Monthly Archives: May 2013

EPF contribution to include all allowances also – employers oppose

28 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in TU News - India

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

At present, contribution to the EPF is calculated on the basis of 12% of basic pay and dearness allowance, which will be deducted from the salary of the employee and remitted to EPFO. Same amount is to be contributed by the employers also. To reduce contribution to EPF, many employers, corporates etc. are not increasing the salary, but will increase the allowances etc. on which EPF contribution need not be remitted.  The contribution to ESI also is not increased. But at the same time, the employee will have to pay tax for the entire amount including the allowances.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) had already proposed that all the allowances should be included for calculation of the EPF contribution. The EPFO is going to notify the provision so that the employees will get the benefit. But the employers and corporates are opposing the same and trying to influence the government so aas  to avoid contributing the increased amount.

The government should take a strong stand and ensure that the workers’ rights of getting higher contribution is implemented.

 

Reduce TV advts to 12 minutes in an hour – TRAI

28 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Sometimes the advertisements form a good part of the hour in the TV, especially the movies, serials etc. It is not different at the news time also. The viewers are completely harassed.

There are directions of the TRAI to reduce the advertisement time to 12 minutes in an hour, but it was completely ignored by the TV corporates. Now, the TRAI has reiterated its instructions and also stated that violators will be taken to task.

It is reported that the advertisement time will be restricted to 30 minutes up to September 2013 and afterwards it will be strictly 12 minutes only. The TV channels have protested, but the TRAI has now taken a firm position.

It is a good decision which will be appreciated by the public.

 

 

Delhi High Court issues notice to Idea for violation of orders

28 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in TU News - India

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Delhi High Court on 27th May issued  notices to Idea Cellular and its top executives including Chairman Kumaramangalam Birla for violation of its earlier order prohibiting the company from providing 3G service to customers in circles where it has not been allotted spectrum for the purpose.

The private companies like Idea,Vodafone, Airtel etc. have been providing the 3G services illegally in many circles with out allocation of spectrum through the licences of other companies. it is to be noted that BSNL was compulsorily allotted 3G spectrum in all circles and charged a hefty amount for the same, while these private companies by paying a small amount was providing service in all the circles.

The govt. should act strongly and cancel the licences of these erring companies instead of making compromises.

Protests against Austerity measures in Lisbon (Portugal)

28 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in TU News - International

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

 

 

Thousands of people demonstrated in the streets of Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, protesting against austerity measures imposed by the government.

They demanded  the resignation of the government  marching on 25th May from central Lisbon towards the presidential palace. The demonstrators who were prevented from reaching the palace  gathered outside the nearby Monastery of the Jeronimos. They shouted slogans against Troika, which is comprised of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), European Central Bank (ECB) and European Commission (EC).

The protest demonstration was organized by the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), the largest Portuguese union group, which has some 600,000 members. The Portuguese government has been continuing with its austerity measures creating more and more miseries to the workers and people. Portugal’s UGT labor confederation says unions will reject any cuts that affect wages, pensions, or public sector jobs and will continue agitation.

Air India – 5 Experts appointed Part-time Directors

27 Monday May 2013

Posted by in PSU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

As part of the revival process of the ailing Air India, the government has appointed 5 outside experts as Part-time Directors of its Board. It is stated that this is being done for its Turn-around and Financial Restructuring Plans.

On the one side, government wants cost-cutting and on the other side, government itself is taking decisions to increase the expenditure by appointing consultants, experts etc. spending heavy amount for the same. We have seen what these experts and consultants are recommending. It is only what the government wants like VRS, disinvestment, selling of the land assets of the company etc.

Any how, let us see what these experts are going to suggest.

 

Cabinet Committee to decide on sale of 10% shares in IOC

27 Monday May 2013

Posted by in Telecom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

The Department of Disinvestment (DoD) had sent a draft note to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for selling of an additional 10% shares of the profitable Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for raising over Rs. 7,000 crore.  The government share will come down from 78.92% to 68.92% through the sale.

Once again, the Central Government has initiated disinvesting of PSU shares in a big way. It was only a few days back that the government decided for 10% selling of Coal India shares which has been stopped by the workers’ protest.

TRAI orders disconnection of unauthorised Telemarketers

27 Monday May 2013

Posted by in Telecom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

In a strong move, the Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) has issued instructions for disconnecting the unauthorised telemarketers who are making pesky calls and harassing the subscribers. Despite many instructions, these telemarketers continue to target unsuspected subscribers through pesky calls and charges.

The present instructions have been issued that the telecom companies should disconnect such telemarketers who are misusing the facilities to harass the subscribers. They will be disconnected for two years.

World-wide Protests against Bio-tech MNC Monsanto

27 Monday May 2013

Posted by in WORLD NEWS

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

 

 

The United States biotech giant Monsanto says it respects people’s rights to express themselves, but that its genetically-modified seeds improve farm productivity and food quality.
The US Senate rejected a bill making it compulsory to label GM foods. Some consumers are worried about possible health risks.
Demonstrations against the company took place in over fifty countries on Saturday. Organisers say two million people took part.
“People have a right to know what they’re eating, most people do think that they have the right, but those rights will never be upheld as long as corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money to influence the outcomes of elections,” said one protesters in Kansas.
“They have no right to mess with our food, you don’t turn food into a lab experiment,” added another.
The ‘March Against Monsanto’ Movement was started in February.
There are also arguments that genetically-modified crops can harm the environment. (Courtsey: Ganashakti)

Congratulations to Coal Workers for stopping disinvestment

27 Monday May 2013

Posted by in PSU

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

The decision of the government to disinvest to  an additional 10% of shares Coal India Limited have been put in cold storage, according to media reports. The government has been compelled to step back from disinvestment on the strong protests of the employees unions. The proposal was to disinvest stake which will get about Rs. 20,000 crore.  The five national federations of the coal workers have jointly opposed the move. They have also pointed out  the assurance of President Pranab Mukherjee, when he was the Finance Minister, that there will be no additional disinvestment of Coal India. Coal India is the biggest PSU with about 3.57 lakh employees.

My Hearty Congratulations to Com. Jibon Roy, leader of All India Coal Workers Federations and other  Federations in Coal India for their success in thwarting the government’s disinvestment plan.

 

 

PRIVATE TELCOS INCREASE MOBILE CALL RATES

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by in Telecom

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

Reliance has increased the rates for mobile calls to  2 paise per second  from the present 1.5 paise  for both the CDMA and GSM pre-paid connections.

Vodafone, Airtel , Idea Cellular and Tata Teleservices have already raised the rates to 2 paise months back. The charges are being increased, according to the companies, to avoid losses.

Within no time, all private players may increase the rates. Now that they have about 86% of the market share together, they need not be worried, while increasing rates.

Such more moves are expected in the future. If the PSUs, BSNL and MTNL were in a better position, these private companies would never have dared to increase the rates. BSNL and MTNL continues with the 1 paise per one second.