08 Tuesday Apr 2014
Posted in BSNLEU
Today, the subject in the trade Union Class organised by BSNLEU at K.G.Bose Bhawan was ” Trade Union Movement with special reference to P and T Trade Union Movement”. The class was taken by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU.
With this class, the present TU class is over. Next TU class will be conducted later, after decision by the BSNLEU
08 Tuesday Apr 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
A PTI report which is reproduced below states that Rs. 195 crores have been seized by the Election Commission during this election period. This amount is certainly intended to be given for purchasing votes. This will be only a small part of the total such purchasing-cash. It once again shows that the election is trying to be changed in to just like another corruption case. Such misdeeds should be caught and exposed.
New Delhi, Apr 7: Over Rs 195 crore of cash has been seized so far by Election Commission (EC) appointed teams, with Andhra Pradesh topping the list.
According to official data prepared till today, the EC-appointed Election Expenditure Observers have so far seized a total of Rs 118 crore cash in Andhra Pradesh, Rs 18.31 crore in Tamil Nadu, Rs 14.40 in Maharashtra, Rs 10.46 crore in Uttar Pradesh and over Rs 4 crore in Punjab including numerous other small seizures in rest of the states.
Also, the total liquor seized stands at 26.56 lakh litres, Heroin 70 kgs while 11,469 FIRs have been registered against distribution of cash and illegal inducements in various states.
A senior official, part of the EC-appointed team, said the 659-officer strong surveillance teams drawn from IRS and other central services have been deputed to all the Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies and they are reporting cash seizure instances since the polls were declared on March 5.
The Commission, as part of its measures to curb blackmoney and illegal funds in the polls, has deployed the ‘expenditure observers’ drawn from central revenue services like the Income Tax and Customs and Excise departments.
08 Tuesday Apr 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
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Mangal Pandey, the 29 years young sepoy of the 34th Bengal Native Infantry (BNI) regiment of the British East India Company was hanged on 8th April 1857 by the British imperialists.
The crime against him was that he revolted and attacked the British Officers as part of an alleged mutiny. The entire Infantry was disbanded afterwards. This is he first incidence connected just before the “First war of Independence ” started.
Mangal Pandey is honoured as the first martyr who started the “Sepoy Mutiny”.
08 Tuesday Apr 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
The Trade Union Class organised under the KG Bose Trust started on 7th April 2014 at KG Bose Bhawan New Delhi. 55 comrades for the circles in the Hindi Area participated.
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU presided. Com. P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary BSNLEU took the class on the subject ” Globalisation Policy and its impact on BSNL” and Prof. Rajeev Kunwar (Delhi University) on ” Communal Harmony”.
The class will continue on 8th April 2014.
06 Sunday Apr 2014
Posted in History
India Gate rising high majestically in the middle of the Boat Club in view of the Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhawan and the Central secretariat buildings is the memorial to the Indian War heroes of the World War I. It has about 70,000 names of Indian soldiers who died in the WW I , fighting for the British Empire, mainly in the foreign lands and restored its supremacy in the world. But the number commemorated is only a faction of the total soldiers who were killed. It comes to lakhs and lakhs.
After about a century of the start of the I World War, UK Government is making amends by putting installation of 8,88,246 ceramic poppies on the famous Tower of London, in honour of so many soldiers, mainly Indian, who have been killed in action in the WWI.It will be unveiled on 5th August 2014, the day on which Britain entered the War.
Not only India was the Shining Star of the British Empire, but the Indian Army was the most powerful force of the British. The Indian Army and soldiers were utilised for about a century to keep the British Empire, the super Empire till the II World War, after which it fell in to pieces due to Independence of many of its colonies through out the world, including India.
The British should not only honour the soldiers, but also should return all the valuables that have been stolen, confiscated and looted from India, many of which are still put in the museums and kept with the Government. The Government of India should demand these valuable heritage of India to be returned to India.
06 Sunday Apr 2014
Posted in Obituary, Tributes
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Comrade E.P.Sukumaran, Executive Committee Member of AIBDPA Kerala Circle passed away yesterday, 5th April 2014, at Manjeri, Kerala.He was 70
He was a strong activist and was the office-bearer of NFPTE and was always in the forefront of the struggles of the P and T and Central Government Employees. We had worked together at Calicut for a long period in the 1960s. Along with many comrades we were also staying in the P and T Lodge, which was the epicentre of the union activities. Coms. Karayi Sreedharan, V.Kesavan, P.V.Nambissan, E.Richards, E.P.Sukumaran, K.Prabhakaran were all part of this team of Telecom Lodge which initiated and activated the Telecom Union functioning. Of course there were senior leaders like Com.K.Bhaskaran Nair, K.Krishnan, M.V.Sadanandan, KCS Nair and many others in this main stream.
Comrade E.P.Sukumaran was victimised several times for participation in strikes and agitations. Later he got transfer from Calicut to Manjeri near his house and continued till retirement. After retirement, he became active in the Pensioners movement and was the Executive Committee member of the state committee.
His death is a big loss to the movement. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades.
06 Sunday Apr 2014
Posted in General, PSU, TU News - India
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At present the contribution to the Employees Provident Fund is limited to 12% of the basic salary. Along with the contribution of the employee an equal amount is to be remitted by the employer. The Employees organisations have been demanding that the contribution to EPF should be calculated on the basis of the pay and allowances together so that there will more savings in the EPF.
The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) also agreed to the same and recommended to the government for including the allowances for calculating the contribution. It had issued a circular stating that “All such allowances which are ordinarily, necessarily and uniformly paid to the employees are to be treated as the basic wages.”
But the Government refused to approve the recommendation. It has directed the EPFO not to count the allowances along with the basic pay for the calculation of contribution to Provident Fund. The justified benefit getting to the EPF subscribers have been denied by the government.
It is clear that the government has taken this measure on the pressure of the private corporates to avoid employer’s higher contribution to the EPF. It is well known that the UPA government was always in support of employers and against the interests of the workers.
It is also to be pointed out that the Government has so far not implemented its decision to increase the minimum pension to Rs.1,000 and maximum to Rs. 15,000 which was one of the demands of the Central trade Unions and which was accepted.
Even in the last moment when the General Elections are to start in a few days, the UPA government wants to favour the corporates instead of the workers.
05 Saturday Apr 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
6th April 2014 is the 24th Death Anniversary of Com. B.T.Ranadive, the veteran revolutionary and trade union leader par excellence. He left us on 6th April 1990.
He was the General Secretary of the undivided Communist Party (1948-50). When the party was divided he was with the CPI(M) and continued till his death as a PB Member.
His contribution to the trade union movement can not be exaggerated. He was one of the top leaders of the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC ) and later the President of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) from its start in 1970 till his death. A fiery orator and revolutionary he led many glorious struggles of the working class.
The CITU building in Delhi is named after him – BTR Bhawan.
The P and T as also the Central Government Employees Trade Union movement owes much to Com. BTR for his support and guidance in a very big way. He inspired the workers with his sincerity and determination to fight against injustice. He attended and addressed many conferences of the P and T unions.
My Red Salute to Comrade BTR!
05 Saturday Apr 2014
Posted in Left News
5th April 1957 is a historic day in the annals of Indian Democracy. It was on this day that the first Communist Government was formed in Kerala with Com. E.M.S.Namboodiripad as the Chief Minister. That was also the first election taken place after Kerala State was formed.
The ministry had only narrow majority. Despite all out efforts by the Congress Party and the Central Congress Government, they could not get a single Communist/Independent to switch over to topple the ministry.
Important legislations like Land Reforms, Education Act etc. were passed by the government which gave much relief to the people. The vested interests and fundamentalists all came together against the government, but again could not topple it. The US imperialists funded the agitation against the Kerala Communist Government.
At last, after all plans failed to topple the democratically elected Government, the Central Government dismissed it by invoking Article 356 of the Constitution. Shame on the Congress Government.
Kerala is on the top in Literacy, average income, housing, educational institutions, medical facilities, longevity etc. The democratic and labour movements are strong in the state. The Left and Left led governments in Kerala has got a pivotal role in all this.
05 Saturday Apr 2014
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Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU and Advisor AIBDPA met senior officers of the DoT on 4th April 2014 and discussed important issues:
Meeting with Ms. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance):
1. 78.2% IDA fixation for Pensioners – Com. Namboodiri expressed serious concern at the undue delay in taking decision and issue of orders. It is almost ten months after orders have been issued for regular employees. Member (Finance) stated that Dept. of Expenditure has sought clarifications on three issues viz. 1) whether Cabinet decision is required, 2) whether the pension will exceed 60% of the amount being paid by BSNL to DOT on taxes, licence fee etc. and 3) whether there is any precedent for making payment of pensionary benefits on notional pay and pension revision. The reply is being prepared and will be furnished to DoE early. Com. Namboodiri demanded speedy action by DOT.
2. Rs. 1,500 crore payment to BSNL in lieu of ADC: The Rs.1,500 crore allotted for BSNL from USOF is still not paid. This is to be paid with out further delay. Member (Finance) stated that the matter is being pursued, but certain report from BSNL is required on the performance etc.
3. Upgradation of cities on the basis of the 2011 census: Though it is more than 2 years after the census report has been published, the upgradation of cities like Ahmedabad are still pending orders. Com. Namboodiri requested for early issue of orders. It was stated that the issue has to be decided by DPE on the basis of the final report of the Census.
Meeting with Ms. Rita Teotia, Addl Secretary DOT:
1. Merger of BSNL and MTNL: Com. VAN Namboodiri expressed serious concerns regarding the merger and demanded that these concerns of the employees as mentioned in the Forum Memorandum should be settled before any merger is decided. Addl. Secretary assured that so far no decision has been taken on Merger and that the concerns of the employees will be certainly considered.
2. VRS in BSNL: Addl. Secretary stated that the DOT is fully aware of the opposition of the workers. In fact, no decision has been taken and the viewpoint of the unions will be considered, if any decision will be taken.
Meeting with Shri S.C.Misra, Member (Services):
1. 78.2% IDA fixation for pensioners: Member (Services) stated the complications with regard to the queries raised by the DoE. He also stated that the same is being examined and reply will be given to DOE early.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 