Monthly Archives: November 2016

Condemning statement of Defence Minister on reversing of ‘No First use of Nuclear Weapon’

11 Friday Nov 2016

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The statement of Defence Minister Mr. Parrikar that India should revise its “No First Use Nuclear Weapon Policy” is most condemnable. The later clarification that it is his personal opinion does not hold water or reduce the serious damage done to the time tested policy of the Government of India.

This statement is a complete reversal of the long standing and accepted policy of the Government of India since Independence. The Defence Minister, through his irresponsible statement, has put India in a poor light before the world. He should apologize to the people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak out what is the policy of India in this matter.

Central Secretariat of BSNLEU on 12-13 November 2016 at Chennai

11 Friday Nov 2016

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The meeting of the Central Secretariat of BSNLEU, the main recognised union of Non-Executives in BSNL, is scheduled to take place on 12-13 November 2016 at Chennai. The main discussion will be on the conduct of the All India Conference to be held at Chennai on 31st December 2016 to 3rd January 2017. Another important or most important matter is about resisting the anti-BSNL move of the government like formation of Tower Company bifurcating BSNL and the Revival and strengthening of BSNL.

BSNLEU since its formation and especially after getting the recognised status have been continuously putting all efforts as also pressuring the government and BSNL Management for taking immediate action for the revival of BSNL. The JAC/Joint Forum/Forum has been initiating moves one after another in this respect and going on struggle, whenever required. The latest attack on BSNL through formation of Tower Company is a serious threat to the existence of BSNL.

Another issue is the fast reduction in the number of workers. During the last 16 years since formation of BSNL in 2000, the workforce have been reduced to about 2.05 lakhs from the earlier 3.5 lakhs. About 1.85 lakhs workers have retired during this period with only about 40,000 new recruitment. The next few years will be critical with about 10,000 to 15,000 retirements each year. Recruitment has become an important part of the revival plan.

There is no doubt that these  and other important issues will be discussed with due seriousness and strategy finalised to face the present challenging situation.

Is it justified to continue separation of Class III, Class II and Class I or Executives and Non-Executives?

11 Friday Nov 2016

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The British Rulers have separated the government employees in to many categories like Class IV, Class III, Class II, Class I etc. Not only in salary and allowances, but in fringe benefits also, the differences were kept. There were differences between British, Anglo-Indian and Indian (native) in qualification for appointment, salary, promotion etc.

These were all part of the capitalist/imperialistcolonial system of government. By about six decades of independence, most of the discriminations between the  Class IV and Class III in government services have been removed. In fact, the Class IV cadre as such is being fully eliminated merging with class III. In Public Sector like BSNL, these two classes have been merged into ‘non-executives’. Almost all the service conditions are made equal.

In government services, the differences between Class III, Class II, class I and IAS continues. In the PSUs, differences exist between Non-Executives, Executives and top Managerial posts.

Are these differences necessary in a democratic set up? Of course, differences will  be there on certain issues like pay, allowances, benefits etc. connected with higher responsibility, position etc. , but the present huge differences are not at all justified.The unnecessary and out dated colonial arrangements intended to serve the foreign rulers need to be put an end to.

As another forward step in this direction, as done in the case of merger of Class III and IV, it is necessary that the Class III, Class II and Class I should be merged as also the Non-Executives and Executives putting an end to the unnecessary, unwanted and outdated artificial divisions of the working class.

Times are changing, world is changing. There is no need to hang upon the mistakes of the past. The need of the time is to change such outdated rules, conventions and practices. But it is not easy since it is the topmost people who wield the power and who safeguard their vested interests.

A serious debate has to start on the justification, feasibility and implementation of eliminating these unwanted differentiations.

AIBDPA meeting at Bengaluru on 10-11-2016

10 Thursday Nov 2016

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A meeting of the active workers of AIBDPA was held at BSNLEU office at CTO, Bengaluru, with short notice to discuss about the various issues facing the DOT/BSNL Pensioners.Com. B.T.M.Giri, Dist. President, BGTD presided. Coms.H.C.Prakash DS welcomed. Com.C.K.Gundanna, CS BSNLEU, Com.Manjunath, Advocate, Com.Munilingappa, Com. V.Girish Chandra, Dt. Treasurer, Com.V.Doraiswamy, Asst. Circle Secretary and others addressed. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA spoke in detail about the issues of the DOT/BSNL Pensioners, the recommendations of the VII CPC, the proposed struggles by the CG Employees and Pensioners etc. He pointed out the various struggles organised by BSNLEU, Forum and AIBDPA for the settlement of 60:40 issue, 78.2% etc. The issue of Pension Revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners has already been taken with the new Minister, Secretary DOT and others concerned. The need to organise the entire pensioners against the neo-liberal policy of the government and to get the PFRDA scrapped etc.was stressed. The participants pointed out certain issues to the notice of the leaders which have to be settled.

In the afternoon, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri along with Com. H.C.Prakash and other comrades met Shri R.Satheesh, Jt.CCA (CCA was away in connection with BRICS meeting) and discussed certain issues of the pensioners including delay in pension orders. The Jt. CCA assured to settle the cases early.

Donald Trump elected as US President

09 Wednesday Nov 2016

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Rejecting all  earlier predictions of a Ms. Hillary victory, the people of US has elected Donald Trump with convincing majority. We have to understand how the mind of the US people works to evaluate the results. Probably, Trump might have been able to rouse the Americans about their future and also the issue of unemployment.

The coming days will show, whether the election of Donald trump is going to make any major change.

Rs.500. Rs.1,000 currency notes scrapped – What will be the impact?

09 Wednesday Nov 2016

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced today, 8th November 2016, in his ‘Man Ki Bath’ that the currency notes of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 will be scrapped forthwith,from midnight of 8th -9th November in the fight against corruption, black-money and terrorism. These notes can be surrendered to the Banks. He says there is a black money running to Rs. 1,25,000 crores.

In the place of the old notes. new Rs.2,000 and Rs.500 notes will be issued. 9th November 2016 will be holiday for Banks and the ATMs will not function, probably to make the changes.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS?  HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE FIGHT AGAINST BLACK MONEY AND CORRUPTION?  THE COMING DAYS WILL SHOW.

 

 

 

 

Circle Executive Committee Meeting and Demonstration by Karnataka Non-Permanent Workers Union

08 Tuesday Nov 2016

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The extended meeting of the Karnataka State  BSNL Non-Permanent Workers Union, affiliated to BSNLCCWF and CITU was held at Conference Hall at  Bengaluru on 08-11-2016. About 200 comrades including a good number of women participated. Com. C.K.Gundanna, Circle President, KNPW Union and Circle Secretary, BSNLEU presided. Comrade Mahantesh, General Secretary Non-Permanent Workers union welcomed all and explained the issues to be discussed. Com. Gundanna , President gave the guidelines for the discussion. In his inaugural speech Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, All india President, BSNLCCWF, briefed the house about the decisions taken in the meeting of the Central Secretariat held on 26-10-2016, including the decision to organise a Parliament March on 22-02-2017 on the Charter of demands placed by the Federation. He congratulated the Karnataka workers for their struggles for ensuring minimum wage etc. Comrades M.C.Balakrishna, Org. Secretary BSNLEU, Balaji, Shanbag, CITU, Sudershan, Dist. Secretary BSNLEU, Girish, Cheluvaraj, Shabarish Kumar office-bearers BSNLCCWF addressed. The CEC decided to participate in the 22 February Parliament March as per quota allotted.

The leaders met the CGMT Shri Nagaraju and discussed about the problems of the casual and contract workers in the circle.

Utilise the vacant BSNL buildings, quarters, offices effectively

08 Tuesday Nov 2016

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There are a large number of BSNL buildings, quarters etc. which are vacant. Some of these are given on rent to  central Government departments, state governments, PSUs etc. on rent, but majority buildings / quarters are still lying vacant. Information on many such buildings obtained through RTIs has been handed over to CMD BSNL with the request to take urgent action for getting them rented. This is only a microscopic section of the vacant buildings.

The BSNL Management should urgently take a proper inventory of such buildings and quarters and see that they are got rented, which will get a handsome amount to BSNL. The question of allotting quarters to Pensioners and casual/contract workers at reasonable rates   should also be considered.

BSNL requests for allotment of 700 Mhz Spectrum

08 Tuesday Nov 2016

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CMD BSNL has requested the government for allotment of 700 Mhz for providing 4G services. This is a good proposal and if granted will help BSNL in a good way.

In fact, during my meeting with both Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL and Shri J.S.Deepak, Secretary, DOT recently, I have made the proposal to both. Since the private telcos have not bid for 700 Mhz on the plea of high base price, the same can be allotted to BSNL free or by payment in instalments. While CMD BSNL appreciated the proposal, Secretary DOT did not respond either way.

The proposal of the CMD should be well taken by the government and the 700 Mhz spectrum allotted free or as equity or as loan without interest and to be repaid in instalments. This will also create a situation where the private companies will bid for the spectrum and the government will get additional funds.

Meeting of CCLU at Kozhikode

07 Monday Nov 2016

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A meeting of the Executive Committee of BSNLCCWF was held at Kozhikode on 07-11-2016 presided over by Com. Jayarajan, District President. Com. T.T.Asokan, District Secretary welcomed all. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF  in his inaugural speech explained the decisions of the Central Secretariat meeting held on 26-10-2016, including the Parliament March on 22-02-2017 and the meetings with the CLC, CMD BSNL etc. He also explained the Charter of demands presented by the CCWF. He congratulated the kerala contract workers for the historic strike and achievement. Com.M.Vijaya Kumar, All India Org. Secretary BSNLEU addressed the meeting.