PTI Report

New Delhi, February 27: V.A.N.Namboodiri , Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations has issued the following statement:

BSNL Employees will hold Protest Demonstrations on 28th February 2014 at Corporate /CGM / SSA offices protesting against the proposal of the government for merger of BSNL and MTNL without settling the conflicting issues between the two PSUs. The pay-scales in the two PSUs are different, the Pension formula is different, and the promotions are also different, which may create lot of complications and agitations in the future as happened in the case of Air-India – Indian Airlines merger. While MTNL is disinvested to the tune of 46.5%, BSNL is not at all disinvested due to the strong protest of the unions.

It is also understood, that while merger proposal of BSNL and MTNL is on one side, on the otherside, BSNL is proposed to be bifurcated by forming new corporation for towers. This will adversely affect the revenue of BSNL which is already in loss.

On all these issues, Memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister and all Ministers in the EGoM, but there has been no response from the government. It is reported in the press that the Cabinet which is meeting on 28th February may take certain decisions in these respects, which may be counter productive and adversely affecting the growth of BSNL and its employees.

In order to express their strong protest, the employees, as per the call of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations will be organising lunch hour demonstrations in front of all SSA/Circle offices on 28th February.

The Forum demands the government to discuss these issues with the Unions/Associations and refrain from taking any hasty decisions, which may adversely affect BSNL and its employees.(Courtesy: PTI)