22 Monday Apr 2013
On the face of the severe criticism that has arisen on the decision to accord ‘Z’ category security with escort and pilot car with 22 commandos for the Corporate Zsar Mukesh Ambani, the Government has justified the same stating that he is a “National Asset.”
Now, how many “National Assets” are going to be given the ‘Z’ category security? Tata, Birla etc. etc? Despite CAG criticism as also SC observations have been ignored by the government.
22 Monday Apr 2013
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
The government has set up a panel of Ministers probably headed by Finance Minister P.Chidambaram to make suggestions for the revival of BSNL and MTNL. It is reported that other members of this panel will be Communications Minister Kapil Sibal, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma, Dy. Chairman Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Information Minister Manish Tewari and Minister of state for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension V.Narayana Samy. The Panel of Ministers is given three months time to submit the report. Further details are awaited.
It is only due to the anti-PSU policies of the government that the present situation has arrived. It is the responsibility of the government to make the company financially viable.
The Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations will be meeting on 2nd May to discuss and plan our priorities and prepare the memorandum to be submitted to the Committee.
21 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in General
HAVANA, Cuba, Apr 19: Nicolás Maduro was sworn-in today as democratically-elected President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at the National Assembly in Caracas, reported Prensa Latina news agency.
Maduro received the presidential sash from the President of the National Assembly, Diosdado Cabello, and Maria Gabriela Chavez, daughter of late President Hugo Chavez, with Maduro vowing to continue
the legacy of justice started 14 years ago with the Bolivarian Revolution.
“I would like to start this speech by asking for protection and blessings from Commander Hugo Chavez so that he gives me wisdom to get to know how to build a homeland of peace, love, inclusive, of all and
for all Venezuelans,” said Maduro during his first address to the nation as President.
He recalled the 203th anniversary of the beginning of the independence war against Spain, and said Venezuela is now in democracy and peace and.
Maduro appreciated the presence in the inauguration ceremony of 17 heads of State and 61 delegations from around the world, as well as the expressions of solidarity and international support
21 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in Uncategorized
It is reported that the Home Ministry has asked the Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF), which leads the anti-terrorist operations, to provide ‘Z’ category security to Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in the country. This category security includes pilot and follow-on vehicles with commandos equipped with sophisticated weapons. There will be 28 CRPF jawans in the team. Mukesh will be given round-the-clock security.
It seems that this is for the first time that CRPF protection is being given to any private individual. The protection is reportedly being given on the basis of some threat call received by Ambani. In addition to his personal protection, the 27 storeyed palace ‘Antilia’, where he stays in Mumbai also will be given CRPF protection.
The Police force has not sufficient staff even to parole and attend to the daily duties. But a private individual is being given such top priority security employing 28 CRPF personnel. This is outrageous. I am afraid that this is only the starting point. Within a short period all the billionaires and millionaires will be asking for CRPF protection and the government will agree. How shameful!
21 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
The results of the membership verification in BSNL is over and the results have been declared on 18th April 2013.
There might have been bitterness, while the election campaign was going on. Now that the election is over and the results are out, all the unions and their leaders have to think about the post-verification situation. BSNL is struggling to survive. In 2012-13, for the fourt consecutive year, it is in loss and the loss is expected to be more than last year. Survival of BSNL is of utmost importance to all the workers and their unions as also for the country. This PSU can not be left to be disinvested and privatised. It has to be strengthened and the services have to be improved. It is not an easy task, especially when the its owner, the Government itself is acting against it.
The main reason for the present situation is the neo-liberal and anti-PSU policy being implemented by the government. The MNCs and corporates are given all benefits and privileges at the cost of BSNL and MTNL.The management has been completely inefficient. The unions and workers have to understand this completely hostile situation and prepare for a sustained and long struggle to change the situation.
Unity of the workers and their unions is very much necessary. All have to bury the hatchets and come together to strengthen BSNL. The struggles organised under the leadership of the Joint Forum/Joint Action Committee/Forum of BSNL Unions – Associations have been able to achieve certain demands of the workers. But that is not sufficient. The most important task is revive the company, which is our bread and butter. Each and every worker has to rise to the occasion.
There may be some reservations for joint actions and working immediately after the contest. We have to go beyond the verification and start joint effort.
I hope that all the unions/associations will take the lead in educating their workers and prepare for joint struggles to save BSNL.
21 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in General
Today, 22nd April 2013, is the 143rd Birth anniversary of the leader and architect of Soviet Revolution Com.V.I.Lenin. For the first time in the world, a soviet state ushered after the 1917 revolution in Russia, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). It sustained itself from the brutal attacks of the nearby capitalist countries and grew to be one of the biggest and strongest nation capable of confronting the US, the citadel of capitalism. However, the USSR collapsed in the 1980s.
After 3 decades, the Communist Party is once again strengthening in the present Russia, as the second biggest party and is becoming influential.
21 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in TU News - India
Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has decided to pay 8.5% interestfor EPF subscribers for the financial year 2012-13. The government is yet to approve the same. There are more than 5 crore EPF subscribers with the EPFO.
21 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in General
The adjourned Budget Session of Parliament will restarts tomorrow, 22nd April 2013. It will be a stormy session, no doubt. The leaked draft report of the JPC exonerating the present P.M., Dr. Manmohan Singh and accusing former Prime Minister A.V.Bajpayee for the lapses is sure to be strongly protested by the opposition. The direct attack on the constitutional institution CAG for focussing on the scam will also be exposed.
The inefficiency and callous attitude of the Delhi Police administration, which is directly under the Central Government, in dealing with rape cases and protestors will certainly rock both the houses of Parliament, and Home Minister Shinde will have to answer.
The government wants certain bills to be passed like increase of FDI in Insurance, Pension etc. The Left Parties will strongly oppose these so-called ‘reforms’ which are intended to maximise the profit of corporates and to marginalise the PSUs.
Finance Minister Chidambaram stated in Washington today that the government wants the FDI in Insurance to be increased from 26% to 49%. He added that if the main opposition BJP supports, this could be passed in this session itself. It is interesting that what is to be done in the Parliament is being first announced in a foreign county, USA. Of course US corporates will be very glad to hear the news. But the workers, specially the Employees of LIC, are not going to accept this lying down. Struggles are on the way to defeat the proposal, as in such instances earlier.
21 Sunday Apr 2013
Posted in General
St. Margarets-at-Cliffe is a small village in UK, about 32 km away from the English Channel on the opposite side of France. But if anybody starts to speak on his mobile, the announcements starts in French language, not in English.
There is not much for surprise. The reason seems to be that the French mobile towers are more powerful in this area than the English towers. (A report from AFP News).
20 Saturday Apr 2013
Posted in 2G Scam Corruption
The leaked report of the Joint Parliament Committee on 2G spectrum scam has put the government in a tight spot. The entire opposition has protested against the draft report which has omitted many evidences, ignored documents and did not call the former Communications Minister and the Prime Minster to give evidence. In fact, former Minister Raja against whom charges are levelled wanted to give evidence but was not called by the JPC.
The report is politically motivated and is intended to save the Prime Minister of his role. The opposition parties are going to sharply react and protest in the Parliament which is going to resume on Monday, 22nd of April.
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