In the meanwhile, the BRPSE recommended implementation of VRS in BSNL, reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58, merger of ITI with BSNL etc. The meeting of the JAC held on 29-03-2011 unanimously decided to organise countrywide demonstrations on 5th April 2011 against these retrograde recommendations. They were effectively organised through out the country.

The Convener, JAC, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri addressed a detailed letter to Communications Minister Shri Kapil Sibal on 12-04-2011 with regard to the absorption of ITS officers in BSNL. Another letter was written on the same day to the Lok Sabha Secretariat submitting our suggestions on the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum to the Joint Parliament Committee (JPC) appointed for the purpose and seeking a meeting.

In the meantime, NFTE and FNTO stopped attending the Forum meetings. The reason seemed to be the misunderstanding arisen due to the hectic campaign in the Membership Verification held in December 2010.

“Customer Delight Month”, “Employees Awareness Week”

JAC meeting held on 29th March  2011 decided to observe May 2011 as “Customer Delight Month” to educate and propagate  among the workers the need to serve the customers in a far better way so that the services will be better and there will be good feeling amongst the customers. The financial viability of the company was going down and the services were also not up to the mark. Hence the programme of ” Customer Delight Month”. There was general consensus in the meeting that ‘government mindset’ should be changed and the work culture should be improved. It was also decided to give wide publicity to the decision. In the same way, an “Employees Awareness Week” to be  observed from 24-04-2011. All these programmes were effectively organised.

A meeting was held with the JAC by Shri Gopal Das, CMD BSNL, on 20-05-2011 on the implementation of the “Customer Delight Month” in which the JAC gave a number of valuable suggestions. On the basis of these suggestions, BSNL issued several instructions to the field offices for taking specific actions to improve the services.

The JAC had another round of discussions on 03-05-2011 with the newly appointed CMD Shri R.K.Upadhyaya on the suggestions for improvement of the services and the implementation of the Customer Delight Month. All the directors were also present.

The JAC  decided to organise JAC  meetings in circles which should be attended by the leaders of Forum / General Secretaries of the affiliated unions. These meetings were effectively held.

JAC strongly objected the action of the DOT arbitrarily taking over the important BSNL buildings in many places and handing over them to CCAs etc. Resolution was adopted on the subject and forwarded to the Prime Minister, Communications Minister, Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL.

Meeting with Secretary DOT on strike issues

A meeting of the JAC with the Secretary DOT Shri R.Chandrasekhar was held on 06-02-2011 with regard to the implementation of the agreement made on 2nd December 2010 at the time of the strike.

ITS Absorption – Court case.

The meeting of the JAC held on 8th April 2011 decided to file a court case on the ITS absorption issue. The case will be  filed jointly by BSNLEU, SNEA(I) and AIBSNLEA. This as done.

Proposals for a New Telecom Policy were submitted to the Communications Minister Kapil Sibal on 06-06-2011 as per the decisions of the JAC. (To be continued).