The Posts and Telegraphs Departments were two departments earlier. Later it was merged. The order changing the designation to “Indian Posts & Telegraph Department” was issued vide DG P&T No. 22/15 dated 17-8-1927. But even before that, it has started functioning as on department.

Calcutta was the capital of British India till 1911. Of course, the summer capital was in the pleasant Simla.
The British had systematically constructed the capital city with a good number of beautiful buildings in their own styles, different from the Moghul type buildings. The Writers Building which accommodated the government offices, the Viceroys Residence, Post Office, Telephone Exchange, Telegraph Office, Imperial Bank of India, the law courts – all are around this area.
While I was on my morning walk in Calcutta today, 28th July 2016, I visited these places. My main intention was to visit the Post Office, Telegraph Office and Telephone Exchange. These beautiful buildings are still being utilised, although new buildings have been constructed for Telephone Exchange, Post Office etc.

I attended a meeting of the Telecom Factory workers at Kolkata yesterday. There were many pensioners, in addition to  the  workers.
The happiness of Pensioners were clearly evident from their faces on the settlement of 78.2% IDA Pension fixation. The workers  are ready  for the strike on 2nd September 2016. Every body was in high spirits.

It is this sincerity  and dedication to the organization  which make comrades like me to continue our humble services.

Both Merger and Separation  of public sector units are done by government for destabilisation of these PSUS. Timing may be different, but intention is the same.
The merger of Air India and Indian Airlines, BSNL and MTNL, SBI and affiliated Banks are part of this game as also the separation of BSNL, MTNL, and VSNL.
The government should remember that PSUs are created for the service to the nation and are not play toys to be used for the interest of Corporates and big business.

The following five demands of BSNL workers already taken are pending for long. Management should settle them with out further delay:

1. Five Time Bound Promotions In service.
2.These time bound promotions should be granted after every Five Years.
3. Wage Revision after every Five Years, instead of the present ten years.
4. Eligibility for competitive examination like JTO etc. to be reduced to Five Years from the present seven years.
5. Five Days week to be introduced.

All these have been raised by BSNLEU either at the time of wage revision or in the National Council. It will help the seniors to get better pension. The new recruits with high qualification and great aspirations need better prospects.

After independence, separate budgets were presented in Parliament for Railways and P&T, considering their importance. Serious discussion took place on these budgets every time with participation of well known leaders. After two- three decades, separate budget for P&T was stopped. Now the move is to end the budget for Railways. Is it a well planned move before corporation / privatisation of Railways?