Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Remembering Com. K.T.Muhammed on his 12th death anniversary ( 29th Sept 1927 – 12th March 2008)

24 Tuesday Mar 2020

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25th March 2020 is the 12th death anniversary of Com.K.T.Muhammed, Bhishmapithamaha or Nataka Kulapathy of drama writers / artists of Kerala. He has written about 40 dramas, including ‘Ithu Bhumiyanu’ (‘This is the earth’), ‘Kandam Becha Kottu'(‘Coat with stitched parts’)etc. He has also written screen plays for a lot of Films. He had his own drama team and club. He was honoured with many awards including Kerala State Film Award for best screen play.

Com. K.T. was an employee of the Posts and Telegraph Department. He first worked as an ED Packer and after passing examinations was promoted to Postmen and then to Postal Clerk. He was very active in the union and participated in all the strikes and struggles organised in P and T. He was suspended for his leading role in the Token Strike of 19th September 1968. He resigned protesting against the anti-worker victimization imposed on the strikers by the government and merged fully himself in writing drama and other cultural activities. But he continued his connection with the P and T Movement and his erstwhile comrades till the last.

I had the fortune to work in the union along with him. Many times visited his drama club. Even when functioning at Delhi, while visiting Kozhikode, I met him more than once at his residence along with late Com. K.Rajan, who was the Convener of the Co-ordinating Committee at that time. Once I gave him a copy of the one page article about him published in the journal of the Postal Union at the time when he was given an International Short Story Award award for his short story ” Kannukal ” (‘The Eyes’) in 1952.
There is a big Statue of Com. K.T.Muhammed installed in his honour in the centre of the Kozhikode Town. But by oversight or so, the name and other particulars are not noted on the statue. We hope the Corporation of Kozhikode will certainly fulfill its responsibility at the earliest.

Red Salute to Com.K.T.Muhammed!

Pay wages of BSNL contract workers with arrears

23 Monday Mar 2020

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

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After implementation of VRS for 78569 employees by BSNL, the PSU has made good savings monthly. The salaries of February 2020 which was in pending for the employees will be shortly paid and by next month, the salary will be paid in time as per management’s statement. Well and good!

What about the wags of the contract workers which have not been paid for the last one year ? 10 workers have committed suicide unable to bear the pain of seeing their families starved. We demand the management that now the position of BSNL is improving, do not delay the payment of wages to the workers. The one year wages be paid at the earliest.

Corporate Office issues fresh instructions to tackle the situation that has arisen due to COVID-19

23 Monday Mar 2020

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU

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The BSNL Corporate Office has issued emergency instructions to tackle the situation that has arisen due to COVID-19. The highlights of these instructions are as follows:-

A control room is formed at Corporate Office with five senior level officers. Similar control rooms are to be opened in all circles.
Telecommunications being an essential service, telephone Exchanges, OFC networks, BTSs, BFC, MSC, DSAMs and OLTs, MPLS, etc., are to be maintained.
Staff on emergency duty should be provided with masks and sanitisers. Proper arrangement for water and soap should be made in all buildings.
In cities where lockdown is ordered, CSCs need not be operated.
In all other cities also, customers visiting CSCs are to be discouraged. Skeleton staff to be followed. Customers are to be encouraged for online payments.
Contingency fund is released to the circles. CGMs are empowered to utilise them.

BSNLEU appreciates the Corporate Management for issuing proper instructions to ensure maintenance of BSNL’s services and also safety of the employees. All circle and district unions are requested to ensure implementation of these instructions fully. CHQ also requests all the leaders and comrades to ensure that maintenance of our networks and provisioning of BSNL’s services are carried out effectively.
(BSNLEU Website)

Public Sector always there to help you in distress

22 Sunday Mar 2020

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It is only Air India, PSU airline, available for the Indians in other countries to come back when COVID-19 has spread to countries one after another. It  is only BSNL to connect the country when natural disasters take place. It is only LIC, the PSU Insurance company, whenever the govt wants to invest in some PSU –

The Modi Government should understand its foolishness in privatising and closing PSUs which are the assets of the people.

Remembering Com. A.K.G., the Commander of the Downtrodden.

21 Saturday Mar 2020

Posted by in BSNL, CITU, General

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22nd March 2020, is the 43rd death anniversary of Comrade A.K.Gopalan, veteran working class leader, PBM, CPI(M) and the first Opposition (Group) Leader in the Indian Parliament. He died on 22nd March 1977 after a long illness.

Com. AKG, as he is popularly called was an indomitable fighter of the working class and toiling masses. His entire life was full of struggles for the downtrodden people. He was arrested and put in jail many times both by the British as well as the Indian rulers. Com.AKG, who was in the forefront of the Independence struggle was in Cannanore Central Jail even on 15th August 1947, on the day India got Independence, even though almost all the freedom fighters who were in jail were released.

Comrade AKG could not tolerate injustice. Wherever and whenever he saw injustice, he jumped in to the struggle against the onslaught. There are any number of such struggles which AKG led and succeeded. It was the three great leaders, Coms. P.Krishna Pillai, E.M.S.Namboodiripad and AKG who built and strengthened the Communist Party in Kerala.

I had the opportunity to meet Comrade AKG several times and seek his guidance. During many of his visits to Calicut along with his wife, Com. Susheela Gopalan, who herself was a senior leader, Member of Parliament and later Minister in Kerala, I had the fortune to receive them at the Railway Station and to bring them to the house where they were to stay. One such time, AKG was ill and for many weeks he was not able to speak due to illness. Myself along with Com. M.Balasubramanian, the Dist. Secretary E.III Union, went to the Railway station and took him to the house of Advocate P.K.Kunhirama Poduval where they used to stay. After reaching Calicut, two senior doctors, Dr.CBC Warrier and Dr. N.S.Venugopalan checked him and stated that he was better. In fact AKG was able to speak bit by bit. That day the Confederation of Central Government Employees, of which I was the convener, had arranged a meeting in the Mudalakkulam maidan in connection with an All India strike next day. I very meekly asked the doctors whether I can request AKG to address the strike meeting. AKG immediately agreed and the doctors consented provided he would not speak more than five minutes. AKG agreed to the condition and it was decided that he will address the meeting.

The news that Com.AKG will address the meeting in the evening of the day spread like wildfire. Irrespective of party affiliation, people in thousands gathered at the maidan to hear Com.AKG, his first speech after several weeks. The meeting started in time and after welcome etc. Com.AKG was requested to address. He started speaking and the audience sat in pin-drop silence to hear their beloved leader. The stipulated period of five minutes was over, but he continued speaking. Then Com.Suseela Gopalan, who was also on the stage, reminded him the doctors’ advice. He laughed away the request, openly telling the public that he knew when to stop. All were very much worried. Then Com. M.K.Kelu (Keluettan), one of the senior most leader of the CPI(M) who was also present, openly requested him to stop his speech considering his health. The audience also in one voice supported the request. Then and then only, AKG stopped his speech, thanked all and sat down. Such was his love for the people who even in the face of severe illness could not stop interacting with them.

I remember another incident which again shows the tenacity of Com. AKG in fighting against all attacks on the working class. It was during the 1974 Railway Strike demanding Bonus. The strike was to start from 8th May but due to mass arrest of the leaders and workers and victimisation, it started two days earlier. The Central government met the strike with utmost cruelty and vengeance. Tens of thousands of workers were arrested and jailed. Railway Quarters were searched and even the family members were beaten and harassed not finding the striking workers. In many staff quarters water connection, electricity connection etc. were cut. In Calicut, the procession organized in support of the strike was attacked and people beaten and two news paper reporters also badly beaten and hospitalised. It was terror unleashed for the railway workers and their families.

It was at this time that Com. AKG along with Com. Suseela Gopalan arrived at Calicut. He was not at all well and the doctors advised complete rest. When I reported to him about the serious situation, he wanted to go to the railway quarters immediately. Though we tried to stop him going, he was adamant. We started for the Railway Colony. He stepped out from the car at the entry to the colony and told that we will walk. Com.A.Kunhiraman Nair, veteran NGO Union leader and some other comrades also reached by the time. We were about 6-7 people and led by Coms AKG and Suseela we started slowly walking in to the colony through the small road. Women and children who were alone in the houses saw AKG and started joining us. Within a few minutes, it became a jatha and culminated in the school premises inside the colony. By the time, police also came to the spot. Party comrades also reached. A loudspeaker was brought and Com.AKG started speaking. One police official, without knowing who it was speaking, came forward and threatened to arrest. AKG told him that ‘I am AKG and you can arrest me’. The poor policeman was dumbfounded and became silent. By that time, senior police officers came and the situation became normal. AKG spoke consoling the families of Railwaymen and told that nothing will happen to them, and also warned the police officers that he will come and sit there in dharna if the harassment continues. Within a few minutes the meeting was over after Com. Suseela Gopalan also addressed.After this incident, there was a halt to the harassment of the families in the colony.

It was his forceful speech along with that of Comrade Nath Pai and other opposition leaders in the Parliament against the victimisation of Central Government employees who participated in the historic July 1960 strike that compelled the Jawaharlal Nehru government to take back all the thousands of workers who were dismissed or suspended. It was the same in the case of the 1968 Strike victimisation. For vacating the victimisation, he fought inside and outside the Parliament, even attending many meetings in Kerala.

In all Indian Coffee Houses through out India, one can see the photo of Com. A.K.G. placed in a most prominent place inside, as a token of respect and thanks to the great leader who saved the Indian Coffee Houses and its workers, when the Govt decided to close them. Com. A.K.G. discussed with the Government and all these Coffee Houses were handed over to the co-operatives formed by the workers.

Com.AKG was one of the senior CPI(M) leaders who was not arrested and jailed during Emergency, being very sick. When he came to Calicut during the period myself and Com. N.Ramesh, then Divl. Secretary of E.III Union went to meet him. He was very tired and sick, but asked about the situation in Calicut. When we were returning, he told us ” your job is not to get arrested, but to continue the resistance work against the Emergency and safeguard your workers.” Probably he might have been hinting at my being taken in to custody by Special Branch and questioned for hours a few days back.

He was sick and was under treatment for many months. During this period Com. T.K.Karunan, then leader of Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Workers , came to my rented line house near Sreekandeswara Kshetram and handed over a letter stating that he had gone to meet AKG at Alappuzha hearing that he was not well. He told that Com.AKG was always his beloved leader,despite political difference. The letter was in the handwriting of Com. Suseela and signed by AKG. Whatever he commanded, was done immediately.

Com. AKG died on 22nd March 1977. The Congress party was rooted out in the election, but probably he might not have known the same as he was in coma. The news of the death of the dear leader was a shock to all. His body was brought to his home place in Kannur District. Through out the way in all district headquarters, thousands of people came to pay homage to their departed leader. The condolence meeting held at Kalliasseri was attended by more than ten thousand people. Along with some comrades, we also went there. Almost all the PB members were present. While speaking, Coms. E.K.Nayanar and Mrs. Kamalam broke in to tears and wept due to emotion and memories. Such was the close relation of Com. AKG to all whom he met.Every one who met him even once had the feeling that he specially cared for him. All those who came in contact will have many such incidents to remember. He was very close to all and was loved by all.

A.K.G.Bhawan in New Delhi, the Central Committee office of CPI(M), A.K.G.Centre, the State Committee office of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram and many party offices are named in honour of Com. A.K.G. I used to visit 4, Ashoka Road, New Delhi, where he stayed for many years as Member of Parliament, even after his departure, as it was there where many of us met him and presented our problems and difficulties for being taken in the Parliament. Still the name of 4, Ashoka Road brings many memories, though the bungalow has been vacated by CPI(M) after the elections in 1914. In fact, the govt should have maintained it as a memorial to AKG, a long time Opposition Leader of the Parliament.

BSNL Employees Union was formed on 22nd March 2001, on the 24th death anniversary of Com. A.K.G. It was not accidental, but a conscious decision.

My respectful homage to the memory of this great revolutionary and working class leader on his 43rd death anniversary!

RED SALUTE TO COM. AKG, COMMANDER OF THE PROLETARIAT!

All Efforts to contain COVID – 19

21 Saturday Mar 2020

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This is the time when each and every one in the nation, in the world, should make all efforts to stop the spread of Coronavirus and save the people. Already it has spread to the vast majority of the countries. India is no exception. All efforts are being made the governments to stop its spread and to ensure calamities. All of us have to implement all the advises and directives given by the central and state governments so that the chain of COVID-19 can be broken and the people saved.

Payment of AGR dues by private telecom companies – Supreme Court says their Managing Directors may be sent to jail.

21 Saturday Mar 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNLEU

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Payment of AGR dues by private telecom companies – Supreme Court says their Managing Directors may be sent to jail.
We have already updated on this website, how the private telecom companies had been paying a lesser licence fee amount to the government all these years, by giving a wrong definition to the AGR (Adjusted Gross Revenue). We have also reported how on 24-10-2019, the Supreme Court had directed the private telecom companies to pay the entire amount due on account of AGR. The Supreme Court had also pulled up the DoT, for being lenient to the private telecom companies, in collecting the outstanding AGR dues. Despite all these, after the last hearing, the DoT permitted the private telecom companies to make a “self-assessment” of the AGR dues to be paid by them. The DoT also filed a petition in the Court, stating that the private telecom companies should be permitted to pay their AGR dues over a period of 20 years and also they should be exempted from payment of penalties and interest. Under these circumstances, the case came up for hearing again on last Wednesday (18-03-2020). On that day, the Supreme Court once again lashed out at the DoT, for seeking relief for telecom companies in paying the AGR dues. The Court refused to take up the Centre’s plea for allowing telecom companies to pay the AGR dues in 20 years, saying the application would be taken up only after two Weeks. The Court also severely criticised the DoT, for allowing the private telecom companies to make a self assessment of their AGR dues. If required, the managing directors of the telecom companies will be summoned and may even be sent to jail, the court observed. Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Tata Teleservices together have to pay Rs.1.02 lakh crore as AGR dues to the government, as per the Supreme Court order dated 24-10-2019.

[BSNLEU website Date : 21 – Mar – 2020]

20th Birth Anniversary of BSNLEU on 22nd March 2020.

20 Friday Mar 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

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(File Photo, Visakhapatnam Conference 22-3-2001)

BSNL Employees Union is completing 19 years of its fruitful existence on 22nd March 2020. It is BSNLEU’s 20th 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 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 executive 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 the Unions and Associations, under which organisation, the battles were fought and the 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.  4 G Spectrum is still not allotted.Pension Revision is also delayed, without any justification.

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.

It is in this situation that the  20th Foundation Day of BSNLEU  is coming. This time, there may not be much celebration, meetings etc on mass scale, due to the COVID -19 impact. But let us remember our past struggles and sacrifices so that we can advance with more vigour, determination and strength. BSNL has to be saved and improved to give better service to the nation!

BSNLEU ZINDABAD!

WORKERS UNITY ZINDABAD!

 

Allot 4G Spectrum to BSNL, Launch Services !

19 Thursday Mar 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

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“BSNL’s 4G service.

In the budget for 2020-21, Government has made provision for allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL and the same can be allotted to BSNL in May,2020. However, BSNL will not take the 4G spectrum immediately, since equipments will be ready for launching 4G service only after March, 2021. For 4G spectrum, BSNL has to pay Rs.5.5 crore, per day, as licence fee, even if BSNL does not use it. Hence, it is not wise to take the 4G spectrum, before the equipments are ready.

BSNL is already having 40,000 3G BTSs, which are 4G compatible. All these 40,000 BTSs can be upgraded to 4G BTSs, by which BSNL can immediately launch it’s 4G service. However, BSNL is experiencing certain difficulties in this regard. BSNL has to pay around Rs.2,000 crore as outstanding dues to the vendors of these BTSs, viz., Nokia, ZTE and Erricsson. Apart from that, Nokia is demanding a sum of Rs.3.5 lakh to Rs.7 lakh per BTS, for the upgradation of the 13,000 BTSs supplied by them. Whereas, ZTE is demanding a sum of Rs.7 lakh to Rs.10 lakh per BTS, for the upgradation of the 24,000 BTSs supplied by them. Since the rates are extremely high, BSNL is presently not in a position to upgrade these BTSs, for providing 4G service.” (BSNLEU Website)

The statement of the CMD BSNL as given in the brief of the discussions by the Unions/Associations with the CMD BSNL with regard to allotment of 4G Spectrum is given above. The CMD is stating that the 4G service will be ready for launching by March 2021 only ie. after one year.

This is unacceptable. One more year of delay for 4G services will further benefit the private telcos only and BSNL will suffer. Why can’t BSNL get the 4G Spectrum earlier and launch it? The excuses put by the management is untenable.

BSNL should pay wage and wage arrears to Contract workers.

19 Thursday Mar 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

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Contract workers engaged in BSNL are not paid wages for about one year. They are lowest paid workers and manage their needs by the wages they receive. About 10 comrades have committed suicide unable to face the agony of their families without food. The education of their children are discontinued. The situation is very pathetic.

To a question in the Parliament, Minister for Communications, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad had stated that the contract workers are not employees of BSNL and are engaged by contractors. He added that contractors have been paid money. This is completely wrong. Contract workers are doing the work of BSNL and BSNL is paying the wages through contractors. Hence the responsibility of payment of wages is with BSNL. The contractors are contradicting the statement of the Minister that they have been paid by BSNL.

The central govt and BSNL who have already engaged the contract worker through contractor and had got the work done for the last one year have also got the responsibility to pay them.

BSNL has assured  the Unions/Associations that their salary arrears of one month will be paid by 31st March 2020. What about contract workers?

BSNL and Govt should ensure payment of the contract workers also by 31st March with out fail.