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2008

All India Protest Day observed on 21st January 2008

BSNL workers as per the call of the Joint Forum observed the All India Protest Day by wearing black badges and demonstrating in front of BSNL offices and exchanges. Hundreds of workers participated in these demonstrations warning the management of the ensuing strike if the demands raised by the Joint Forum are not settled.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Joint Forum, addressed letters 0n 14-01-2008 to Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, Shri Santosh Mohan Deb,  Minister of State, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and Shri A.Raja Communications Minister on the urgency of settling the issues and seeking for a meeting.

Meeting with CMD on 23-01-2008

On the basis of the letter dated 23-01-2008 from the Forum, a meeting was held with Shri Kuldip Goyal, CMD BSNL and discussed the following issues:

Immediate purchase of equipments, restoration of ADC to BSNL which was discontinued from 2008-2009, early payment of USOF, Modernisation and increasing productivity of Telecom Factories, regular functioning of the Works Committee at SSAs, providing broadband connections without delay, increasing of marketing, eliminating wastage and corruption etc.

Joint Forum calls for Indefinite Strike from 26-02-2008 against Disinvestment

As per the decision of the Joint Forum the strike notice was served on 24th January 2008.The demands of the strike included (1) Drop IPO/Disinvestment proposal in BSNL (2) Wihdraw proposal for VRS in BSNL (3) Withdraw DOT’s arbitrary order dated 15-06-2006 on BSNL’s pension Contribution (4) Ensure uninterrupted supply of 2G and 3G equipments, additional 2G spectrum as well as 3G spectrum as agreed earlier (5) Ensure BSNL’s financial viability by continuing ADC, Reimbursement of Licence Fee and USO Fund (6) Grant  Navaratna status to BSNL and (8) Immediate absorption of ITS. The strike notice  issued on 24-01-2008 was signed by V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), M.B.Vichare(NFTE BSNL), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), K.Sathyanarayan (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman(TEPU), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), S.P.Sharma(BSNLWRU), V.R.Venugopal(BTEU), A.D.Patil(AIBCTES), R.S.Yadav(ATM), Hari Singh (BTU) and Subhash Gaur(BSNLOA). Wide publicity was given to the strike through issue of pamphlets, press statements and wall posters etc.

Discussion with Secretary, DOT on the Strike issues

On the basis of the strike notice issued by the Joint Forum, a meeting was called by Secretary, DOT Shri Sidharth Behura on 19-02-2008, in which CMD BSNL Shri Kuldeep Goyal was also present. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JF and other leaders explained the demands of the strike. The outcome of the deliberation in brief was the following:

  1. Disinvestment of BSNL: There is no immediate proposal for IPO. Minister has also issued a press release on this.
  2. VRS proposal: If the BSNL employees do not want VRS, no such scheme will be introduced.
  3. Withdrawal of DOT’s Arbitrary orders on Pension (60% – 40%): The matter will be taken up with Cabinet.
  4. Uninterrupted supply of 2G, 3G spectrum: This will be given preference. BSNL will be allotted 3G spectrum.
  5. Ensure BSNL’s Financial viability: DOT Secretary stated that Cabinet Note is under circulation and assured discussion with Minister and appropriate action will be taken for the same.
  6. Navaratna Status to BSNL: DPE shall forward the case for grant of Navaratna status to BSNL for consideration by apex body.
  7. Immediate absorption of group A Officers: Matter is under active consideration of DOT. Draft Cabinet Note is under preparation and the final note will be prepared within 15-20 days.

To a question in the Parliament, the Minister of State for Communications & IT Shri Shakeel Ahmed stated on 28-02-2008 that the government is not considering disinvestment of BSNL.