On, 16th May 2011, I was completely engaged with the two Telecom Factories, Richai and Jabalpur. By about 0930 hours, along with Comrade D.K.Pal, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, Jabalpur Telecom Factory, I started for Richai Telecom Factory, which is about 08 km away from the town. We reached there by 0930 hours. The District President and District Secretary Coms. Faiz Ahmed and Suraj Bhan along with a good number of workers were waiting at the gate of the factory to receive us. Many comrades garlanded us and welcomed.
Without waiting much time, after introductions etc. we proceeded to the main two plants, galvanisation plant and tower plant.
In the tower plant the tower is being made by cutting the iron angles for manufacture according to the measures of the particular type of tower. It is hard work. The one big plant shed is not sufficient for the purpose and some of the workers were doing their job outside the shed. Inside and outside the plant was full of dust inch deep since the cemented floor is completely damaged. In the galvanisatin plant, the parts of the tower already cut in to size, are put in the large tanks of acid and cooled. This is called galvanisation. It is also dangerous work. Chemists are appointed to test to the mixture of the acid etc. The galvanisation plant is also full of dust. In addition the many metric-tons of the zinc-ash stored in iron baskets are safety risks. These zinc-ash is valuable and will get good amount when auctioned. I was wondering why it was kept there instead of selling it. The boundary wall of the factory on the back side is still not completely repaired as recommended by the Joint Committee DDG (TF) and myself a few years back.
The workers in both the plants met for a meeting which I addressed and told them about the JAC decision to improves the services, make BSNL financially viable etc. I heard their complaints and suggestions and replied.
Afterwards we met the General Manager of the TF and discussed about the issues raised by the workers. Certain issues which have to be immediately atended to were also mentioned to him.
We also visited the Telecom Factory, Jabalpur.Later we met the CGM Shri Rakesh Kumar and had detailed discussion with him on the various points we raised. Regarding the compound wall he assured that it will be repaired without any delay. On the issue of compassionate appointments his suggestion was that TF may be given the powers for appointment which will solve the issue to a c certain level. He mentioned about the action being taken against the encroachment of the factory land by outsiders and the Municipal Corporation.
A meeting of the United Forum was held in the Conference hall which was presided over by Circle Union President Com. Fiaz Ahamed. I spoke briefly about the decision of the JAC to strengthen BSNL and to provide better service to the people. I also explained the decisions of the JAC to observe May month as Customer Delight Month and the actions to be taken. Coms. D.K.Pal, Circle Secretary, Holmes Moses, former Circle Secretary, J.P.Nanhead (BSNLMS), Sunil Patel, Dist. Secretary and other leaders spoke.The doubts rcaised were cleared by Com. Namboodiri.
The Telecom Factories have a good future and can manufacture many modern items, if only the top management takes interest. Anyway, the union have to give suitable suggestions and pressurise for action.

Inspection Circle and BRABRAITT

ON 16th itself I visited Installation Circle. A combined meeting of the Installation Circle was held in the office premises which was addressed by me and other leaders.