13 Thursday Mar 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
A senior officer is under CBI scan for the mobile phone contract to a private telecom company by the RailTel. One lakh closed user group connections were provided as per this contract in which RailTel reportedly lost Rs.50 crore.
It is to be pointed out here that BSNL, the govt. telecom company, did not get the order although it submitted tender.
13 Thursday Mar 2014
Posted in Uncategorized
The civil servants in Greece went on a 24 hours strike on 12 March protesting against further austerity measures by the govt. The strike affected all public services. A massive protest rally was held in Athens on the same day. Another 48 hours strike will be organised on 19-20 March.
The workers all over the globe are being attacked by the neo-liberal policies and the workers are resisting same.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in WORLD NEWS
There is a serious widening disparity in pay across job levels in the Asia Pacific region, according to a report by Towers Watson, a professional service company.
India of course is in front. The disparity in India has increased many folds during the 2-3 decades. This wide disparity has to be changed for equality. It is not easy, but a combined effort has to be made.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Tags
The lengthy resolution adopted by the Barcelona Foundation conference of the Trade Union International (TUI) of Retires and Pensioners held on 5-6 February 2014 examines the developments in the lat century, the victory of the Russian Revolution, the growth and success of Socialism in Eastern Europe, the multi-polar world, which benefitted the working class and the senior citizens and later the collapse of the USSR, the uni-polar world dictated by the capitalist system, the recession, the attack on the working class and retirees, the need for sustained struggles etc. The resolution itself is a study class for the workers and the retirees.
The Resolution concludes like this:
X.-The first congress of TUI, P&R and WFTU appeals for mass affiliation of retired workers and seniors to fight for the following common objectives:
1) Organize seniors and retired workers who agree with giving themselves an instrument for the class defence as part of the trade unionism´s model represented by the WFTU in the struggle against inequalities and for the ensuring of a dignified life to all workers – male and female – who have dedicated their entire labour lives to the well being of society.
2) Join our forces and experiences to give further strength to the working and popular movements, to those employed workers whose aim is to create, through mass actions, the conditions needed to socialize the capitalist´s means of production and for the collectivization of the wealth taken from earth as to ensure workers the enjoyment of the product derived from their´s work force in equal terms for all, so nobody would be the victim of the exploitation planned by the privileged elements of society.
3) We must fight in order to attain our aim to get to every worker in the world a decent retirement income from 60 years old onwards (the retirement age should be improved in the course of the struggle) along with public health care services, proper and decent housing, culture, leisure, the access to public, high quality, transportation system, healthy environment and special care for the disabled.
XI.- This first Congress has approved the launching of TUI of pensioners and retired workers, as member of the WFTU; it has also approved its articles of association and its political and trade union document (available in ten different languages at the web /www.pensionistas.info/web/es). The Congress has appointed the world leaders of this TUI (formed by veteran trade unionist and internationalist organizers from all over the world). It has also settled its headquarters at Barcelona under the Management of the Spanish branch of CSU / P&R (till the celebration of its second congress), has prepared the necessary meetings in order to complete the Executive Board.
XII.- Hundreds of millions of pensioners and retired workers have now at their disposal a new tool in their struggle for their rights.
LONG LIVE TO WORKING CLASS!
DOWN WITH WAR!
LONG LIVE TO PROLETARIAN INTERNATIONALISM!
LONG LIVE TO WFTU!
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Tags
GDS, High Court, NFPE, SC
The Supreme Court has transferred the Writ Petition filed by the NFPE and All India Postal Employees Union GDS(NFPE) seeking for direction to be issued to the Union of India to treat Gramin Dak Sevaks (formerly called Extra Departmental Employees) as Civil Servants for all purposes on par with regular employees and also seeking declaration of GDS (Conduct and Engagement) Rules as invalid and unconstitutional to the Delhi High Court for consideration. The Supreme Court also stated that Delhi High will be the appropriate Court as the matter is better considered by one High Court.
The Judgement is very important on two counts. One, the SC has taken the issue seriously. Second, the case has been transferred from SC to High Court, which is not usually ordered. The case will be disposed in SC and the petitioner will be asked to approach the High Court. Here, the SC itself has transferred the case directly to Delhi HC, instead of asking the petitioner to file the case.
The NFPE deserves appreciation for taking up the case. I hope that the High Court takes a favourable decision.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNL News
The Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension (DOP and T) vide F.No. 12/4/2014-JCA-2 dated 12-03-2014 has issued orders declaring 14th April 2014 as closed holiday in view of Birthday of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar.
This is applicable for all central government establishments including industrial establishments and PSUs.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News
Tags
It is informed that the Cabinet has decided to waive the “Notional Loan” of Rs. 7,500 crore as shown loan to the BSNL at the time of formation of BSNL. This is as per the recommendation of the EGoM on Revival of BSNL and MTNL. The Forum has demanded to the EGoM to waive not only the “Notional Loan” of Rs.7,500 crore, but also to refund the interest of about Rs.12,000 crore already paid by BSNL. But this has not been agreed to by the government. The Forum has to pursue this matter.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations and Patron AIBDPA along with Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA met Shri R.K.Upadhyay, CMD BSNL and discussed the issues of pensioners as well as the viability of BSNL etc.
The representatives pointed out the undue delay in issue of orders on 78.2% IDA for pensioners. They also stated that the Department of Expenditure has sought some clarifications from DOT and further delay may take place. They urged the CMD to take necessary steps to ensure that the pensioners’ 78.2% IDA issue is settled at the earliest.
The union leaders also demanded that the medical allowance with out voucher be restored to the pensioners who are put to much difficulties due to the withdrawal of the same. It was also demanded that DOT Pensioners also be given the concession on Broad band connections.
Com. Namboodiri suggested certain measures to reduce the expenditure on electricity, diesel, petrol etc. and as per the decision of the Forum meeting, proposed that a “Save Electricity / Fuel Month” be observed with clear instructions to reduce the consumption through effective methods. CMD agreed to consider the same and suggested that it can be a continued process.
CMD informed that cabinet has taken decision taken to waive the Notional Loan of Rs.7,500 crore of BSNL, which will benefit BSNL. The various efforts being made by the BSNL to improve its financial viability was also stated by CMD.
The union representatives expressed their strong protest against the proposed formation of new companies like tower, optical fibre cable, land assets etc. and demanded that these should be abandoned. CMD BSNL stated that it is only about the tower company that proposal has been made and that it is beneficial for BSNL. The staff side did not agree.
The unions also stated that the Welfare Committee and Sports Committee had not met for more than one year and that they should be convened early. CMD stated that this will be convened with out delay.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News
Though BSNL issued orders for grant of 78.2% IDA on 10-06-2013 for its employees w.e.f. 01-01-2007 on notional basis and on actual from the date of issue of the orders, the pensioners are yet to get the benefit.
The case first went to Dept. of Pension and Pension Welfare. After much delay it has come back. Now the same has been sent to Department of Expenditure.
After further delay, the same has been returned to DOT, not by approving the same, but seeking certain clarifications.
BSNLEU and AIBDPA has been continuously pursuing the case at each and every stage. Neither BSNL Management, DOT or the other connected departments seem to be serious about the issue of the pensioners.
Does the government want the senior citizens to be in the battlefield for getting their fully justified demands? It seems that there is no other way. Let us be prepared for the same. We will fight for our rights.
12 Wednesday Mar 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News
Tags
The UPA government in its last stage, even when the general elections have been declared, is on the move to disintegrate BSNL by forming more companies by its bifurcation. Some of the best revenue earning and strong components of BSNL are its towers, numbering 61,622 and the optical fibre cables of 6 lakh route km, which is the largest any telecom company has.
The government and the BSNL Board is contemplating to form separate companies for the tower business and the cable assets,on the plea that by sharing of the towers and the cables, funds can be raised.
But the sharp fact is that these are making in to separate companies is to weaken the BSNL on the one hand and to help the private companies to get the maximum benefits out of the towers and cables owned by the BSNL, without the burden of constructing the same.
Even if the towers and cables are to be shared for raising funds, why separate companies are formed? This can be done by BSNL itself and get the funds for its development and expansion.
But the revival of BSNL is not in the minds of the authorities. They on the one hand wants to disintegrate the PSU and on the other hand wants to favour the private companies.
The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations strongly opposes the move of the government to bifurcate BSNL. The Forum is committed to organise sustained and mighty struggles against he same. Let us be prepared for the same.
