12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News
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It is informed that the Cabinet has decided to waive the “Notional Loan” of Rs. 7,500 crore as shown loan to the BSNL at the time of formation of BSNL. This is as per the recommendation of the EGoM on Revival of BSNL and MTNL. The Forum has demanded to the EGoM to waive not only the “Notional Loan” of Rs.7,500 crore, but also to refund the interest of about Rs.12,000 crore already paid by BSNL. But this has not been agreed to by the government. The Forum has to pursue this matter.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations and Patron AIBDPA along with Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA met Shri R.K.Upadhyay, CMD BSNL and discussed the issues of pensioners as well as the viability of BSNL etc.
The representatives pointed out the undue delay in issue of orders on 78.2% IDA for pensioners. They also stated that the Department of Expenditure has sought some clarifications from DOT and further delay may take place. They urged the CMD to take necessary steps to ensure that the pensioners’ 78.2% IDA issue is settled at the earliest.
The union leaders also demanded that the medical allowance with out voucher be restored to the pensioners who are put to much difficulties due to the withdrawal of the same. It was also demanded that DOT Pensioners also be given the concession on Broad band connections.
Com. Namboodiri suggested certain measures to reduce the expenditure on electricity, diesel, petrol etc. and as per the decision of the Forum meeting, proposed that a “Save Electricity / Fuel Month” be observed with clear instructions to reduce the consumption through effective methods. CMD agreed to consider the same and suggested that it can be a continued process.
CMD informed that cabinet has taken decision taken to waive the Notional Loan of Rs.7,500 crore of BSNL, which will benefit BSNL. The various efforts being made by the BSNL to improve its financial viability was also stated by CMD.
The union representatives expressed their strong protest against the proposed formation of new companies like tower, optical fibre cable, land assets etc. and demanded that these should be abandoned. CMD BSNL stated that it is only about the tower company that proposal has been made and that it is beneficial for BSNL. The staff side did not agree.
The unions also stated that the Welfare Committee and Sports Committee had not met for more than one year and that they should be convened early. CMD stated that this will be convened with out delay.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News
Though BSNL issued orders for grant of 78.2% IDA on 10-06-2013 for its employees w.e.f. 01-01-2007 on notional basis and on actual from the date of issue of the orders, the pensioners are yet to get the benefit.
The case first went to Dept. of Pension and Pension Welfare. After much delay it has come back. Now the same has been sent to Department of Expenditure.
After further delay, the same has been returned to DOT, not by approving the same, but seeking certain clarifications.
BSNLEU and AIBDPA has been continuously pursuing the case at each and every stage. Neither BSNL Management, DOT or the other connected departments seem to be serious about the issue of the pensioners.
Does the government want the senior citizens to be in the battlefield for getting their fully justified demands? It seems that there is no other way. Let us be prepared for the same. We will fight for our rights.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News
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The UPA government in its last stage, even when the general elections have been declared, is on the move to disintegrate BSNL by forming more companies by its bifurcation. Some of the best revenue earning and strong components of BSNL are its towers, numbering 61,622 and the optical fibre cables of 6 lakh route km, which is the largest any telecom company has.
The government and the BSNL Board is contemplating to form separate companies for the tower business and the cable assets,on the plea that by sharing of the towers and the cables, funds can be raised.
But the sharp fact is that these are making in to separate companies is to weaken the BSNL on the one hand and to help the private companies to get the maximum benefits out of the towers and cables owned by the BSNL, without the burden of constructing the same.
Even if the towers and cables are to be shared for raising funds, why separate companies are formed? This can be done by BSNL itself and get the funds for its development and expansion.
But the revival of BSNL is not in the minds of the authorities. They on the one hand wants to disintegrate the PSU and on the other hand wants to favour the private companies.
The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations strongly opposes the move of the government to bifurcate BSNL. The Forum is committed to organise sustained and mighty struggles against he same. Let us be prepared for the same.
11 Tuesday Mar 2014
Posted in General
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Yesterday when I went to the AKG Bhawan Book Stall, I saw the Book ” A Revolutionary Life”, the autobiography of Lakshmi Saghal or Captain Lakshmi, as she is popularly known. I purchased the same and read it.
The life of Captain Lakshmi is a saga itself. The formation of the Indian National Army (INA) under Netaji Subhas Bose, the formation of the Rani Jhansi Regiment with Lakshmi as captain, the move to liberate India from the British, capture and jailing by the British – all are explained in detail.
After Independence, she settled at Kanpur (UP) and continued her medical practice by opening a clinic. Became a CPI(M) member. She was elected as the Vice-President of the AIDWA. Contested for the post of President of India.
Her life has been full of struggles and fight for the people.
I remember the few occasions I met her. She spoke in Malayalam and enquired about the union activities. When I went to Kanpur, I went to her house, but she was not there. But we comrades met subhashini Ali, her daughter, and discussed about our activities.
The Book is worth reading – a must to read. The autobiography was written in the 1970s and is added by an interview with her by journalists.
11 Tuesday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News
As per the demand of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, the High Level Committee on Superannuation benefits to BSNL Direct Recruitees, headed by ED (Finance) will meet the Forum representatives on 13th March afternoon for discussion on the issue.
The Forum has already submitted a detailed note to the HLC as discussed and decided by the last meeting of the Forum.
11 Tuesday Mar 2014
It is reported that Nepal Government is considering a plan to hiring of 326 peaks to private companies to increase tourism in the country and also to ease climbing expeditions on Mount Everest. Nepal is in dire requirement of funds.
The MNCs and big business are capturing land, rivers, lakes, islands and now mountain peaks. What will be left for the people?
The International Finance has become all powerful. Powerful than many Nation States.
11 Tuesday Mar 2014
A meeting of the Non-Executive Unions/Associations in BSNL was held today, 11th March, at the BSNLMS Office, New Delhi. Com. C.Singh GS NFTE presided. Com. P.Abhimanyu, GS BSNLEU welcomed all and explained the idea of forming a forum to discuss about the issues of the Non-executives and prepare for agitations to achieve those. All the unions’ representatives spoke and supported the proposal.
The meeting after detailed discussion decided to prepare a Memorandum on the important issues of the non-executives and submit the same to the BSNL Management. It was also decided to organise a dharna by the General Secretaries of the unions/associations at the corporate office on 26th March demanding settlement of the demands. Further programmes will be decided later since the general elections are going to be held from 7th April.
The meeting formed a “Joint Action Committee of BSNL Non-Executive Unions/Associations” and elected a team with Com. C.Singh as President and Com.P.Abhimanyu as Convener.
This new development is a welcome step for the united struggles of the BSNL NOn-Executive Employees of BSNL.
11 Tuesday Mar 2014
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The Non-Executive Unions in BSNL will meet today to discuss about the long pending and critical issues of the workers and to decide about the future programmes. All the unions which have participated in the VI Membership Verification have been invited to attend. BSNL Employees Union has taken the initiative for calling this meeting.
This effort is commendable, since the management has been evading and taking a negative stand on many of the issues of the non-executives. A strong movement is, hence, required. Let us hope that the meeting will be attended by all unions, positive discussions take place and effective decisions are taken.
11 Tuesday Mar 2014
Kolkata, Mar 10 : The proposed three-day strike by Coal India’s executives from March 13 is expected to impact production and dispatches by 4 million tonnes of coal at a time when the miner is facing a shortfall in excess of 17 million tonne from its target for 2013-14.
“The production is peak in March. Each day the production is 1.2 to 1.3 million tonne and with the strike it is likely that it will get badly affected,” the president of Coal Mines Officers’ Association of India, P P Singh, said here today.
“But this strike, which is happening after 25 years when officers had gone for a two-day strike, is to press for performance linked pay and new pension scheme implementation, which requires the Coal Ministry’s approval,” Singh said.
The average annual impact on Coal India is around Rs 200 crore for not implementing the wage pact of 2007 in totality, he said, adding the total impact on Coal India would be to the tune of Rs 800 crore annually.(PTI)
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