Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Leaders of BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF met with GM (BFCI) for payment of wages to the Contract Workers.

11 Thursday Apr 2019

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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Com. P. Abhimanyu, General Secretary, BSNLEU and Com. Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, BSNLCCWF and Com. Swapan Chakraborty, Deputy General Secretary met with Shri P.C.Bhatt, GM(BFCI) on 08-04-2019. At the outset, leaders appreciated the GM (BFCI) for releasing some amount of fund for repair maintenance and security guard payment. At the same time, the leaders have shown their unhappiness because the fund as sanctioned is not sufficient for due payment to the Contract Workers and Security Guards. It is also mentioned by the leaders that the contract workers in UP (West), CTD, Tamil Nadu, UP (East), UP (West), Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, NE-I, West Bengal and NE-II have not received the fund since 4-6 months. GM (BFCI) informed that the fund has already been released. On discussion, it is learnt that Corporate Office has sanctioned 60 percent of the requisition fund in the head of repair maintenance and 50 percent in the head of police escort. Circle Secretaries are requested to pursue the matter with respective Chief General Manager based on the discussion with the GM (BFCI) and give us the latest position of the pending wages category wise (e.g. house-keeping, security guard, repair maintenance) to the CHQ immediately. On 15th April,2019, CHQ will pursue the matter again with GM (BFCI) for further allotment of fund.(BSNLCCWF Website)

LET US UTILIZE THE OPPORTUNITY WISELY.

11 Thursday Apr 2019

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

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The pension revision of BSNL retirees from 01-01-2017 stands frozen now. But why? The Hon’ble Minister of Communications and the Secretary, Department of Telecommunications had given categorical assurance for pension revision delinking wage revision in the discussion had with AUAB on 2nd and 3rd December, 2018. But the DoT has not initiated any action on it and are still pursuing for pension revision after wage revision. How can the buerocracy dare to take such a stand without the support of the government.? Yes, it is a treacherous game plan being enacted by both the government and the dominant section of buerocracy in DoT. Is it an isolated issue.? Certainly not. In the same meeting with AUAB, the Minister had given some other assurances also,viz, wage revision, 4G spectrum to BSNL, Pension contribution on actual pay instead of maximum of the pay scale. None of these have been implemented so far and the entire BSNL employees had to go for a three days strike from 18th February, 2019 against the cheating..

Meanwhile BSNL was pushed back to an acute situation that the salary to the employees for February , 2019 had to be deferred. It is no secret that Reliance Jio is allowed by the government to operate freely with predatory pricing violating the rules and license provisions.ever since its launching in September, 2016. This has virtually put the entire telecom sector to great crisis and all the service providers are incurring huge losses. The aim of Mukesh Ambani, the richest corporate in India and owner of Reliance Jio is to dominate the telecom service sector by grabbing the customers of other companies and to increase the market share and revenue share to 50%.. However, BSNL is the only operator resisting the Reliance Jio to a great extent with comparitively less liability. This has embarassed Mukesh Ambani and is pressurising the Modi government to eliminate BSNL from the telecom sector and naturally the government has to oblige as it is the government for the corporates . This is the real backgound for the present created crisis in BSNL.This is nothing but part of the anti-PSU policy of Modi government, another glaring example seen recently is ignoring the reputed Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd in the corrupt Rafale deal for the sake of Anil Ambani’s company.

The cheating of workers and pensioners is nothing new and the on the contrary has become the hallmark of Modi government. The retrograde recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission was implemented unilaterally by Modi government against which an indefinite strike from 11th July, 2016 was declared by the Joint Action Council of Central government organisations. The Modi government was thus compelled for a negotiation with the JAC on 30-06-2016 and the Group of Ministers headed by Home Minister Rajnath Singh gave assurances on increased minimum pay and fitment, Option 1 (Parity in pension), the only positive recommendation for the pensioners and increase in medical allowance. But the government did not honour its commitment and central government employees and pensioners were cheated. Despite sustained struggles, Modi government has not done anything on the New Contributory Pension Scheme which is proved now to be a No Pension Scheme.

Modi government during its five year term never wanted to concede any of the demands of the workers, put forward by the Central Trade Unions against which many struggles including nation wide strikes were conducted. Labour laws were amended to suit the interests of the employers and the fixed term job amendment is nothing short of enslaving the workers. The farmers and agricultural workers were also compelled to wage several struggles against non-implementation of assurances and the worsening situation in the farm sector. Now the people are convinced enough as to how the adverse impacts of the neo-liberal policies being implemented vigorously by the Modi government have affected their life.

It is pertinent to mention here about the hollow promises given by the BJP during the last Lok Sabha elections in 2014; Rs.15 lakh to the bank account of every Indian, 2 crore jobs every year, Petrol @ Rs.40 per litre etc. In addition to these enormous damage is done to the secular fabric and communal harmony of the country during the last five years. Constitutional institutions are filled with ‘yes men’.; even judiciary is not spared. Now, we have to think very seriously what will be our future if the same BJP is voted to power? No doubt,it will be a complete disaster. The need of the hour is a secular and democratic government in the country which will have an alternate policy focusing on the welfare of the poor and common people.. So let us be careful while utilizing the franchise in the ensuing general elections. (Telepensioner Editorial)

Anti-BSNL policies of the governments that came to power at the Centre are responsible for BSNL’s crisis.

11 Thursday Apr 2019

Posted by in AUAB, BSNLEU

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Recently, the spokesperson for Congress Party, Randeep Singh Surjewala has blamed the Modi government for the financial woes of BSNL. In reply to this, Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications has stated that BSNL and MTNL, are suffering due to decisions taken under the UPA regime. What Shri Manoj Sinha says is correct. At the same time what Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala said is also perfectly correct. The AUAB has been accusing that BSNL is in a financial crisis today, only because of the anti-BSNL policies adopted by the successive governments that came to power at the Centre. The AUAB has been maintaining that the employees of BSNL are in no way connected with BSNL’s present financial condition. What Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala and Shri Manoj Sinha have said, have proved this.(Courtey: bsnleu.in)

Oppose VRS – Organise powerful demonstrations on 12-04-2019.

10 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in AUAB, BSNLEU

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In the name of revival of BSNL, the government is moving fast to implement VRS in BSNL. The DoT has not bothered to discuss it’s so called revival plan of BSNL with the unions and associations, which are important stake-holders of BSNL. Further, the government has unilaterally decided to divert the income to be generated through the monetisation of BSNL’s lands, to fund the VRS. This is nothing, but a well thought of plan, to deprive BSNL of the funds needed for it’s development and financial revival. Further, VRS is the government’s strategy to cut down the size of BSNL’s employees, so as to make it attractive for privatisation. The unions and associations which are opposing VRS have called on the employees to organise protest demonstrations throughout the country on 12-04-2019. We request all the circle and district unions to mobilise maximum number of employees and to make the demonstration a huge success.(courtesy: BSNLEU website)

SC Decision on Rafale case – Leaked documents can be allowed.

10 Wednesday Apr 2019

Posted by in General

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The Left parties Wednesday hailed the decision of the Supreme Court allowing leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of the Rafale judgement and alleged that Narendra Modi government was compromising on national security.

Continuing his attack on the ruling party, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said that through the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, the government “promoted cronyism”.

“Modi and his govt have compromised national security for corruption and cronyism in an important defence deal.

“They tried to evade accountability, denied a JPC, hid price from CAG, tried to first mislead, then stall any hearing in Supreme Court. Important that culprits are booked,” he tweeted.

In a setback to the Modi-led government at the Centre a day ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha election, the Supreme Court Wednesday allowed leaked documents to be relied upon by petitioners seeking review of its Rafale judgement and dismissed the government’s preliminary objections claiming “privilege” over them.

“Modi and his minions have falsely claimed that they have a ‘clean chit’ in the Rafale scam.

“But the proofs have come tumbling out one after another. It has been the most corrupt and most compromised govt in India’s history. Now is the time to throw it out,” he said.

CPI National Secretary, Atul Kumar Anjaan said the Supreme Court’s decision has completely “exposed” the Modi government.

“The Modi government has been exposed layer by layer in the Rafale scam. “The SC has rejected the claims made by the Centre that the documents related to the deal had been stolen. Now, it is clear that the Modi government has done some scam in the Rafale deal,” he said.

Two Governments – Two approaches.

09 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by in Uncategorized

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About one lakh contract workers engaged in BSNL and working continuously for more than 15  to 35 years are not paid wages from three to 10 months all over India. Neither BSNL, DOT or government is taking any action to pay the wages. The workers and their families are deeply suffering. Work and no wages. No food for the family including children. An anti-worker BSNL and central government which fully owns the company.

Another picture. The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was in loss and unable to pay the wages to the employees and pension to the pensioners. The Kerala Government, which itself is in financial difficulty, came to the rescue of the KSRTC and paid the salary of the employees and pension to the pensioners, though it is not obligatory on its part.

While the central government is anti-PSU and is on the way to destabilise all its PSUs, either by privatising or closing the same, one after another, as part of its policy putting the lakhs of workers in misery.

At the same time time, the Kerala LDF government has brought back 14 PSUs in to profit during the three years of its rule and is making effort to bring back the other 30 PSUs also in to profit, all of which have been made loss making by the earlier UDF government. It is pro-PSU government.

This is the difference in the approach of the Modi Government and Pinarayi Government, the difference between BJP government and Left Front government.

This is election time. Recognise who is your friend and who is your enemy. Vote for those who support you.

NCCPA to file case against denial of ‘One Rank One Pension’ to the Pensioners.

09 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by in NCCPA

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The Modi Government is refusing to implement the recommendation of the VII Central Pay Commission to introduce ‘One Rank One Pension’ system to the central pensioners, which has already been  introduced for the army etc. There is no justification for the denial by the government.

The National Co-ordination Committee of Pensioners Associations (NCCPA), in its Central Office Bearers meeting in New Delhi on 16th March 2019, has decided to approach the Supreme Court against the denial and for getting the recommendation implemented by the central government.

This is a legal fight for justice to the 52 lakh central pensioners, in continuation of the agitational programmes, including the Hunger Fast in front of the Parliament, participated by more than 1,500 pensioners.

Modi Government against the Pensioners

09 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, CG Employees, NCCPA, Pension

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Modi government never cared for the central pensioners. It seems that the government is of the opinion that the pensioners are a burden on the nation and has to be denied even the basic requirement that a pensioner requires.

The VII Central Pay Commission recommended that ‘One Rank, One  Pension’ system, which was already implemented for the retired army personnel,  be implemented to other central pensioners also. The Modi Government, to deny any improvement in the recommendations, have stated that the CPC is an award and it can not be improved. But in the case of pensioners, why the recommended One Rank One Pension is not being implemented?

Pension Revision is to be implemented to the BSNL absorbed DOT pensioners w.e.f. 01-01-2017, after 10 years of the Pension Revision implemented in 2007. But it is refusing to implement the Pension Revision, causing much anguish and agony to the concerned pensioners.

The demand of the NCCPA  to introduce the statutory benefit pension scheme to those newly recruited since 2004 ( in the case of BSNL recruitees from 2000) instead of the NPS, has not been accepted by the government. (It is to be noted here that the Kerala LDF government has appointed a committee to look in to the conversion of NPS introduced for the kerala state employees by the UDF government in 2013 back to statutory benefit pension scheme. )

While the LDF Government in Kerala is paying Social Security Pension of Rs. 1,200 to all those who completed 60 years and has no other pension, the BJP ( as also the Congress ) led governments are paying a meagre amount of Rs. 200 – 400 only as such social security pension.

Please see that even the respected elder leaders in BJP have been ignored and insulted. That is BJP.

Yes, there is a big difference between the BJP/Congress governments and the Left Front government with their approach to the issues of the pensioners.

The Lok Sabha elections are going on. This is the time teach the Modi government a hard lesson that pensioners will not be silent against attack on them. Vote for the Left, wherever they are there. Vote for the other secular parties where Left candidates are not there.

The defeat of the BJP in this election is a must for the better existence of the pensioners and senior citizens in the country.

 

Massive Sanchar Bhawan March by BSNL Workers.

06 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in AUAB, BSNL

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As per the call of the AUAB, thousands of Executives and Non-Executives participated in the massive March to Sanchar Bhawan held today. The rally started from Eastern Court at 11:45 hrs. It was stopped at Jantar Mantar where a huge meeting was conducted. Com.Chandeshwar Singh, Chairman, AUAB, presided. It was addressed by Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, Com.Kango, Vice President, CITU. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS and Com.Rasheed Khan, AGS, TEPU. We heartily thank the thousands of comrades who enthusiastically participated in this rally from the nooks and corners of the country, to demand the implementation of the charter of demands of the AUAB. (courtesy: BSNLEU)

No Compromise on IDA Scales for Pension Revision

06 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL

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It is understood that some DOT officers are thinking of converting the pension revision in to the CDA pattern as suggested by certain pension organisations to the Minister and the DOT. This is completely unacceptable. We had pointed out earlier that requests for pension revision on the basis of VII CPC will be utilised by the government and administration to trap the pensioners and compel them to accept the CDA scales  as recommended by the VII CPC. It is also reported that the benefit of IDA pension revision got as per II PRC also is in danger.

I am quoting from the post in the website of the Pensioners’ Association with regard to their meeting with DOT Officers:

“We made out a point that DOT Establishment section is not taking the required action. In DOT, if anyone feels that the hike given to us at the time of absorption and according to 2nd PRC isto be adjusted in future revisions , we will not allow it. We should continue to draw higher Pension for all the times to come.”

We had from the start mentioned that the demand for Pension revision on the basis of VII CPC will be cunningly utilised by the government to change the pension revision on CDA basis. The present report indicates  that the danger is real.

We strongly oppose this move of the DOT to revise the pension on the CDA pattern as recommended by the VII CPC. We also request the associations which requested for pension revision on the basis of VII CPC to refrain from pressing the demand, seeing the the trap in which they are being put by the DOT and the loss in pension if the proposal is accepted.