• ‘My Story’ by Com. Jyoti Basu
  • About
  • Settlement of Medical Bills of Pensioners
  • Historic Victory!
  • Disclosure Policy

VAN Namboodiri's Blog

~ Welcome to V.A.N. Namboodiri's blog…

VAN Namboodiri's Blog

Monthly Archives: October 2014

Austerity Measures by Central Government

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

CG Austerity Measures

New Delhi, Oct 30 : Unveiling an austerity drive to cut non-plan expenditure by 10 per cent, government has barred bureaucrats from travelling First Class on overseas visits and have been asked to use video conferencing as much as possible.
With an aim to restrict fiscal deficit to 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2014-15, the Finance Ministry has barred officials from holding meetings in 5-star hotels and put a freeze on fresh appointments and filling up posts lying vacant for over one year.
“While officers are entitled to various classes of air travel depending on seniority, utmost economy would need to be observed while exercising the choice keeping the limitations of budget in mind. However, there would no bookings in the First Class,” said the office memorandum.
The facility of Video Conferencing, it said, “may be used effectively”.

BSNL Employees Union has started telling the same thing to BSNL Management more than 5 years back. But after much pressure only such measures are being taken slowly by the BSNL Management. Now that the government has issued austerity measures, they may implement it.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Kerala State completes 58 years

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Kerala formation

On this 1st November, Kerala state completes 58 years of its existence. It was on this day in 1956 that the reorganisation of Madras States was implemented forming Andhra, Kerala and Karnataka states. This greatly helped in these linguistic states plan their development and better living condition for the people.

As far as Kerala was concerned, it was the fulfilling of the dream of Aikya Kerala by merging of the Malayalam speaking Malabar, Cochin and Travancore areas in to one piece. And in the election to the first state assembly, the Communist Party came in to power and the Communist Government was formed with Com. EMS Namboodiripad as the Chief Minister. It was one of the best government Kerala has ever seen since.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

National Convention of CG Employees on 11 November

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

National Convention by CG Employees

The Central Government Employees are organising a National Convention on 11th November 2014 at New Delhi. The Convention is for mobilising the employees struggle in pursuance of the Charter of demands, especially the important issues like wage revision, interim relief, merger of DA, scrapping of the new Pension scheme, privatization, outsourcing etc. The staff side is likely to meet in the second fortnight of November, 2014 to finalize the draft declaration and the programme of action.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

VII AIC of BSNLEU at Kolkata – (6)

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

VII AIC BSNLEU

The colourful posters, pamphlets and flags etc. from the Reception Committee, Kolkata have reached Delhi. Com. Animesh Mitra and Com. Saibal Sengupta Joint Conveners of the Reception Committe, who came to New Delhi today brought the above.
Despite certain problems being created by the TMC, the activities are going on well. Invitation Cards have been sent to all concerned.
CHQ Comrades will start from Delhi on 3rd and will reach Kolkata by 4th November 2014. The Central Executive Committee Meeting will be held on 5th morning and the KG Bose Bhawan Trust Meeting will held in the same day evening. And the Delegates Session will start next day.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Only 5 Free ATM Withdrawal from 1 November

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

ATM Withdrawal

Using ATMs to withdraw money or for other purposes like balance enquiry beyond five times in a month will attract a levy of Rs 20 per transaction from Saturday.

As per the Reserve Bank’s new guidelines that comes into force from Saturday, bank customers in six metros — Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore — are allowed to withdraw money and/or carry out non-financial transactions like mini-statements at ATMs of banks, where they hold saving/current accounts, free of charge only five times a month.

Every transaction beyond this threshold will be charged Rs 20 per use. ( Courtesy: Times of India )

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Restore Peace and Tranquility in W.Bengal – CPI(M)

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

W.Bengal

Kolkata, Oct 31 : Condemning the ruling Trinamool Congress for “deteriorating law and order” situation in West Bengal, the Left Front Legislature Party today urged Governor K N Tripathi to take appropriate measures for restoring peace and tranquility in the state.
In his seven-point demands placed before the Governor, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Surjya Kanta Mishra urged him to convene all party meetings at all levels to restore peace and tranquility and establish democratic rights in the state.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Restore Cut Subsidies – CPI(M) Press Statement

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

CPI(M), Do not subsidies

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Finance Ministry has decided to implement a ten per cent cut in the government’s non-plan expenditure for the current financial year. These austerity measures do not involve only a ban on first air travel or meetings in five star hotels, but subsidies will bear the main brunt of the cuts. This would mean cut in subsidies meant for the people and welfare measures.

The government should come out and explain under what heads these cuts are being made. The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) opposes any cut in expenditure on subsidies to the people and welfare measures.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

Welcome Bengaluru, Mysuru !

31 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in General

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bengaluru, Mysuru

Karnataka has got its Birth day Gift! 1st November is the 68th Formation Birthday of Karnataka as also Kerala. On this 1st November, the names of 12 cities in Karnataka have been reverted to the old names.

They are: Bangalore – Bengaluru, Mysore – Mysuru, are: Belgaum – Belagavi, Mangalore – Mangaluru, Gulbarga – Kalaburagi, Hubli – Hubballi, Shimoga – Shivamogga, Chikmagalur – Chikkamagaluru, Bellary – Ballari, Bijapur – Vijapura or Vijayapura, Hospet – Hosapete, Tumkur – Tumakuru.

Karnataka people will certainly be very happy that their many years old request has been conisdered by the Central Government and orders have been issued.

Congrats to the people of Karnataka !

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

The Telecom Factories – Excellent Tradition of Telecom Production

30 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, PSU, Telecom

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Telecom Factories

The Telecom Factories – Excellent Tradition of Telecom Production

There are now 7 Telecom Factories functioning under BSNL at present. They are situated at Alipore, Gopalpur and Kharagpur ( all in Kolkata and nearby), Jabalpur, Richai ( in M.P.) Bhilai (in Chhattisgarh) and Mumbai. The first three are in Telecom Factory Kolkata Circle, the second three are in Jabalpur Telecom Factory Circle and the third under Telecom Factory Mumbai Circle. These Circles work directly under the control of the BSNL Corporate office. They are producing various telecom equipment for BSNL. About 3000 workers, both industrial and non-industrial, are employed in these factories.
Back Ground
The starting point was the introduction of Telegraph Services in India. The first telegram was sent from Howrah to Diamond Harbour in 1850. Within a few years the services expanded and it became necessary for a workshop to repair the equipment. Thus the first P andT Workshop was established in 1855 at Alipore in Calcutta, which was the capital of the East India Company and that of the British India after 1858.
Though started as a workshop, it gradually started manufacturing telegraph and connected equipment and later telephone equipment. Another Workshop was started at Jabalpore during the II World War to increase the production and also to ensure that if Japan invades Calcutta, the production will not be stopped and can be done at Jabalpore.
The Bombaty Telecom Factory was originally a repair workshop of the former Bombay Telephone Company (private company) and was taken along with the Telephone system there in 1943 and developed in to a production unit.
In 1978 the Bhilai Telecom Factory in M.P.(now in Chhattisgarh)was opened. Kharagpur Factory was started in 1988 for production of foundry items. Gopalpur and Richai Factory were also established consequent to the vast development of the telephone services.
Later the name of P and T Workshops was changed in to Telecom Factories. In fact after formation of BSNL, the name is required to be changed in to BSNL Factories.
Production in the Telecom Factories
Though at first it was started as only a repair workshop for Telegraphs, Calcutta P and T Work Shop gradually started manufacturing of equipment for Telegraphs and Telephones including line construction and storing. Gradually, it started manufacture of Local and Trunk Boards and other connected equipment.The rapid growth of telephones and telegraphs necessitated manufacture of many items required for the services. Accordingly production started in the various telecom factories for the following items:
Tube Making, Galvanising, Foundry, CT Box, STD Pay Phones, Towers, BHT, DP Box, Line Jack Unit, Integrated Protection Module, IN PCO, Jointing Kits, SS Drop Wire, Towers for Cellular Service, Repair of Cards, Repair of IFWTs, OFC MD, PLB Pipes etc.
Microwave Towers were manufactured on a large scale. After the mobile service started, Mobile towers were also manufactured both in Khargapur and Jabalpur -Richai Factories.
The great demand for PLB pipes in connection with the NOFN project resulted in manufacturing the same in Alipore factory. It is going to be manufactured in Jabalpur Factory also.
Proposal to close Telecom Factories defeated.
The Fifth Central Pay Commission 1996 recommended closure or privatisation of telecom factories. All India Telecom Employees Union Class III took up the issue with the Shri Somnath Chatterjee, Chairman of the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Communications, who called a meeting of the committee in which the representative of the union as well as DOT participated. After hearing both, it was decided that the TFs should not be closed. but should be modernised and developed.
Later after formation of BSNL, there was a move to close the Kharagpur TF, on the plea that no foundry items like Telephone Posts, Socket etc. are required and hence this TF which manufacturing such items can be closed. The real intention was to hand over the vast area of the land assets of Kharagpur TF to the Tatas, whose Factory was next to TF. The workers there under the leadership of BSNLEU went on strike, the CHQ put pressure on the management and hence the closure proposal was closed and manufacture of Mobile Towers started in a big way in the TF.
Industrial and Non-industrial Workers in Telecom Factories.
There were a good number of industrial workers in all the telecom factories since manufacturing was the main feature. The industrial workers are covered by the Factories Act while the non-industrial staff are covered under the CCS(CCA) Rules/ CDA Rules. The payscales are also different. Though the Union wanted that the service conditions should be the same, the Management has not so far decided upon the matter.
National Council Committee visits Telecom Factories – October 2007
As per the decision of the National Council, a Joint Committee consisting of DDG (TF) Shri R.P.Nigam and then General Secretary BSNLEU Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, visited all the 7 Telecom Factories and enquired about the working condition as also manufacturing processes. The committee submitted recommendations for the improvement of working conditions and improving the infrastructure for better manufacturing and production. Some of these were implemented, but mostly ignored and not implemented.
Committe for Restructuring and Rationalisation of Non-Executives – 2006
A Committee for the “Restructuring of non-Executive Cadres in Telecom Factories” was constituted by BSNL under the Chairmanship of Shri Abdul Majeed, DDG (TF) in April 2006. BSNLEU gave detailed note to the committee on the subject which was also seriously considered. The recommendations of the committee was partially implemented. But certain important recommendations like merger of payscales, which would have benefited the workers were not implemented.
The Future of Telecom Factories
As explained earlier, moves have been afoot to close the telecom factories in the past. While there was sufficient scope to modernise and start new productions in the factories, no serious action was taken for the same. Instead equipment were being purchased from market at higher costs.
No recruitment has been made in the past despite the fact that thousands of workers have retired. Some of the works are being done by contract workers. Gradually all the workers will be retired and the works will be at a stop.
There is a planned move by the government to close the factories and sell the land assets as per the neo-liberalisation policy. Though we could stop it earlier by sustained and strong struggles, the government will try again. The BSNL Management also do not have much interest in retaining the Factories.
It is only the sustained efforts and struggles of the workers that the Telecom Factories can be saved. BSNL Employees union is committed to this task.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...

AIC OF BSNLEU AT KOLKATA – (5)

30 Thursday Oct 2014

Posted by VAN NAMBOODIRI in BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

The AIC of BSNLEU is being held in the Kolkata Alipore Telecom Factory premises. This factory is the first Telecom Factory in India. It was started in 1855 to repair the telegraph equipment and was called P and T Workshop. The Telegraph Services started in India in 1851 and consequently the P and T Workshop also started for manufacture of telegraph equipment. After the telephones services started, telephone equipment were also produced.

The second Factory was started in the 1940s when the II World War started and there was a possibility that Calcutta will be attacked by the Japanese. So,a portion of the Alipore factory was shifted to Jabalpore, in the centre of the country. Later, TFs were started at Bombay, Gopalpur, Kharagpur, Bhilai and Richai. But the mother of all TFs is still Alipore Factory.

There are industrial and Non-industrial workers in Telecom Factories. The manufacturing workers are industrial, the clerical etc. are non-industrial. The industrial workers were more and in all factories, there were about 2000- 3000 industrial workers. In addition, there were a large number of Industrial workers in the Telecom Stores, Calcutta. Due to non-recruitment for years together, the number of workers have been reduced drastically.

A separate union existed called P and T Industrial Workers Union for the industrial workers in these TFs. At the time of the All India Conference of the AITEU Class III, the AIC of the TF also will be held.Com. Sisir Bhattacharjee, the veteran leader of the P and T workers and the first Patron of BSNLEU, was the General Secretary of the P and T Industrial Workers Union, till it merged with BSNLEU.

For the workers in Telecom Factories, there are three Circle unions viz. Kolkata, Jabalpur and Mumbai. In addition, there is a circle for telecom Stores.

The workers of TF Calcutta has a great tradition of struggle. As narrated by Com. Sisir Bhattachajee to me on an earlier occasion, it was the thousands of TF workers who marched to the PMG Office Calcutta in the 1950s and compelled the Congress Government to grant the Festival Allowance for the P and T Employees as in the case of Railway Employees. It was under the leadership of Com.K.G.Bose and Com. Sisir Bhattacharjee, this struggle was organised. Com. K.G. Bose is no more, but Com. Sisir Bhattacharjee is still with us and is the Chairman of the Reception Committee of the AIC. We all will be getting a chance to meet him and hear his speech in the AIC.

Thus it is at this great heritage of Trade Union history that thousands of telecom workers are meeting in the VII AIC of BSNL Employees Union.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Print
  • Email

Like this:

Like Loading...
← Older posts

Welcome to my blog…

Welcome to my personal blog. Kindly let me know your comments and suggestions...

Blog Stats

  • 1,553,663 hits till today

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 3,343 other subscribers

Facebook link

Facebook link

Flag Counter (Latest)

free counters

Tag Cloud

78.2% 78.2% IDA AIBDPA Air india black money Bonus BSNL BSNLCCWF BSNLEU BSNL for Better Service BSNL strike Casual labour CEC CG employees CITU closure CMD CMD BSNL Contract workers corruption CPI(M) Cuba death anniversary Defence Delhi Dharna Disinvestment DOT EPF EPFO FDI Forum Gratuity Greece India India corruption Kerala Left Parties Merger Minimum Wage MTNL National convention NCCPA NPA opposition Palestine Parliament. Parliament March penalty pension Pensioners privatisation Protest PSU PSU Banks PSUs Railways Revival of BSNL Save BSNL SBI SC Spectrum Spectrum Auction strike Telecom Telecom TU Movement Tower company TRAI US VII CPC Vodafone W.Bengal Wage revision wages WFTU

Categories

  • 2G Scam Corruption
  • AIBDPA – BSNL DOT Pensioners
  • AUAB
  • B.N.Ghosh Book
  • BSNL
  • BSNL – Better Service to the Nation
  • BSNL News
  • BSNLCCWF – Casual and Contract workers
  • BSNLEU
  • CG Employees
  • CITU
  • coal gate scam
  • Corruption
  • CTU
  • Disinvestment
  • Forum
  • General
  • General Elections 2014
  • History
  • IDA
  • Independence Struggle
  • India Left
  • Kerala
  • Kerala floods
  • Kerala LDF Government
  • Left News
  • Membership Verification
  • NCCPA
  • Neo-liberal policy
  • News
  • Obituary, Tributes
  • P&T TU History
  • P&T TU Movement
  • Parliament
  • Pension
  • Politics India
  • Post
  • Postal Service
  • Price Rise
  • privatisation
  • PSU
  • Railway
  • Railway
  • SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN
  • SCFWA
  • Spectrum
  • Sustained struggles
  • Telecom
  • Telecom TU Movement 1991-2015
  • Train Journeys
  • TU News
  • TU News – India
  • TU News – International
  • TU News – Telecom specific
  • TUI of P&R
  • TUI of Pensioners and Retirees
  • Uncategorized
  • VII CPC
  • VII Membership Verification
  • VISIT THE PAST
  • Wage Revision BSNL – 2017
  • WFTU
  • Women
  • WORLD NEWS

Blogroll

  • BSNLEU CHQ Website

Archives

  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • July 2010

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Pages

  • ‘My Story’ by Com. Jyoti Basu
  • About
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Historic Victory!
  • Settlement of Medical Bills of Pensioners
  • RSS - Posts
  • RSS - Comments

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • VAN Namboodiri's Blog
    • Join 489 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • VAN Namboodiri's Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: