10 Sunday Nov 2013
The super typhoon that hit Philippines have destroyed towns and villages completely which were in its way. More than 10,000 people are reported to have been killed by the ferocity of the typhoon. This is one of the most severe typhoon in several decades.
We join in the sorrow of the Philippines people in their great loss.
10 Sunday Nov 2013
Posted in BSNL News
Tags
FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS OF NON-EXECUTIVES AND EXECUTIVES, NEW DELHI
10th November 2013
Dear Comrade Prahlad Rai,
I am very much thankful for your kind invitation to me to attend and address the IV All India Conference of AIBSNLEA to be held at Nashik from 10th to 12th November 2013. In fact, I have earlier intimated that I will be attending the opening session on 10th as required by you.
In between, I was hospitalised for viral fever and though discharged from the hospital, am not in a position yet to travel and attend your AIC. Hence, I may be excused for my inability to come and attend your August Conference. I am really missing meeting the delegates from all over the country and the function itself.
As all of us are aware, BSNL is in a big crisis, with posting of loss for the last four consecutive years. From the First Telecom Company position in India, it has now gone to the fourth/fifth position, though it still leads in Landlines and Broadband services. The downfall has come mainly due to the anti-PSU policies of the government and the non-professional top management. Of course, the executives and non-executives are also responsible to a certain extent. These issues have been discussed in the Forum several times. It was only through sustained struggles and demands by the Forum and the Unions/Associations that the management was compelled to procure at least some equipment and lines to continue with the service. We can take pride that the unions/associations in BSNL have risen to the occasion to defend the organisation and for a better service.
But this is not sufficient. A massive campaign among the workers as well as the people is required to convince them the necessity of the survival of BSNL for the benefit of the people and the nation. The private telecom companies, the corporate houses and the government itself with its neo-liberal policies have planned and are still on the move to privatise BSNL as has already been done in the case of case of VSNL (which is now Tata Telecommunications). Success of any such ill-motivated move will result in cartelization and high charges on the customers in addition to serious security risks for the country. All these have to be exposed to the people who are the real masters.
The massive National Convention on “Revival of BSNL” held at Mavlankar Hall, New Delhi on 3rd August 2013 and the Declaration adopted therein have given a clear strategy to be implemented for the survival of BSNL. Similar Conventions should be held at Circle/SSA levels and wide propaganda given to the issues and our decisions.
The Forum CHQ has already approached about 100 important Members of Parliament, belonging to various parties, including many Ministers for pressurizing for a policy change of the government and full support to BSNL. The Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL have been specially approached for their support. All the Chief Ministers in the country have been addressed for their support by mandating that BSNL service should be ensured in all government departments and PSUs. All the CGMs of BSNL has been addressed for their full co-operation and co-ordination. Leaders of Unions/Associations in PSUs, Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers, AIRF, NFIR, AIBEA, BEFI, AIIEA etc., in addition to leaders of Central Trade Unions like INTUC, AITUC, BMS, HMS, CITU etc. have also been approached. It is necessary that our campaign should make the revival of BSNL and providing a better service to the nation, an important national issue.
In this connection, the Associations of the Executives, who belong to the middle management, have a great responsibility. And I am glad to place in writing that the executive associations have really contributed much to the improvement of the services. AIBSNLEA has always in the forefront of the struggles to save BSNL.
On the occasion of the All India Conference of AIBSNLEA being held at Nashik, I convey my Best Wishes for the success of the Conference and fruitful decisions. Please convey my Warm Greetings to all the delegates and participants on my own behalf as also on behalf of the Forum.
Yours Fraternally,
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener, Forum.
To
Com. Prahlad Rai,
General Secretary, AIBSNLEA.
09 Saturday Nov 2013
CITU EXTENDS SUPPORT TO UNITED COUNTRYWIDE STRUGGLE OF AIRPORT EMPLOYEES
AGAINST PRIVATISATION OF AIRPORTS
24.10.2013
The Centre of Indian Trade Unions extends total support to the ongoing united struggle by the employees of Airport Authority of India against the retrograde move of the Govt to hand over 20 major airports of the country to private players on a revenue sharing basis.
The Joint Forum of Unions and Associations of AAI comprising all the unions of AAI employees have been conducting the struggle. They have successfully resisted the inspection of airports by the team of private players at Chennai and Lucknow and have now been staging relay hunger strike in all the AAI-run airports of the country where employees irrespective of affiliations have joined enmasse. Their struggle has also drawn support from all the trade unions in the country who have also expressed their solidarity to the ant-privatisation struggle by AAI employees. In the days to come their united agitation to resist the privatisation is going to be heightened further.
The Govt of India has planned to privatise 20 major revenue earning airports of the country through so called PPP route viz. the airports at Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Guwahati, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Coimbatore, Trichy, Varanasi, Indore, Amritsar, Udaipur, Gaya, Raipur, Bhopal, Agartala, Imphal, Mangalore and Voadodara on a revenue sharing basis. Most of these airports have already been modernized and expanded with huge investment from the state owned AAI’s exchequer, to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore plus and now these readymade renovated airports are being sought to be handed over to private control free of cost on a revenue sharing basis. Can there be anything more scandalous than that?
CITU condemns such retrograde move of handing over huge public property to private hands free of cost to facilitate windfall gain by private operators without making any investment whatsoever and likes to remind that theses public properties belong to the nation and not the council of ministers of the UPA Govt.
CITU calls upon the working people of the country and the trade union movement in particular to unitedly oppose such disastrous move of privatization of airports and extend all support and solidarity to the united struggle of the AAI employees in defence of country’s airport infrastructure.
09 Saturday Nov 2013
Posted in General
Tags
The Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Government of India vide its No. 9(10)2012-E-II(B) dated 13th October 2013 has intimated Shri M.Krishnan, Secretary General, Confederation of the Central Government Employees and Workers to his letter dated 26-09-2013 that the final report of the Census 2011 has not been released by the office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India and revision of classification of cities/towns can only be initiated on receipt of the final population figures of the Census 2011.
The census was completed in 2012 and the report released. But still the upgradation of cities has not been undertaken. The HRA is usually paid prospectively only. This means that the central government employees will be losing the higher HRA due to the delay in the finalisation of the population figures. This undue delay has to be cut short by immediate announcement of the final population figures.
09 Saturday Nov 2013
Posted in General
Tags
The Chief justice of India, P.Sathasivam has rightly stated that justice is still a cynical phrase for the common man in India. Despite many efforts being made to accessible to the common man, it is felt that the interest of the litigant goes unnoticed in the ‘typhoon’ of legal proceedings, the CJ continued. He was speaking on the occasion of the National Legal Service Day, being observed today.
It is reported that the senior most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice G.S.Singhvi also supported the CJ, stating that justice remains an illusion for millions of poor people.
The details of the speeches of the Justices are also reported in the press.
These are the sentiments and experiences of the vast majority of the ordinary people and the working class. Where the accused are powerful persons, including politicians, business people, goondas and anti-social elements, they escape justice using money power and influence. The record of convictions in such cases are minimal.
The poor litigants face harassment from the police station onwards and are threatened with dire consequences if the complaints against powerful people are not withdrawn. In front of senior advocates, paid lavishly by the accused, evidences are all faded and the culprits are let off. The ruling parties are influencing the CBI and other investing agencies to suit their purposes. In the end Justice is denied or delayed. It is almost impossible for the litigant to get justice unless there is an organised movement behind him.
What the Honourable Justices have stated are naked facts. But what the legal system and the government are going to change this sad situation.
The people and the progressive movements in the country have to take up the issue with all earnestness and compel the rulers and courts to ensure justice to the poor and the toiling masses.
09 Saturday Nov 2013
Posted in General
Tags
It seems that the nature has become furious, in the past few years. The news of continuous cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons etc. in one part of the world or the other are being reported frequently. The international organisations concerned has finalised names for these cyclones in advance and is used whenever a new cyclone/hurricane is arriving. Katrina, Phailin – the names goes like that.
The latest is the Typhoon Haiyan, which has hit the Philippines with savage force. 100 people are reported killed immediately. Further loss of lives are feared.
More than 7.5 lakhs people were forced to flee their homes to save themselves. The winds blew at 235 Kph ( 147 mph) with 275 kph speed on landing. This has been one of the strongest storms that had hit the Philippines for decades.
Odisha, AP and W.Bengal coastal areas have been hit by the Phailin cyclone a few backs back resulting in death and massive destruction. The death could be reduced due to massive evacuation. The tragic experience of Tsunami, which killed thousands have alerted all governments for the evacuation requirement.
But why these continued hurricanes, cyclones, Typhoons etc. one after another, which is unprecedented? Is it because of the global warming or any other unexpected or unexplained change in the rotation of the world or moving of the plates inside the globe. And is there any way to find out earlier and stop these natural calamities?
08 Friday Nov 2013
Posted in PSU
Today, 8th November 2013, along with my wife Pankajam, I went to the Parliament Street Branch of the State Bank of India (SBI), New Delhi, to submit the yearly Life Certificate for her for getting pension. She is retired from BSNL and had authorised SBI for pension payment.
Every year we used to go to Calicut, Kerala, in November to furnish the Life Certificate to the SBI Branch there, since the PPO, Pass Book etc. are there only. Since I had been hospitalised and is still not in a position to travel, I checked up with the Calicut SBI office whether my wife can furnish the certificate in Delhi. They informed that the Life Certificate can be furnished in any Branch of the SBI in India. I felt happy.
Though still feeling very weak after the viral fever, I along with my wife went to the SBI Main Branch in the Parliament Street, New Delhi to submit the Life certificate. The car was first not allowed to get inside the compound, but when I told my difficulty in walking, they allowed.
We went to Counter No. 13, which was dealing with the Pension section. There were a few old people in the queue, who have also come to furnish the certificate. When I told about our problem, the woman at the counter assured that the certificate can be furnished here itself. Very efficiently she filled up the form consulting the Pass Book of my wife and got the signature wherever required. Then we went to the next woman staff, who checked the form, checked the Identity Card and then got a signature of my wife in front of her. Then she told that the Life Certificate is now furnished. Within a few minutes, the process was over and all the staff were much helpful and obliging. It was not to us alone, but the same treatment was given to all other pensioners also.
When coming back from the counter and going down the steps to go outside the building, we saw another old couple coming to the counter by starting to climb the steps. The old man was so weak and ill, that even with the crutches, he could not climb the steps. The security nearby told him to sit in a chair nearby, which we all helped him to sit. The security went inside and brought the counter clerk and arranged for the furnishing of the certificate. When I enquired, if any pensioner is not able to come due to sickness, what the bank will do? One retired officer of the SBI, who was nearby, told me that in such cases, the staff will be sent from the office to their home to get the certificate furnished.
So much change is taking place in the service sector. I appreciate the excellent service that a Public Bank like SBI, is providing to the customers. This is the need of the hour.
I thank the Staff and management of the SBI for this welcome change. I also congratulate the SBI Unions, which of course, will be behind this best service to the public!
08 Friday Nov 2013
Mulayam Singh Yadav, Supremo of Samajwadi Party, has stated that the next government at the centre will be formed by the Third Front. He also stated that the recent convention of 17 parties has put a base for the same.
The question of the third front has started coming up again and again. But what is the reality?
08 Friday Nov 2013
Tags
There was always doubt about the death of Yasser Arafat, the revolutionary leader of the Palestine people. It was rumoured that he was poisoned by Israel, but there was no evidence.
But new evidences have been found. After thorough examination, it is reported that Arafat was poisoned by Polonium, a strong poison, even a small particle of which will be able to kill a person gradually after destroying all internal organs. Its icotops have been found out in the body of Arafat. Polium can only be artificially made and with out the support of any government it can not be done.
The doubt that Israel, arch enemy of Palestine and Yasser Arafat might have poisoned Arafat has strengthened now.
07 Thursday Nov 2013
Posted in Telecom
It is reported that the DoT has already recommended to widen the scope of functioning of the Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) to make it a full fledged telecom service company. BBNL was formed for the purpose of operation of the NOFN project. According to the reports, the DOT has recommended that the CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) of BBNL coming to Rs. 3750 crore will be from the USO Fund while the Opex (Operational Expenditure) will be borne by the Rural Development Ministry. If the Telecom Commission accepts the proposal, then it will be submitted to the Cabinet.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 