Kerala LDF Government has increased the old age / social security pension being paid to Rs. 1600 from April 2021. It was only Rs. 600 when LDF government took over in 2016 and 18 months arrears were to be paid. LDF has promised that the pension will be increased to Rs.2,500 within the next five years. Congratulations!

V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, Senior Citizens Friends Welfare Association, Kerala.

Thee gross discrimination against BSNL in putting the condition that the infrastructure for launching the 4G Spectrum should be from only Indian manufacturers is nothing but an attack on BSNL and the people. Government should remove this unwanted and unjustified discrimination and allow BSNL to engage foreign companies also as is allowed in case of private telcos. In fact, there is no Indian company which can provide the infrastructure.

BSNL Corporate Office has issued targets for monetization of land assets of BSNL for each circle. Two important things have to be ensured. 1. BSNL should get the amount of monetization; not the government. 2. Maximum price should be ensured for the land assets.

The book written by me, ‘My Life, Struggles’ (autobiography), which was posted in Facebook for 80 continuous days, was published by Karnataka BSNLEU Circle taken initiative by Circle President Com. C.K.Gundanna and Circle secretary Com.H.V.Sudharshan in a special meeting arranged along with the CEC meeting of BSNLEU on 22nd March 2021, which also was the 20th anniversary of foundation of BSNLEU. The book was released by Com.Amanulla Khan, former President of AIIEA and editor of Insurance Worker. Circle leaders of BSNLEU, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF participated and addressed. More than 200 comrades participated. Congratulations to Karnataka Comrades!

19th March 2021 is the 23rd death anniversary of Com. E.M.S.Namboodiripad, the Communist leader of international recognition, freedom fighter, General Secretary first of CPI and then General Secretary of CPI(M) for a long period, and the first Chief Minister of Kerala.In his nearly seven decades of public life and revolutionary activities, E.M.S. Namboodiripad left an indelible imprint on the progressive and working class movement of the country. As a young man, he became active in the social reform movement against caste. He left college in 1931 to join the freedom struggle and was jailed in the satyagraha movement. From then on wards, he played an important role in the Congress movement and was one of the founders of the Congress Socialist Party in Kerala. In 1934 he became the all India Joint Secretary of the Congress Socialist Party. It is in this period that E.M.S., while leading the Congress Party as General Secretary of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, that he became acquainted with Marxism. He was one of the five members who formed the founding group of the Communist Party in Kerala in 1936. E.M.S. Namboodiripad represented the coming together of the two streams, the anti-imperialist and the anti-feudal struggles, which laid the foundations for the development of a powerful communist movement in Kerala. He was one of the key proponents of Aikya Kerala which led to the formation of Kerala as a unified linguistic state.E.M.S. Namboodiripad was first elected to the Madras Provincial Legislative Assembly in 1939. As an important leader of the Communist Party he donated the proceeds of his landed property to the Party. He went underground, building the Party in crucial periods between 1939-42 and 1948-50. He was elected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India in 1941. He became a member of the Polit Bureau of the CPI in December 1950 and later its Secretariat. He became General Secretary of the united CPI in 1962.

After formation of Kerala state, in the first elections in 1957, Communist Party won and E.M.S. Namboodiripad became Chief Minister of the first elected Communist ministry in India. It was EMS ministry which initiated the path breaking land reform legislation and other democratic measures, till the ministry was dismissed undemocratically in 1959. E.M.S. Namboodiripad became Chief Minister of Kerala again in 1967 heading a United Front ministry till 1969.E.M.S. joined the leading group from the united Party who formed the CPI(M) and was elected to the Central Committee and the Polit Bureau of the Party at the Seventh Congress of the Party in 1964. He continued to serve in these positions till his death.

E.M.S. Namboodiripad was elected as the General Secretary of Communist Party of India (Marxist) in 1977 and he led the Party in this capacity till the 14th Congress in 1992 when he stepped down due to ill-health. His leadership in rallying all the Left, democratic and secular forces was invaluable.

E.M.S. was a brilliant Marxist theoretician. He made outstanding contributions to the application of Marxism-Leninism to Indian society and in working out the strategy and tactics of the Indian revolution. His vast body of writings bear the mark of an original and creative mind which mastered the dialectics of Marxist theory. His writings on land relations, Kerala, society and politics and his writings on Marxist philosophy, literature and history — mark him out to be one of the most influential communist thinkers of the country and the world. His writings have been published in 100 big volumes by the Kerala State Committee of the CPI(M).E.M.S. Namboodiripad was a rare example of a Communist leader who hailing from a traditional landlord family graduated to become the foremost leader of the proletarian revolutionary movement. He spent three years in jail and six years underground. His was a life of sacrifice and simplicity. He set an example which has inspired tens of thousands of communists all over the country and world. In Kerala, he was a legend in his lifetime who was adored and respected by all sections of the people. Till the last day of his life, despite failing health, E.M.S kept to his daily routine of writing articles and providing guidance to the Party.

He died on March 19, 1998 at the age of 89.

Com. EMS was closely connected with the P&T Trade union movement and attended many conferences of the union, including the All India Conference of the AITEE Union Class III held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1994, where I was elected as the General Secretary of the union.

His strictness for time and timely completion of any responsibility and task is well known. This I have seen myself. Once I have the opportunity to travel with him from Calicut to Mangalore, where he was to address a meeting of NFPTE. He was continuously writing and by the time we reached Mangalore, he put the same in a cover, wrote the address and told me to post it immediately so that it will reach Chintha Journal next day itself.

An interesting incident also happened. While addressing the meeting at Mangalore Head Post Office on the day, he saw the photo of Babu Tarapada Mukherjee, pioneer of the P and T TU movement, fixed on the wall and asked whose photo it is. When I mentioned that it was the photo of Babu Tarapada, Union leader, he smiled and commented: ‘ so, you have your union leaders’ photo in the Post Office also.’ I mentioned to him that since there are no place in many Post Offices for holding meetings, we usually hold the same in the office, after office hours.

I used to meet him at the Party office in Delhi when he was the General Secretary of the CPI(M), whenever I went to Delhi for union meeting/conference. He will briefly ask me the purpose of the visit and then continue with his work. Once he handed over some cassettes with his speech which was to be delivered to Thiruvananthapuram for the meetings in connection with the Municipal Corporation elections.

While I was functioning as Circle Secretary of the E.III Union at Thiruvananthapuram, I used to go and meet him at his house in the nearby colony. He will simply nod or say a few words and then will ask to sit and have a cup of tea inside. His son, (late) Aniyan was also very friendly.

India is facing one of its greatest crisis with the BJP government trying to divide the people on religion, the citizen ship itself is questioned and CAA adopted, corporates are favored, PSUs, the national assets are being sold. And against these, when the democratic minded organisations and common people are waging a big battle for existence, the memory of Com. EMS will inspire us to continue our struggle against all injustices and inequalities.

Red Salute to Com. EMS!

Modi Government has plans to sell many important and strategic assets of the nation, including that of Railways, Telecom, Power, Transport and Civil Aviation. The target for 2021-22 is given below in a table form. 50 Railway Stations and 150 passenger trains will be privatised through which the government expects Rs.90,000 crore. Telecom assets including towers and copper cables will be on sale to fetch Rs. 40,000 crore. 13 Airports are in the list.

Misusing the Covid period, BJP government is going on handing over the assets of the nation to the billionaires like Adani and Ambani. Public sector units, which gave maximum support to the growth and development of the country are being sold for a few crores of rupees. LIC and Banks are being disinvested as the first step towards privatisation. The Bank Employees and insurance workers have been on strike during this week. Farmers continue their months long agitation.

This is a time of severe crisis. All out opposition to the anti-people policies and actions of the government is a must with massive participation of the common people.

BSNL Employees Union is completing 20 years of its fruitful existence on 22nd March 2021. It is BSNLEU’s 21st Foundation day.

BSNL Employees Union, the majority recognised union of the BSNL workers, was formed on 22nd March 2001, in the National Convention of eight telecom unions held at Visakhapatnam, in the presence of Com. E.Balanandan, President of CITU and one of the greatest working class leaders India has ever seen.Though started with about 50,000 – 60,000 workers, it grew to be the biggest union in BSNL with more than one lakh workers, despite the fact that there was no recruitment and thousands were retiring every year. This was a herculean task, but the united team of the BSNLEU leadership made the ‘impossible in to possible.

’BSNLEU, as the recognised union separately, and also jointly with other unions, both Executives and Non-executives, defeated the nefarious designs of the central government, both NDA and UPA, to disinvest BSNL, unbundle the precious copper cables and so on. BSNLEU took the initiative to form the Joint Forum of Unions and Associations, under which organisation, many battles were fought and anti-worker decisions of the government defeated.

BSNL and its workers are facing serious challenges to their existence. The neo-liberal policy initiated by the Congress government in 1991 and aggressively being implemented by the present BJP government is making it difficult for the PSUs to sustain and grow. In the name of Revival Plan, 78569 employees have been compelled to take VRS in BSNL. Their many problems are there. Though 4 G Spectrum is allotted, hurdles are created by government in launching it. Wage revision and Pension Revision are delayed, without any justification. DA /DR is frozen unauthorizedly. Workers salary is delayed.

The two associations, AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF formed at the initiative of BSNLEU has grown and strengthened. But the wages for the contract workers have not been paid for about one year. The demands of the workers, the pensioners and the casual contract labours are interconnected and inseparable. That is why united struggle is required. The proposal for formation of a Co-ordinating Committee of all the three sister unions is a welcome step for future struggles.

It is in this situation that the 21st Foundation Day of BSNLEU is arriving. This time, BSNLEU has called upon the workers to approach the people, the real masters and expose the anti-BSNL policy and decisions of the Modi Government. Revival of BSNL is most important.

Let us remember our past struggles and sacrifices so that we can advance with sustained struggles with more vigour, determination and strength. BSNL has to be saved and strengthened to provide better service to the Nation!

BSNLEU, AIBDPA AND BSNLCCWF ZINDABAD!

WORKERS UNITY ZINDABAD!

V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI

FOUNDER GENERAL SECRETARY, BSNLEU

ADVISOR AIBDPA

PRESIDENT BSNLCCW

PROTESTS GALORED AGAINST NEGLECT OF SERIOUS ISSUES OF THE SENIORS.

THOUSANDS OF PENSIONERS PARTICIPATED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY BRAVING ALL ODDS INCLUDING COVID-19 PANDEMIC SITUATION.

YES, COMRADES, THE SECOND PHASE OF OUR AGITATIONAL PROGRAMME, THE MASS DHARNA ON 16-03-2021 TURNED TO BE A RESOUNDING SUCCESS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

ALL INDIA POSTAL AND RMS PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION (AIPRPA) EXTENDD SOLIDARITY. IN SOME CIRCLES BSNLEU & BSNL CCWF MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATED. CHQ EXPRESSES THANKS TO THESE ORGANISATIONS FOR THE SUPPORT.

THE PENSIONERS HAVE SENT A STRONG WARNING TO THE ARROGANT MODI GOVERNMENT AND BSNL MANAGEMENT AGAINST THE DENIAL OF PENSION REVISION TO BSNL PENSIONERS, MEDICAL BENEFITS, DR AND IDA AND ISSUES OF VRS RETIREES .

IT IS ALSO A GREAT VICTORY THAT TWO ISSUES , PAYMENT OF 8% EX-GRATIA AND ATTEMPTS TO LEVY INCOME TAX FOR LEAVE ENCASHMENT OF THE LEAVE EARNED IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE, ARE SETTLED.

CHQ is aware that preparations are going in full swing all over the country for the successful conduct of the second phase of our agitational programme, Mass Dharna at maximum centers on 16-03-2021. Let us mobilize maximum pensioners for the Dharna and the demands put forward are very important concerning all our pensioners. Among the demands only one demand , payment of balance 8% Ex-Gratia to VRS retirees has been settled now.

Pension Revision is being denied to the BSNL absorbed pensioners for the last four years without any justification. To add insult to the injury, IDA also being denied despite High Court order, when the prices of essential commodities are increasing like sky rocketing. The anti-pensioner Modi government has already snatched away Rs.37,530 crore by freezing the Dearness Relief of central government pensioners during these hard days of pandemic.

The arrogant BSNL mangement continues to be completely negative on payment of medical benefits to the BSNL pensioners in spite of repeated pursuals at all levels. We have conducted several struggles also on this vital issue. But management tuns a blind eye to the miseries of ailing and aged pensioners. CHQ has recently brought this buring issue to the Department of Pension & Pensioners Welfare. But the reply by BSNL management is on the same lines that medical bills with voucher and without voucher are pending due to paucity of fund. So it is very clear that the management is not willing give any priority to this vital issue of the seniors.

While processing the pension papers, the CCAs are unilaterally reducing the Last Pay Drawn digging out fixations made before 25-30 years ago. This is in violation of the standing instructions and clarification issued by Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare to the effect that the verification of pay of the retiring official be limited to 24 months preceding to retirement. But some of the arrogant officers of DoT are not prepared to change this most unjustified system resulting in great loss in the pension of many retirees, particularly VRS retirees.

Ex_gratia and pensionary benefits are denied to 199 VRS retirees of Maharashtra for alleged non-validation of Caste certificates. This very issue has arisen due to the lapse on the part of the respective SSA administration, failing to verify the caste certificate during the initial period of appointment, as had been repeatedly instructed by DOPT,DOT and even BSNL. Further the Parliamentary Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes have issued clear instructions to the effect that pension and other retirement benefits should not be denied to pensioners belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes for non-verification of caste certificates, even after 30-35 years. Also it has been instructed by the Parliamenray Committee , no verification of caste certificate be made for officials recruited before 1995. CHQ had brought all these facts to the CMD, BSNl and Secretary, DoT several times but to no avail. CHQ also wrote to the Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Caste and Tribes seeking intervention.

The problem of unjustified and unwarranted notice by Income Tax Department to VRS retirees demanding tax for the leave encashment for the leave earned in government service was taken up with the Finance Minister and top officers of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. An officer from CPC, Bangalore has contacted General Secretary over phone on 4th March, 2021 and asked for certain clarification and was replied suitably. It seems that the Income Tax Department is reviewing the issue.

So Comrades, our fight is for the settlement of genuine issues and against the apathy and neglect of the government and authorities . Let us make it a stupendous success. Definitely, Victory shall be ours.

“The expenditure of BSNL has reduced from Rs. 34,400 crore per annum to Rs. 24,687 crore per annum (Annualized value of 9 months figures) mainly due to savings in employee benefits expense, due to VRS [Voluntary Retirement Scheme] as part of revival package,” the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology said in its report tabled in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on 10 March.

When there is so much savings as also when BSNL is in EBITDA positive, means profitable, there is no justification for the company to delay its salary to the employees as also starting wage negotiation.