transported in the toughest of climatic and demographic conditions.

Don't cite Pvt. Players. Find out why nationalised oil companies were formed after China War. Find out why Pvt. Players closed their shops during $100+ crude oil prices. Find Out Why it is becoming difficult for Pvt. Players to maintain refining due to fall in crude prices. Find Out Why Pvt. Players want PSUs to wither so that Oil (Black Gold) can be traded on their whims and fancies. Find out why poaching on PSU talent has done to these PSUs. Find out how many pvt. players have people from Public Sectors among all ranks.FInd out working hours of Ovt and PSU Oil Employees. Find out how Pvt. companies save tax and PSUs give dividends to Givt. Find out subsidy burden shared by PSU Oil Companies and Pvt. Players. FInd OUt Find Out Find Out. Come explore outside YOUR AC rooms. Give Justice a chance. Give Right Journalism a chance.

Ek Sach ko dikhana hai Mushkil magar, Kya Karen Jhoot ka daaman chhoodana padega.
Desh ke In mandiron ko bachana hai agar, Inke sipahiyon ka saath nibhana padega.

Jai Hind

Letter to All Media

Dear friend,

Media criticised our strike and called us Deshdrohi and at par with antinational. Dear media you tell us what is another way if some body does not want to listen genuine demands of employees. Required no. of representations and request were sent to competent authority. Of course there was problem at large with masses for which we are painful and sorrybut for getting genuine demands which were pending for more than two year it was a normal anguish. No body expects that it will take three days for petroleum sector Govt ignore the seriousness of the petroleum strike.These pay scales are going to be revised for 10 year from 01.01.2007 therefore it was the outburst of employees.

But what media actity you have done? You damaged the image of oil employees, youforget the selfless service of oil employees. you forget the bombay high, kargil,assam and registhan in which we are 24 hour working at all level.We are proud of iocian as we work hard for corporation and country. we hadfought with Army navy and airforce with full enthusism.with regards

PUSHPENDRAK@indianoil.co.in"

One more Mail to Zee - one among many

Fmailto:Sunilkottodi@gmail.com
http://in.mc950.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=To%3Aagarwalr@zeenetwork.com

Dear friend,
I'm a chartered accountant working with a PSU oil company for the past eleven years. I'm very happy to learn from you that you have awarded a steep increase in my salary. My basis salary is still less than Rs.20,000/-. So where these lakhs have gone? People are asking because they believe you, not me. And there you failed in your duty to the nation. When people believe you, you should not have used your media for abuse and misrepresentation.

You know, there are many things that carries more value than money. I love this Company, and further I'm serving this country by serving in this Company. That carries a lot of weight against your lakhs, dear friend....

When you are using your powerful medium to put dirt on somebody' s face, please give them a chance, atleast once, to speak. Otherwise what is the difference between media in democrazy and media under Military rule.You must be very busy, hunting for another hot topic. But we, the 55000 'Deshdrohi' PSU Oil officers deserve an apology. It may not clean fully the dirt put on our faces, but it will be a healthy sign for this nation.

One 'Deshdrohi Oil Officer'

One more Mail to Zee - one among many

From:Sunilkottodi@gmail.com
To:agarwalr@zeenetwork.com

Dear friend,
I'm a chartered accountant working with a PSU oil company for the past eleven years. I'm very happy to learn from you that you have awarded a steep increase in my salary. My basis salary is still less than Rs.20,000/-. So where these lakhs have gone? People are asking because they believe you, not me. And there you failed in your duty to the nation. When people believe you, you should not have used your media for abuse and misrepresentation.

You know, there are many things that carries more value than money. I love this Company, and further I'm serving this country by serving in this Company. That carries a lot of weight against your lakhs, dear friend....

When you are using your powerful medium to put dirt on somebody' s face, please give them a chance, atleast once, to speak. Otherwise what is the difference between media in democrazy and media under Military rule.You must be very busy, hunting for another hot topic. But we, the 55000 'Deshdrohi' PSU Oil officers deserve an apology. It may not clean fully the dirt put on our faces, but it will be a healthy sign for this nation.

One 'Deshdrohi Oil Officer'

Letter to Editors of Media

From: Wakeup India [mailto:jagohbharat@gmail.com]
Sent: 11/01/2009 10:17 PM
Subject: Letter to the Editor - Oilmen strike: True Facts

To the Editor:

Through your esteemed daily we would like to bring to your notice the true statement of facts as regards the “Oilmen strike” from 07.01.09 to 09.01.09. At the outset through your media we would like to inform the citizens of our country that we are sorry for the inconvenience and pain caused to you for having to pass through the ordeal for 3 consecutive days and would at the same time request you to give a patient hearing to our grievances and sufferings before coming to any opinion or conclusion about us.
About us
· We are located across the length and breadth of our country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from the far east to the Arabian sea. We are committed to serving our fellow countrymen (“Aam janta” of which we also are a part) 24x7.
· From the high mountains to the deep sea and from the arid deserts to the deep jungles, we are there to make life a bit better for you. From Leh to deep inside Arabian Sea (Bombay High or Vadinar located in Kutch district of Gujarat) and from the deserts of Rajasthan as far as Jaisalmer and deep forests viz in the North-East etc, we are working day and night to ensure that the drop of oil and gas reaches you at your doorstep or your vehicle or lits up your life. There is no time to relax or stand for a while. After all it is our duty and we love doing it.
· Such places are so far flung off (please refer enclosed map) that basic amenities like schooling and medical facilities are also not available. Officers have to leave their families away in bigger towns and spend the most part of their life in exile away from their homes and families doing their duty which they take pride of. Unfortunately, very few get the opportunities to work sitting in air conditioned rooms in big cities.
· Apart from the hazards as described above, officers work in hostile environment without any fear from nature or man made elements. Please recall the terrible cyclone, earthquake that hit Gujarat, Tsunami that or the recent floods or for that matter the constant wars with our neighbors, the flow of energy to maintain the vigour and courage or for that matter to cope with nature’s fury has been achieved thro’ constant commitment, dedication and sincerity of our officers so called as DeshDrohis. People have very short memories and thus have forgotten the invaluable contribution of late Shri Manjunath, one of our most outstanding, brilliant and honest officer who had to pay the supreme price to exercise the virtues and values of life. Still the media paint us black as “DeshDrohi” and compare with the terrorists.
· At the cost of our revenue losses we have been selling fuels at very low prices just to see the smile on our fellow brethren. Where were the Private sectors then?
· And at what cost? We have been told to receive an amount of Rs.70,000 to Rs.1,00,00 p.m. but has anybody bothered to verify the facts? (Please refer copy of attached payslip of an “over-payed” and “over-pampered” officer)
· Has anybody bothered to find out what were our demands? Just browse thro’ the following lines and you will sure find your answer.

1) Our (Oil PSU Management Staff) salary was last revised in January 1999 which was due from 01.01.1997 that to after one day strike by us. There also government did not accept our genuine demand of revision after every 5 years and we have to agree on 10 years revision.

2) Now when salary was due for revision wef 01.01.2007, government didn't pay attention to our genuine basic right of salary revision and kept on prolonging the matter till now. Let me remind today it is 10.01.2009 and we are yet to get any solution.

3) Then Government appointed Justice Rao committee to look into salary revision and our genuine demands. They have given their suggestion and after that in Nov 2008, Government revised our salary structure but the increase was very minimal and many of our demands were overlook.

Through your voice which is the voice of the “Aam Janta” we would request your good office to bring out the true facts in front of the people of our country.

Satyameva Jayate.

JaiHind.

A Cry of Anguish and Hurt - Reflects the Feelings of all 55,000 officers of OSOA

DIPANKAR RAY/DLSO/IOCL
11/01/2009 15:53
To: agarwalr@zeenetwork.com
Subject Protest against Mischievous Reporting

I write with reference to your TV coverage on 8th Jan'09 and the trailing mail from one of our colleague addressed to you.

At the outset, let me tell you that I was not one of the strikers. Being a senior officer, who are not part of the association, I was deputed on contigency duty at Palam inernational Aviation Fuel Station, and diligently worked for all three days in double shift to keep aircrafts flying. Having done that, rightly or wrongly, I have not supported the strike by my action and therefore can not have any say on the rationality of the demands or path of agitation. I shall refrain myself from doing so.

What hurt me personally is your reporting of blatant lies on the wage structure of us . I have put in my 26 years of service in Indian OIl and now working at the capacity of Dy. General Manager. My salary slip says, I am earning around Rs 50,000.00 per month and taking home around Rs 30,000.00 per month after tax deductions. In fact after considering the bonus and perquisites, I am filing an IT return towards gross income of around Rs 10 lacs per anum. Your coverage projects my salary income as Rs 2.75 lacs per month which amounts to Rs 33.00 lacs per anum. If required, you may consult my IT return, which I shall be obliged to furnish. Are you shocked once again ? Hope so.

I am further hurt being lebelled as Anti National by your coverage. I have personally, with so many of my colleagues, spent sleepless nights to keep fuel supplies on during Super Cyclone at Orissa and Tsunami at Port Blair. In fact one of my colleague has laid down his life in Tsunami at Car Nicober. So many of my colleagues have risked their lives in keeping supplies on during Kargil conflict and Earthquake in Bhuj. Each sacrifice is a story which has never come in press as they were least bothered about coverage. Service was primary which they fulfilled at the cost of their life. Neither they expected any propaganda, nor media felt that there was enough TRP to pick the story.

My dear sir, that is what hurts. Without going through the debate on wheather the strike was just.

Hope, you will come out with an open discussion over the issue involving persons who matter and persons who do not matter both. As layman of journalism, I understand that is the most balanced way of reporting.