30 Monday Jan 2012
Posted in General
It is reported in a study published by the British Medical Journal that almost 2000 persons have died in London as a result of the global recession during the period 2008-2011. The Study says that a large number of people died from heart attacks as a result of the recession.
The recent reports in the media also indicates that the recession will continue at least for some more time as there is no indication of any positive change. In that case, how many more will die?
30 Monday Jan 2012
Posted in Obituary, Tributes
The nation remembers and pays its respectful homage to Gandhiji on his 64th death anniversary today, 30th January 2012. Gandhiji was shot dead by a Hindu fanatic on this day in 1948, almost 6 months after India won Independence under his leadership. At 1100 hours today, the entire nation pays homage by standing still and observing silence.
30 Monday Jan 2012
In a land-mark judgement, the Madras High Court has ordered that casual workers are also eligible for 3 months paid maternity leave.The order was given in a petition submitted by one woman casual worker who was denied paid maternity leave and also denied job when she tried to join returning after delivery.
The Court stated that even casual workers are eligible for paid maternity leave if they had worked for 80 days in 12 months preceding childbirth.
29 Sunday Jan 2012
Posted in Uncategorized
Assam is a small circle which was part of the earlier North East Circle. Now the latter has been bifurcated in to Assam, NE I and NE II Circles. The 3rd Circle Conference of the Assam unit of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation was held at Dhubri (Bongaigaon SSA) on 28th and 29th of January 2012.
Since there is no direct flight, I first went to Gauhati, the capital of Assam and from there along with Comrades J.N.Mishra, Vice-President BSNLEU, Bijoy Deka, Circle Secretary BSNLEU and Circle Prsident BSNLCCWF, M.B.Singh, Circle Secretary, NE I circle and Shankar Kumar Das, Co-ordinator, NCCPA started by car to Dhubri, where the conference is to take place by the evening of 27th. We reached Dhubri at about 0400 hours, in the early morning of 28th. There was heavy fog, but the driver managed to take us to Dhubri in time.
The Conference was held in a temporary pandal erected in the Telephone Exchange premises. Delegates from most of the SSAs have attended. The National Flag was hoisted by me, as the All India President of BSNLCCWF and the Union flag by the Circle President. In the morning session the report presented by the Circle Secretary Com. Vikas Baruah was and accounts were adopted after discussion.
The Open Session was held in the afternoon presided over by Com. Bijoy Deka, Circle President. District Secreetary, BSNLEU, Com. Janmin Ali welcomed all. Myself, Coms. Tapas Ghosh, Secretary General, BSNLCCWF, Reception Committee Chairman Com. Chakravarty, J.N.Mishra, Shankar Kumar Das, M.B.Singh, B.C.Paul and other leaders. It was a very educative session and the delegates appreciated much.
The delegates session was held on 29th. Detailed discussion on all issues took place. Comrades Bijoy Deka and Vikas Baruah have been re-elected as Circle President and Circle Secretary.
29 Sunday Jan 2012
Posted in General
Now an underground river in Philipines, called Purto Princesa, is also a competitor for one of the seven wonders of the world. The 8.2 kilo meter navigable underground river is the biggest and longest so far found out. The nomination for the world wonder has increased the chance for tourist attraction of the area in the Philipines. It is stated that it is the 2nd nominated for the world wonders. Naturally.
27 Friday Jan 2012
Posted in General, Uncategorized
Anything can happen in this ‘Incredible India’. It is now exposed by the media that the workers engaged under the prestigious and much hyped NREGS are being paid Rs. one to ten only for a day in many places in the country. As per rules, they are to be paid Rs.100 per day. The scheme is being used to exploit the poor workers by unscrupulous elements.
In BSNL also similar things are happening. Casual/Contract workers in many places are being paid only Rs. 1,000 to Rs.2,500 only whereas they are eligible for at least about Rs.6,000 per month.
Exploitation has no limit. Authorities should take immediate action to implement rules so that whether the NREGS or BSNL workers should get justice.
27 Friday Jan 2012
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
It is reported in the media that the CBI is probing alleged irregularities in advertisement programmes worth crores of rupees carried out through ineligible firms by BSNL. It is also reported that the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has referred the same to CBI alleging wrong doings in handling marketing and advertisement related in BSNL. This includes the unauthorised appointment of a part-time Director in the BSNL and assigning advertisement related job to a non-empanelled and ineligible agency. The case is also reported to have been forwarded to DOT.
If this is true, the BSNL management should explain the position. No corruption can be allowed.
26 Thursday Jan 2012
The government is on the look out to get more and more dividends from the cash-rich PSUs to reduce its financial deficit. These companies are having sufficient cash reserves. In 2009-10 alone, an amount of about Rs. 25,000 has been paid by the companies as dividend. But this year, 2010-11 the government is trying squeeze more amount, say about Rs. 26,000/ from these companies.
The government has got two agendas – one to get as much dividend from these companies,second to finish the PSUs themselves si that they can be sold to the private. The PSU workers have to unitedly fight this injustice.
26 Thursday Jan 2012
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
The 3G roaming provided by the private companies in circles where they did not have the licences was ordered to be cancelled by the DOT. But the private companies approached TDSAT and got it stayed. The TDSAT is dealing with the case. The argument of the DOT that TDSAT has no authority to deal with the case has been dismissed by TDSAT.
Now in a new development, the Central Vigilance Commissioner has asked the DOT to forward all papers connected with the 3G Roaming issue to it for necessary examination.
It is very much necessary that the guilty should be punished
26 Thursday Jan 2012
Posted in PSU
At last, it seems, that the Civil Aviation ministry has woken up towards the financial problems of the Air India, which was the result of the Minister’s and governments anti-PSU and pro-private policies. As a result, the company had gone down financially and has an accumulated loss of more tha Rs. 20,000 crore. Dues are also to be paid to the vendors and oil companies.
Now the Ministry has requested the government to grant a budgetary support of Rs. 19,911 crore to the Air India to tide over its difficulties. The government should approve the demand and provide the same to the company at the earliest. The government should also pay immediately, the Rs.110 crore due it is to pay to the AI for having utilised for VIP travels.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 