Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

‘Tough Steps’ to Improve Railways – Minister

18 Tuesday Nov 2014

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Now, it has become the fashion for the central ministers to issue statements about taking ‘tough’, ‘austere’ ‘unpopular’etc. measures to improve the government services. The latest statement comes from the Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha who stated at the India Rail Summit that, “Some tough steps will have to be taken for restructuring of railways. Though many will not like it but we have to do it.”

What are the tough steps? It is easy to understand. The FDI will be increased, staff strength will be reduced, VRS will be implemented, the profitable sectors will be privatised, the passenger and freight charges will be increased again and also disinvestment will take place. With the slogan ” Business is not the Business of the government” and in full steam to favour the  corporates and MNCs from whom huge election funds have been received, the BJP Government is certainly going to take ‘tough’steps against the people.

It is only through sustained struggle of the workers and common people that this attack on the people can be stopped. It is high time to strengthen the struggles.

 

 

TRAI pushing government to take over Spectrum with BSNL

18 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, PSU, Telecom

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Rahul Khullar, TRAI Chairman, is pressurising the government to take over 1.2 Mhz spectrum with the BSNL putting the argument that the private telecom companies require more spectrum and the spectrum taking over from BSNL can be given for auction, which will give the government about Rs. 15,000 – Rs. 20,000 crore. The present TRAI Chairman has been acting as a spokesman of the private companies, and putting the same before the government.

We strongly protest against the proposal of the TRAI Chairman suggesting vacation of spectrum by BSNL. This will only further weaken BSNL.  BSNL Management should immediately react and demand the government that no spectrum could be released.

 

Forum Finalises the Strike Notice, Unions/Associations signed

18 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum

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The strike notice for the Indefinite Strike from 3rd February 2014 is finalised and signed by most of the unions/associations today as decided earlier. A few unions are yet to sign and they have been intimated. It is proposed to serve the same tomorrow, 19th November, to CMD BSNL and Secretary, DOT.

General Secretaries of the Unions/Associations are requested to be present at 02.00 PM at Corporate office so that the notice can be served. Those general secretaries who are yet to sign may come and sign at 02.00 PM at C.O.

Massive Protests and Strikes in Italy

17 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by in TU News - International, WFTU

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Friday was a day of anti-government protests and strikes across Italy. While metalworkers’ FIOM Union staged a walkout in northern Italy, the base union COBAS called a 24-hour nationwide public transport industrial action, causing severe disruption in many Italian cities.

Smaller unions representing public sector researchers and private firm workers were also present in the strikes and demonstrations. And all of them were angry at the government’s labor reforms and harsh budget measures. Violence has been recorded in Padua and Milan. Several policemen were injured when a group of protesters tried to climb the Colosseum in Rome. While trains and buses have stopped running and planes have idled on tarmacs and much of Italy slipped into a state of temporary paralysis, thousands of students have gathered in central Rome to protest against the planned education reform. Students are accusing the government of wanting to destroy public free education, turning schools into factories for the job market. The Rome demonstration also featured people demanding greater social housing. Migrants and refugees were also angry about the government as well as the European Union’s migration policies which they described as draconian. (Courtesy: Ganashakti)

 

Utilise the Works Committee effectively.

17 Monday Nov 2014

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After strong demand  and also focusing the issue in the Seminar of the AIC BSNLEU in front of the BSNL Directors present, the BSNL Management has issued clear instructions to re-start the Works Committee as SSA level and hold the meetings immediately.

This opportunity should be used effectively by our union leaders. The difficulties being experienced in improving the services, including the shortage of equipment, staff crunch and other connected matters should be brought to the notice of the management. Your suggestions on improvement of services, development and expansion etc. should be taken with management and pressurise them to do the needful. Before the Works Committee meeting, the leaders should discuss with the workers in the field and take their suggestions also.

This is an opportunity to bring to the notice of the management what is to be done to improve services. We have to utilise the same to the maximum.

 

 

 

 

Swapping of Spectrum between DOT and Defence

17 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, PSU, Telecom

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Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Defence Minister Parikkar has met and discussed about the transfer of the spectrum with Defence to the DOT for auction and allotting of special spectrum for the Defence. However, It is reported that no agreement has been reached so far about the swapping of the spectrum.

Communications Minister stated that towers will be installed as per the present directions and if any compalint is there, it will be looked in to. ” According to DoT guidelines, if a mobile tower has 1 antenna, it should be installed at minimum distance of 20 metres from a house, in case of 2 antennas minimum distance should be 35 metres, for 4 antennas it should be 45 metres and for 6 antennas the minimum distance should be 55 metres. The guidelines say that there should be no building parallel to antenna and height of the antenna should be at least 5 metres above ground or roof top level.”

Certainly the anxiety of the people about radiation from the towers need be seriously considered.

India is now the world’s slave capital: Global Slavery Index 2014

17 Monday Nov 2014

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I am reproducing a report in the Times of India about the Global Slavery Index  in which it is stated that the majority of the slaves are in India. The Government of India has to explain.

“India is now the world’s slave capital: Global Slavery Index 2014”

“The Global Slavery Index 2014 announced on Monday that India and Pakistan alone account for over 45% of total global enslaved population and have highest prevalence of modern slavery in Asia.
LONDON: With over 14.2 million in India being involved in forced labour and being victims of trafficking – for sexual exploitation and forced marriage, the country is home to the largest number of people trapped in modern slavery. Globally, 35.8 million people are enslaved across the world. Of them, 23.5 million people are in Asia, two-thirds of global total in 2014 (65.8%).

The Global Slavery Index 2014 announced on Monday that India and Pakistan alone account for over 45% of total global enslaved population and have highest prevalence of modern slavery in Asia.

The Index said, “Particularly in countries such as India and Pakistan, nationals – often including entire families – are enslaved through bonded labour in construction, agriculture, brick making, garment factories and manufacturing.”

The report this year found 23% more people across the world are involved in modern slavery than previous estimated.”( Courtesy: Times of India)

EPFO floats tender for EPF Fund Managers.

17 Monday Nov 2014

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Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) will be floating tenders for Fund Managers for managing the funds of the organisation. At present, these are being managed by asset management firms SBI, HSBC, AMC, Reliance Capital and ICICI Securities Primary Dealership.  They were given the right for three years and the period will be over by 31st march 2015.

The new tender and appointment of Fund Managers will be effective from 1st  April 2015 for three years. The workers prefer that their funds are entrusted with government or PSU Banks / Firms.

6 PSUs in the Privatisation List

17 Monday Nov 2014

Posted by in PSU

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The nefarious plan of the UPA and NDA governments to finish off the PSUs is well known. After the NDA government has come in to power, hectic activities have been going on to privatise as much PSUs as possible to favour the corporates who have liberally donated to the BJP Election Fund.

Now the government has decided and is moving fast to privatise 6 important PSUs. They are Hindustan Photo Films, HMT Bearings, HMT Chinar Watches, Tungabhadra Steel, Hindustan Cable and the iconic HMT Watches. All these PSUs were profitable and much appreciated earlier, but the anti-PSU policy and mismanagement had made them in to loss making.

The Cabinet note for the closure has already been circulated to the various departments by the Heavy Industry Ministry, which is the nodal ministry for the PSUs. An amount of Rs.1,000 crore also may be allotted towards VRS for the employees working in these PSUs.

Unless there is strong reaction and struggle, BSNL and MTNL also will be taken in to the queue.

Maglev Train in Japan reaches 500 km per hour

16 Sunday Nov 2014

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The news is fantastic. The Maglev (bullet train) in Japan has reached 500 km ( 311 mile ) speed per hour. The experimental trip with 100 passengers from Uenohara city to Fuefuki city with a distance of 27 mile was reached in a few minutes.

This is the fastest train so far experimented.