Monthly Archives: August 2013

What is PIN Code? When it started?

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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PIN means Postal Index Number. PIN is used to identify the exact location of the Post Office to which address a letter is posted or is sent from. This helps the Postman to deliver the mail to the correct address.
There are nine PIN zones in India, including eight regional zones and one functional zone (for the Indian Army). The first digit of the PIN code indicates the region. The second digit indicates the sub-region, and the third digit indicates the sorting district within the region. The final three digits are assigned to individual post offices.
The PIN code system was started on 15th August 1972. The Department of Posts are very strict that all mails should clearly mention the PIN code so that the same can be delivered to the correct address with out delay.

Greetings on Independence Day!

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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Tomorrow, 15th August 2013, is the 66th Anniversary of the Independence Day. It was on 15th August 1947 India won Independence from the British imperialism, which ruled India for about two centuries. The British rulers exploited and looted India to the maximum and took away thousands of valuables and riches. It was only through sustained struggles by the people of India that compelled them to leave India. The post- II World War, which left Britain and other imperialist rulers weak and vulnerable and the rise of the Soviet power all together compelled India to leave, but they manipulated and divided India in to two.
Freedom is fundamental right of the countrymen. India has grown amongst the world nations and also advanced. But at the same time the poverty continues high, while the rich becomes richer. All the Five Year Plans and other development programmes have benefitted the higher ups.
A change for the better should come. Not only political freedom, but freedom from hunger and other wants also should become real. On this Independence Day, let us pledge to improve the hard condition of those have-nots.

BSNL Management, Better Think Again!

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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The casual/contract workers in BSNL Kerala Circle is on strike from 12th August on certain demands raised by them including implementation of social security measures like EPF, ESI etc. Despite the service being severely affected due to the participation of large number of workers in the strike, the management is adamant and has not started any discussion with their union. When the leaders of BSNLEU, the recognised union, contacted the CGM BSNL Kerala Circle, they were advised not to take up the issue of the contract workers, stating that the management has got no connection with the contract workers and it is only the contractor who is responsible for the payments etc.
The CGM Kerala Circle, better think again! The Government of India Acts and also the Orders issued by the CMD BSNL, clearly stipulates the role of the management. If the contractor does not implement the orderss, the management, the Principal Employer, is fully responsible for getting the orders implemented. The Labour Ministry orders provide even for imprisonment, if the provisions of the labour Acts are not implemented. It is also better to remember that the BSNL management in certain circles had to pay crores of rupees to the EPF as arrears of the Provident Fund of the contract workers.
Instead of taking an adamant stand, the circle BSNL Management should discuss the issues with BSNLEU and the union of the striking workers and reach early settlement, failing which the services will suffer, the full responsibility of which will lie with the management. Being a partner in the exploitation of the contract workers is not the role of a responsible management.

State Convention of Forum at Trichur (Kerala)

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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The massive gathering at the State level Convention of Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Kerala held at Trichur on 13th August was a clear indication of the interest and determination of the Kerala BSNL employees to strengthen BSNL and further improve it’s services to the people.
The Convention held at the spacious Town Hall was as per the decision of the National Convention on “Revival of BSNL” held at Mavlankar Hall New Delhi on 3rd August 2013, which adopted a Declaration, which analysed the reasons for the present declining position of BSNL and suggested ways and means to improve the financial position of the company as also to improve the services. It had pointed out that the reasons for the decline is the neo-liberal anti-PSU policy of the government, its non-honouring of the commitments assured at the time of formation of BSNL and the inefficiency of the top management. It also pointed out the necessity of more commitment and initiative on the part of the employees.
The Convention at Trichur was presided by Com. George verghese, Circle Secretary, SNEA. Com.K.Mohanan, Circle Secrtary BSNLEU and Convener, Forum and Com. Gopalakrishnan, DS BSNLEU Trichur welcomed all.
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, National Convener, Forum delivered the Key Address and explained all the important points of the Declaration adopted at the National Convention. He congratulated the Kerala employees who continued to ensure profit to BSNL, despite heavy odds.
The Central trade union leaders Shri T.V.Chandra Mohan (INTUC), Com. M.M.Verghese (CITU), Com.T.V.Ramachandran (AITUC), Shri V.Radhakrishnan (BMS), Com. Davis (CITU) as also Circle leaders Coms. P.V.Dharmadas (NFTE), Kochu Devasya (FNTO), T.K.Mangalanandan (AIBSNLEA), Thulasidharan Pillai (BTEU BSNL), Ramakrishnan (SEWA BSNL), U.Preman (TEPU) and T.V.Rajivan Nair (BSNLMS) and other leaders spoke.
The decisions of the convention was announced by Com.K.Mohanan, Convener of the Forum. It included organising SSA level conventions, meeting the central trade unions, M.P.s etc.
The Convention was a big success. It was the first state level convention as per the decision of the National Convention. Hearty Congratulations to the Kerala Comrades!

A young comrade who was jailed in the 1960 Strike.

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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1960 Strike of the Central Government employees was really historic. It was the first of the big strikes in India after Independence. It is difficult for the new generation to understand how inhumanly and brutally the five days strike was suppressed by the Government declaring it as ‘Civil Rebellion’. It was to crush the strike that the government promulgated the ‘Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance’ for the first time. Thousands were arrested and jailed, including those outsiders who supported the strike. Tens of thousands were dismissed, suspended and terminated. Heavy punishments were imposed after conducting shabby Rule 14 proceedings. Transfers were in lakhs. Independent India has never seen such state brutality before. Employees were treated as enemies of the country.
I had my own hard experience. Though less than two years of service, when the strike took place from 11th July 1960, I was the local leader of the telecom employees at Kannur, Kerala, where I was posted. We were mostly juniors, many of whom were later entrants than me with 3 to 6 months service. Once the strike started, we were all compelled to go underground to escape arrest.
But despite all precautions, many were arrested, for participation in the strike. The police wanted me to arrest being the local office-bearer of the union. But, instead, they arrested Com.M.N.N.Namboodiri, who was only having about three to six months service’ on the misunderstanding that it was me. He was presented before the Magistrate. When the Magistrate found out that he was not V.A.N.Namboodiri, he offered him to release and attend the office. But the young man told the court that he was on strike on the call of the union and he was not going back for duty unless the union says so. The Magistrate got angry and immediately issued judgement punishing him for six months rigorous imprisonment and he was sent to jail. He was in jail for about 15 days. By the time, the strike was over and he was released on bail.
The young brave comrade was reinstated later, passed ESP examination and got promotion and went to Bombay. He retired from Trichur as DE. On 30th June 1996, the day I retired, I got a call from him informing that he has also retired on the same day.
When I came to Trichur, after much difficulty his number was found out, and called him on his land-line. He was glad to speak to me. We spoke for some time, remembered the good times, enquired about health etc. When asked him why has no mobile free connection which he is entitled, he said there was no necessity and hence not taken. Fair enough.
So after about 18 years since retirement, I got the chance to speak him again, though could not meet. I will meet certainly meet him next time I come to Trichur, the comrade who went to jail, instead of me, who was brave enough to face jail sentence for going on strike.
Now some of our employees are worried about loss of salary for going on strike, but thousands of employees like Com. MNN Namboodiri did not even fear imprisonment for implementing the call of the union.
These are the shining examples of courage and commitment to the cause!

A meeting with a senior comrade.

14 Wednesday Aug 2013

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It was a rare opportunity to meet an old comrade, who led the movement for a long period and had to face much victimisation during his service in DOT.
When I had gone to attend the National Convention on “Revival of BSNL” at Trichur, Kerala, I utilised the opportunity to meet Com. M.R.Chandran, a committed comrade and leader of the P&T workers. After the Convention, I went to his residence, which was near the Railway Station. He was waiting for me at the road side. We walked to his home.
Com.M.R.C., as he is fondly called, entered P&T in 1956 and retired in 1994. He participated in the 1960 strike, was suspended and later was transferred to the high ranges. He narrated to me the difficulties he had to face during the period, which I will post later. During the 1968 and all the strikes and activities afterwards, he took a leading role. He mainly focussed his work in the then Line- Staff Union.
Now he is actively participating in the Pensioners Movement, both in CGPA and AIBDPA. Despite certain health problems, he is very active at the Pensioners front. We chatted for about an hour on the pensioners’ issues and other connected matters. His wife brought tea and biscuits which I enjoyed.
He accompanied me till the Railway Station and bade good-bye. I hope that he will continue his union activities for many more years. Thank you Com. MRC.

British gets Diwany from Mughal Empire Shah Alam

12 Monday Aug 2013

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August 12th is very important to the British Rule in India. It was on this day in 1765, that the Mughal Emperor Shah Alam granted the Diwany of Bengal, Behar (Bihar) and Orissa to the British. This gave the British a great advantage.

The Plassey War in 1757 in which siraj-ud-Daulah was defeated, the 1765 Diwany from Mughal Emperor and the suppression of Sepoy Mutiny ( First War of Independence ) of 1857 are some of the important years of British consolidation of their empire in India.

Unions Oppose proposal to change of EPS to NPS

11 Sunday Aug 2013

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PTI
New Delhi, Aug 11 Trade unions have decided to oppose finance ministry’s proposal to offer the New Pension System (NPS) to the retirement fund body EPFO’s subscribers who are covered under Employees’ Pension Scheme-1995 (EPS-95).

The Finance Ministry has said the NPS scheme provides better returns than EPS-95 run by the Employee’s Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) at present.

“Whenever this proposal will be taken up in the trustees’ meet, we will oppose it,” Hind Mazdoor Sabah Secretary and member of the EPFO’s apex decision making body, Central Board of Trustees, A D Nagpal told PTI.

Another Trustee and President of Indian National Trade Union Congress G S Reddy said, “We want to continue with the EPS-95 scheme. We don’t want to give any such option to subscribers.”

Another trustee and All India Secretary of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh ,Virjesh Upadhyay, also opposed it and said,”This has not come to us for discussion. But we will certainly oppose this.”

Earlier, disagreeing with the proposal, EPFO has already written a letter to the Labour Secretary explaining its position.

Financial Services Secretary has put up the proposal for NPS before the Labour Secretary.

“If we take the return of EPS as indicative return on the fund managed under EPS, then the annualised return for the period May 2009 to May 2013 will be 10.47 per cent, which on the face of it is higher than the return declared by NPS in its scheme for central government”, EPFO has said

Finance Ministry has written to the Labour Ministry saying: “The subscribers (of EPS) may be given an option to either remain with EPS or join NPS with the same contribution.”

The finance ministry has argued that NPS, which is self sustaining pension system, could be a good substitute for EPS and would be beneficial for subscribers as they would get decent returns and adequate pension wealth.

Moreover, the Finance Ministry said, “The government would be free from any open ended and financially unsustainable liability of EPS…”

Disagreeing with the contention, EPFO has said that EPS-95 provides social security for lower income group people in their old age. In addition, it also provides pension to widow, children and dependents in case of death of the subscriber.

Under the EPS scheme, many interim benefits are provided.

Subscribers can withdraw their contribution towards pension while withdrawing his or her EPF money. There is a lock in period of 15 years in NPS.

EPS’s corpus size stood at Rs 1.83 lakh crore as on March 31, 2013. Under the NPS, total corpus was at Rs 29,852 crore as on March 31, 2013 with a subscribers’ base of 47,70,507 members.

Currently central government employees are covered under the NPS while it is also available for individuals opting for it.

Kerala Convention of Forum on 12th August at Trichur

11 Sunday Aug 2013

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As per the decision of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, State Conventions are to be held on the line of the National convention to focus on the “Revival of BSNL.” Kerala Circle has taken the initiative and the State level Convention on “Revival of BSNL” will held at Trichur on 13th August. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, National Convener, Forum will attend the Convention.

Other circles are also planning their Conventions to be held at the earliest.

Welcome to Com. P.Abhimanyu, GS, on return frm Japan Tour.

11 Sunday Aug 2013

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Com. P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU, who was on a visit to Japan to attend functions at Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the anniversaries of the Atomic Bombing of the two cities by the US on 6th and 9th August 1945 respectively has returned today and joined CHQ.
We welcome him back to CHQ!