Historic Parliament March on 3 August 2006 by BSNL and MTNL Workers

As decided earlier, a Parliament March on 3rd August 2006 was organized at New Delhi. It was, to say the least, historic in all senses. More than 12 thousand workers from BSNL and MTNL participated. The mobilization was mainly from MTNL and nearby circles of BSNL. But workers from all circles were also present. The workers led by the leaders of the Joint Forum of BSNL and MTNL Unions/Associations started the March from the Eastern Court premises where the offices of both MTNL and BSNL are functioning. The March went through the Jantar Mantar place, but was stopped in front of the parliament Police station, where barricades have been erected.
The massive rally was held there itself. The rally was inaugurated by Com. Sitaram Yechury, M.P., who demanded the government to agree to the very reasonable demands of the workers, which were in favour of the Nation itself. Coms. Basudev Acharya, M.P., Tapan Sen M.P, Roop Chand Pal M.P. addressed the rally and extended support. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JF, V.K.Tomar, O.P.Gupta , G.L.Jogi, Prahlad Rai, K.Vallinayagam, V.Subburaman, Suresh Kumar and other leaders addressed the rally.
This was one of the biggest rallies organized by the MTNL and BSNL workers in Delhi. It had its impact on the DOT and the government.
Pension issue – Meeting with the Secretary DOT on 6 Sept. 2006
The leaders of the joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations met Shri D.S.Mathur, Secretary DOT on 6th September 2006 and discussed the various issues connected with Pension, CGHS etc.
1. Pension – The unions brought to the notice of the Secretary DOTabout the latest orders of the DOT directing BSNL to pay the pension of the BSNL employees, if it exceeds more than 60% of the payments by BSNL to the government, including dividend, licence fee, corporate tax etc. which is in utter violation of Rule 37-A and earlier orders of DOT that pension will be paid by the government. DOT Secretary assured that the matter will be re-examined.
2. CGEGIS Refund – Secretary DOT stated that the files are already with the Finance Ministry and he will speak to Secretary Finance for speeding up the payment.
3. DOT Secretary also assured that the meeting of BSNL and DOT Officers will be held shortly to discuss about the issues referred to by BSNL to DOT which were raised by the unions in the earlier meeting on 7th August 2006.
After the meeting with the DOT, the JF met CMD BSNL Shri A.K.Sinha on the same day and strongly opposed the proposal for sharing of infrastructure with the private companies. He assured to reexamine the issue. (to be continued)