Monthly Archives: December 2013

Govt. proposes mandate to departments and PSUs to give preference to BSNL/MTNL

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

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It seems that the Central Government may accept one of the demands raised by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations in their Declaration demanding the Government to mandate to all departments and PSUs to get landline and mobile connections from BSNL/MTNL only. Reply given to a Parliament Question by the Minister of State for Communications Smt.Killi Kriparani hints towards this point.A press report in this connection is given below for details:

‘In a bid to enhance the revenues of BSNL and MTNL, the government has proposed that union ministries, public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies give preference to the services of the state-run telecom operators.

“Proposing preferential treatment to BSNL and MTNL services in Central Government Ministries/Central Government public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies to enhance the revenues earned by BSNL and MTNL,” Minister of State for Communications and IT Killi Kruparani said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

She said the government had constituted a group of ministers (GoM) on April 17, 2013 to recommend short term, medium term and long term measures for revival and revitalisation of BSNL and MTNL.

In a separate query, Kruparani said BSNL suffered a loss of Rs. 7,884 crores in 2012-13 whereas MTNL’s losses stood at Rs. 5,321 crores in the same period.

“The principal reasons for the rising losses of BSNL and MTNL are due to sharp decline in revenue and increase in expenditure,” she said on December 6.

She said the revenues of the state-run telecom PSUs are declining due to substitution of fixed wireline to mobile wireless, stiff competition in mobile wireless sector, payment towards 3G and broadband wireless access spectrum charges.

Decrease in average revenue per user in mobile wireless sector is also hitting the telecom operators’ revenues, she added.

“The principal reason for the increase in expenditure is mainly due to large legacy workforce as a result of which employee expenses are currently at around 50 percent of revenues for BSNL and 103 percent for MTNL,” she added.

She said the GoM had made recommendations for payment of pension to the employees of MTNL on the pattern of BSNL, surrender of BWA spectrum by BSNL in six service areas and MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai for which refund will be paid to the operators.

The GoM had also recommended waiver of unpaid portion along with the interest of notional loan of Rs. 7,500 crores given to BSNL as part of the capital structure of the company at the time of its formation.

“The above recommendations of the GoM are being taken to the Cabinet for approval,” she added’ (Courtesy : NDTV)

Homage to Com. KG Bose on 39th Death Anniversary

11 Wednesday Dec 2013

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11th December, every year, is observed as the death anniversary of Com.K.G.Bose, the Revolutionary leader who electrified the P and T and Central Government employees movement in the correct direction with progressive ideas. It was on 11th December 1974, at the age of 54 that Comrade K.G.Bose passed away in a London hospital after battling against the dreaded cancer.
It was under the leadership of Com. KG that the NFPTE movement came to age. He was dismissed in 1949 in connection with the proposed P and T employees strike and was never taken back. But he continued in the movement and was elected as the President of NFPTE in 1970. He was also elected as the President of the Postal Employees Union also. He took active role and leadership in the 1946, 1960 and 1968 strikes and was a leader of the Central Government Employees as well. He was one the founder Joint General secretaries of the mighty 12th July Committee in W.Bengal. He was elected as MLA and also functioned as a member of the Pay Commission for W.Bengal State Govt. employees.
All over India, the death anniversary was observed with meetings, paying homage to the departed leader.
In New Delhi a well attended meeting was held at KG Bose Bhawan, the building of BSNLEU dedicated to Com. KG at about 10.30 hours. A beautiful statue of Com.KG, donated by the W.Bengal Circle was unveiled in the KG Bose Bhawan by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President of BSNLEU.
In his inaugural speech Com.Namboodiri spoke in detail about the life and sacrifices of the revolutionary leader to advance the cause of the workers. He mentioned also his experience in working with com. KG. His slogan struggle for Unity and Unity for Struggle has been implemented by BSNLEU. He called upon the workers to dedicate their activities to the cause of the workers.
Com. Animesh Mitra, Dy.GS, BSNLEU welcomed the gathering. Coms. P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU, C.Singh, GS, NFTE, Islam Ahmed, President NFTE, R.K.Kohli, GS, NFTBE, K.G.Jayaraj, GS AIBDPA, Tapas Ghosh, GS, BSNLCCWF, R.P.Sharma, R.Govindaraj, CS, Chennai, H.S.Thakur, CS, MP, R.S.Chauhan, CS, NTR Delhi, Kamal Sah, CS, C.O., Jagdish, CHQ Org. Secretary and other leaders also addressed. Com. Swapan Chakroborty AGS gave vote of thanks.
The function was well arranged and the participants returned with added enthusiasm to continue their work.

Red Beacon for Constitutional Authorities and High Dignitaries only – Supreme Court

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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The Supreme Court has ordered that only constitutional authorities and high dignitaries identified by the government are only eligible to use the Red Beacon Lights in their vehicles. The SC has strictly that all others at present using red beacon should stop it forthwith. The SC also stated that ambulance, police etc. can use blue beacon.One moth time is given to the governments to implement the same.

The decision of the apex court is most welcome. At present, many persons who are not eligible are using the red beacon and speeding past with high sirens causing a lot of harassment to traffic.

The order has got to be strictly implemented.

Spectrum Prices approved by Cabinet.

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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The uncertainty over the auction price of the spectrum,airwaves, is over. The Cabinet yesterday approved the recommendations of the GoM, headed by Finance minister P.Chidambaram to fix the auction price.

Now the government will start the process of auction. It expects to get about Rs. 48,000 crores.

Nokia offers to pay Rs. 3,000 crore, instead of due tax of 21,153 Crore

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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The following case is a classic example of how the MNCs are dealing with the due tax to be paid by the to the Government of India.

The Income Tax Department has given notice to the mobile equipment manufacturing company NOKIA for an Income Tax of rs. 21,153 crores. The MNC has refused to pay stating that there is no tax to be paid and it will fight in the court. The company also stated that they are willing to close the case by paying a meagre amount of Rs. 3,000 crores, if the government agrees. Rs. 3,000 crore instead of Rs.21,153 crores!

A similar case is pending with Vodafone. It is to pay a tax of more than 12,000 crores. instead of paying it had gone to the court. The Finance Minister stated that negotiation can take place in the matter. In the same was negotiation may take with Nokia also.There is nothing wrong with negotiation. But what will happen with the UPA-II government is well known. The government will bends its knee before the MNCs and accept what they offer.

One the one side, the precious natural resources are sold to the corporates and MNCs for far less than their value and on the other hand even the due tax are not collected from them. It is not surprising that the Congress had to face ignominious defeat in the recent state assembly elections.

Nokia offers to pay Rs.3,000 crore Tax, while it owes Rs. 21,153 crores!

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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The following case is a classic example of how the MNCs are dealing with the due tax to be paid by the to the Government of India.

The Income Tax Department has given notice to the mobile equipment manufacturing company NOKIA for an Income Tax of rs. 21,153 crores. The MNC has refused to pay stating that there is no tax to be paid and it will fight in the court. The company also stated that they are willing to close the case by paying a meagre amount of Rs. 3,000 crores, if the government agrees. Rs. 3,000 crore instead of Rs.21,153 crores!

A similar case is pending with Vodafone. It is to pay a tax of more than 12,000 crores. instead of paying it had gone to the court. The Finance Minister stated that negotiation can take place in the matter. In the same was negotiation may take with Nokia also.There is nothing wrong with negotiation. But what will happen with the UPA-II government is well known. The government will bends its knee before the MNCs and accept what they offer.

One the one side, the precious natural resources are sold to the corporates and MNCs for far less than their value and on the other hand even the due tax are not collected from them. It is not surprising that the Congress had to face ignominious defeat in the recent state assembly elections.

2G Report by JPC – ” Fraud, Fabricated and Perverse Report” says Opposition

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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There were strong protests from the opposition against the arbitrary report on 2G Scam presented in Parliament by the Chairman of the JPC on Shri P.C.Chacko. Almost all the opposition party members in the Committee has opposed the report, which completely put the responsibility on Former Minister A.raja. The demand of the opposition to examine Prime Minister and Finance Minister who were also part of the decision making in the matter was rejected by the Chairman. Even the demand for examining A.Raja, who himself volunteered for examination, was rejected by the Chairman, well knowing that such an examination will certainly involve the PM and FM.
In rejecting the opposition party members in the JAC, the Chairman had violated rules as also conventions. The report is only a cover up according to the opposition members.
Although the demand of the opposition not to allow presentation of the one-sided report was rejected by the Speaker, it is sure that a discussion on the report will bring fire and thunder. The government is sure to be exposed.

Statue of Com.KG Bose will be installed at KG Bose Bhawan on 11th December 2013

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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A statue of Com. K.G.Bose, the Revolutionary Leader of the Central Govt. and P and T employees, will be installed at KG Bose Bhawan, New Delhi on 11th December 2013, on his 39th Death Anniversary. The Statue is being donated by the W.Bengal Circle, BSNLEU.

BSNLEU has shown that it implements what it preaches. The All India Conference at Thiruvananthapuram in 2010 decided to have own building for BSNLEU CHQ at New Delhi and within the next AIC at Ludhiana in 2012, a suitable building was purchased and inaugurated in the presence of a large number of leaders and workers. A meeting of the Central Secretariat was also held there.

Now the statue of Com. K.G.Bose is being installed at KG Bose Bhawan. It is only appropriate that W.Bengal Circle union has taken the responsibility to donate the same. This will be inaugurated on 11th December 2013, on the 39th death anniversary of Com.KG.
Leaders and workers in large numbers are expected to be present.

Parliamentary Committee opposes Bank Licence to Industrial Houses.

10 Tuesday Dec 2013

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The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance headed by Shri Yeshwant Sinha has strongly opposed the proposal of the Government to grant bank licence to the Industrial and corporate houses. The latter have been pressing the government for bank licences and the govt. has conceded their demand.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee has warned that if such licences are given, the situation that existed before the nationalisation of banks may return. The Committee pointed out that there is no situation for a pre-nationalisation period being restored.
The government should accept the recommendation of the Standing Committee and discard its proposal for granting bank licence to industrial houses.

The Assembly Elections in five states – A warning?

09 Monday Dec 2013

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The results of the elections to the five states, Delhi, M.P.,Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram are declared by yesterday and today. Except Mizoram, which Congress retained, all the other 4 states have gone to BJP. It retained its government in M.P.and Chhattisgarh and captured Rajasthan from Congress. Though first position in Delhi also, it did not have the majority o form the government.

The Congress has lost in all the four states, losing two states in which it was the ruling party. Except in Chhattisgarh, it lost heavily and became 1/3 or less than 1/3. In Delhi, the defeat was more painful to it. Not only its seats came down to eight, Chief Minister Smt. Sheila Dixit, herself lost to Aam Aadmi Party Leader Arvind Kejriwal in her constituency by a margin of more than 25,000 votes.

But what is more important is the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party capturing 28 seats in its first entry in the election arena, leading the Congress by a very wide margin. It was almost neck to neck with BJP. Political analysts are surprised, leave alone the common people ,about how a party formed about one year back could achieve this great victory. The AAP has been able to fight for the issues of the toiling masses and common man exposing the corruption and anti-people policies of the government and the similar attitude of the BJP. The party got about 30% of votes in Delhi, just below that of BJP. In Delhi it is going to be a hung assembly in the present situation with no party having majority to rule. And probably election at the time of general election.
The complete rout of Congress party, the unexpected victory for the BJP and the surprising rise of the AAP has created a new political situation in the country. This will have far reaching implications for the future of India.