Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Brutal and dangerous exploitation of the natural resources

21 Sunday Oct 2012

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The environmentalists and social activists are continuously focussing on the danger of brutal and uncontrolled exploitation of the natural resources in the country like mines, minerals, water etc. Despite all warnings and rules restricting the same, the unbridled exploitation continues. While travelling from Goa to Belgaum today, 20th October, I saw how much disaster is being made by the land-mine mafias.

Vast areas near the roads have been devastated by the mining of bauxite. Some hills have been completely wiped by breaking the granite rocks. The areas seemed like a battle-field almost destroying the entire greenery and nature. At present the mining has been stayed by the government. Dozens of lorries and trucks could be seen on the road side idle at present but which was used to transport the bauxite, rocks etc.

This is only the condition of one small area. All over India this type of uncontrolled exploitation is continuing. It is certain some natural disaster may happen if this savagery on nature is not stopped.

Meeting of Forum at Belgaum

20 Saturday Oct 2012

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

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Today I am at Belgaum. In the evening there was a meeting of the BSNL employees held in the Telephone Bhawan premises. A big pandal was raised for the meeting. More than 400 comrades participated. The meeting was presided over by Com. Hanjanamani, President, BSNLEU. Com. C.K.Gundanna, Circle secretaary, BSNLEU welcomed all and spoke about the agitation on the ITS repatriation issue and the present situation. All the lederrs in the dais were honoured by garlanding them.

I spoke about the reason fir the agitation, our demands, the necessity of bettering the serrvices, the efforts made by the Forum in this connection, the strength and weaknesses of BSNL, the anti-PSU policy of the government, the call of the Central TUs for strike on 20-21 February on the crucial issues of price rise, disinvestment etc.

Coms. Panduranga naik, AGS, SNEA, Hittalamani, DS, AIBSNLEA, M.C.Balakrishna, Org. secretary BSNLEU,Sambedkar, DS, NFTE, Birse, DS BSNLEU, Vijay Gaonkar, DS, Goa, Thadpathy, DS, SNEA, Keshav, Circle Treasurer, BSNLEU and other leaders were in the dais.

I had the opportunity to meet with the leaders of AIBDPA who were present there. They reported to me about the Circle Conference of AIBDPA, Karnataka.

Goa comrades determined to make the struggle successful

20 Saturday Oct 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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It was a memorable meeting at Goa organised in the evening today, 19th October, under the auspices of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations. I was on my way to Belgaum to attend the Circle Conference of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation to be held on 21st October. The meeting was well attended with about 300-350 comrades participating. Coms. M.S.Kaushal, Convener, Forum, A.S.Aga, Dt. Secretary SNEA, Vijay Balgaonkar, Dt.Secretary, BSNLEU and other leaders addressed. I was given a warm welcome by Forum, BSNLEU, BSNLCCWF, BTEU, SNEA and other organisations.

In my speech I touched upon the present financial position of BSNL, the urgent need to improve the situation, the agitation for the finalisation of ITS repatriation, the agitation in this connection and other matters.  After the meeting I had some discussions with the DR TTAs, Casual and Contract Workers, Officiating JTOs and other comrades.

It was a hectic day and I fully utilised and enjoyed the same.

Forum programmes successful

18 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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As per the reports received from many centres, the programmes called for by the Forum of BSNL Unions/ Associations were successful with massive participation. The Lunch hour demonstration on 11th Oct. was very much encouraging. Hundreds of savingrams have been received by the Prime Minister, Communications Minister  and others.

The meeting of the Forum held today has postponed the Parliament / Raj Bhawan / Collectorate March to 30th October since the 26th October is the holiday in some circles and also for better mobilisaiton.

BSNLEU Conventions, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode

18 Thursday Oct 2012

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During the visit to Kerala, I attended two well participated Conventions arranged by BSNLEU at Thiruvananthapuram on 15th and at Calicut on 16th October 2012.  These were organised especially for reporting of the VI All India Conference held at Ludhiana from 25th to 28th September.

The Convention at Thiruvananthapuram was attended by the delegates from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Pathanamthittta, Ernakulam districts. In addition a large number of comrades from TVM also attended. Com. A.V.Kuriakose, circle president presided. Convention was inaugurated by Com. Kadakampalli Surendran, MLA, who spoke about the present situation and the struggles by the people and workers against the anti-people policies of the government. During my address I briefed the house about the important decision taken by the AIC, including the proposed Demands Day on 1st November on the issues of the Casual and Contract Labour. The major issues settled and the issues which are pending was also mentioned. Coms. P.V.Chandraseklharan, R.Muralidharan Nair, AGS, K.Mohanan, Circle Secretary and other comrades addressed.

Calicut Convention was presided over by Com. Kuriakose, Circle President. Com. Jayarajan, District Secretary, Calicut welcomed all. Delegates from Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Tode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur attended. In my inaugural address, I briefed about the important decisions of the AIC and organisational issues. Coms. K.Mohanan, R.Muralidharan nair,K.Damodaran, M.Vijayakumar and other leaders addressed.

Both the conventions were a big success with maximum participation and enthusiasm.

Erode Conference of AIBDPA – an inspiring conference

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

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The participation of BSNL-DOT pensioners in the T.Nadu Circle Conference at erode on 14th October was far beyond the calculation of the organisers. More than 300 comrades participated. The seniormost among them was aged 85. A large number of lady comrades were also present. The conference was organised and held in a well-disciplined and systematic way.

The Conference started with flag hoisting and paying homage to the martyrs. Com. VAN Namboodiri, President BSNLEU inaugurated. In his inaugural speech he touched upon the present political situation and the struggle of the Indian working class. He also spoke on the major issues of the BSNL-DOT pensioners.  Coms. K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA, S.Chellappa, Circle secretary BSNLEU, Marimuthu, CITU and other leaders spoke. Delegates discussed on the report presented by the Circle Secreetary AIBDPA, Com. C.K.Narasimhan. Com. Mohan Doss Circle President presided.

The discussion was very informative and with suggestions for improving the organisation.  The Circle office-bearers were elected unanimously with Coms. Mohan Doss as President and C.K.Narasimhan as Circle Secretary.

The T.Nadu AIBDPA has grown during the last few years and has formed Association in almost all districts except a few. My Hearty Congratulations to the new office bearers!

AIBDPA will participate in the Central TU programmes

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Uncategorized

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Com. K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association(AIBDPA), while speaking to the press a Erode announced that the AIBDPA will participate in all the programmes of the Central Trade Unions  decided in the National Convention held in Delhi on 4th September 2012. Though the pensioners can not go on strike, but they will give all support and solidarity to the strike on 20-21 February 2013 by holding demonstrations and participating in the joint rally etc. The pensioners very well know that this struggle is to defend the rights of people including pensioners.

BSNL management should pay Bonus to the workers

13 Saturday Oct 2012

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Bonus has been denied to the BSNL workers for the last two years on the plea that the company has posted profit. It is true that the company is in loss, but the primary responsiblity for this lies on the Government for its anti-PSU policy and the non-governance by the Management. Why the company has started posting is loss is known to all. The workers cn not be blamed for the loss and punished.

Since 1997, when the government decided to pay bonus to central government employees as a result of the strike of 1974 and the formation of Janata Government after the debacle of the Congress in the 1977 elections, telecom employees and after formation BSNL employees were continuously getting bonus. Bonus in BSNL was paid on a Memorandum of Understanding between the BSNL Management and DOT in which the recognised union is not a party. The union has demanded for a new Bonus Policy for the last few years, but the management did not take any action. Actually the productivity has increased, but the arbitrary condition that Bonus will not be eligible if the company is not in profit is an arbitrary decision of the management.

The United Forum and BSNL Employees Union has strongly demanded that this year the Bonus has to be paid whether loss or profit. It is the right of the workers. It has been gained through sustained struggles by the employees. The change from government to PSU can not be a reason for denial of Bonus.

The United Forum has decided to observe Demands Day on 17th October 2012 on the demands of Bonus, allotment of free spectrum to BSNL and MTNL and also against the FDI in Pension and increase of FDI in Insurance sector. The next programme will be massive dharna on 9th November at SSA/Circle/Co.O. levels.

The agitation should be organised in a massive way so that the management should be compelled to concede the just demands of the BSNL workers.

I am at Erode for attending AIBDPA Conference.

13 Saturday Oct 2012

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

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Today I reached Erode to attend the Circle Conference of AIBDPA to be held here tomorrow, 14th October 2012. I reached Coimbatore by flight from Delhi at about 1200 hours and comrades were waiting under the leadership of Com. Umapathy to receive me and take to Erode, We Reached at Erode by about 1500 hours. The District Conference of AIBDPA, Erode was in progress and was almost going to end. More than 100 delegates were present . Erode has got about 300 members of the AIBDPA and is functioning effectively under the leadership of Com. Ayyasamy. There are about one hundred subscribers to  ‘Tele Pensioner’, journal of the AIBDPA.

Tomorrow is the Circle Conference of AIBDPA, Tamil Nadu Circle. Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA, Com. S.Chellappa, Circle secretary, BSNLEU and others will be addressing in addition to me. About 500 delegates will be attending. Circle President Com. Mohan Doss and Circle Secretary, Com. C.K.Narasimhan have already reached and is holding the Circle Executive meeting today evening. A Press Conference will be held tomorrow by Com.Jayaraj, General Secretary.

Tanil Nadu comrades have taken seriously about the building up of the AIBDPA and is on the correct path. My congratulations to all of them!

How much Contract Labour are exploited BSNL!

12 Friday Oct 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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Today some of the contract workers from Mathura and Sahranpur came to my residence. They reported what is happening there with regard to the payment of wages etc. to contract workers.

Out of the 150 contract workers in Mathura 125 are retrenched and only 25 are working at present. The existing contract workers are being paid only Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000 monthly according to the job, whether in office, computer, line work etc. This is being paid by the Account Officer / SDE etc. There is no record of the payment, the name of the contract worker is not mentioned, no signature is taken from the employee, no EPF or ESI is deducted or remitted along with the contribution of the contractor/Principal Employer etc. This is completely against the govt of India orders, various Acts of Parliament as also instructions of the CMD. The Minimum wage is to be paid to the workers, ESI and EPF amount is to be deducted.

This inhuman exploitation has to end and the rules are implemented and workers should get their eligible benefit. BSNLCCWF and BSNLEU jointly has to take up the cases and ensure that justice is meted out to the downtrodden workers.