Monthly Archives: March 2011

CVC Appointment – ‘Error of judgement’ (?) says Manmohan Singh

07 Monday Mar 2011

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Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, confessed in the Parliament today, 7th March 2011, that the appointment of P.J.Thomas as Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) was a ‘error of judgement’. Yesterday at J&K, he had stated that he takes full responsibility for the appointment.

The Supreme Court has indicted the government on the appointment of PJ Thomas, against whom a case is pending, to the post of CVC. Out of the three member committee to finalise the selection of CVC, the opposition leader Smt. Sushama Swaraj had opposed the proposal. It was a majority decision of the PM and Minister Chidambaram ignoring the opposition of opposition leader.When opposition had already been raised to the proposal, where is the question of ‘error of judgement’? Anybody can see that it was a deliberate decision with a motive. The motive is also well-known.

Since the statement was not satisfactory, the Left parties walked out from the Parliament.

Pension Revision – Massive Demonstrations all over the country

07 Monday Mar 2011

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Pensioners as per the call of the All India BSNL-DOT pensioners Association (AIBDPA) organised demonstrations in all SSA centres protesting against the undue delay in issuing the Pension Revision orders for pre-2007 BSNL retirees and demanding immediate issue of the orders.

It is more than one month since the Cabinet has approved the Cabinet Note on Pension Revision for pre-2007 BSNL retirees and the same received at DOT. The Cabinet Note was prepared and Cabinet approval received after sustained agitations and strikes. Two weeks back when I had met the Secretary, DOT, he has assured that the orders will be issued next week. But it is being unnecessarily delayed. Hence todays demonstrative programmes.

In Calicut, I had the chance to participate and address the demonstration of Pensioners.More than one hundred comrades participated including some regular employees. I addressed them and explained the developments and also assured that the struggle will continue till the same is solved.

Bijapur – a city of Communal harmony

06 Sunday Mar 2011

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During my recent tour of Bijapur to attend the 10th Anniversary Celebration of BSNLEU, I was told that the Hindu and Muslim population are almost equal and that there is perfect harmony between the two. The festivals of Hindus are celebrated by Muslims and vice-versa. I was told that Hindu persons sometimes become the secretary of the Ramdan celebration Committee and Muslims as the Secretary of the Ganesh festival celebrations. I went to the house of one of our comrades who is a muslim. The tradition of receiving the guest, honouring the guest etc. were the same as in Hindu houses. I was very happy to hear about the perfect harmony between the religions.

It is the duty of each and every person to see that such harmony exists between all religions. I congratulate our workers who are the front runners of this harmonious relation ship.

14th April, Birthday of Ambedkar, should be declared as a Govt. Holiday

06 Sunday Mar 2011

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14th April is the Birth Anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R.Ambedkar, the architect of of the Indian Constitution.

After his death, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal stated in Lok Sabha: ” Dr. Ambedkar will be remembered mostly as the symbol of revolt against all the oppressing features of Hindu society… He revolted against something, which everybody should revolt against..”. President of India, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan stated: “… Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, proved, with his intellect and wisdom, that sages can take birth in any caste.” Dr. Zakir Husain said: ” He is the Bhishma among the wise; among the contemporaries few could equal him; a great person indeed.” Justice V.R.Krishna Iyer said: ” Ambedkar is a versatile genius – a ruthless rebel, a legal luminary, a profound scholar, a self-respecting person with an independent line of thinking.” Indeed Dr. Ambedkar was a great man in all ways.

It is only appropriate and justified that the birthday of this great man, 14th April, should be declared as a National Holiday. Government should declare it as such.

Kerala – Election situation improves for LDF

06 Sunday Mar 2011

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While the state assembly election dates in Kerala are yet to be announced, the situation for Left Democratic Front (LDF) is improving day by day. Though the CPI(M) lost heavily in the Parliament elections, it has almost restored its strength to the earlier position. The state organisation is systematically working for a good victory.

Another factor is the difference between the alliances on the sharing of seats in the opposition camp, United Democratic Front (UDF). There exist differences amongst all partners as also within the Congress party itself. However, this may be sorted out in the last moment as usual.

The main issue is the image loss for the Congress, UDF and UPA at Central level. The image of the Prime Minister himself is in question in connection with the Supreme Court struck down appointment of CVC. The other scams including 2G, Adarsh, CWG etc. are all pointing to the highest in the Congress Party and those supporting it.

The jail sentence against former minister Balakrishna Pillai is another image loss for UDF in Kerala. Cases against other former minister are also surfacing.

The last five years LDF rule and implementation of people oriented programmes has increased the prestige and image of the Left Government, despite opposition charges to the contrary.

In such a situation, the LDF has the upper hand. There is every chance that LDF may win if it continues its work in an effective way with complete unity.

BSNL Management – A complete overhaul is necessary

06 Sunday Mar 2011

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BSNL is in the red as per the report of the BSNL Management. It was not so when it was formed in October 2000. It had a cash balance of Rs.35,000 crore in the Banks and it was posting profit of Rs.5000 to Rs. 10000 crore in the first 6/7 years. What happened now due to which the BSNL is in the red.

The first reason is the wrong and anti-PSU policy of the Central Government. While in the 1950s to 1970s it was the policy of the Government to form more and more PSUs and convert loss making and inefficient private companies to PSUs as in the case of LIC, Banks, Oil companies etc., the neo-liberal policies initiated by the Government in the 1990s has turned every thing on the opposite direction. Now government department like Telecom has been converted to PSUs – VSNL, MTNL and BSNL. The next steps are disinvestment and privatisation. VSNL is already privatised, MTNL is disinvested to the tune of 45% and government is on the way to disinvest BSNL, which has not been done only due to the strong oposition from the trade unions. The government is continuing with its plan of weakening BSNL so that it gets justification for privatisation – handing over this mega telecom PSU to private companies.

What is the role of the management ? Whether it is strengthening BSNL or weakening? There is no doubt it was not a positive role since the viability of the company has gone down. It was only the BSNL Board, which had taken decision to cancel both the tenders of 45 million as well as 95 million mobile equipments. Corruption has become rampant at the top level. Target fixed are not completed. Wasteful expenditure had become the practise.

What about executives and non-executives. They have protested against the above and could achieve something. But not sufficient enough to make the situation better. Much more is to be done by the workers.

A complete overhaul has become necessary at the top level, including the change in the policy. An Alternative Telecom Policy has become the imperative. Instead of only blame-game, joint team work with clear targets and strategy have to be adopted and implemented. The workers have to take the lead for this overhaul with the support of the people.

Pension Revision – 7th March Demonstration

05 Saturday Mar 2011

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The unwarranted delay on the part of the DOT Finance to release the order on Pension Revision of pre-2007 BSNL retirees is unacceptable. The Cabinet has approved the Cabinet Note on this issue more than one month back. We recognise that some time is required to finalize the order by DOT, but the present delay is not at all justified. Thousands of pre-2007 BSNL retirees are waiting day after day for this order which will give relief in their pension, which benefit has already been granted to all central employees years back.

That is why, the All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) as also BSNLEU have given call for organising protest demonstration on 7th March 2011 in front of the BSNL offices/exchanges. Make it a grand success with massive participation. Give wide publicity in the media. Let us make maximum pressure so that the DOT issues the order without any further delay.

Rs.250 crore marriage by Congress Leaders !

05 Saturday Mar 2011

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The businessmen and certain politicians are having so much money, black or white, that they can spend crore of rupees lavishly. The latest is the marriage of the son of a congress leader with the daughter of another congress leader in which it is estimated that more than Rs. 250 crore has been spent. The bridegroom was also gifted with a five seater helicopter.

This is in Delhi only, where the top leaders of congress, who preaches about austerity and simple life, have their head quarters. The marriage celebrations continues for days together. In the Reception to be held shortly, it is reported that Prime Minister, Sonia Gandhi and superstars will participate.

This is the new culture of the LPG policy. No doubt blackmoney, corruption, violation of rules, favouritism and all vices have grabbed the country. Can’t we try to clean it of all these vices ?

CVC issue – PM will make statement in Parliament

04 Friday Mar 2011

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After the Supreme court decision to sack P.J.Thomas from the post of Central Vigilance Commissioner(CVC), the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stated that he accepts the verdict of the Supreme Court. He also accepted responsibility for the selection and asssured that he will make a statement in the Parliament on the issue.

Is it sufficient to make a statement in the Parliament every time some wrongs are done? Or is it not necessary to take remedial action that is required?

PJ Thomas Defiant – Refuses to resign despite SC remarks

04 Friday Mar 2011

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Despite the struck down the appointment of CVC by the apex court yesterday, 3rd March 2011, P.J.Thomas has defiantly refused to resign from the post. It is reported that he may appeal against the court verdict. Things are moving in expected way.

However, the government is in a very unenviable position with debacle one after another. Its integrity, decisions, policy – everything is questioned with sufficient reason. The Prime Minister himself is in the dock now. Our international repute has also gone down.