11 Monday Apr 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
Dear Comrade Abhimanyu,
I heartily welcome you back to CHQ on return after participating in the successful WFTU Conference held in Athens (Greece) from 6th to 10th April which has discussed and taken decisions on the important issues facing the working class.
We are all waiting to hear the details.
Yours fraternally,
VAN Namboodiri
President, BSNLEU
11 Monday Apr 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/Unions have met the BSNL management and sought its support in making the observation of the ” Customer Delight Month” a complete success strengthening BSNL and improving the service to the people. The CMD Shri S.C.Misra assured that full support will be forthcoming from the management. He also agreed for the joint monitoring of the programmes and projects which will help in improving the services.
JAC has decided to meet the management again to ensure that detailed instructions are given to the field units by the management.
11 Monday Apr 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
The Government is going to announce New Telecom Policy 2011 (NTP – 2011)within a few months. This is the third NTP, the earlier being NTP – 1994 and NTP – 1999. Each of these policies have been announced and implemented to promote the interests of the private sector, including MNCs and big business. Now the intention of NTP -2011 also is not for another purpose. If we want to change it, we have to start now.
The Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/Unions has decided to submit memorandum to the Communications Minister with regard to the NTP -2011. It is requested that employees who have got any suggestions in the matter may kindly send the same to me so that all those points could be considered before submitting its opinion to government. And let it be quick so that I can prepare the suggestions with out delay.
11 Monday Apr 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
Joint Action Committee of BSNL Associations/ Unions have called upon all the BSNL employees to observe 18th to 24th April as ” Employees Awareness Week” by holding general body meetings, discussions etc. to explain the present crisis being faced by BSNL financially as well as in the market share and to activate them to turn around by improving the services and implementing plans for strengthening BSNL.
This is a new innovative to save BSNL and its workers as also to improve the services. The three lakh workforce are facing a great challenge and it is our duty to do all the best we can do to save this public sector company. The details of what are to be done has been explained in our circular which is published in the BSNLEU and other websites of the BSNL Unions and Associations.
11 Monday Apr 2011
Posted in History
One of the darkest chapter in the British Rule was the Jalianwala Bagh massacre of hundreds of innocent Indians who had assembled to protest against the Rowlett Act/hear the speeches of the freedom fighter leaders. This was on 13th April 1919.
The Rowlatt Bill, which curtails the rights of the Indian people and enable the government to impose stringent punishments was strongly opposed by the Congress and the freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi called for observance of protest strike and disobedience movement against the same. It was also decided to observe 30th March 1919 as protest day by fasting, hartal etc. Five people died in the firing by police in Delhi on that day. Protesting against this countrywide demonstrations were held participated by thousands all over the country.
The entire country was in a protest move.
In Punjab, the situation was more tense. Dr. Saifuddin Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal, who were the leaders who were organising the 1919 All India Session of the Congress in Punjab were arrested and taken away to some secret place. The people who started protesting were fired upon and some were killed.
A big public meeting was organised to protest the atrocities of the British on 13th April 1919 ay Jalianwala Bagh in Amritsar. More than 20,000 gathered in the place to hear the leaders. When the meeting has started and leaders started speaking, all of a sudden, General Dyer came there with about 150 troops both British and Indian. Immediately he ordered fire against the people gathered there. It is recorded that 1600 rounds were fired and was stopped only when they ran out of ammunition.
It was terrible. Hundreds of people were killed on the spot and thousands were seriously wounded many of whom died later. There was no warning before the firing or at least the people did not know. And even if known, there was no way to disperse. The maidan was surrounded by walls/ houses and there was only a narrow path to go out through which even a vehicle could not pass. According to Government there were 400 killed and more than 1000 wounded. But this is far less than the actual casualty. General Dyer later told arrogantly that he wanted the people to be punished for defying the law. The British cut the water and power supply in the whole of Amritsar. People were fogged for coming out in to the streets. A terror was let loose.
The entire country rose in anger. Protest actions continued for days together. Revolutionary activities increased against the British. General Dyer who returned to England was shot dead by Udham Singh, a youth from Punjab who went to England to avenge the Jalianwala Bagh massacre.
92 years have passed since this brutal massacre of the Indian people. We have got freedom. Every year on 13th April, the day is observed at Jalianwala Bagh, where a martyrs column is erected in memory of those killed, with massive participation, speeches, homage to the martyrs etc. I had the privilege to attend and pay my respectful homage to the martyrs there, two years back.All over Punjab and many centres in India, the day is observed as Jalianwala Bagh Martyrs Day.
I also pay my respectful homage to those martyrs who have sacrificed everything at the altar of the freedom of the country. They will always be an inspiration in our future struggles and advance march.
10 Sunday Apr 2011
Posted in Uncategorized
The National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners (NCCPA) and All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) has called upon the Pensioners to observe 20th April 2011 as Pensioners Demands Day. The demands focussed are:
1. Withdraw the anti-pensioner New Pension Scheme as also PFRDA Bill from the Parliament
2. Recognise Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation (BCPC) which is the umbrella organisers of Pensioners. Form an effective Joint Consultation machinery for settling issues of pensioners.
3. Full Parity to all pre-2006 Pensioners
4. Medical Facility for Pensioners
5. Merger of 50% DR / Pension for fixation of pension and grant of DR
6.Grant of Full pension @ 50% of pay of pre-2006 retirees after 20 years of service and computed on the basis of last pay drawn or 10 months average pay whichever is higher
7. Restoration of commutation portion of pension after 12 / 9 years
8. Implement all 6th CPC recommendations w.e.f. 01-01-2006
9. Full revised ex-gratia payment to SRPF/ CPF retirees
10.Enhanced Faily Pension for 10 years also to those family pensioners whose spouse / parents had died after their retirement
11.Full revised pension to PSU absorbees.
12.Pension Revision of pre-2007 BSNL retirees ( since orders issued)
13.50% IDR merger for BSNL retirees
14.Anomaly in fixation of pay of BSNL optees retired during 1-1-2000 to 31-7-2001
15.Delay in payment of IDR, BSNL
16.Grant of HRA to pensioners and allotment of vacant staff quarters to pensioners.
17.Grant of ex-gratia one month pension for festival to all pensioners
18.Grant of LTC once in four years to pensioners to any place in India
19.Count 50% of service rendered by contigent, casual employees and EDA after regularisation to pension.
Details of the memorandum will be furnished in the AIBDPA website. Give maximum propaganda to the demands.
10 Sunday Apr 2011
Posted in Corruption, Politics India
The fast-unto-death by Anna Hazare has ended after the Government accepted the demands raised by the social activist. The Government has constituted a 10 member panel with Minister Pranab Mukherjee as Chairman and Shanti-Bhushan as co-chairman. 50% of the committee is from the government side and the other 50% nominated by the social activists. Anna Hazare is also in the committee. The government told earlier that the committee will be constituted after the withdrawal of the fast. But Hazare stood took the firm position that he will end his fast only after notification. Government had to surrender again. The Notification was issued yesterday morning, and after receiving the same, the fast ended.
Ending the fast, Anna Hazare told the massive gathering that the struggle has only started. If the bill is not passed in the monsoon session of the Parliament, further agitation will start. He is right. Unless there is a threat, the government will try to side line the issue as has been done for the last 42 years, since the bill was introduced in the Parliament for the first time.
Let us be vigilant. The fast has achieved the immediate demand. But those who are behind the corruption are powerful people and they will not allow the anti-corruption bill passed easily. Let us prepare for another struggle if the government and the main opposition dilly-dally in the matter.
09 Saturday Apr 2011
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Uncategorized
BSNLEU was continuously pressurizing the management for timely settlement of the pension and other retirement claims. Now the BSNL Corporate office has issued orders directing the subordinate offices for early settlement of retirement benefits to pensioners.
The orders are placed in the bsnleu website: http://www.bsnleuchq.com
09 Saturday Apr 2011
Posted in Corruption, Politics India
The fast by Anna Hazare had its results. The spontaneous mass movement all over the country against corruption and in support of the fast by Anna Hazare had its results. The government which stood obstinate first had to climb down and concede the demands raised by Anna Hazare for a tougher and effective ant-corruption bill. Since the details are all in the papers and the TV channels, it is not necessary to give details.
I heartily congratulate Anna Hazareji and the lakhs and lakhs of people who supported this fight for justice.
08 Friday Apr 2011
Posted in Corruption, Politics India
Tags
The Hunger Strike by Anna Hazare, the noted social activist and Gandhian has reached the fourth day. This Satyagraha has captured the minds of the people of this country of all strata.
I visited the satyagraha site near the Jantar Mantar today along with Com.R.L.Moudgil, AGS BSNLEU and other comrades. Thousands of people are patiently sitting hearing the speeches of the various prominent personalities coming there. There are students, employees/workers, business people, intellectuals, cultural and social activists, a good number of them women also. Groups of people are coming and leaving after some time, others are coming. It is a continuing flow. In between, one person who was fasting was taken to the hospital. It was surprising how such a huge crowd was keeping excellent discipline without any coersion.
The fast has caught the imagination of the people, since they are angry with the continuous scams and corruption cases involving the high level politicians, business czars etc. The national assets are being looted. Hence there is alround support for the fast by Anna.
The Government is in the dock. Unless they take immediate action to discuss and accept the reasonable demand for constituting a real anti-corruption machinery as demanded by the fasting leaders, the struggle will take a nationwide struggle. Even now fast and dharnas are being held in many places and this will expand and strengthen every day.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 