Monthly Archives: October 2013

Meeting of Bharat Central Pensioners Confederation

19 Saturday Oct 2013

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Meeting of the Working Committee of BCPC
A meeting of the available members of the Working committee of BCPC was held at 13-C, Feroze Shah Road, New Delhi on 19th October 2013. Shri S.C.Maheswari presided. On behalf of AIBDPA Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor attended.
The meeting considered the resignation of Shri S.S.Ramachandran from the post of Chairman and accepted the same with reluctance. Shri S.C.Maheswari, Secretary General, Bharat Pension Samaj, was unanimously elected as the new Chairman, BCPC.
Shri D.Balasubramanian, General Secretary All India Federation of Pensioners Association, Chennai and a representative to be decided by the National Federation of Railway Pensioners Palakkad may be elected Vice-Chairmen of BCPC.
The next AGM may be held soon after Holi at New Delhi, the date for which will decided later.
The Draft Terms of Reference for the VII Central Pay Commission with respect to Pensioners were discussed and finalised in the meeting. In addition to general demands, it was mentioned that these recommendations should apply to all Central Government Pensioners, Ex-Servicemen, Pensioners of those PSUs like Prasar Bharati, BSNL, MTNL, FCI etc. constituted by absorbing the respective departmental employees.

BSNL reduces International Tariff, while Private Telcos increase

18 Friday Oct 2013

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This is the difference between PSUs and private companies. While the private companies. While the private telecom companies have started increasing their tariffs, BSNL, though in loss is reducing the same, for the benefit of the customers. See the PTI report below:

New Delhi, Oct 18 (PTI) State-run BSNL has launched
special tariff vouchers (STVs) wherein its customers would get over 75 per cent cheaper rates for making international calls.

The public sector firm has launched STVs in the range for
Rs 23 to Rs 41 for prepaid customers whereas postpaid users
have to pay a fixed monthly charge (FMC) of Rs 20 to Rs 40 to
avail the cheaper rates.

The company has divided the countries into four groups.
“BSNL is providing its customers the cheapest international call rates. It has launched STVs, which are offering ISD calls rates similar to the normal calls,” the company said in a statement.

With a STV of Rs 41, prepaid customers can call USA,
Canada and Singapore for Rs 1.49 per minute whereas the normal rate is Rs 6 per minute. Users can call China at Rs 1.49 per minute against the normal tariff is Rs 10 per minute.

Postpaid customers too can avail the same rates with a
FMC of Rs 40. The SMS tariff has been reduced to Rs 3 from Rs
5 per SMS. For countries including France, Germany and UK, the rate has been reduced to Rs 4.49 per minute as against Rs 6 with a STV of Rs 38 for prepaid users and FMC of Rs 35 for postpaid customers.

BSNL customers can call Bangladesh, Malaysia, Hong Kong
and Thailand at Rs 2.99 per minute with STV of Rs 27 as
against a normal price of Rs 10. For calling Australia, the rate has been reduced to RS 6.49 per minute with Rs 23 STV and a FMC of Rs 23 while SMS can be send for Rs 3.

Recently some players have increased international
calling rates by up to 80 per cent mainly due to the impact of depreciation.

A Social Revolution gaining momentum in T.Nadu

18 Friday Oct 2013

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There is an article in “People’s Democracy” in its September 30 – October 6 issue (last page), about the social revolution that is being brought in T.Nadu through the hectic efforts of the people under the leadership of the “Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front” (TNUEF). The movement has been functioning for a few years and could make a lot of change for removing untouchability and connected malpractices.

The present article reports about the Direct Action Programmes organised in various parts of T.Nadu on 30th September, the death anniversary of Com. B.Srinivasa Rao, who was a crusader against untouchability and atrocities against Dalits in T.Nadu.
Some of these Direct Action Programmes were the following:

1. Temple Entry for dalits: For about 100 years, dalits were not allowed to enter Chathiswaran Temple in Village of Erode District.As per announcement made earlier the TNUEF workers under the leadership of TNUEF President Comrade P.Sampath and other leaders marched to the temple. The administration has no other go but to allow the temple entry of dalits then and there.
2.In the same way Dalits under the leadership of TNUEF also entered Narayana Perumal Temple in Tirunelveli District.

3. Entry in to own Land: In Kudalingapuram in Dindigul District, patta was given to 48 Dalit families, but they were not allowed to occupy the land since it was not handed over. The TNUEF workers came in large numbers and the administration was compelled to hand over the land to the dalits.

4. Untouchability Gate demolished in Ooty: The gate blocking the entry of dalits to the public road at Gandhipuram, Ooty was demolished on 30th September and the road opened for the dalits under the leadership of TNUEF.

5. First time hair cuts for dalits: The dalits in Echenkottai village of Thanjavur District, were not allowed to have hair cuts in the village and they were compelled to go far away for the same. Further in the tea shops the ” two tumbler system” existed whereby the dalits were given separate tumblers for supplying tea in the shops. This system was put an end to after the TNUEF agitation and massive demonstration on 30th September. The dalits were allowed hair cuts also in the village.
6. Hair Cut allowed in Vadipatti town in Madurai District also in the same way for the first time after many years.

7. Bath in the Common tank by Dalits: Dalits were denied permission to take bath in the common tank in Muthulingapuram, in Virudhunagar. On 30th September, the dalits and TNUEF volunteers together went to the tank and took bath, breaking the years old system of denying bath to the dalits.

These developments are a great victory for the dalits and the people of T.Nadu. It is not an easy matter to break the caste barrier and get justice for the dalits. It is only through sustained struggles that the injustices could be removed. The TNUEF should be congratulated for the revolutionary task they have undertaken. The movement is getting more and more support from the people and we hope that it will be able to advance further for the cause of the dalits. My Hearty Congratulations to Com. Sampath, President TNUEF and thousands of its activists and supporters. Really, a turn around is coning in T.Nadu.
(For details see “People’s Democracy” September 30- October 06 issue)

NOFN network will be completed by 2014-15

18 Friday Oct 2013

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It was stated earlier that the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), which will be able to provide internet connectivity to about 2,50,000 villages, will be completed by 2012-13. But as per the latest input from DOT, it will have to wait till 2014-15. Since the work is being prolonged, the estimated allotment for the project may be increased from Rs. 20,000 crore to Rs. 25,000 crore.
In some countries like China, the projects are usually completed much before the time limit. But in India, it seems, that almost all projects take more time than the estimated time. Think about the Shivaji Stadium in Delhi, which was to be completed before the Common Wealth Games in Delhi. Even after more than 2 years, the work is yet to be fully completed.

United Forum Strike discussion today, 18th October

18 Friday Oct 2013

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The BSNL Management has intimated that discussion on strike issues will be discussed with the United Forum/ BSNLEU at 04.00 PM today, 18th October 2013. The leaders of the United Forum will participate in the discussions.

US Shut Down ends temporarily

17 Thursday Oct 2013

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AFP

Washington, Oct 17 : US President Barack Obama early this morning signed a bill into law to end a disruptive 16-day government shutdown and increase the current debt ceiling of USD 16.7 trillion to prevent the country from a debt default with potentially worldwide economic repercussions.
Obama signed into law, the “Continuing Appropriations
Act, 2014,” which provides fiscal year 2014 appropriations for projects and activities of the Federal Government through
Wednesday, January 15, 2014, White House Press Secretary Jay
Carney said in a statement in the wee hours today.

“The effective time for the continuing resolution begins on October 1, 2013,” Carney said, adding that the law also extends the Nation’s debt limit through February 7, 2014.

The signing of the bill came just in time to prevent an
imminent default as the US would have exhausted its borrowing
power by the end of today.

“This is good news for developing countries and the world’s poor. The global economy dodged a potential
catastrophe,” said World Bank President Jim Young Kim,
reflecting the sigh of relief that the international community now has after the passage of the bill by the Congress.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said looking
forward, it will be essential to reduce uncertainty
surrounding the conduct of fiscal policy by raising the debt
limit in a more durable manner.

Soon after Obama signed the legislation, the White House
Office of Management of Budget issued a notice to federal
agencies asking the furloughed employees to resume their
duties today.

“Today, the President signed a continuing resolution that
brings employees back to work and reopens many government
functions. All employees who were on furlough due to the
absence of appropriations may now return to work,” Sylvia M
Burwell, OMB Director, said in a memorandum.

Earlier, the Senate passed the legislation by 81-18
votes, while in the House of Representatives it was passed by
285-144 votes to end the government shutdown.

This means that the Democrats and the Republicans have a
few months time to come out with a lasting solution to their
sharp differences over budget issues, or else the country
could very well plunge into another political and economic
crisis as seen over three weeks.

Before the Senate and the House were to pass the legislation in quick succession, Obama had said he is willing to work with anybody to overcome this crisis.

Ministers praising Birla who is facing CBI enquiry

17 Thursday Oct 2013

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The cat is coming out of the box. The UPA Ministers, one after another is coming in support of Kumaramangalam Birla, who is facing CBI enquiry on the charges of criminal conspiracy and corruption charges in allotment of coal fields, along with former Coal Secretary P.C.Parakh.
What these Cabinet Ministers are saying?
“I can not fathom how a case of impropriety can be made against business icon Kumaramangalam Birla?” – Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma.
“Recent incidents will dampen business confidence and investment” – Minister of state Corporate Affairs Sachin Pilot.
“I do not agree with the way people’s names are dragged in to controversies” – Minister of State Telecom and Shipping Milind Deora
“We seem to have set out to turn the clock back to an era where profit was dirty word” – Minister Information and BroadcasTing Manish Tewari.

These are real threatening words to the CBI. The above are Ministers in the UPA government who have got maximum influence in the party and the government.This is a warning to the CBI not to prove the case further. Further they very well know that as in the case of 2G scam, this coal scam also will move towards the Prime Minister.
Another aspect of the sayings is that it is not wrong to use any method to maximise the profits of the corporates; it is their right to increase their profits in any way and nobody can question them.
These are all known to the people; but now it has openly been admitted by the top leaders of the UPA government themselves. Have they forgotten the often said words – ” Justice will take its own Course”.
Post Script: The Coal secretary P.C.Parakh has openly stated that ” If CBI thinks I am wrong, then PM is also equally responsible” ” That there is the approval of the PM is on file. It is not oral”. But has the CBI got the guts to question PM?

Russians want Communism Back

17 Thursday Oct 2013

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I am reproducing a paper report below, which shows that the Russians want Communism back. Russian People are realising the benefits of Communism at this juncture.

October 13, 2013 About 60 percent of Russians believe there were more positive than negative aspects to life in the former Soviet Union, an opinion poll suggests.
Of the 1,000 people whom Russia’s Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) interviewed by telephone in a survey last month, 14 percent said the word communism had percent “very pleasant,” “positive” or “wonderful” connotations for them and 12 percent said they were nostalgic about the Soviet era.
Communism was just a thing of the past for 11 percent, but the same proportion believed communism meant good and stable life.
To 7 percent, the word communism gave a sense of “disgust” or “sad associations” or meant “something negative” generally.
For 5 percent, it stood for dreams of a “radiant future” that had never come true (“it’s a great pity that we never came to see it”).
Asked by pollsters to explain the meaning of the word communism, 23 percent said that for them it meant a just society where everyone is equal and all property is common.
For 9 percent, the word primarily stood for a specific economic and social system, while for 8 percent it represented a life better than today’s (“we were better off, people were taken better care of,” and “people were more plain and life was more plan as well”).
Six percent said communism represented good and stable life for them, and praised the official Soviet era principle “From each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.”
Five percent dismissed communism as a utopia or fairytale.
Respondents were also asked to explain what they might see as positive and negative aspects of the Soviet system.
In response, 33 percent credited it with good social security guarantees, stability and good care of people, 14 percent said it had been a system of justice and social equality, 9 percent said the Soviet Union was a land of rule of law and discipline, 7 percent praised the country’s guaranteed employment, and another 7 percent claimed that people were more willing to help each other then than they are today.
On the other hand, 9 percent criticized Soviet-era restrictions on rights and liberties, 7 percent accused the Soviet system of suppressing personal individuality, another 7 percent said shortages of basic consumer goods were that system’s main defect, 6 percent slammed abuse of authority in that period and 5% condemned the repressive rule in the Soviet Union.
By and large, 59 percent of respondents believed there were more positive than negative aspects to communism. In that category, 69 percent were people aged 60 or more and 47 percent people aged between 18 and 30.
Moreover, 43 percent would have welcomed Russia’s re-adopting the communist ideology, 38 percent were not happy with the idea, and 19 percent were undecided on this point.VIDEOS

17th October – A Historic Day for the Indian Communists

17 Thursday Oct 2013

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Yes, 17th October is a historic day for the Indian Communists.The Communist Party of India was formed on 17th October 1920 at Tashkent. It was in a secret meeting that the same was formed outside India territory.
Communist Movement in India has completed 94 years.It was persecuted by the British, and then by the Government of free India also. But it had remained in the field and grown, though not to the extent required.
On this day My Greetings to all the Comrades of the Communist movement! Also we remember all those martyrs who fought for the upliftment of the people and sacrificed themselves for the great cause.

Congratulations to Odisha Comrades

16 Wednesday Oct 2013

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The reports receiving from Odisha Circle is welcome. In the post-cyclone situation, the BSNL Management and staff together are making all out efforts to restore the Communications in the state. Our Greetings and Congratulation to the BSNL fraternity for their best efforts.
BSNL got appreciations from the people of Uttarakhand for the restoration work after the massive landslides and floods and devastation in the state. Now the people of Odisha also will be appreciating the efforts of the BSNL to restore the services.
OUr thanks to the Unions leaders and workers also for their best efforts.