Monthly Archives: February 2012

Pranab Mukherjee corrects himself on subsidy after criticism

19 Sunday Feb 2012

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The severe  criticism from various corners against the statement of the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that he was not getting sleep thinking about the subsidy, had its effect. In this blog also, I have expressed strong protest in the matter stating that there was no problem for the FM to give more than 4.6 lakh crore subsidy to the corporates and the big business, but was worried about the 1.4 lakh crore subsidy to the poor.

Today, Pranab Mukherjee has clarified that he was not worried about the amount of subsidy, but was worried about the fact that the subsidy was not reaching the poor. He stated: “I lose my sleep not when I look at the volume of quantum of subsidy, but because it is not reaching to the poor and needy and targeted group,”  while talking about subsidy leakages. He also stated that in addition to the 1.4 lakh crore another 1 lakh crore subsidy will be there.

His clarification may save him from further criticism, but what about reducing the subsidy to the rich and increasing it for the poor? Is the government ready for the same? Is he prepared to stop the subsidies to the rich and give it to the poor in the coming budget?

The BSNL management should act and act quickly

19 Sunday Feb 2012

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There seems to be a great slackness on the part of the BSNL management on all activities. It is taking too long a time to take decisions and also implement them. The government machinery, DOT,  was slow, but the PSU, BSNL, is fslower. This has adversely affected not only  the developmental and expansion activities but also the settlement of the issues of the workers.

Have a look at this. The National Council is the forum for the staff side and the management side to discuss and settle important issues of the workers. Despite continued demand by the staff side, the management failed to convene any meeting since the last meeting in August last year. At last it has fixed the meeting for 27th February 2012. But whether the management is prepared to settle the issues focussed in the meeting? We have to wait and see.

The Designation Committee meeting is fixed to be held on 23rd February after a gap of more than one year. There was no difficulty for the management to change the designations of the executives and top management personnel more than once. But when it comes to Non-Executives, there is a negative attitude on the part of the management.

Removing anomalies for the ITS and Executives, management has got a a soft corner. But in the case of non-executives there is no soft corner.

There are many more discriminations, when the issues are concerning non-executives. The management should change its negative stand and must have sincere dialogue and settle the issues amicably. If it does not act, the workers will have no other course but to resort to strong agitational programmes.

Budget Session of Parliament starts on 12th March.

17 Friday Feb 2012

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The budget session of Parliament which was postponed due to the election in the four states, will now starts from 12th March, after the results of the elections are declared.

This section is expected to be stormy, not only on the corruption issues, but also on the issues focussed by the 28th February united strike by the entire workers in the country.  The outcome of the elections may have far reaching consequences and reflection in the Parliament.

AIBDPA extends support and solidarity to the 28th February Strike

17 Friday Feb 2012

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The All India BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA), the biggest union of the DOT and BSNL Pensioners Association, has extended its support and solidarity to the nationwide strike on 28th February 2012. In his circular, the General Secretary of the Association, Comrade, K.G.Jayaraj, has called upon all its members to participate in all the programmes connected with the 28th February strike to extend the solidarity. The Pensioners very well know that it was only through the struggles organised by the BSNLEU and the Joint Action Committee of BSNL Unions/Associations that many of their issues, including Pension Revision, could be achieved.

More and more support for the strike is coming from all sections.

Why the govenment is shying for fixing a minimum wage of Rs. 10,000?

17 Friday Feb 2012

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Despite the demand of all the unions in the 44th Indian Labour Conference, no decision was taken by the Government to fix the minimum wage at Rs.10,000.The employers of course opposed it. But it is for the government to take the decision.

Look to the following facts. These employers who say that they can’t pay the minimum wage of Rs.10,000 to the workers are paying themselves, to their CEOs, CMDs, MDs and top management personnel, lakhs and in some cases crores of rupees . They are spending crores for their air-travels in first class and executive class. They are living in multi-storeyed bungalows and spending crores for club membership etc. at the company’s expenses. All kinds of fringe benefits are extended to the top personnel.

But when it comes to the bare minimum wages for the ordinary worker, they refuse to pay. It is the inability, or rather the unwillingness,  of the government that is the cause for the denial of minimum wage to the toiling worker. This has to be changed.

DOT may charge one-time charge for extra spectrum

17 Friday Feb 2012

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It is reported by PTI that the additional spectrum with the old telecom companies may be charged a one-time fee. One of the recommendations was that the spectrum already allotted from 4.4 to 6.2 MHz and from 2.5 to 5 MHz in GSM and CDMA bands, respectively, may be charged prospectively.

Spectrum already allotted beyond 6.2 MHz/5 MHz in GSM/ CDMA bands may be charged prospectively, it added.

Earlier, the government was looking at charging a one-time fee for the extra spectrum beyond the contracted limit of 6.2 MHz from the date of allocation. This would have put a huge financial burden on the old GSM operators.

Leading telecom operators, including Bharti, Vodafone and Idea, have been opposing this saying there was no such clause in the telecom licences under which this type of levy can be imposed.

Moreover, the operators have claimed that allotment of spectrum to them was as per the policy of the day.

The one-time fee was recommended by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the amount was computed by experts, the presentation said.

The regulator had recommended that each MHz of additional spectrum, after the 6.2 MHz limit held by operators should cost a one-time Rs 4,571.87 crore (all-India).

44th Session of ILC -Unions demand Minimum Wage of Rs. 10,000, Minimum PF Pension of Rs. 1,000

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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The second day of the 44th session of the Indian Labour Conference on 15th February saw the trade union leaders strongly presenting their demands. There was a consensus that the minimum wage should be decided. The unions pointed out that even according to the decisions of the 15th Indian Labour Conference of 1957, the minimum wage will come to Rs. 9730 and the present minimum wage should be fixed at Rs.10,000. DA also should be paid. It was also demanded that the PF Pension should be at least a minimum of Rs.1,000. At present many PF pensioners are getting Rs. 200/ 300 etc.). It was also demanded that the maternity leave should be increased from 12 weeks to 24 weeks.  Provident Fund should be implemented in all organisations where there are a minimum of 10 workers instead of 20. Com. A.K.Padmanabhan, President, CITU spoke on second day on behalf of CITU.

Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister of Labour and Employment in his concluding remarks stated that the demands of the workers will be examined favourably before taking any decision.

It can be stated that the central trade union leaders have emphatically placed their demands. It is for the government now to take the decisions.  The 28th February strike will be a warning to the government.

20th CPI(M) Party Congress – Calicut city prepares for the Congress

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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Though there are still more than 45 days for the CPI(M) Party Congress to be held at Calicut on 4-9 April 2012, the city is  almost ready for the same. In preparation for the Congress, the city is fully decorated. The Reception Committee is accommodated in a 6 storied new building with separate rooms for each committee like Reception, Media, Exhibition, Food, Accommodation, Propaganda, seminars etc.  A series of seminars on various important subjects are being organised in several centres in the district, participated by eminent personalities. A grand exhibition of the cultural, historical  and political past of the nation, with special reference to the glorious past of the party is being arranged which may be in place for about two months at a central place in the city. Huge cut-outs of the programmes and with the photos of leaders of the party are already in place.

The city is in a celebrating mood.  There is no doubt that this will be one of the most important Congress of the CPI(M) and naturally many important decisions are going to be taken with regard to the policies and programmes for the progress of the nation,the common people and the working class.

Attack on Mayor of Calicut Corporation – Widespread protest

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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The unusual and unbelievable has happened. The Mayor of Calicut Corporation, Prof: A.K.Premajam was attacked by some UDF Councillors in the Council Hall, when she was coming out after the council meeting was over on 15th February. A glass was thrown at her by another UDF councillor which missed her due to  turning her head and broke on the wall behind.

The Mayors of Corporations/cities are highly  respected all over the world as the first citizen of the city and given an honourable position everywhere. Smt.A.K.Premajam, Mayor of Calicut,  is a  former Principal/Professor  of several government colleges and have a large number of students who have immense respect for her. She is also a former Member of Parliament of the CPI(M) from Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency.

This is the first time that such a shameful incident has happened in the Calicut Corporation which has a shining past of 46 years.Except for 4 years, the CPI(M)/ LDF was in  power.  Council discussions might have been stormy, the ruling and opposition parties expressing their opinions strongly, but there was not even a single goondaism like this earlier. Both sides respected each other. The corporation led by the Left and Democratic Front (LDF) has implemented many projects making the city beautiful, neat  as also many other conveniences to the citizens which have been much appreciated and hence have been continuously elected to power.

This assault on the Mayor was a rude shock to the entire city. Leaders of  all political parties (except the UDF led by Congress), Trade Unions, cultural organisations, well-known citizens, students  –  all strongly reacted and protested the attack. A huge protest demonstration was held in the city on 15th February going through the main streets of the city. I also got the opportunity to be a participant. During the demonstration and the protest rally, I could meet a lot comrades and friends with whom I have worked and organised trade unions in the city including the central government employees, trade union leaders, leaders of political parties and many important persons.

Today, 16th February, a complete Bandh is organised in the city protesting against the assault on the Mayor. The bandh was a severe indictment of the hooliganism and goondaism shown by the UDF councillors. No such incidents should happen again.

28th February Strike – BSNL Non-Executives Convention at Calicut (Kerala)

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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As per the call of the BSNL Non-executive unions, joint conventions of BSNL unions are being held all over India to prepare for the Nation Wide Strike on 28th February 2012 on the genuine demands of the working class and the common people. State wide conventions have been held at Bangalore, Chennai and Cochin already participated by All India leaders of the unions. Conventions are being held at other centres also.

A SSA level Convention was held on 15th February at Kozhikode (Calicut) attended by a large number of workers. Com. T.K.Surendran, DS, NFTE presided. In my inaugural speech, I explained the charter of demands of the strike notice and also the background of the united actions by the working class in India against the anti-worker neo-liberal policies being persued by the government. I also impressed upon the workers the need for unitedly fighting against the attacks on the workers. Coms. Jayaraj, DS, BSNLEU, M.K.Beeran, FNTO, Venugopal. BMS, Vijayakumar, BSNLEU and other leaders addressed and assured the All India leadership that there will be full strike in Calicut as usual. A good number of women workers also participated.