Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Forum of BSNL Unions/Assns meet on 18th March

07 Thursday Mar 2013

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The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations will be meeting at 1430 hours on 18th March 2013 to specially to discuss the pending issues and also agitational programmes to be organised for settlement of the same.
The casual or rather negative attitude of the BSNL Management and also the DOT is causing much delay in settlement of the urgent issues. It is better for the management/DOT to settle the issues than face serious agitation. We hope better advise will prevail on both.

BSNLEU on the path to great victory in Membership Verification.

07 Thursday Mar 2013

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There is no doubt that BSNL Employees Union will continue to be the first in the VI Membership verification of the non-executive unions in BSNL. This fact is conceded by all the unions, though reluctantly and the past results concur with the same.
Why BSNLEU / United Forum has won in all the last 4 verifications? The answer lies in the past excellent performance of the UF/BSNLEU during the last many years.
1. The first and foremost is its uncompromising fight against the anti-PSU, anti-worker policy of the government. The unions which later united and formed the BSNL Employees Union in 2001, have been in continuous struggle against the corporatisation process initiated by the government. While the recognised Federations in DOT viz.NFTE and FNTO openly declared that they will not fight against the policies of the government, the National Action Council formed by the former E.III(N), T.III, Administrative Unions etc continued a serious battle against the proposal for corporatisation touring the entire country and propagating. Two strikesw were also successfully organised by the NAC. Unfortunately the recognised Federations agreed for the corporatisation, though they went on strike against the same. This compromise with the management not only resulted in corporatisation, but the same could be implented by the government even six months earlier than it was proposed. Just as they have agreed for ban on recruitment and reduction of staff earlier, they agreed for corporatisation also putting the entire future of the employees at stake.
After the formation of BSNL, and later of BSNLEU, the latter continued its efforts to ensure for the viability of the BSNL and for better service. While neither the recognised Federations in DOT did not take any initiative to bring all the unions together nor NFTE, the recognised union after the first membership verification in BSNL, also did not take anyinitiative. It was only after the recognition of BSNLEU and at the initiative of the latter that the Joint Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations was formed and efforts made by all the unions/associations to save BSNL.The slogan of unity and struggle was implemented at the initiative of BSNLEU.
Despite decision of the government/Minister three times for disinvestment of BSNL not evn a single share could be disinvested so far. All the unions categorically rejected the offer of shares for the employees which was a clever ploy by the government. While almost all the PSUs have been disinvested, less or more, even after 12 years, BSNL still continues to be afully government owned company.
The programme of “Customer Delight Month/Year” was initiated by the Joint Forum /Joint Action Committee with the participation of all the unions. This could be done at the initiative of BSNLEU. Though the service is still not up to the mark, efforts are on throughout the country by the workers to better the same.
Without going in to further details, it can truly be stated that BSNLEU was in the forefront to defend and save BSNL and its workers. All the employees are fully aware of the same. That is why the BSNL employees, irrespective of the affiliation, looks to the BSNLEU and Joint Forum/Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations to continue the struggle to strengthen and save BSNL and its workers.Even the workers in other PSUs and Central trade Unions are fully appreciate the role of the BSNLEU in this respect.( to be continued).

8th March – International Women’s Day

07 Thursday Mar 2013

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“A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women.” – UN theme for International Women’s Day 2013.

8th March is being observed as the ‘International Women’s Day’ since 1917, the year in which the USSR was formed and it decided to observe the same as such. It was declared as a Holiday in USSR after some years.
The demand for gender equality, stopping sexual assaults and attacks on women, education for women etc. have been long pending demands of women. The United Nations has been organising the IWD since 1977 in which year United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as the UN Day for women’s rights and world peace. Every year a theme is also given. The theme for International Women’s Day 2013 is ” A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End violence Against Women”.
The above theme is timely. All over the world crimes against women are increasing. In India every day crimes against women such as sexual assault, rape and all kinds of harassing women and even children are increasing. The recent case of a brutal assault and rape of a young woman in a bus in Delhi and her death due to the same has shocked the entire country and unprecedented and huge demonstrations have taken place shaking the entire government machinery. Every day some case of rapes and assaults are reported. No place is safe for women. Even small girl children are not safe. In such a situation, the theme given by the UN is appropriate and has to be widely publicised.
All the Women’s organisations will be observing the day with many programmes. But it need not be a women’s programme alone. It is the responsibility of men and women to ensure that women are free and that the gender inequality is put an end to.
The year 2017 will see the centenary celebration of the International Women’s Day.
On this International Women’s Day let us pledge that all of us will stand together and fight for the rights of women and their freedom from gender bias and also for equal opportunity and also make the country safe for women.

Homage to Hugo Chavez! – CPI(M)

07 Thursday Mar 2013

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The Press Statement issued by the PB of CPI(M) on the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is given below:
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep grief at the passing away of Hugo Chavez Frías, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Chavez died after battling cancer for nearly two years.

Hugo Chavez was an epic figure who symbolized the radical transformations taking place in Latin America. He was elected for a fourth term as President just six months ago with a big margin. The Bolivarian revolutionary process which he initiated enabled Venezuela to take control of its destiny by asserting national sovereignty and control over all the vital resources of the country including oil and gas. In the one and a half decades of his presidentship, the Venezuelan people got health facilities, education and literacy as never before. Poverty was drastically reduced.

Chavez was set on taking his country towards socialism. For this, he received the mandate of the people by winning successive elections democratically.

The death of Hugo Chavez is a big blow to Venezuela and for the Left and progressive forces of Latin America and the world. But his ideas and the path that he chose for Venezuela will endure.

At this hour of grief, the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) conveys its heartfelt condolences to the daughters and family members of Chavez, to the entire people and government of Venezuela.

Long Live Hugo Chavez!

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez passed away

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

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Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela and the revolutionary and popular leader died today at Caracas after a two years battle with cancer. he was 58. Chavez was the President of Venezuela for uniterrupted 14 years winning all the elections despite many conspiracies by the US and other imperialist countries to defeat him.He had only returned a few days back from Cuba after continued treatment for cancer. He had 4 operations for cancer in the last two years. Vice-President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela announced the death in a televised speech.”It’s a moment of deep pain,” he announced in a choking voice.
Chavez was one of the most popular leaders the world has ever seen and his death will devastate millions of his followers who adored him, his people-friendly decisions, nationalisation of MNCs including oil companies and also subsidized food and free health clinics in the country side. His death will be mourned by the entire world.
I also express my deep grief at the sad demise of this Great Socialist leader and convey heartfelt condolences to the people of Venezuela in their great loss!
Red Salute to Com. Hugo Chavez!

What is happening to KSRTC ?

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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What is happening to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, the state government PSU? It is stated that there is huge loss every day and that more than 1000/2000 trips are being cancelled every day.
Road Transport services are a public utility service and has to run effectively. In Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and A.P. states, the other three southern states, the State Road transports are stated to be running well and with profits. THen why KSRTC is in loss. It is reported that whenever LDF comes in to power KSRTC is in profit and when UDF comes it is in loss. If this is correct, there seems to be a planned move to make KSRTC a loss making PSU and close it or sell it to help the private transport companies.
The Government, the Management and the workers and their unions should sit together and find out ways and means to improve the KSRTC and strengthen it as also provide better service.

Free Roaming by October 2013 – Kapil Sibal

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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Telecom minister Kapil Sibal today said that mobile phone consumers will get Free National Roaming Facility across India by October 2013 as announced in National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2012.
However Kapil Sibal could not specify the exact dates for the launch of Free National Roaming Service in India, but said that “FREE Roaming will certainly be in place by the month of October, 2013″. With this service, the roaming charges on Incoming calls are waived and mobile users in all telecom circles will be able to get FREE incoming calls while traveling to any other circles across India.

India’s National Telecom Policy 2012 was approved by the Central Government in May 2012 and under the policy, the Government had said that national roaming would be made free with the introduction of concept of “One Nation, One License” which was expected in March 2013.

However all mobile service providers (except Reliance Mobile) including leading operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Idea Cellular had been opposing Free roaming in the consultation process by Telecom regulator TRAI and said that it will hit their margins badly and outgoing call rates may be increased.(Press Report)
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CAG finds lapses in Rs 52,000-cr farm debt waiver scheme

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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A report from the press is given below regarding another report of the CAG on the irregularity in implementing the farm debt waiver scheme. It exposes the claims of the government on the scheme.

New Delhi, Mar 5 : Expressing serious concern over the implementation of Rs 52,000-crore farm debt waiver scheme, government auditor CAG today said in several cases ineligible farmers were given benefit while deserving ones were left out.
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has also found instances of tampering of records and pulled up the Department of Financial Services (DFS) in the Finance Ministry for deficient monitoring of the multi-crore scheme.
“Overall, the Performa…

Red Salute to Com. N.P.Padmanabhan!

05 Tuesday Mar 2013

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Today, 5th March 2013 is the 19th death anniversary of Com. N.P.Padmanabhan, former Secretary, NFPTE and the Convener of the powerful Co-ordinating Committee of P and Unions, Kerala, for a tumultous period of more than 10 years. Meetings will be held in all centres in Kerala to pay homage to this great leader.
Conm. Padmanabhan was a charismatic and revolutionary leader. Appointed as Postal Clerk in 1945 in Calicut, within no time he became active in the union. He participated in the successful Postal Strike of 1946. After the formation of UPTW, he became an active worker of the same. When NFPTE was formed in 1954, Comrade Padmanabhan along with Coms. T.M.Janardhanan Master, Ananadan Master, K.Bhaskaran Nair and others organised it in the Malabar area. When the Kerala P and T Circle unions were formed at the Trivandrum Conference in 1961, Com.N.P. was elected as the Asst. Circle Secretary of Postal Class III Union and in 1966 Kollam Conference as the Circle Secretary. Next year at the Palakkad Conference, he was elected as the Convener of the P and T Co-ordinating Committee.
THe Historical One Day Strike of 1968 became a battle ground between the Central Government and Communist Government in Kerala.Central Government wanted all state governments to crush the 19th September 1968 strike of the Central Government employees with an iron fist using the drastic Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA). But the Kerala Government led by Com. E.M.S.Namboodiripad bluntly refused to implement the ESMA against the striking employees. Enraged, the Central Government was proposing to dismiss the state government. Anyhow,this did not happen. But the Indira Gandhi Government at Centre saw to that maximum victimisation was imposed on the employees of Kerala. Hundreds of criminal cases were filed, thousands of Rule-14 Charge Sheets issued, 300 workers terminated and hundreds of employees suspended.Even in 1960 strike, such victimisation did not take place.
The situation was tense. All the Circle and district leaders were either under suspension or termination. To face this brutal attack was not easy. The P and T Co-Ordinating Committee under the leadership of Com. N.P.Padmanabhan organised sustained and continuous struggles against the victimisation. It took about three years to take back all the terminated employees and to reinstate the suspended. But Com. Padmanabhan was not re-instated. He was dismissed from service.
The P and T House, the office of P and T Unions at Trivandrum was the centre point of many unions to get advice and support for their struggles. He was elected as the Secretary of the NFPTE in 1978 and shifted to New Delhi. He continued in that position till 1981.
His health started deteriorating due to the hard work and strain and went back home to Kannur in the late 1980s. He continued his activities from there. On 5th March 1994, he left us forever.
Since 1958, when I joined the P and T and got transfer to Kannur from Kottayam, he had been my leader and guide. It was under his indomitable leaderrship that we all went on in the 1960 five days strike. I had the opportunity to work with him at Trivandrum during my tenure as Circle Secretary and till his death.
Com. Padmanabhan was a real leader in all respects. The entire P and T movement and especially Kerala comrades lost a revolutionary leader in his death. His body was cremated in the Payyambalam Beach, Kannur, where a memorial is constructed for him among the memorials of leaders of the working class like Coms. A.K.Gopalan, E.K.Nayanar and others. When I went to Kannur to attend the AIBDPA All India Conference in February this year, I went there and paid my homage along with Com.P.V.Chandrasekharan, Patron of AIBDPA, A.K.Bhattacharjee, Prsident AIBDPA, K.G.Jayaraj, General secretary AIBDPA and Com. Bhaskaran AIBDPA leader at Kannur.
Red Salute to Com. N.P.Padmanabhan, the Revolutionary leader! His memory will always be with us.

End this Brutal Exploitation of Casual/Contract Labour in BSNL

04 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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Reports are being received from many SSAs each day about the non-payment of minimum wage, non-implementation of social security measures etc. to the casual/contract labour who are engaged in BSNL.
There are many Acts of the Parliament like Minimum Wages Act, Contract Labour Act, EPF, ESI Act etc which are not implemented to these poorly paid workers. Brutal exploitation by the contractors and the management continues for years.
BSNLEU and BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation (BSNLCCWF) are putting maximum efforts to put an end to this exploitation and for implementation of the clear orders on wages etc. Agitations are going on in many SSAs. BSNL Corporate office is washing their hands stating that they have issued all instructions for implementation and that they are getting compliance reports from Circles/SSAs.
This situation has put the entire management in a very dark colour, exploiting or supporting exploitation. It is a shame on the top management, that while they receive very high salary from the BSNL, they refuse to pay/ refuse to ensure payment of even minimum wage fixed by the government to these poorly paid casual/contract workers.
Yes, the only way is struggle, the struggle for justice. Already through continued and sustained struggles, the workers in W.Bengal, Kolkata, T.Nadu and Kerala, to a certain extent, have achieved the demands. The struggle in other states are continuing.
Let us continue the struggle till the BSNL management opens its eye and ensure justice to the workers.Let us remove this black dot in the face of BSNL. BSNLEU and other organisations of non-executives and executives should come together to put an end to this brutal exploitation.