Monthly Archives: June 2020

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER : XI BENGAL STIRRED

25 Thursday Jun 2020

Posted by in B.N.Ghosh Book

≈ Leave a comment

CHAPTER – 11
BENGAL STIRRED

In the meantime, the All India Postal and RMS Union, Calcutta Branch, called a meeting at the Tarapada Memorial Hall to discuss and take a decision as to what steps should be taken to show sympathy to the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff of Calcutta who were on strike. The meeting was attended by all. As I was the primary member of this branch, I attended the meeting and moved a resolution to the effect that unless the demands of the Postmen Union were met within 72 hours, the members of that branch would go on strike. The resolution was passed by a narrow margin. As there were sharp differences I sought permission of the Chair to revoke the resolution authorizing the Hon’y Secretary of the Branch to serve the Govt. with 14 days’ notice in case the demands of the workers were not met. The resolution was passed almost unanimously. Nearly one dozen police officers in plain dress were present there and some of them were taking notes. Shri. Birendra Nath Ghosh , M.A.B.L Hon’y Secretary of the Branch, as per resolution , served a 14 days strike notice. This news created a stir amongst the Postal and RMS workers Calcutta. Lt.Col. Byrne, the Presidency Post Master began recruiting one hundred men per day. On the 3rd day, I felt that I should immediately call for an emergent meeting of the Provincial council. The notice and the entire agenda of the Council meeting were sent to all 40 branches of Bengal and Assam by telegram which cost the union Rs.88/10/-.
The Post Master General of Bengal and Assam became a bit shaky at this news and moreover the notice served by the Calcutta Branch was also there. He invited shri. Jitindera Nath Banerjee and my -self and wanted an assurance that in case clerks are asked to do a bit of Packer’s work such as opening of bags and closing and sealing them, they should not refuse. Both of us refused such co-operation. I recalled the days of 1919 when the Postmen of Calcutta were on strike, and the clerks were engaged in doing delivery work on payment of Rs.5/- as extra daily allowance with the result that they became distrustful of the clerks and formed a separate Union which got easy recognition from the Govt. I replied that as the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff were on strike, we would no longer commit the mistake of the past and that none of us will work as strike breakers. The Post Master General Mr. Thoulas became reserved and we left his room quietly.
The 22nd June 1946 Conference of the All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union took the decision for serving the strike notice and accordingly Sri.V.G.Dalvi, General Secretary of the Union served the notice on the 24th on fulfillment of twelve point demands. It is a strange co-incidence the Provincial Council of All India Postal and RMS Union, Bengal and Assam Provincial Branch was also in session on the very date i.e., on the 22nd June, 1946. My proposal for discussing the situation which would arise in case the All India Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union would take a decision for serving strike notice was turned down by the Provincial Council by a majority of votes. The Council rather took a decision for diverting all its energy towards pay commission which would shortly begin functioning and formed a committee for preparation of memorandum to the commission and not to have anything with the would be postmen strike. The decision was not to my liking. I resigned General Secretaryship and left the meeting in disgust. The council passed a resolution requesting me to withdraw my resignation and in case I would not do so within three days Shri.K.D Roy Choudhry M.A.B.L, Hon’y secretary, RMS Union would succeed me. On the 23rd June at 9 A.M., I got extremely perplexed when Coms. Basant Mukherjee, Durga Mazumdar and Santhi Mukherjee, three active workers of the union came to my residence and declared that they were on hunger-strike and would continue to be so unless I would resume duty as General Secretary in the Provincial Union and they lay down in front of the main door of my residence so that I might not be in a position to cross them and go to office. After an hour tussle with them I had to give an under taking to them that I would go to the union in the evening and resume duty. So the matter ended there. My resumption of duty in the union encouraged the Executive of the reorganization party of the Calcutta Postal and RMS Union and they increased their activities so much that under their guidance the entire younger sections who had enrolled themselves in large number as members of the party began preparing for the struggle.
As one of the member of the reorganization party though advanced in age, I found pleasure to be in their company and to be guided by the 8 men Supreme Executive Committee of the party. It is difficult to say today if I was working under the influence of the party Executive or the executive was also to some extent under my influence. The party had no political leaning. The sole intention of the party was to revitalize the organization which was not running on Trade Union Principles due to various reasons. Any how we were in a happy company.
The strike decision of the All India Postal and RMS Union Calcutta Branch and serving of 14 days strike notice by the Honorary Secretary, Shri. Birendra nath Ghosh was the outcome of the joint effort of the reorganization party executive and my associates in the groups of moffussils. Col.Byrne’s activities and the news of suspension of Postmen at Gauhati, Dhubri, Sylhet and Silchar are factors which had compelled me to call the provincial council meeting. The Council met at the Tarapada Memorial Hall on the 16th and 17th July to consider the situation created by the Postmen strike and also the situation created by suspension of a large number of postmen of different centres of Assam, all of whom were our members. It is not worthy that the Provincial Council which on the 22nd June, 1946 had shown utmost reluctant to discuss even the postmen union’s move for direct action in an hour’s time took decision in favour of launching strike. Representatives of all the 40 district and divisional unions in Bengal and Assam including Assam RMS Union, Calcutta constituted of RMS E. Division, C. Division (Bihar) and N. Division (Orissa) attended the sitting. The decision taken, however, was not considered as final. Twenty four hours time was given by the chairman of the meeting to all councillors to think over the decision. (To be continued)

Unethical to delay Ex-gratia payment to the VRS retirees

23 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News, Pension

≈ Leave a comment

About 80,000 BSNL employees had taken VRS, through compulsion and pressure from the BSNL management as also with the offer of immediate payment of ex-gratia etc. 5 months are almost over after retirement. Only a portion of the VRS Ex gratia is paid. It is unethical on the part of the DOT to delay the payment since the government is already committed to it.

AIBDPA writes to CMD BSNL on Revalidation of Medical Card – Extension of date and other issues.

23 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL

≈ Leave a comment

Following is the letter written by AIBDPA to CMD BSNL on Revalidation of Medical Card etc.

AIBDPA/BSNL RS/2020 dated 23rd June,2020

To,

Shri P.K. Purwar

CMD BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan

Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

Sir,

Sub: – Revalidation of Medical card – extension of date and other issues – reg.

Ref: – (1) BSNL CO letter No.BSNL/Admin/2020/Medical dated 04-05-2020

(2) This Association letter No. AIBDPA/ BSNL MRS dated 13-06-2020

(3) BSNL CO Letter No BSNL/Admn-1/15/12/ dated 19-06-2020

First of all, we express our sincere gratitude to your goodself for issuing the clarification order mentioned (2) above in response to our letter dated 13-06-2020. This has addressed most of the issues. However, it is really heart breaking that the most burning issue of the Pensioners, Non-payment of medical bills both indoor and outdoor, one-time payment paid to CGHS and the medical allowance, continues to be neglected. A humanely approach is overdue on this vital issue and request you to kindly cause necessary action to allot sufficient funds for the same.

BSNL CO vide letter dated 04-05-2020 (referred 1 above) have extended the date of revalidation of Medical card upto 30-06-2020 or till further orders. But it has created some confusion at the lower level as some of the Circles insisting BSNL retirees to submit it before 30-06-2020 and some other Circles like Kerala and Chennai Telephones extending the date upto 30-09-2020 and 31-08-2020, respectively. Hence, we request your kind intervention so that a Pan India extension order upto 30-09-2020 is issued by the Corporate Office at the earliest as in the case of Option for outdoor medical facilities. This will have the advantage of fulfilling both by one go by the pensioners.

We also wish to bring to your kind notice the following genuine issues for your kind consideration and early favourable action.

Discrimination against Family Pensioners.

As per the existing rules, family pensioners are not eligible to submit option for outdoor medical facilities. The option submitted by his/ her spouse is absolute and final. This is a gross injustice and discrimination meted out to the family pensioners. So, a review is very much required in the changed situation.

In cases where both husband and wife are BSNL retirees, only one is eligible for medical allowance. This rule also is discriminatory as in some cases the couple are separated and in some other cases staying in different places. Therefore, a review on the issue is necessary so that both the couple are granted the medical allowance.

Awaiting your early positive response and

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary.

Copy to: (1) Shri Aravind Vadnerkar, Director ( HR), BSNL.

(2) Shri Gupta, Director (Finance), BSNL.

(3) Shri Ashutosh Gupta, GM(Admin), BSNL CO.

Further delay for 4G Spectrum allotment for BSNL ?

23 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in BSNL, General

≈ Leave a comment

It is reported that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is going to set up a six-member committee to decide on the tender specifications for 4G Spectrum upgrade for BSNL and MTNL. The same is stated to be in view of the conflict in the LAC with China, with the intention to avoid Chinese equipment.

Some times Committees are appointed to delay matters. It seems that the intention here is the same utilising the border strife.

Revival package for BSNL – Is it retrenchment through VRS only?

22 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL

≈ Leave a comment

The Revival package for BSNL was announced about 9 months back. One of the items, Voluntary Retirement, rather Compulsory retirement of about 80,000 employees was fully implemented by 31st January 2010. But no other item of the package ie. Allotment of 4G Spectrum, Loan from Banks, Monetisation of BSNL assets etc. have not been implemented. Are 9 months insufficient for a government to implement its own assurances, widely publicised?

In fact, the government and Communications Minister Shri Ravi Shanakr Prasad, who declared that he is firm on the revival of BSNL, is silent now. The government is cheating the workers and the public.

GOVERNMENT SHOULD HONOUR ITS COMMITMENT TO THE WORKERS AND THE PEOPLE!

Grant Pension Revision for BSNL pensioners wef 01-01-2017 –

22 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

≈ 3 Comments

BSNL pensioners are eligible for pension revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017. The last revision was made in 2007, 13 years earlier. DOT is stating that pension revision can be granted only after the pay revision of the BSNL employees. This is great injustice. III Pay Revision Committee has recommended pay revision @ 15 %. BSNL management has sought approval of DOT for grant of 15% pay revision for executives. Non-executives unions have discussed wage revision with management. The matter is pending for years. But pensioners, who are aged and require the pension revision can not wait till pay revision orders are issued. They are aged and is in dire need of the increase in pension to manage things. Their medical allowance is also reduced. It is a crime to delay pension revision to these pensioners, who have served the nation for three – four decades, on the plea that pay revision is not granted. Pensioners are not responsible for the same.

AIBDPA leaders have met more than 100 Members of Parliament and many of them have raised the issue with the government, but no action. Email was sent in hundreds to the Prime Minister, but no action.

We demand that the BSNL, DOT and Central Government to take immediate action so that the BSNL pensioners are granted pension revision wef 01-01-2017 without further delay.

JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED.

BSNL issues orders extending date of option for BSNLMRS etc.

22 Monday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension

≈ Leave a comment

AIBDPA has been pressing foe extending the date of submitting option for BSNLMRS to 30-09-2020 as also to exempt the persons from submitting options, who have already submitted option earlier, if they do not want to change the option. AIBDPA sent its letter to CMD on 13-06-2020. Now the BSNL management has issued clarifications on all the matters mentioned in the letter, extending the date as also exempting those who have given option earlier. It is also stated that the option for CGHS can be given at any time. The order is published in the AIBDPA website aibdpa.com

P and T TU Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER : X !946 STRIKE

21 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

CHAPTER- 10
DISCONTENTMENT MOUNTS OR 1946 STRIKE

The all India Postman and Lower Grade staff Union being dissatisfied with the Adjudicator’s Award called a meeting of the Council on the 22nd of June, 1946, and took a decision for serving the Govt. with strike notice. Accordingly, Shri. V G Dalvi served the Govt. with a 14 days strike notice and members of the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff of India struck work with effect from the 11th July 1946.

The All India Postmen and Lower Grade staff Union from the organisational point of view, was weak. It had not within its fold at that time more than 30% of the total strength as its members. Of the remaining 70%, the All India Postal and RMS Union was commanding 35%, the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Union had barely 5% of the staff as members and the rest 30% were unorganized. Although the Postman Union was not very strong in 1946, yet I feel no hesitation to say that the decision of the Union to launch a strike was a timely one. As the bulk of the Postmen and Cl.IV employees in Bengal and Assam were members of the All India Postal and RMS Union, the others who were members of the Postmen Union in Calcutta became hesitant and could not take a decision to join the strike without getting an assurance help from the other unions. The Bengal Assam Postal and RMS Provincial Union had to give an assurance of active help and co-operation firstly to see that the strike does not fizzle out and secondly to arrest the desertion of the union by its Postmen members who were found to be restive at that time. As has already been stated above in the entire circle excepting in Calcutta, Dacca, Chittagong and Shillong most of the Postmen and Lower Grade staff were members of the All India Postal and RMS Union. Even in those cities, the membership was divided amongst the three unions, viz Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union, Postal and RMS Union and the Indian Posts and Telegraph Union. The Postmen Union in Calcutta arranged a meeting on the eve of strike to decide as to whether it should abide by the decision of its central union and join the strike. This meeting was held in the Arya samaj Hall and was attended not only by the Postmen and Class IV workers, but also by the clerks. The hall was fully packed. The organizers of the Postmen Union had invited the leaders of other P&T unions but I was not one of those fortunate invitees and so could not be on the dais. As an employee of the department I could not wait for an invitation specially at this critical hour. It was with great difficulty that I could take my stand in a corner of the packed hall and found Shri. Birendra Nath Ghosh, M.A.B.L Hony Secretary All India Postal RMS Union , Calcutta Branch and Shri. K.D.Roy Choudhary ,M.A.B.L Hon’y secretary, all India Postal and RMS Union, RMS Branch were already on the dais by the side of Shri. Rohini Ray, Bar-at-Law, the General Secretary of All India Postmen and Lower grade staff Union, Bengal Provincial Union. I could not guess as to what would be the stand of those seated on the dais. I was eagerly waiting for a chance to address the meeting. Shri.Ray and other leaders of Postmen Union addressed the meeting. Most of the speakers were found to be shaky and could not give a correct lead to the gathering. The whole house was found to be agitated and waiting a clarion call to join the strike. For the time being there was great pandemonium and the house became uncontrollable. It is strange enough for me that just at the time there was a demand from all corners of the house that B.N.Ghosh (myself) should be invited to address the gathering if I was present there. I made my way to the dais, addressed the gathering for an hour and issued a clarion call to join the struggle to a man. I do not boast it is a fact that I was able to carry the entire house with me. They cast cent per cent vote in favour of strike. The Chairman of the meeting declared the strike decision amidst loud cheers.
I on behalf of the Postal and RMS Union of Bengal and Assam held out an assurance to them that we would stand by them and would shortly follow suit. The result of this assurance was marvellous. The vast gathering at least for the moment forgot the difference between class III and Class IV employees and the house dispersed with slogans of “Postal Class III and Class IV Zindabad”.

As this was a strike in post war period when there was all round labour unrest due to higher cost of living and demobilization of war service workers and Britishers were showing reluctant to quit India, the public support and sympathy were with the strikers. All the leftist political parties and the trade unions stood by the workers but it has to be kept on record that shortly after the strike commenced, Dewan Chaman Lal , President of the Posts and Telegraph Federation began his anti-trade union activities and, if I remember it right, he issued the first press statement depreciating the strike launched by the Postmen Union and had the “goodness” to say that the Federation had no sympathy for the strike which had been declared illegal by the Govt. Shortly after this, Dr.Noronah General Secretary of the Indian Telegraph Association issued a similar press statement and Com. M A Jabbar , General Secretary, All India Posts and Telegraph Union , followed suit and issued a statement in the press against the strike.

Such anti trade union activities of three great leaders of the P&T movement upset me altogether and no other way but to call a press conference in Calcutta and issue a statement which runs as follows: “The strike launched by the Postmen and Lower Grade Staff Union is quite legal and we have every sympathy for them and none of the members of the Postal and RMS Union should work as a strike breaker by working in place of the strikers”. This statement of mine created enthusiasm in the workers throughout India and our members also became jubilant and began showing their eagerness to fall in with those who were already on the march.

There were developments in quick succession. The Postmen of Shillong who were members of Postmen and Lower Grade staff Union had gone on strike. The Dy.Postmaster General , Shillong range issued order on twelve Postmen of Sylhet which is the neighbouring district of Shillong, to proceed there and work in place of strikers. On the strength of the directive issued by me, they refused to go to Shillong and boldly defied the order and told the authorities that they were not prepared to act as strike breakers. All these officials were placed under suspension. Order was thereafter issued on 12 Postmen of Dhubri to proceed to Shillong but they also refused to carry out the order and had to share the same fate. The matter did not rest here. The Postal authority of Shillong range in their zeal for keeping the work of Shillong in a smooth running condition, ordered another batch of 12 Postmen from Gauhati to proceed to Shillong. They not only refused to go but lay down in front of the office and took a vow not to move unless the orders were cancelled. This news spread like wild fire and the Posts and Telegraphs workers of Bengal and Assam became greatly agitated and strike minded. (To be continued)

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -21 Towards Strike.

21 Sunday Jun 2020

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

Procurement of equipments

The Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and  Associations met on  1st January 2010 and discussed the latest situation with regard to the development and expansion of BSNL services and connected matters. The cancellation of the 45.5 million mobile tender by BSNL has created a serious situation for BSNL with no mobile lines to provide. The company which was in the first position had gone down to the third position  in the mobile sector, while keeping its first position in landlines. Total market share has gone down to 16.38% from the earlier 20%. More lines have to be purchased urgently. Under these circumstances, the JF decided to organise the following agitational programmes demanding immediate tender and purchase of 93 million mobile line for expansion.

1.Telegram Campaign: Circle / District / Branch secretaries to send the following telegram to the Prime Minister so as to reach before 6th January 2010. To Shri Manmohan Singh Prime Minister New Delhi. ” KINDLY INTERVENE TO SAVE BSNL BY IMMEDIATE FINALISATION OF 93 MILLION GSM LINES” – Name of Circle/District Branch Secretary.

Memorandum to the Prime Minister

A Memorandum  dated 5th January 2010 was submitted to the Prime Minister with the same demands. It was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), Convener, G.L.Jogi(SNEA), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), V.Subburaman (TEPU), B.R.Jhakatia(SEWA BSNL), Hukam Singh (SNATTA), and Devi Prasad (AIBCTES).

The JF leaders met Communications Minister A.Raja on 4th January and requested the intervention of the Minister to speed up the 93 million GSM tender.

Retrograde recommendations of Sam Pitroda committee

The retrograde recommendations of the committee headed by Sam Pitroda, former secretary DOT and telecom expert, raised sharp reactions from the workers. It proposed 30% disinvestment in BSNL, retrenchment of one lakh workers, unbundling of the copper cables, outsourcing of works etc. The Joint Forum conducted a detailed study and submitted its suggestions. In its meeting on 10th and 15th March 2010, JF discussed the issue in detail and decided to strongly protest and go on agitation.  The following programmes were decided:

1.One Day Dharna on 26-03-2010  2. Indefinite strike from 20-04-2010.

In order to bring NFPTE back in to JF ( which has discontinued from the JF some time back), the name of the JF was changed in to Joint Action Committee and the new office bearers were elected with Com. M.B.Vichare (NFPTE) as Chairman and Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) as Convener. NFTE was keeping away from the JF after the membership verification and all wanted no embarrassment to them while joining back.

Strike Notice served.

Strike Notice with the following demands were served on the BSNL Management on 23-03-2010 after a massive demonstration participated by hundreds of workers at corporate office. All over India, the demonstrations were participated by thousands.

  1. Settle ITS Absorption issue.
  2. No disinvestment, no privatization of BSNL
  3. No retrenchment, No VRS
  4. No unbundling of last mile copper and other infrastructure
  5. No outsourcing
  6. Immediate procurement of mobile lines
  7. Ensure IDA Pension Revision to BSNL pensioners.
  9. The strike notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri(BSNLEU) Convener, N.T.Sajwani (NFPTE) Chairman,  K.Vallinayagam (FNTO), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), K.Anil Kumar (ATM), Sathyanarayana (AIBSNLEA), N.D.Ram (SEWA BSNL), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL), D.P.Patwa (AIBCTES) and H.P.Singh (BSNLOA).  (To be continued)

61 years after Bank Nationalisation

20 Saturday Jun 2020

Posted by in privatisation

≈ Leave a comment

14 Private banks were nationalised on 19th July 1969 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. All the banks grew in size and provided the back bone for the banking sector. More banks were nationalised later. It was these banks which helped  the country to tide over the 2007 world recession.

Modi government has merged many of these nationalised banks reducing them from 26 to 12. This is a step towards reprivatisation of the banks as in the case of many PSUs.

A mighty struggle of the workers and the political parties is required to stop the bank privatisation.