Ministry of Defence is trying to sort out issues and concerns of employees regarding corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
A High Level Official Committee (HLOC) of Department of Defence Production (DDP) met with different federations and associations of employees to address their concerns regarding corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) yesterday in New Delhi.
The Committee, headed by Additional Secretary V L Kantha Rao , along with senior Army officials, had commenced a dialogue process with employee federations and associations on 5th June. These meetings are being held through video conferencing.
Third such meeting of HLOC was held on June 25 with three associations i.e. All India Association of Non-Gazetted Officers (AIANGOs) of Ordnance & Equipment Factories and Quality Assurance Organisations, All India Association of Clerical Employees of Ordnance Factories (AIACEOF) and Indian Ordnance Factories Non-Technical Supervisory Staff Association (IOFNTSSA).
According to a press release, the intent of the Government to implement aforesaid decision with involvement of all the stakeholders was conveyed and suggestions were invited from the members of the associations on ways to safeguard the benefits/interests of employees in terms of wages, salary, retirement benefits, health facilities and other service matters etc, while converting OFB into one or more 100 per cent Government owned corporate entities.
Suggestions were also sought on their concern regarding future orders and budgetary support needed from the Government for the new corporate entity/entities. Earlier, the HLOC met with three associations namely Confederation of Defence Recognised Associations (CDRA), Indian Ordnance Factories Gazetted Officers Association (IOFGOA) & National Defence Group-B Gazetted Officers Association (NDGBGOA) on 5th June 5 and on 16th June held discussions with two other associations namely Indian Ordnance Factories Service Officers’ Association (IOFSOA) and Ordnance Factories Doctors Association (OFDA).
According to release, it is part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat package that the Government announced on May 16, stating OFB corporatisation will improve autonomy, accountability and efficiency in ordnance supplies.
The discussions in the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere. The request of the associations to hold more meetings with them was considered by the Committee headed by Shri V L Kantha Rao, Additional Secretary, DDP, MOD and it was assured that the engagement with the federations/associations will continue.
Employees’ associations were represented by General Secretary M Johnson and P Eliyah, Executive member from IOFNTSSA, General Secretary S K Sachan and Ajay Organising Secretary from AIANGOs and President D K Verma and H K Agnihotri General Secretary from AIACEOF.
