Monthly Archives: November 2013

Left Parties Protest against Snatching away 0f Democratic Rights

30 Saturday Nov 2013

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Thousands of people joined in the sit-in protest to condemn snatching of democratic rights of the people in the state for over past two and a half year. At the call of Left Front, the protest held at the Rani Rasmani Road near Esplanade, Kolkata which started at 1 PM and continued till 5 PM. Biman Basu, Surjya Kanta Mishra and other Left Front leaders were present in the sit-in protest.

The Left Front had organized a public meeting at the same place to propagate its agenda of protest where Biman Basu, the Chairman of the Left Front committee, while presiding over the public meeting had condemned the state sponsored attack on Democratic rights.

The sit-in and the public meeting avowed the rejection to the state government’s policy of curbing democratic space in all possible way. The protest movement took score of the age of anarchy in the educational sector that has been observed by the ruling party and its agents from the day of coming in to being of the TMC government. The growing number and magnitude of attacks on women of this state has already put the question of social security of women at high alert. Yet the state government is observing uninterrupted inaction to address or settle those alarming issues. On the contrary their agents are sometime being vocal to make women themselves feel as guilty as if they are the one who are to behave themselves to stop this social degeneration. The leaders and activists present at this protest movement condemned the killing of the student leader Sudipto Gupto in police custody and rejected the state governments fabricated trials to misinterpret the murder as an accident. The distress tale of democracy in this state has more chapters as the people of this state are compelled to witness a spine-chilling reign of terror that has been unleashed by the ruling party and accordingly supported and supplemented by the state administration. Numerous events of false cases against left activists and leaders are being charged upon every now and then where from the day this government has took office, the people have witnessed 138 of left leaders, activists got murdered and no one was arrested or faced police probe. The Saradha scam had ruined many people of their hard-earned savings yet the state government has not filed a single case against the convict of this scam. Names of ruling party leaders and even the CM have always been attached with the fraud cheat-fund company Saradha, even when a ruling party Member of the Parliament is arrested by the police administration the names of other leaders and even the CM have come up once again. It is visibly impossible for any state controlled institution to observe neutral probe of this case, hence the demand of CBI probe on the Saradha scam case echoed at this protest again and again.

The leader of the Opposition of West Bengal Assembly Surjya Kanta Mishra and other Left Front leaders were present at the sit-in protest and they addressed in the public meeting and took score of all aspects of anti-democratic installations being observed in this state.

Issues for presentation by Forum in Awareness meeting.

30 Saturday Nov 2013

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Issues for Presentation by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations in the meeting with the CMD BSNL on 30th November 2013

(1) Procurement of equipment like Broadband Modem, Cables, Mobile lines etc.
While BSNL C.O. intimates that equipment like Modem, Cables, Mobile lines, Jointing kits, drop wires etc. are purchased and available, the heads of SSAs are stating that the same are not available with them. This contradictory position is untenable. Adequate equipment should reach field level to provide connections and maintain them effectively.

(2) Providing new landline connections.
The reports from field level indicate that although people apply for new landline and Broad band connections, they are discouraged by field level management stating that it is not feasible to provide the same due to lack of cable lines in that area. In some SSAs, the registration for new connection is made, but one or two months afterwards, the waiting list is wiped out stating that there is no feasibility.

This position is completely unacceptable. The responsibility of BSNL is to register and provide new connections and maintain them effectively. Whatever has to be done in this matter has got to be done.

(3) Providing new connections in new colonies/flats
In all the towns/cities, new colonies are coming with hundreds of houses/flats. They require telephone connections, landline/mobiles. The private telecom companies are maximum utilizing this opportunity by laying cables to these colonies/flats and immediately providing connections. BSNL is far behind in this respect.

BSNL should aggressively take up this issue, which will help in increasing connections and revenue in a big way.

(4) Fresh Recruitment of Staff.
While more than one lakh thirty thousand non-executives had retired since formation of BSNL, the recruitment, except in the cadre of TTA, has been almost nil. This has adversely affected the maintenance of the telephones and efficiency. Fresh blood is required in any organization to grow. The average age of the non-executives has already reached more than 50 years and one can not expect maximum efficiency, though they are well experienced.

Fresh recruitment in the non-executive cadres has to be taken on a fast-track basis.

(5) Discontinue Telephone Advisory Committees (TAC)
In the present circumstances when the telecom services are not monopoly of the government and many competitors are in the field, there is no necessity for the Telephone Advisory Committees, unnecessarily spending a lot of money. BSNL Management should take up the matter with government to get the TACs discontinued.

(6) Maintenance of Batteries etc.
It is reported from many SSAs that the batteries which are very important for the maintenance of the exchanges and BTSs, are in bad condition resulting in break-downs. This need to be attended on a fast track basis.

(7) Circulation/ Propagation of BSNL Plans for Subscribers.
Except in very few circles and SSAs, the new plans and projects of the BSNL are not given publicity and the people are unaware of the same. Even in front of the Customer Service Centres in many places, such information are missing. This has got to be done in an aggressive way.

(8) Meeting the subscribers at his/her premises.
There is urgent need of majority of the officers /employees to be in the field, instead of sitting inside the offices. BSNL should not wait the people to come to it, but instead should reach to the people. Meeting the subscribers at his/her premises and getting feed back from them will go a long way in better customer relations and for solving the problems their problems satisfactorily.

(9) One Window System for dealing with customers.
Now the subscribers/customers are feeling difficulty in conveying their grievances and issues and in many places, they are asked to meet several officials/counters for the same. The subscriber feels harassed. In all the customer service centres and offices, One Window System should be arranged for the customers’ issues.

(10) Roll –out Plans for LTE / 4G.
At present, the 2G services are completely unsatisfactory as per reports received from the field. There is a lot to be improved. In addition, the LTE/3G/4G have to be rolled out in a big way.

(11) BBNL and Role of BSNL.
As per the reports in the media, BBNL is going to become a full fledged telecom company. It is not clear what will be the role of BSNL in BBNL in the new situation and what will be the impact on BSNL. BSNL should get the priority status in BBNL, instead of being a silent partner.

(12) Works Committee at SSA level.
BSNL Corporate Office has already directed regular holding of Works Committees at SSA level as demanded by the unions. Despite reminders from C.O. , many SSAs have not yet started the process.

The Works Committee meeting is intended to discuss about the developmental programme, increasing efficiency etc. The field level staff with their experience will be able to give good suggestions on the above issues. The management can explain the actual requirement from the staff. Such discussion followed by concrete action will be effective both on expansion, maintenance and better customer relations.

The Works Committee has to be extended to circle level also, where a higher form of discussion, considering the entire circle, can take place.

******
New Delhi V.A.N. Namboodiri
30.11.2013 Convener, Forum

BSNL Management calls Awareness Session

30 Saturday Nov 2013

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The BSNL Management conducted a Presentation and Awareness Session to the Unions/Associations in BSNL, today, 30th November 2013, to explain the action taken by the management on the expansion and development as also introduction new technologies etc. The meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the Bharat sanchar Bhawan, the BSNL Corporate Office, and continued from 1015 to 1500 hours.
The CMD Shri R.K.Upadhyay, Directors S/Shri A.N.Rai (Enterprises and HR), KCGK Pillai(Finance), N.K.Gupta (CFA) were present along with many senior officers of the Corporate office from the Management side. Shri Pillai, who is retiring from service today was given an affectionate farewell by the house. All the Unions /Associations of Non-Executives and Executives were invited to participate and attended.CMD presided over the function. On behalf of BSNL Employees Union Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President and P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary attended.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations at the time of the start of the meeting itself circulated the management and all participants the note on the points on which actions have to be taken by the BSNL Management for Revival of BSNL and for providing a Better Service to the customers. A copy of the Declaration on “Revival of BSNL” adopted at the National Convention of BSNL Workers held on 3rd August 2013 at New Delhi was also circulated. This was appreciated by the management as well as the unions/associations.
The Management has intended the meeting as a one sided Presentation on the various issues. The CMD, Directors, certain CGMs and GM (SR) and others spoke detailing the developmental and other matters and sought the support of the
unions and associations in the matter. The Power presentation was well appreciated by the participants.
On behalf of the unions/associations, Com. Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, at the close of the meeting wanted one or two similar meetings in December / January to present the views of the unions/ associations on the proposals of the management as also other points. This was agreed to.

The meeting was a good step in the right direction.The details of the issues presented in the meeting will be published later.

Do not make Aadhar compulsory – CPI(M)

29 Friday Nov 2013

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Palakkad (Ker), Nov 29 CPI(M) has asked the Centre to withdraw its decision to make Aadhaar cards compulsory for providing various benefits like cooking gas subsidy to people.

A resolution adopted by the state plenum of the CPI(M) here yesterday alleged that Aadhaar had been made compulsory by the Centre without having the backing of any parliamentary legislation and in disregard to the repeated rulings of the Supreme Court on the issue.

Though a bill was introduced in Parliament on the matter, the report of the Standing Committee to which it was referred had negated the salient provisions of the bill, it said.

“The decision of oil companies to make Aadhaar-linked bank account compulsory for cooking gas subsidy is unacceptable as only 25 per cent of the country’s population had so far obtained the Aadhaar card. This means that the vast majority of the people are anxious whether they would continue
to receive the benefits for which they are entitled,” it said.

The party alleged that it is part of the government’s neo-liberal policy of phasing out subsidies and welfare payments.

“The Government’s decision to set a time-frame for linking the benefits with Aadhaar has caused serious concern among the beneficiaries of various welfare schemes,” it said.

“The Government has been pressurising the people to open bank accounts and link them to Ahdaar card. Instead of allowing the people to open zero-balance accounts, many banks are insisting they should deposit Rs 500 to Rs 1000 to open the accounts”, the Resolution said.

An Exhibition of 150 years of Western Railway

29 Friday Nov 2013

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The Railways flagged off its first train in India on 16th April 1853 from Boribunder (the present Mumbai CST Station) to Tannah (present Thane).
The Western Railway( formerly BB&CI) is celebrating its 150th anniversary and they have arranged an exhibition at Church gate station. The exhibition will be worthwhile to see. But it is only for two days. Too short.

BALCO and Hindustan Zinc will now be fully sold

29 Friday Nov 2013

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The selling spree of PSUs by the Government continues at fast pace.
51% shares of BALCO and 65% of Hindustan Zinc have been sold to the Vedanta Group of Companies during the NDA period. there was sustained struggles against the sale of BALCO by its employees as also by the Central TUs. It was sold for a meagre amount of Rs. 551 crores to Sterlite ( which is now part of Vedanta), almost half of the market price. 65% of Hindustan Inc was sold for Rs. 750 crore in the same way.

Now the Government is proposing to completely sell the shares to the company and fully privatise. The Government expects to get about Rs. 20,000 crore through this sale. But that is doubtful since, it is a deal between the government and Vedanta and certainly the government will agree for lesser price.

It is not the question of the price alone. It is the question of handing over the nation’s wealth to private companies to maximise their profits. We strongly oppose the move to full sell the PSUs to the private.

Group of Ministers on Telecom will finalise M&A Norms

29 Friday Nov 2013

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The meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Telecom, which is scheduled to meet on 3rd December 2013 is expected to finalise the norms for Mergers & Acquisitions for the telecom industry. Now that the telecom situation in the country, the spectrum auction etc. is almost normalised, the chance for M&A have increased.
The Telecom Commission may put certain conditions for the M&A in connection with the % of assets of the merging company, the charges for the spectrum allocation etc. so that there is no discrimination between the single technology operator and the double technology operator. The former company may have only GSM or CDMA, while the latter will have both GSM and CDMA.

Contract Workers agitate in Maharashtra

29 Friday Nov 2013

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Contract Workers in Maharashtra Decide Long March

522 delegates, including large number of women, coming from deferent industries and centres in 11 districts of Maharashtra – Mumbai, Nashik, Aurangabad, Pune, Shindhu Durg, Nagpur, Satara, Thane, Sangali, Jalna and Raigad – attended a state level convention of contract workers under CITU banner on 26 October at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) township in Raigad district. The convention was presided over by CITU vice president K.L. Bajaj.

Inaugurating the convention, CITU general secretary Tapan Sen, MP explained various stages of struggles of the working class since early ‘90s against neoliberal policies especially referring to two nationwide workers agitation and strike in 2012 and in 2013, organized unitedly by all the central trade unions; and on the positive role of trade unions in Maharashtra in these. Tapan Sen demanded of UPA’s central and Congress-NCP’s Maharashtra state governments to settle the just demands of contract workers and effectively enforce law. CITU state general secretary Dr. D.L. Karad moved the convention resolution which recorded the acute and worsening problems of contract workers, appointed even in jobs in permanent and perennial nature of work; in violation of laws denying benefits like PF, ESIS, bonus, gratuity and minimum wages etc; denying the application of the principle of same wage for same work to the contract workers. The enforcement machineries of the state and central governments are helping the employers instead of taking actions against them for violation of labour laws.

5 Years Wage Settlement in Port & Docks w.e.f. 01-01-2012

29 Friday Nov 2013

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Wage Settlement for Port & Dock Workers
A wage settlement for port and dock workers was signed on 25 October in presence of the chief labour commissioner (central). On behalf of the workers, the members in the Bipartite Wage Negotiating Committee (BWNC) – 5 from All India Port & Dock Workers Federation (HMS), 2 from All India Port & Dock Workers Federation (Workers) (HMS), 2 from Indian National Port & Dock Workers Federation (INTUC), 2 from Water Transport Workers Federation of India (CITU) and 1 from Port, Dock & Waterfront Workers Federation of India (AITUC) signed the settlement.

Highlights of the Settlement: – (i) Duration of the settlement – 5 years effective from 1 January, 2012; (ii) Revised basic pay scales: Minimum Rs.13,500 – Rs.27,400; Maximum – Rs.23,600 – Rs.56,300 in 10 grades; (iii) Fitment in revised scale: existing basic-special pay-stagnation increment + VDA upto 198 points (57.14) + 10.5% of the aggregate; (iv) Rate of Annual Increment: 3% of the revised basic; Minimum – Rs.410 and Maximum – Rs.1690; (v) Dearness Allowance: 100% neutralization of quarterly average above 198 points of AICPI (2001=100) series; (vi) House Rent Allowance: Actual basic + stagnation increment – at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata – 30%; at Visakhapatnam, Cochin, New Mangalore and Mormugao – 20%; at Kandla, Tuticorin – 15% and Paradip and Haldia – 10%; (vii) Port Allowance: Increased by 10%; (viii) Additional benefits on regular promotion; (ix) Family planning allowance; (x) Transport Reimbursement: Rs.525 plus DA; For disabled persons double the rate; (xi) Children’s Education: Annual reimbursement upto Rs.15,000 per child with maximum for two children with automatic 25% rise with 50% DA rise. For disabled child double the limit. (xii) Washing: Increased to Rs.155 and special Rs.200 per month with 25% rise with 50% DA rise; (xiii) Design Allowance: Raised to Rs.500; (xiv) Women Child Care Leave: Maximum 2 years during entire service period upto 2 children. Central government’s order shall apply. (xv) Arrears Payment: Within 2 months; (xvi) Pension: Federations’ demand – subcommittee of BWNC will discuss.( Courtesy : Working Class – December 2013)