The All India Federation of Diploma Engineers is one of the oldest organizations in the history of the Govt. Employees established on 14th Feb., 1968. The federation has its central Head Office “DuttBhawan” at New Ashok Nagar, Near Metro Station, Delhi-110096. This federation is an umbrella organisation with more than 4 lakhs engineers spread across the country from different cadre and discipline, having basic qualification of Diploma in Engineering, working under the Central, State Govt. and undertaking sectors. It was first established with a very few engineers to begin with, however it stood firm on its aims and objectives. Although the federation had a very few members initially, they believed in the brotherhood among the members and in working in unison for the development of the country. The federation monogram symbolizes the immense commitment and the dedication of the engineers towards the society as well as the nation. The main aim of the federation has  always been unity and integrity among the members and rendering of service towards the nation.

A lot of people have worked and dedicated their lives to the federation. But without the continuous efforts of a few legends, the federation would not have achieved as much as it did. Er. Sajjan Raj and Er. S.N. Sampige laid the very foundation of the federation and addressed the first council meeting. Alongwith them, we have to mention the names of Er. Tara Singh and Er. S.P. Mohanty who have put in equal efforts in bringing up the federation from its very first stone laid, Er. S.P. Mohanty was in-charge of the AIFODE Journal which contained their issues regarding increases of promotion quota, Junior Engineer designation, gazette status, their grievances Mahatma D.P. Roy was someone who managed to unite all the members of the federation and win their hearts by his simple way of living yet with a high thinking. He led the 22,000 Diploma Engineeers and fought against the injustice of the U.P. Govt. He alongwith 22 others were sent to jail for several months. Even though his health deteriorated, he refused his release from captivity until everyone else was released. This movement turned into a cultural movement which was recognized by the nation and became the pride of the Diploma Engineers. Er. R.K. Dutt, after whom the central Head Office is named, too had similar ideologies and beliefs when it came to the federation and its members. Er. Sita Ram Sharma was one of the guiding spirits for the North-East Zone of AIFODE. He extensively went around Assam during the most critical time of Assam Diploma Engineers’ Service Association.

Followed by many others like, Er. R.T. Kulkarni, Er. BrahmDutt, Er. S.N. Tiwari, Er. G.P. Jaiswal, Er. Arun Kumar, Er. B. Bhagat, Er. R.C. Srivastava, Er. D.C. Bhardwaj, Er. R.K. Rawat, Er. R.S. Bhadoria, Er. Satnam Singh Dhanoa, Er. R.K. Singh. Among them, there has to be a special mention of Er. S.S. Dubey for bringing together all the members from different parts of the country and putting forward the very idea of organizational brotherhood and unity. Even after so many years, he is dedicated to the federation and is working for its betterment. These members not only work for the federation but are also involved in various other social services. They are morally as well as socially responsible people and Er. BrahmDutt received Padmashri award from the President of India in the year 2014 for his contribution towards the Leprosy Mission and his noble services towards the society. The DuttBhawan has been the dream project of the members of the AIFODE. Mahatma D.P. Roy laid the foundation stone of the DuttBhawan on 27th September, 1988. He even started that if the funds are not arranged at the earliest, he would sell his own property for the construction of the DuttBhawan. Its construction began in the month of August 1989 and inaugurated on 29th November, 1992 by Chandra Shekhar, former Prime Minister of India. Er. BrahmDutt, Er. S.P. Mohanty, Er. Kaliram, Er. R.K. Yadav, Er. F.C. Jain and many others have played pivotal roles in acquiring the land and bringing up the old AIFODE building. The prospect of the new building was given by Er. S.S. Dubey. He initiated the idea of a new building, others like Er. D.C. Bhardwaj, Er. R.C. Srivastava, Er. R.K. Rawat, Er. R.S. Bhadoria, Er. Vijay Srivastava and Er. R.K. Singh along with the helping hands of the constituent units. The federation has been served by a lot many other members who have dedicated their time and made efforts towards the federation, it would not be possible to mention their names but their dedication shall be always remembered.

The dedicated members of the federation have been fighting against the discrimination of the technocrats, authorities who favour the Degree holders. The nature of job area of operation and the field level works of both Diploma and Degree Engineers are same. Also the nature of duties and responsibilities do not differ from each other. Even then the Diploma Engineers are devoid of their due promotions. Promotions or career prospect of an employee is a must in service. But it is not granted in different services/cadres under the Central or State Govt. and generally applicable to junior category of services. Mostly depending on whims of the authorities in power. Though there are accepted principles of allowing minimum 2 promotions in a service career by the Central and different State Govts. But it is not followed. Rather, some are enjoying 6-7 promotions in service career, if necessary by relaxing rules and some Junior Engineers are specially victimized with no promotion in whole 33 years or more length of service.

The basic concept of promotion is very much ignored by the authorities as a source of motivation for contributing their best in service. In the present setup in some departments, a group of cadre are given a vertical gear uninterrupted. If necessary by conversation or expression whereas other groups are ignored even though over stagnant. As a result, there are a bulk of top heavy officers with unwilling junior officers to execute, and unbalanced force to carry on, which is only possible in Govt. departments. Bringing no cohesion, having no team spirit, creating ill feelings, for which dissatisfaction is generated in a larger section of employees and the nation suffers the most. Since it could not deliver the quality service as desired by the public on time.

However, in spite of all the efforts and the work performed by the Diploma Engineers, which is round the clock, there has been no acknowledgment of them by the superior authorities. The lack of a proper evaluation system leads to demoralization which in turn results in the slower pace of service delivery. And following this, the Government should not be expecting a quality service delivery. There is an urgent need to have a mechanism to materialize the reward for performance so as to raise the motivation of the employees. A mechanism, which is an urgent need of the hours, should be introduced by a group of impartial, qualified and experienced team. And only then the Diploma Engineers will be rewarded and acknowledged for their quality service. That’s why the federation is the custodian of the work culture in every step. The Diploma Engineers believe in a certain kind of work culture environment where they are not responsible towards the authorities but rather towards the nation and its people.

The formation of a federation is the result of many grievances/ issues faced by the members. Like administrative unfair play by the technocrats and higher authorities, monotonous service, low pay scale compared to the higher duties and responsibilities, less promotional avenue etc. Due to administrative lapses, fall of cadre strength, increase in qualifying service for promotion, absence of vacancy, irregular cadre review, dilatory tactics and slow administrative formalities the Junior Engineers suffered the worst in case of promotion. The unnecessary time-leg for disposal for promotion, make the Junior Engineering Service monotonous, creating large scale frustration and had a bad impact on their sincerity, degrading the moral value of the individuals among the members. The rate of stagnation is more than 4 times the qualifying service for promotion to Asstt. Engineer. A Junior Engineer is retiring without enjoying a single promotion. The Diploma Engineers have had the bitter experience of bias attitude of the Technical Secretaries towards genuine grievances of the federation. All the matters of Diploma Engineers are dealt with step motherly attitude at the hands of the Technical Secretaries.

Apart from the grievances, we believe in an uncompromising commitment to quality and valued system of work, that there should be an improvement of service delivery system/ process. A proper environment in the work place is necessary to be positively productive. Also there should be outcome linked incentives in order to motivate the employees. The strengthening of the capacity depends upon the credibility, accountability, commitment and dedication of the employees. The first step in the way to assuring the strength of the workforce is the assessment of the efficiency in entrusted responsibility.

It is not possible to resolve all the grievances and problems. However, it will be wise to mention here that the Federation has demanding to introduce the 10+2 passed course as the minimum requisite academic qualification for admission in the polytechnics, constitution of technical commission, equal pay for equal works, placement of administrative service personnel in the technical secretariat etc. Apart from that the federation has been continuing to work for the betterment of its members and as well as for the progress of the nation. The legends have done their part for the upliftment of the federation as well the society but for the federation to retain its prosperity, it is necessary that the progeny of today and the coming generation work and remain dedicated to AIFODE. After India got independence, the Diploma Engineers took the responsibility of building up a prosperous nation. On their shoulders. I sincerely believe that their suggestions, views and deliberations, would help the members to update the knowledge about the grievances, achievement, progress and to enhance their expertise for the betterment of the AIFODE.