I was in Assam from 24th to 25th May. I visited Bongaigaon and Guwahati and addressed meetings of the BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF. I had detailed discussions with the leaders of BSNLEU, AIBSNLEA and SNEA, affiliates of the Joint Action Committee, on the actions to be taken to fully implement the programmes like “Customer Delight Month” and other programmes going to be given by the JAC. It was very fruitful and I was able to get a lot of information regarding the special conditions of Assam.
First I went to Guwahati by flight on 23rd May from Delhi and reached there by night. Early next morning along with Com. Bijoy Deka, Circle Secretary BSNLEU, Bikash Baruah, Circle Secretary and Circle Organising Secretary, BSNLEU I started for Bongaigaon and reached there by about 11.00 hours. We received by a large number of comrades. A meeting of the JAC leaders were held in the Union office, which was attended by the Circle and SSA leaders of the JAC Unions. The present situation and the ways and means of how to improve the services were discussed and plans made for the same. In the meanwhile it was brought to my notice that the GM was victimising the executive associations and other leaders on one count or other and the demand was made that the GM should be got transferred.
The convention of JAC held at the Railway Union Office at about 1300 hours was participated by hundreds of workers. The hall was packed to the full and workers were standing outside and in the compound. All the leaders of the JAC as also JCTU addressed the meeting. I explained in detail about the present position of the BSNL and the programmes of the JAC and the necessity to implement them effectively. The issues of the Casual and Contract Labour as also the BSNL retirees were focussed. The anti-working class policy of the government has to be fought and defeated. Comrade R.S.Ray presided and the meeting was addressed by Coms. D.C.Paul, Convener JAC, Bijoy Deka, CS BSNLEU, Bikesh Baruah, CS BSNLCCWF, J.K.Dhar, DS SNEA, Janmin Ali DS BSNLEA, Adhikary, Org. Secretary SNEA, DS AIBSNLEA Sanjiv Deb JCTU, Sadin Sikdar, JCTU and other leaders.The meeting was very successful. There is good co-ordination amongst the JAC constituents. The recent agitation by the casual and contract workers were fully supported by the Executive Associations and BSNLEU which resulted in the increase in wages. BY about 1630 hours we returned and reached Guwahati by about 2130 hours.
The joint meeting of BSNLEU, BSNLCCWF and AIBDPA started at 1000 hours on 25th May in the Conference Hall at Guwahati. A large number of workers were present. It was presided by over by a presidium consisting of all the Circle Presidents of unions viz. Manabindra Saha (AIBDPA), Dayal Bauah (BSNLEU) and Bijoy Deka (BSNLCCWF). I spoke in length on all the issues of Retired Employees, Casual and Contract workers, regular employees and the call of the JAC to improve the services. Comrades S.N.Sarma Circle Secretary AIBDPA, Vikas Baruah CS BSNLCCWF, Ambika Bezbaruah and other leaders addressed. Clarifications were given by me to the doubts and questions raised.
A separate meeting of the circle and district leaders of BSNLEU, AIBSNLEA and SNEA was held and detailed discussion took place and the road blocks in the developmental activities and how to overcome them so that the services are improved and more connections provided. Comrades R.Dutta Choudhary AIBSNLEA, K.K.Das AIBSNLEA, I.H.Mandal SNEA, MR Das, JAC and other leaders actively participated in the discussions. It was decided to continue the customer Delight Month more effectively. By the time all the meetings were over it was about 1700 hours.
The two days programmes in Assam were very effective. Assam is one circle where BSNLEU has always been the number one union of the non-executives with about 90% support. It has always implemented the CHQ programmes effectively. There are a large number of committed and dedicated leaders and workers. Thanks to all the union functionaries of Assam.