The petition by the private companies Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea against the orders of the DOT  for termination of their 3G services in the circles where they have got no licence is going to be heard by TDSAT on 9th January. Fortunately, the DOT has taken a tough stand and has submitted to the Telecom Dispute Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) that it has no power to hear the case citing Supreme Court judgment that the tribunal could not entertain petitions on altering the terms of the licence. I am in full support of the same, since it seems to be the correct position. We have to build up pressure on the government to continue the present stand, since a lot of pressure may come from the big business and  MNCs as we have seen earlier.

The Prime minister has now called upon the industry to provide more funds for Research and Development (R&D) to change the face of science in the country. He said that China and other countries have gone ahead of us.

It is absolutely correct. Trade Unions like us and many others have been continuously stating that the R&D in the country has to be developed. But the government was completely lukewarm and not only did not support R&D, but was cutting its expenditure on the same. We know about the C-DOT, the prime R&D institution in Telecom, which was reduced to a usual institution, by cutting its allotments. Most of the young scientists had to leave the C-DOT. It was with other departments also. The route taken by China and other countries was different and they benefitted by it.

The government of India on the contrary was continuously out-sourcing, with out improving our R&D and ingenious facilities. At least now the PM has understood our weakness. But let it not be in words only, make it practicable. Will the government be able to pass over the pressure from the capitalist countries against it. Let us see.

The Government is on the look out to mobilise rsources by asking the PSUs to buy back their shares by utilising their surplus cash. The government had announced a target of Rs. 40,000 crore this financial year through disinvestment, but could not mop up the same due to the recession and political differences in the UPA allies. The govt. is eagerly turning its hawks’ eyes to the surplus cash that many PSUs are having.  How to take it away from them is the question.

Now the government is thinking of  a two-fold decision. One is to ask the PSUs to buy back its shares which are with the government. This will get sufficient money for the government. Another is to involve off-market deals for shares of PSUs by financial institutions such as LIC.

As I have earlier stated, the government is aggressively proceeding with its anti-PSU, pro-private policies which are completely against the best interests of the country and the common people.

The Government of India has issued instructions to all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to implement  4.5% sub quota  from the 27% OBCs  for recruitment  with effect from January 2012. The Department of Public Enterprises has issued directions in this mater to all PSUs. Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians ( Parsis) are the notified minority communities  as per the National Commission for Minorities Act , 1992.

The present decision of the government is based on the recommendations of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities. There are an estimated 45 lakh employees in the 249 central PSUs.

But he question is how much vacancies are coming every year. It will be very less due to the non-recruitment policy of the government.  All vacancies arising out of retirement are usually abolished in many PSUs as per government direction. Even vacancies are not available for compassionate appointments. In such a condition, what will be the benefit  the minorities will get in this context?  However, the principle of reservation is just and fair and should have been done earlier.

The representatives of  BSNLEU and BSNL Casual Mazdoor Union met  the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour on  2nd January’2012 in its meeting at Kolkata to present the issues of the Casual and Contract workers.  Coms. Animesh Mitra, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU W.B.,  ,Tapas Ghosh, Circle Secretary as well as Secretary General of  BSNLCCWF and other leaders viz. Com Swapan Chanda, BSNLEU, Com. Kalyan Raha, BSNLCMU, Com. Akhilesh Banerjee, BSNLCMU and Com. Tarak Kundu, BSNLCMU were  present in the meeting. One memorandum was placed to the members of the  parliamentary Standing Committee. Com. Animesh Mitra narrated the burning problems of Casual and Contract labourers before the Members of the Standing Committee, Officers of the Regional labour department, Commissioner of the Regional  EPF department and the officers of BSNL CO who were present in the meeting. Com. Mitra informed that except West Bengal the Casual laborers were regularised throughout India during  the formation of BSNL i.e. 01-10-2000. He expressed his resentment that the EPF contribution was deducted from the poor labourers but the contractors did not pay to the EPF department, therefore he demanded that the principal employer i.e. BSNL Management should deposit the amount of EPF to the respective EPF authority. Similarly the amount of ESI  which were deducted from the wages of Casual/Contract workers, but the workers are not getting the benefits. He also intimated to the Members that the recognise union demanded to the CGMT W.B. Circle and BSNL CO regarding filling up of the Gr-D vacancy by the listed Casual labourers, TSM status, Wages at par IDA pattern in BSNL etc. but the BSNL administration keep mum in this regard.

Already BSNLCCWF represented to the Chief Labour Commissioner and a letter was issued to the Prime Minister on these issues.

Taking an aggressive stand on its earlier decision, DOT has submitted to the TDSAT that the petitions filed by the private companies against the DOT decision to stop illegal roaming by them, should be dismissed  as it is in violation of the existing rules and regulations. It also accused the private telecom companies, Airtel, Vodafone and Idea of suppressing relevant materials from the TDSAT when they filed the petitions.  The appeal by the private telcos are pending before TDSAT.

Government has announced that it  will allow  Qualified Foreign Investors to take part in domestic equity market direct to improve foreign direct investment. After failure in passing the 51% FDI in multiple retail trade, the government has been trying various methods to increase the FDI, as per its policy of ‘reforms’ and neo-liberalisation. This decision is part of the desperate effort on the government to tow the imperialist dictated line.

The decision is strongly opposed by the Left parties. “The decision will open the flood gates for greater capital flow in to India and undermine the stability and integrity of our financial system” stated Com. Prakash Karat, General Secretary CPI(M). This is a dangerous decision, stated Com. Gurudas Dasgupta, M.P. and CPI leader.

The CPI(M), W.Bengal Daily, ‘Ganashakti’ completes 45 years on 3rd January 2012. It was first started as an evening daily in 1967. It has survived many hurdles and now is one of the most read paper in W.Bengal and nearby states where there are many Bengalis. . It has got  English and Bengali E-Editions  also. It has been publishing many articles on the working class issues including BSNLEU news.

My Best Wishes and Congratulations to Ganashakti and its team members who are making all efforts for giving the best to the readers!

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that the tower companies be brought under the Revenue Sharing Scheme. Naturally this will be opposed by the tower companies who have invested in infrastructure and now it is to be shared by other companies. The details are yet to be released. TRAI has also recommended for 6% revenue to the government.

Delhi International Aiport Limited (DIAL) has been asked by the Consumer Afairs Ministry to remit the Rs. 1481.72 crore illegally collected by it towards Development  Fee to the Consumer Welfare Fund. Even before any proper decision was taken by the government, the private company started collecting Development Fee at the rate of Rs. 1300 for International passenger and Rs. 200 for domestic. It was questioned in the court. Although the High Court rejected the petition, the Supreme Court ordered that the fee collected was not correct.

The matter was raised in the Parliament by Com. Balagopal, M.P. from Kerala. Now the  Ministry has asked the amount collected by DIAL to be remitted to the Consumer Welfare Board, on the plea that it will be practically difficult to refund it to the passenger.

This is an example of how the private operators/ firms collect fees like toll / Development etc. from the people. The government usually keep silent thus helping them. The people are exploited.