Monthly Archives: January 2013

Joint Forum exposes statement by private telecom companies

31 Thursday Jan 2013

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In many news papers of yesterday, statements of both the CDMA as well as GSM private companies were published demanding the government not to grant any bail-out support to BSNL and MTNL, the telecom PSUs, stating that ‘it would be in contravention of all tenets of policy, fair competition and level playing field’. This is the pressure tactics of the private lobby and corporates to stop the proposed assistance of Rs. 20,000 crore being recommended by the DOT towards refund of the spectrum surrendered by BSNL and MTNL and towards adjusting the one time charges for the excess spectrum etc.
The Joint Forum has immediately reacted and issued the following Press Release exposing the hypocrisy of the private companies and the real position and also demanding the government to give immediate financial assistance to BSNL and MTNL.

JOINT FORUM OF BSNL and MTNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS

D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.

Press Release 31st January, 2013

BSNL and MTNL should be given Assistance
– Private Telcos’ opposition unjustified

The private telecom companies’ organisations, both of CDMA and GSM operators have opposed any financial assistance by the government to the telecom PSUs, BSNL and MTNL, which have posted loss for the last three years, stating that ‘ such proposal was not permissible as it would be in contravention of all tenets of policy, fair competition and level playing field.’

It is interesting that the private players have now come with the argument of level-playing field. In fact, these private companies have been continuously getting all benefits and undue favours from the government most of which are denied to the telecom PSUs. While, the mobile licences were issued in the 1990s, only the private companies were given the licences and DOT (BSNL was not formed) and MTNL were denied the same for about 6 years, in a move to help the private companies. In the auctions for spectrum, while the private players could bid for their choice circle, BSNL and MTNL were denied the right to bid, but were compelled to pay the charges for the highest bid in all circle, resulting in almost double the amount that the private telcos paid. In the allotment of high quality spectrum, again the private players were favoured. While the private telcos could purchase equipment without any restrictions, the purchase by BSNL was restricted by government and also by continued legal cases by the private manufacturers. BSNL was restrained from purchasing equipment from Chinese companies, which are comparatively of low cost, in the name of security risk, while private companies purchased from the same companies without any objection. These are only a few examples, how the private companies have managed to continuously get maximum favours through continued pressure on the government. Being a government company, BSNL and MTNL could not put such pressures and have been side-lined causing much loss and disadvantage.

Further, as government companies, implementation of the social commitment of the universal service of the government is incumbent on BSNL and MTNL and they are fulfilling the same providing connections and service in the lakhs of villages and remote areas, which are loss-making, causing huge losses to the PSUs. The assistance being given from the USO Fund is nominal and completely insufficient. The private telecom companies are also liable to provide connections in the remote and rural areas, but they have managed to evade the responsibility.

BSNL was assured by the government at the time its formation that it will be assisted through payment of Access Deficit Charges (which will come to about Rs.3,000 to Rs. 4,000 crore), Reimbursement of Licence Fee paid by it to the government and also liberal assistance from the USO Fund. These are all arbitrarily withdrawn by the government within a few years. Instead only Rs.1,500 crore for the current year and Rs.1,250 crore for next year is proposed to be provided to BSNL as assistance.

Out of the Rs. 40,000 crore surplus cash with the company at the time of the formation, almost all of it has been taken by the government in the name of spectrum charges, repayment of notional loan of Rs.7,500 crore (no loan was given to BSNL and there was no necessity at that time) with unusually high interest etc. In addition, these PSUs have a large and senior work force inherited from the government (DOT) and their salaries come to around 40% of the expenditure.

All the above factors have resulted in these PSUs posting loss for the last three years. While many of the private companies have been charged for violation of the licence conditions and rules in providing connections, no such violations have been charged against the PSUs. While the private companies are profit-motivated, the PSUs have the social commitment of the government to implement.

In such a situation, it is of utmost necessity to ensure the financial viability of BSNL and MTNL to ensure universal service in the country, checking the telecom price level etc. It may be remembered that till BSNL and MTNL entered the mobile services, the private companies have been charging exorbitantly and it was only after their entry that the mobile charges came down. If the PSUs are not there, the telecom companies will once again raise the charges very high.

The Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations therefore, demands the Central government to provide maximum assistance to BSNL and MTNL to tide over the present financial crisis and expand and improve their services.

Sd/-
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener, Joint Forum
Mob: 9868231431

Change of Designations – Agreement on RM, TM Designations

31 Thursday Jan 2013

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As per the decisions of the National Council Meeting held yesterday, 30th January, a meeting of the Committee for Change of Designation of Non-executives was held today.
The Committee unanimously agreed on the new designations for the two cadres viz. RM and TM. The new designations agreed to by the official and staff side representatives are Telecom Assistant for Regular Mazdoor and Telecom Technician for Telecom Mechanic.
For the cadres of Sr.TOA and TTA, the designations demanded by the union representatives were not agreed to by the official side. Hence the discussion for change of designations for Sr.TOA, TTA and other cadres will continue.
It is after strenuous discussion for about three years, that the present agreement could be made. It was hard bargaining and at last the management had to agree for the change and new designations.
Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU, P.Abhimanyu, General Secretry, BSNLEU, P.Asokababu, Vice-President, BSNLEU and V.Subburaman, GS TEPU participated from the staff side.
Let this achievement be advanced for the designation change for Sr.TOA, TTA and all other cadres.

The National Council meets

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

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The 28th meeting of the National Council was held today, 30th January to discuss about the various important issuesraised by the recognised union. Shri A.N.Rai, Director (HR) and chairman of the National council presided.
The house paid homage to the veteran union leader Com. O.P.Gupta, who passed away on 6th of this month, by standing silent for two minutes. After the initial speeches by the Chairman, Director(Finance), Leade staff side and Secretary Staff Side, the Leader Staff side declared they are walking out protesting against the non-action by the management against the GM Ghaziabad in the murder case of Com. Sukhenderpal Singh. All the staff side members then walked out.
The management was completely taken back.The Secretary of the Council, GM(SR) Sri Neeraj Verma and other officers pleaded with the staff side to come back and participate in the discussions. After some time thestaff side members returned to the meeting and the same was started.
The meeting continued up to 1900 hours and the complete items were discussed. But it is unfortunate that much advance could not be made on many issues. Brief not on the discussions will be put in the BSNLEU website.

United Forum Meets

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

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The United Forum of BSNL Unions met today, 30th January 2013, and discussed about the ensuing VI Membership Verification and connected matters. Com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNLMS, Chairman UF presided. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, BSNLEU President and Convener UF briefed the meeting about certain aspects of the New Recognition Rules. He also stated that the United Forum should be strenghtened and well co-ordinated as usual. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS told that BSNLEU has taken a decision that UF allies should be together as earlier. All comrades participated in the discussion.
It was decided that the United Forum unions will continue the alliance and will work to ensure that BSNLEU get more than 50% of the votes in the verification.
The next meeting will be held on 17th February 2013.

A train journey

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

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On 28th January, I started for Lucknow from New Delhi by Shramjeevi Express. Since the waitlist in the AC III tier/Sleeper was very long, I had booked for I class, where the waiting List was only two. Though the ticket was booked more than one week back, there was no change in the waiting list till the last moment. To my great relief, the ticket was confirmed and I started by the same train in the First Class.
My allotment was in a two berth cabin. There was another passenger who seemed to be from military. Actually, when we got acquainted, I found out that he was a top officer in a para-military contingent. I could understand a lot about the difficulties being faced by the military and para-military forces and officials in their day to day hard life. Though being a very high officer, he was so polite and simple. On the way, he got down at Shajahanpur.
At Shajahanpur another passenger came. He was an armed guard of Minister of the state government, who was sitting in the next cabin. I told that I am coming from Delhi, when he asked. The moment we started speaking again,the young man told me that my speaking Hindi was not as a Delhi man, but seemed to be a man from the South. I fully agreed and told him that I am from Kerala, but staying in Delhi for the last more than 20 years for union work.
I know my Hindi is weak, especially when speaking. But I never thought that it was so easy to find out that I was a South Indian through my accent.
The attendent also brought sugarless tea 3-4 times, whenever I asked for the same, without any murmer. It seems that my old age with white hair arouses sympathy among the young. Fair enough!
Anyhow, my train journey was interesting, as always it was in the past. Another benefit for train journey – Being a Senior Citizen, there is good concession to the extent of 40% ( for women Senior Citizen the concession is 50% – congratulation for the Railways!)
But of course, now the train charges have been increased.

Taxing the Super Rich

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

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In many countries, the governments have started increasing the tax on the super rich. The Government of India has also proposed the same.
The reaction from the media, mostly controlled by the big corporates, was on the expected line. They have opposed the proposal stating that it is not necessary. The corporates have reacted sharply. They have, in fact, threatened that the MNCs will leave India, the FDI will shift away and that the GDP will come down drastically if the super rich are taxed more.
It seems that the threat from the corporates and the media is having its effect. There is not much talk about taxing the super rich now.
Workers reasonable and justified demands are denied forthwith; but when the corporates demand, it is seriously considered by the government and necessary decision taken to satisfy them.
The government by the Corporates and for the Corporates!

Gandhiji assassinated 65 years back.

30 Wednesday Jan 2013

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65 years are over after the ghastly murder of Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation by a Hindu fanatic. It was on 30th January 1948, that the shots were fired at the heart of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, an RSS, when he was proceeding to the prayer ground in the Birla House, where Gnadhiji used to stay.
Last year I have gone to the Gandhi Samadhi there where group prayer was being held. I would like to attend the same tomorrow also, if possible.

National Council on 30th January 2013

29 Tuesday Jan 2013

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The National Council meeting will be held tomorrow on 30th Janaury 2013, after more than 6 months. The items have been given already on which the discussion will mainly be held.
The present meeting is the 28th meeting of the National Council after it has been formed in 2002, after the First Membership Verification.
If we go through the constitution and proceedings of the National Council so far, we can see that the same is treated as an unwanted but unavoidable practice by the BSNL Management. This mindset is there from the start. Let us examine whether this assessment is true or not.
1) In the government services, there is the system of National Council for the Central Government employees as a whole. On the official side there are Secretaries of the Departments and on the Staff Side, the nominated General Secretaries/ office-bearers of various organisations. The topmost officer of the Central Government, the Cabinet Secretary will chair the meetings. In the Departmental Councils, the head of the Department, the Secretary will chair. Accordingly, in the National Council for BSNL, the CMD BSNL should chair the NC meeting. But unfortunately, only Director HR/HRD, is the Chairman. Despite demanding several times, the BSNL management has not agreed to the proposal and still Dir(HR) is presiding. For taking quick decisions, chairing by the CMD will be the ideal position.
In fact, the head of the circle, CGM and that of the SSA, GM are presiding the council meetings at their respective levels.
2) Periodicity of the meetings
The National Council is to be held every three months. But it is not beiong held like that. Only two meetings have been held in 2012, instead of four meetings. This indicates the intention of the management toavoid meetings and delay the same. It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that the meetings are held regularly and in time.
3. Discussion and Decisions:
The meetings are being held to discuss and settle issues of the workers, which couold not be settled till then. The items are given sufficiently early so that the management can prepare their position and ready for taking suitable decisions.But what is happening is completely different. The management is outrightly denying most of the demands on one plea or another. It is very rare that concrete decisions are taken in the council. The maximum that is stated is that the official side will examine the demand. The Councils are being held for taking decisions and the examination should be over before the meeting. If the view points of the management is given along with the agenda at the start of the meeting it will be possible for the unions also to discuss the same and find out some solutions.
4. National Council is not a one way process. The Management have to bring their agenda which they want to discuss with the staff side on development, expansion, improvement of the services etc. But during the last so many years, the official sie has not brought any agenda from its side. On the other hand it is issuing orders on many issues connected with the service condition and connected staff matters without discussing with the unions or in the Nationl Council. Such one sided actions are being taken due to the bureacratic thinking that the unions have no role in all these issues.
5. Even after certain decisions are taken in the meeting, it is not being pursued by the official side. The minutes are issued, but then no action is taken on the matters till the next meeting. Once a decision is taken it has to be implemented by the management.
6. There are certain issues on which the management has to take up the matter with the DOT before taking any decision. A large number of cases come under this category. The official side assures to take up the cases with the DOT, but is is not being pursued, or after writing a letter no further reminder or action is taken. Earlier a Committee was formed with DOT, BSNL and the recognised union which discussed and settled many things. But that system has been given up lately. This is to be restored for dealing with such cases.
7. Sufficient time is not allotted for the National Council. Though the meeting will be scheduled at 1100 hours, it is held at 1130 or so. And by lunch time it is managed to finish. One full day is required for the Council to effectively discuss.

More than two lakh workers, several cadres, and mny kinds of issues are being discussed with the recognised union in these council meetings. It is for the management to ensure that the meetings are effective, positive decisions are taken and that there is cordial relationship between the unions and the management.

Meeting with CGM UP(West)

29 Tuesday Jan 2013

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While I have been at Lucknow today to meet the Chief Minister, U.P., in between meeting the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister, along with Coms. K.R.Yadav, all India Vice-President and R.K.Mishra, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, I met the CGM, UP(W), Shri A.K.Purwar and discussed with him about the BSNL services and development in UP (East). I pointed out to him about the complaint of the Chief Secretary, UP State government about not being able to call 100 from all parts of the state. CGM stated that he is aware of the same and to the extend technically possible, it will be provided. I also told him about our discussion with the chief Secretary about expanding our serrvices in the state government offices and suggested him to meet the Chief Secretary for this purpose. I also suggested that monthly meetings be held with the Circle union on the development and service issues for providing better service to the customers.

Meeting with Chief Minister U.P.

29 Tuesday Jan 2013

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Today, 29th January, along with Com.Basudeb Acharya, Member of Parliament and Leader of CPI(M) group in Lok Sabha I had the opportunity to meet the Chief Minister of U.P. Shri Akhilesh Yadav, and place our strong demand for immediate action to arrest the General Manager, Ghaziabad Shri Adesh Kumar Gupta, in connection with the murder of Com. Sukhenderpal Singh, District secretary, BSNLEU on 22nd October 2012 in the GM’s room.
First we met Shri Srivastava, Chief Secretary at his office at 1100 hours. We pointed about the undue delay in arresting the GM Ghaziabad despite the filing of the FIR on the gruesome murder in the office of the GM itself. We pointed out that the postmortem report clearly shows that the body had serious injuries. Despite meeting the SSP/officer-in-charge Ghaziabad twice, no arrest has been made so far. A copy of the letter addressed to the Chief Minister was handed over to him. Chief Secretary assured that immediate report will be called for from the SSP on the matter for taking necessary action.
At 1400 hours, the meeting took place with Shri Akhilesh Yadav, Chief Minister at his residence. In addition to Com.Basudeb Acharya and myself, Com. K.R.Yadav, Vice-President BSNLEU was also present. The Chief Minister heard our submissions patiently. We explained all the facts including the vendetta of the General Manager against Com. Sukhenderpal Singh for complaining about the corrupt practices of the GM and the revenge he has taken by planning the murder of the Dist. Secretary. A detailed letter, signed by the President and General Secretary BSNLEU along with the copy of FIR and post-mortem report was handed over to the Chief Minister. Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P., emphasised the need to take immediate action in the matter since the entire workers all over India are agitated over the issue. Chief Minister assured that he will immediately call for the reports and take necessary action in the matter. He expressed his sympathy to the bereaved family and proposed to help them. The stand of the young Chief Minister was very positive. The meeting continued for more than half an hour.
(In between, I mentioned about the help needed from the state government in providing BSNL connections in the police, educational institutions, hospitals etc. and increasing the connections for which he took very positive interest.)
It was through the good offices of Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P., that the meeting took place. He came to Lucknow from kolkata for this specific purpose, although he attended certain other programmes also. My heartfelt thanks to Com. Basudeb Acharya for taking much pains on our issue and meeting the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary.