The traffic jam is a major problem faced by all the cities, especially the major cities. It takes hours even to travel a few miles in these congested cities during the busy hours. The situation in Delhi is well known to me. Earlier, before the metro was introduced, the roads were so congested that it took hours even to reach from my residence in Gole Market to the office at Shadipur, a distance of 7-8 kms. To get in to the crowded bus was a mighty task; but to get out was almost impossible, before the bus starts again. So many accidents happened every day. Now after the Metro has been introduced in Delhi, the commuters are heaving a big sigh. It takes only 10 moinutes to reach from Gole Market to Shadipur, where it took more than one hour earlier. No dust, no pollution.
I am today at Bengaluru. For travelling from near Basava Nagar to the Central Telegraph Office where I had to attend a meeting, I got an auto after many autos refused, stating that they will not go that route. The charge was not based on metre but what the driver has demanded. I had no other choice. And it took more than one hour. The traffic was so much congested. If metro line is there it may take only ten to fifteen minutes
Fortunately, one metro line has been opened after much delay. If lines are opened connectiong various centres of the city it will be a boon to the people. I am told efforts are on for the same.
The above difficulties are same for all major cities. The Central and State governments should ensure that the Metros are introduced in all cities at the earliest. It is a must. The citizens have a right for the same.

The media and the political parties have been continuously propagating that Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister has not been taking a strong stand against corruption, black money etc. This is correct as we have seen for the last few years. Till A.Raj, Minister, was jailed, Prime Minister has been giving good certificate to him. Only severe criticism from Supreme Court ensured arrest of black money king pin.
But yes, Dr. Manmohan Singh can be firm on certain issues. Not only firm, but very very firm. That is when it concerns the super profit of the high and powerful in the country. There is continuous protest going on in the country against the continued price hike of petrol. After deregulation, petrol prices have been increased many times. From around Rs. 30 it has now gone up to Rs. 70. And when the issue has been raised with the Prime Minister instead of sympathising with the people and/or giving some relief the PM has arrogantly stated that he will not reduce the price. He did not stop there. He also warned that there will be further increase. Yes, PM is very firm against the interests of the people. There is no assurance now, there is no assurance for the future.

I have already mentioned earlier that the present draft of New Telecom Policy-2011 released by the Minister for Communications is only a continuation of the NTP -1994 and NTP – 1999 through which the Government has given undue and illegal benefits and special favours to the private telecom companies at the cost of the PSUs, BSNL and MTNL. Not only that. The 2G scam has exposed to what extend the UPA-II government has gone to favour the Indian and MNC telecom companies. The present draft is continuing the same policy and line. This will be a disaster for the country and the people as a whole.
Joint Action Committee had submitted to the Communications Minister certain good proposals earlier on the NTP -2011. BSNLEU, in its Jaipur CEC had decided to present an Alternative Telecom Policy(ATP) which will benefit the people as also the government companies like BSNL and MTNL. After detailed deliberation at CHQ level and consultation with some experts like Prabir Purkayastha, the draft of the ATP 2011 has been finalised and submitted to the Communications Minister. The same is put in the website of BSNLLEU.
CHQ has made many new proposals which will be favourable to the people as well as the company. Please go through the same and send your comments and suggestion quickly. I personally thank Asokababu, Dy.GS for the excellent work he has contributed in preparing and finalising the ATP 2011.

The Central Government and some of its ministers are very vocal about the programmes being implemented by it. They are also extra vocal when criticising the Left parties or the Anna Hazare movement. BUt why they are completely silent when the issues of the poor and down-trodden people are brought before them?
Even 60 years after independence, there are crores of people who are illiterate. There are crores of people who are starving. More than 2 lakh farmers have committed suicide during the last few years. There is no potable drinking water in many areas of the country. Crores are not having any shelter.
At the same time, about 10% are rich and have every thing with them. They have black and white money. The government is making policies for the benefit of these 10%. The ‘daridranarayanas’ have been completely forgotten by them.
The continued increase in prices have increased many fold the miseries of the people.
Is the government sleeping or deaf and dumb? Nothing of the sort. It is well aware of all these. It is that it don’t want to end their miseries. This government is the government of the haves. The have nots will not get anything unless they fight for it. The capitalist path of economy has ruined he world. Protests are rising against this in all parts of th world.
India has a long history of fighting against injustice. It is time to strengthen this fight to ensure justice to the have-nots and the suppressed.

Today, 9th November, I have gone to the State bank of India, Calicut to have some transactions. There was a long row/queue of senior citizens reaching to the outside of the spacious hall of counters. I spoke and found out that they are the pensioners of the state and central governments waiting to give the Life Certificate for which the State Bank has given dates up to 20th November. This is as per the government rules that once in a year in the month of November within the stipulated days, the pensioner should personally present himself/herself and sign certain documents in the presence of an officer to establish that he/she is living and eligible for pension. Certainly this is a proof that they are living.
I found very senior pensioners who were finding it very difficult to stand a long time.
When such is the position, there should be sufficient arrangements for ensuring that these retirees/pensioners are given special attention and early disposal of their cases. It is the responsibility of the Centra/State Governments to ensure that these senior citizens are not harassed and their cases are settled promptly.

As per DOT and BSNL orders a section of ITS officers who have opted for DOT have been relieved from Corporate office and each circles. It seems that the BSNL management is relieving the non-absorbed officers in a phased manner. But what is the real position of the future working has not been spelt out clearly. DOT and BSNL should immediately start the process so that there is no vacuum in the functioning of BSNL and its services. The customers should not be penalised for the delay in making necessary arrangements for the continued functioning of the system as a whole. It is also not spelt out how many officers have opted for BSNL and how many for DOT. Any how, the position will be clear within the next two-three days.

8th November is a red letter day for the Indian Working Class. They have written history through their joint proramme of Jail Bharo/Satyagraha/Rallies on 8th November across the country, which was participated by crore of workers. The call for the agitational programme was given by the 11 Central Trad Unions, AITUC, CITU, INTUC, BMS, HMS, UTUC, SEWA, AICCTU, TUCC, AIUTUC and LPF . Thousands of leaders and workers were arrested for the protest action in many centres. In Delhi CTU leaders A.K.Padmanabhan, CITU) Gurudas Dasgupta (AITUC) Sanjeeva reddy (INTUC) and others were arrested.
BSNLEU comrades participated in the programme organised jointly be the Central Trae Unions. The protest action was based on the five demands already focussed earlier.

A lot of comrades have been asking what is the latest position of the ITS absorption. As per the orders of the DOT, those officers who are not opting for BSNL has been asked to report to Delhi after the last date of absorption ie. 8th November. A case was filed against this order in the Hyderabad court, but so far no stay has been given. BSNL has endorsed the order of the DOT on absorption of ITS officers.
We have to see what happens tomorrow, 9th November.

Yesterday while I was coming from Delhi to Calicut by flight along with my wife, I had an interesting dicussion with one of my fellow-travellers. He was sitting next to me. He was going to Coimbatore. He introduced himself as an R and D employee in the Forest department.I was interested and asked him about the trees and plants on which he is doing the work. I could get a lot of new and interesting information.
For example many trees live up to hundreds or thousands of years. The Red Sandalwood (Raktha chandana) is one of the long living trees, may be thousands of years. Teak wood and Rose Wood also live hundreds of years. The Chinar mainly seen in the Kasmir valley is another such long living tree. These are all valuable and protected trees. They can not be cut without the permission of the Government. But what takes place is another matter. These trees are not allowed to have their full life. Thousands of these protected trees are cut and exported by mafia groups, some times with the support of the authorities. (In this connection remember the report in the press about the consfiscation of loads of Rosewood while being exported to foreign countries in some other name). He mentioned that the trees, plants etc. are called by many names in many places. But their scientific names are the same all over the world.
These longliving trees might have seen generations of men during their long lives. Very interesting indeed. I thank my fellow traveller for these information.

The Central Administrative Tribunal has to be appreciated. In the last twenty years, out of the total 4.75 lakh cases filed, 4.51 lakh cases have been disposed. CAT was set up in 1985 for adjudicating petitions on service matters relating to CG Employees and notified PSUs. BSNL employees are empowered to approach the CAT. Compared to the District/High Court/Supreme Court, this is a record itself. This was mentioned none other than by Supreme Court Judge, Justice Dalveer Bhandari while inaugurating a Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal.
CAT Chairman Shri Bali stated that he is trying to reduce the disposal time further. Well and good.