Monthly Archives: March 2014

78.2% IDA for Penioners – Meeting with Dept. of Expenditure

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

≈ Leave a comment

COM.V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI, ADVISOR, K.G.JAYARAJ, GENERAL SECRETARY
AND COM.G.B.SALAKKI, TREASURER MET SHRI.VIJAY KUMAR SINGH,
DIRECTOR ((ADM), DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON 10-03-2014. AND
DISCUSSED THE ISSUE OF 78.2% IDA MERGER TO BSNL PENSIONERS.
THE REPRESENTATIVES POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN MUCH
DELAY IN THE EXPENDITURE DEPARTMENT AND WANTED EARLY APPROVAL.
THE DIRECTOR STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THE FILE WHICH WAS PUT
UP TO HIM.BUT THE CONCERNED OFFICE HAS MADE A NOTE IN THE
FILE REGARDING 60-40% PENSION CONTRIBUTION BY BSNL WHICH
MAY CREATE PROBLEM,IF SENT TO HIGHER OFFICERS. THEREFORE
HE HAS RETURNED THE FILE TO THE CONCERNED OFFICE WITH
INSTRUCTION TO DELETE THE NOTE AND RESUBMIT.
THE DIRECTOR WAS POSITIVE IN APPROACH AND AGREED TO DO
THE NEEDFUL WITHOUT DELAY.

Vodafone sharing data with UK Intelligence Agency

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in General, Telecom

≈ Leave a comment

The Central Home Ministry has charged Vodafone, telecom company based in UK and providing service in India, of secretly sharing its data with the British Intelligence and security organisation “Govt. Communication head Quarters(GCHQ”).

Though Vodafone has denied the charge, it is well known that foreign telecom companies are sharing the data with their governments. What is required is not only accusing them, but completely ban them from providing service in india.

The government has been giving a long rope to the Vodafone. There are two or more cases pending against them for not paying the taxes, which has accumulated to about Rs. 30,000 crore. But the government failed to collect the same.And now this serious charge of espionage.

The Government should take immediate action instead of dancing to the tune of the MNCs.

FORUM MEETING DECISIONS – 10-03-2014

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS /ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, TELEGRAPH PLACE, GOLE MARKET, NEW DELHI

Meeting of Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations held on 10-03-2014
A meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations was held on 10th March 2014 at BSNLMS office. Com.C.Singh, President, Forum presided. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener welcomed all and briefed the meeting about the actions taken after the last meeting held on 3rd March 2014. He reported about the meeting with the CMD BSNL as also Secretary, DOT and the details of the discussions. The Forum has strongly opposed merger and stressed that the issues raised by it should be settled before any merger takes place. He also reported about the discussion with the ED(Finance) on the superannuation benefits issue of the BSNL Direct Recruitees. The Forum has demanded for a meeting with the High Level Committee appointed for recommending on the superannuation issue and it has been agreed to. The meeting is expected to be held shortly. The meeting with the Dept. of Expenditure officers on the isue of 78.2% for the pensioners/retirees and the present position of the case were also reported.
After discussion on all the agenda items, the following decisions were taken:
1. The Forum will strongly pursue with the DOT/Government the issues to be settled before any Merger of BSNL and MTNL. The Forum will also pursue with its strong opposition against the decision to form a tower company bifurcating BSNL.
2. The matter of pension contribution on the actual basic pay instead of the present contribution on the maximum of the paysacle should be pursued with DOT.
3. On the issue of superannuation of BSNL Direct Recruitees, Forum should strongly put our arguments for full 30% benefits.
4. The Forum will ask the BSNL Management to hold the delayed Welfare and Sports Committee meetings urgently.
5. A letter will be written to BSNL Management with suggestions to reduce the expenditure on electricity, diesel, petrol etc. which is the second biggest expenditure after payment of salary, by avoiding wastage and also by rationalising effectively. A proposal also will be given to observe a month, ” Save Electricity, Fuel Month” in April/May to focus and educate on the issue.
5. Next meeting of the Forum will be held on 13th March at 04.00 PM at BSNLMS Office.

V.A.N.Namboodiri New Delhi,
Convener, Forum. 10-03-2014

GPF Interest for 2014-15 is 8.7%

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in General, PSU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

The government has declared the rate for interest of GPF and similar accounts for the year 2014-15 on 4th March. The interest will be 8.7%. The Order is reproduced below:

GPF Interest rate @ 8.7% for the Financial year 2014-2015
(PUBLISHED IN PART I SECTION 1 OF GAZETTE OF INDIA) F.NO. 5(1)-B(PD)/2014

Government of India
Ministry of Finance
(Department of Economic Affairs)

New Delhi, the 4th March, 2014

RESOLUTION

It is announced for general information that during the year 2014-2015, accumulations at the credit of subscribers to the General Provident Fund and other similar funds shall carry interest at the rate of 8.7% (Eight point seven per cent) per annum. This rate will be in force during the financial year beginning on 1.4.2014. The funds concerned are:—

1. The General Provident Fund (Central Services).
2. The Contributory Provident Fund (India).
3. The All India Services Provident Fund.
4. The State Railway Provident Fund.
5. The General Provident Fund (Defence Services).
6. The Indian Ordnance Department Provident Fund.
7. The Indian Ordnance Factories Workmen’s Provident Fund.
8. The Indian Naval Dockyard Workmen’s Provident Fund.
9. The Defence Services Officers Provident Fund.
10. The Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund.

2. Ordered that the Resolution be published in Gazette of India.sd/-
(Peeyush Kumar)
Director (Budget)

Memorial for Keezhvenmani Martyrs inaugurated

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in General

≈ Leave a comment

INN

Prakash Karat, General Secretary, CPI(M) inaugurated a memorial Centre in the honour of 44 agricultural workers burnt alive by landlords in 1968 in Keezhvenmani, Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu, in the presence of thousands of people and veteran communist leaders of the state today.

Speaking on the occasion, Prakash Karat charged the UPA Government for its role in some of the worst corruption scandals that the country has witnessed, not to mention the enormous burden imposed on the people of the country through unprecedented price rise. He sharply attacked the BJP and Narendra Modi and said that they pose a serious threat with their communal and divisive platform and they should be rejected.

On electoral developments in Tamil Nadu, he mentioned that the AIADMK had joined the anti communal convention of non Congress secular parties in Delhi last October. Subsequently the AIADMK had declared its alliance with the Left parties for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections. However the AIADMK unilaterally broke off its alliance with the Left parties. If anyone thinks that by bypassing and marginalizing the Left parties,a credible alternative to the BJP and the Congress can be presented, they are mistaken.

Karat declared that the Left parties in Tamil Nadu will unitedly fight the elections together against neo liberal policies, communalism and corruption. The Left will continue to play a central role in evolving pro-people alternative policies in the Centre and in the States.

Strike at L and T at Hazira (Gujarat) reaches three months

09 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in General, TU News - India

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

The strike by about 1,000 workers in the Hazira Factory (Gujarat) of the Larsen and Toubro, is continuing for 83 days. The main demand is that they should be given wage rise as has been given to the workers in the company’s plant at Powai(Maharashtra). The workers at Powai are getting more basic wages also, they say.

L and T is generally considered as a company with good labour relations. But the present strike has exposed the management’s claim of good labour relations.

Why Narendra Mody’s Government is not intervening in the strike and not getting the issue got settled? This incident once again confirms that the Mody Government is supporting the corporates against the workers.

India ranks far behind in women representatives in Parliament.

09 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in General, General Elections 2014

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

It is a shame to India! As per the report of the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), an international organisation, India ranks 111 th position out of 189 countries with regard to the women representatives in Parliament.There are only 60 women members out of 544 in Lok Sabha and and only 26 out of 241 in Rajya Sabha. It comes to a meagre 11.4% only.

Even many African countries and Asian countries except Sri Lanka are having more women representation. Nepal has got 30%, Bangladesh 20% and China 25%. Pakistan has 21% in upper House and 17% in lower house. 

The list is led by Rwanda (Africa – 63.8%), Andorra (Europe) and Cuba (Latin America) , the last of which is a socialist country.

Political parties in India have to think about this shame on India. This is the time when the candidates are selected for election to Parliament. Though the Women’s Reservation Bill (Constitution 108 Amendment Bill), which stipulates 33% reservation for women in Parliament is yet to be passed, the political parties on their own can decide at least to put 25% of women for the Parliament. Will they do it? It is doubtful seeing their  track record.

Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 Missing

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

The Boeing 777 of Malaysia Airlines which started from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on Saturday with 239  passengers including staff are reported missing. There is no information about the plane so far.  There are 5 Indians also in the plane. Anxious relatives and friends are at the airports to get information about their relatives /friends who travelled by the flight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8th March – International Women’s Day

08 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in General

≈ Leave a comment

Today is “International Women’s Day”. The slogan for today is “Equality for Women is Progress for All”.

Organise and Observe International Women’s Day in a befitting way.

Mid Day Meal Workers Protest against Govt. Injustice

07 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by in General

≈ Leave a comment

New Delhi, March 7: The All India Coordination Committee of Mid Day Meal Workers (CITU) strongly condemns the injustice done by the UPA II government to the 26 lakh mid day meal workers of the Country. Despite the written assurance given to the 45th Indian Labour Conference in May 2013 and the assurance given in Parliament that that the remuneration of the Mid Day Meal workers will be increased in the financial year 2013-14, and getting the finance ministry’s approval for the same, by not giving the cabinet approval for it, the UPA government once again proved that the labour is not in their agenda.

The Minister for HRD, Shri Pallam Raju, on 12 February 2014, assured a delegation of the AICCMDMW (CITU) that the remuneration will be increased to Rs.2000 per month (from Rs.1000 per month) and only the approval of the cabinet is awaited.But even the last cabinet meeting of the UPA II government turned its back to 26 lakh women workers by not giving the approval for the increase.

We call upon the Mid Day Meal Workers of the country to protest against the UPA government’s attitude and expose them among the workers and the people by organising press conferences, meetings, rallies, dharnas etc. all over the country. We call upon the midday meal workers to carry forward the struggle for their just demands of regularisation and minimum wages and pension and to save the scheme which provides 15% of the family calorie intake of the poor of our country. Courtesy: Ganashkati)