Monthly Archives: May 2014

Com. R.Umanath, CPI(M) Leader and former M.P. passed away.

21 Wednesday May 2014

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Com.R Umanath, one of the senior leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), former PBM and M.P.died in Trichy today (21-05-2014) morning after a brief illness.

He was 92 and is survived by his daughters Com.U Vasuki, a CPM state secretariat member, and Ms. Nirmala Rani, a lawyer.

Com. Umanath was born in Kasargode, Kerala, in 1922 and shifted to Calicut and then to Chennai during his student days. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a CPM candidate from Nagapattinam constituency twice (in 1977 and 1980).

He served as a Lok Sabha member for two terms. He was elected to the third and fourth Lok Sabhas from the Puddukottai constituency.

A trade union leader for many years, Umanath was also a former Tamil Nadu state committee secretary of the CPM. He was closely connected with BSNLEU, AIIEA and other trade unions.

His wife, Com.Papa Umanath, one of the founders of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), died in 2010 at the age of 80.

We deeply mourn the demise of Com.Umanath and convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, comrades and to CPI(M) in their great loss.

The funeral will take place at Trichy in the morning of 22-05-2014.
Red Salute to Com. R.Umanath!

Meeting of Forum on 22nd May 2014

21 Wednesday May 2014

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An emergent meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations will be held at 04.00 PM on 22nd May 2014 at National Council Room in Eastern Court to discuss about the urgent pending issues to be focussed and plan of action. All General Secretaries of the affiliated unions of Forum are requested to be present in time.

A request to visitors those making comments

20 Tuesday May 2014

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I am receiving many comments from the visitors, but I am not able to publish or reply to those comments as the name and address of the visitors/commenters are not furnished as stipulated. Kindly furnish the same so that the comments and replies could be published.

Tragedy in Turkey – More than 300 workers killed in mines.

20 Tuesday May 2014

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Reports have been received from WFTU about the shocking incident in which more than 300 miners have been killed in a mine accident.The accident has happened due non-taking of precautionary-cautionary measures.Instead of trying to help the workers and their families, the government of Turkey is keeping mum. The WFTU General Secretary Com. Mavrikose and a team of leaders have reached Turkey and are taking necessary action on behalf of the workers.
The BSNL workers and pensioners express their shock in this tragedy and the inhuman attitude of the Turkey Authorities. We also express solidarity and support to the workers of turkey.

The report received from WFTU is given below:

“From today, Friday the 16th of May 2014, a high-level delegation arrived to Istanbul, Turkey to stand on the side of the Turkish working class in these moments of great tragedy caused by the employers’ and the government’s crime at the Soma Coal Mine.

The delegation headed by the WFTU General Secretary, George Mavrikos accompanied by the WFTU Deputy General Secretary, Valentin Pacho and Toum Ferhat, Unionist and Interpreter met with the leadership of DISK headed by its General Secretary Arzu Çerkezoğlu and expressed the condolences on behalf of the 90 million members of the WFTU to the Turkish working class and the solidarity in their struggle.

“The WFTU mission which brings us here together with our Turkish brothers in a tragic moment is a moral and active form of solidarity to the working class of Turkey, to the trade union movement in their struggle against the private-ownership of the mines, for the satisfaction of their demands in safety measures in all workplaces” George Mavrikos stated in front of numerous journalists at the Press Conference held at the DISK Headoffices and added: “We, the trade unions, will not stop in the bargaining for better wages, we will do anything in our power to protect the safety of our members and to struggle for their livelihood”.

The WFTU delegation will remain in Istanbul and continue its meetings with trade union Organizations and acts of solidarity.

***

The Turkish media broadcast the WFTU Solidarity Mission

“During my 10 years of duty, having visited more than 70 countries and heard reports for numerous labour tragedies, I have never heard a Prime Minister say that the workers fate was to die. The Soma Coal explosion was no fate, it was a crime!” is they main quote of General Secretary’s input at the Press Conference held at the DISK Headoffices on the morning of May 16th, 2014 broadcasted widely by the Turkish media. The WFTU General Secretary was referring to the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Erdogan’s vitriolic statement that death is part of the miners work.

Hurriyet under the title: “Soma was not God’s destiny, but a murder” focuses on the WFTU’s critisism towards the Government of Turkey and the employers.
Sondakika focuses on the impact this tragedy had to the international working class, since as Mavrikos noted “Soma workers are in the heart and the minds of the workers worldwide”.
“Soma is a crime of capitalism, based on its lust for profit” is Evrensel‘s title of the article covering the WFTU Solidarity Mission.
HaberYurdum quotes DISK’s General Secretary’s input that “Turkey witnessed a privatization boom at the expense of the workers lives”. Haberler further included the latest information about the health status of the DISK President who was victim of the state violence against the demostrators at the previous day’s rallies.
Bugun goes with the title: “Prime Minister’s comment “this is their destiny” was never heard before”.
Memleket reports the action taken by DISK and other unions to organize strikes and work-stoppages to honour the victims and to demonstrate against privatization and lack of safety measures in the mines. It makes particular reference to the solidarity and the expression of condolenses being a priority to the purpose of the WFTU Mission to Turkey. “We, the class-oriented trade unions, will not stop in the bargaining for better wages, we will do anything in our power to protect the safety of our members and to struggle for their livelihood” is the quote from the General Secretary’s input”.

Wish List of Private Telecom Companies

20 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, Telecom

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Private Telecom Companies are really fast. They have already decided what are their immediate demands and wish -list to be presented to the government. Reports in the media have focussed the five main demands, which are as follows:

1. Make more spectrum available for data usage

2. Rationalise the taxes and levies in the sector

3. Facilitate introduction of new and efficient technologies such as M2M and cloud computing

4. Implement the benefits of the status for the industry in parity with other infrastructure sectors in the country

5. Exploring a revenue sharing arrangement between the over the top Internet players and telecom companies.

The lines are clear. The telecom corporates want that they should be favoured and all restrictions and regulations in the sector have to be rescinded for their benefit.

What the PSU telecom companies, BSNL and MTNL, are demanding? They also have to formulate what is immediately required for the revival of BSNL and MTNL? Delay will be costly.

BSNL and MTNL workers and their organisations also have to move fast with their demands to save BSNL and MTNL and strengthen them to give a better service to the people.

Bank Employees on Struggle Path – Dharna on 23rd May against Disinvestment of banks

20 Tuesday May 2014

Posted by in PSU, TU News - India

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Associations of the Bank Employees have decided to organise Protest demonstrations on 23rd May 2014, protesting against the recommendations of the Nayak Committee proposing reduction of government in PSU Banks to 50%, transferring ownership to “Bank Investment Company”, repeal of the Bank Nationalisation Act and SBI Act, bringing banks under the companies Act etc. These will completely destroy the PSU banks and in fact will result in virtual privatisation of PSU banks.

The Bank Employees Association has taken the correct decision to oppose these recommendations and resort to agitational programme. We fully support and extend solidarity to the agitation. We also demand the Government to completely reject these negative recommendations.

Com. Kelu Ettan, a life of sacrifice and dedication to the people.

20 Tuesday May 2014

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Com.M.K.Kelu, fondly and respectfully called by all as Keluettan (Kelu Dada), was a father figure of the Communist movement in Kerala, especially in the Kozhikode District. His death anniversary will be organised today in many parts of the district. He passed away on 20th May 1991, while functioning as the District Secretary of the CPI(M), Calicut.

During my stay at Calicut during the period 1964 – 1191, I had the opportunity to meet him and get his advice and guidance several times. He was always available for consultation and advice. Everybody who was in contact with him will remember his simplicity and the closeness that he generated.

A front runner in the freedom movement, an early communist and a fighter for the cause of the common people – he was always in the front line. And naturally he was one who was the target of the police atrocities during the agitations. His head was cracked by the police by beating when he was leading a protest dharna in Calicut.

A bachelor till his end, he lived in the party office and prepared food for himself. By the way, he was an excellent cook and usually went to the kitchen and supervised preparation of food whenever there was some party programme or function etc. And he liked a good meal.

I had a lot of pleasant memories of Kelu Ettan. He had inspired me by his simple living and continuous service to the people.

it is appropriate that a Study Centre in his name has been established at Calicut and regular programmes are organised. I had the opportunity to attend a few programmes.

On his 23rd death anniversary, I pay my respectful homage to the popular leader Com.M.K.Kelu!

Today, 20th May, is the death Anniversary of Com.M.K.Kelu, popularly known as Kelu Ettan . He died in 1991. For a very long time he was the District Secretary of the CPI (M), Kozhikode.
One of the pioneers of the communist movement in Kerala, Keluettan was in the forefront of every struggle. Due to his big stature and body build, he was always the target of police atrocities. I still remember when during a protest dharna, he was beaten in the head by the police breaking his skull and blood spurting out. Immediate attention in the hospital only saved his life. He was respected by all for his simplicity, humble behaviour and the affection that he showed to each and every body. Even Comrade EMS Namboodiripad used to call him Keluettan though he may have been younger than EMS.
Once when Com.EMS came to Calicut and was resting in the Rest House at West Hill, I went there to meet him. Com.Chandran who was with EMS called me and told me confidently that the shirt of EMS is old and torn, but he is still using the same and asked me to speak to EMS to purchase a new one. I was afraid to speak. So when comrade Kelu Ettan cam a little later I told the problem to him. Immediately Kelu Ettan went to EMS and told him “I am taking this shirt with me and going to purchase a similar one from the market”. EMS could not object to Kelu Ettan and thus a new readymade shirt was purchased. Many people could not take such freedom with Comrade EMS.
Comrade Kelu Ettan came to my house warming function. Immediately after entering the house, he admonished me stating that why the gate is so small that even a car could not enter. He asked me to make the gate wider which I did later. He was fond of food and once or twice he took the initiative in coming to my home to eat vegetarian food.
It was rarely that he spoke about his past. However we got a chance to hear some of the past struggles etc. from him after a meal in a comrade Balasubramanian’s house. Comrades Balasubramanian and Aboobacker (Deshabhimani) were there. I remember that the narration was published in the NFPTE souvenir.
In 1980s, there was some problem between the staff of Telephone Exchange and the police. Both the offices were nearby and the police in large numbers trespassed the telephone exchange to arrest the union leaders. The entire telecom staff went on strike immediately. I was on duty and the police was searching for me to take in to custody. Getting the information, within a few minutes comrade Kelu Ettan and other comrades reached the exchange and a strong protest meeting was held and during that I escaped arrest and went underground. The strike continued for three days which became a Kerala Circle strike. The State Government had to intervene and an amicable agreement was reached after the concerned police officers were transferred.
I had a lot of pleasant memories regarding Keluettan. As with everybody, he was affectionate with me also. Whenever there was any doubt about any programme or how to plan it, he patiently gave the guidance.
I pay my respectful homage to the memory of this great leader.

Our Demands before the new government

19 Monday May 2014

Posted by in TU News - India, TU News - Telecom specific

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A new government is being formed at the centre, under the leadership of Shri Narendra Modi, consequent to the landslide victory of BJP.

The corporates, capitalists, big business and so on have stated that this is the victory of capitalism and that the new government should reduce the corporate taxes, give a free hand to the employers on hiring ( and firing) of labour, 50% shares of PSU Banks should be disinvested and so on. They will immediately meet the Prime Minister and other Ministers with their demand in the name of development and try to get maximum benefit. This is but natural, when they have already invested in both the NDA and UPA huge amounts towards election donation.

But what about the workers and their demands. It is necessary that the Central trade Unions as well as independent all India Federations have to act fast. The demands of the workers have to be placed before the new government for early settlement. The unions / workers have to be mobilised. The false arguments of the corporates for maximising profit have to be countered.

There is no time to lose. The new government may act fast. The workers have to be faster.

Com.Moni Bose Remembered – Meeting at Delhi

19 Monday May 2014

Posted by in BSNLEU, Obituary, Tributes

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A well attended meeting was held at the National Council Room in Eastern Court today, 19th May 2014, to pay homage to veteran leader Com. Moni Bose, former General Secretary of E.III Union, who had passed away on this day in 2010.

The meeting was presided over by Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU. All the participants stood in silence for one minute paying homage to the departed leader. They also paid floral tributes to Com. Moni, in front of his photo.
Com.Animesh Mitra, Dy. General Secretary, BSNLEU welcomed all and spoke in brief about the life and activities of Com. Moni Bose. Comrades R.K.Kohli, GS, NFTBE, R.L.Moudgil, AGS, R.S.Chauhan, Org. Secretary & CS NTR, R.S.Sagar,CS, ALTTC, Kamal Sah, CS Corporate Office and Chhidu Singh, VP, Delhi NTR circle spoke.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri spoke in detail about the contributions of Com.Moni Bose, his sacrifice for the movement and how he built up the organisation. He also remembered the close connection he had with Com. Moni and the fight they fought together along with many others for the correct policies in the organisation.

A write up on the life and activities of the veteran leader prepared by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri was supplied to the members present.(The same is available in the BSNLEU website as well as this blog).

Such memorial meetings were held in several places as per the call of the BSNLEUCHQ.

19th May – Death Anniversary of Comrades P.Sundarayya and E.K.Nayanar

19 Monday May 2014

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19th May is the death anniversary of two of the veteran leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – Com. P.Sundarayya (1985) and Com. E.K.Nayanar (2004). Both were the Members of the Politbureau of CPI(M) till their death.
The CPI(M) observed the Birth Centenary of Com.P.Sundarayya, who was the General Secretary of CPI(M) since its inception in 1964. He was the leader of the Telangana struggle. He was one of the pioneers of the Communist movement in India. He was a Member of Parliament and showed how a communist has to work in the elected posts, like in Parliament.
Com.E.K.Nayanar was the Chief Minister of Kerala thrice and one of the most popular leaders, Kerala have ever seen. He had functioned as the Editor of ‘Deshabhimani’, the Party Paper in Kerala and was also the State Secretary of CPI(M). His humorous speeches and open-hearted friendship even to political rivals are well appreciated.
I had the opportunity to meet Com. Nayanar several times and bring many issues of the workers to his notice for settlement. He was always much helpful.

On the death anniversary of both these Communist leaders, I pay my respectful homage.