Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

A.P.Circle shows the way

04 Saturday Aug 2012

Posted by in BSNLEU

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Andhra Pradesh Circle union of BSNLEU has always been in the forefront, whether in membership, organisational activity, agitation or in support to the CHQ. Since the 1992 Conference of Circle Union at Eluru, where Com. J.Sampath Rao was elected as the Circle Secretary in a keenly contested election, AP has not looked back. The team of Coms. J.Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary, P.Asokababu, the present Dy. General Secretary and earlier Asst. Circle Secretary and K.Mohan Reddy, Circle President with a lot of active office-bearers and District Secretaries has jumped to the front position in AP years back and there has been no turning back.

It was AP Circle which donated the first car to the CHQ through donations from the members. Whenever there was any need for money, AP circle donated well. It was in AP at Visakhapatnam that the First (Inaugural ) Conference was held in March 2001.

With about 500 Branches and 22 District Unions, AP is again another Circle in the front. Now on the basis of the CHQ call to organise Branch Secretaries’ Convention in preparation for the VI Membership Verification, the same is organised on 3rd and 4th of August at Vijayawada. On 5th there will be a big Reception to Com. P.Asokababu, Dy. GS, who retired from service on 31st July this year.

The Branch Secretaries Convention is being attended by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri All India President and P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary. The discussion was more than on the issue of the workers, on the issues affecting BSNL and how to improve the services and development.

My Hearty Congratulations to Com.J.Sampath Rao, Circle Secretary and his team of workers for their excellent performance  all these years!

2 G Spectrum auction base price reduced to Rs. 14,000 crore.

04 Saturday Aug 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The Government has decided that the base price for 2G Spectrum of  5 Mhrz will be Rs. 14,000 crore only. The TRAI and DOT has taken a position earlier that it has to be Rs. 18,000 crore. As usual, the price has been reduced on the pressure of the private telecom companies.

Relaxation in land transfer policy by PM

03 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, General

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Relaxation in land transfer policy by PM – The way to large-scale corruption and land grabbing

The pressure from the US President Obama and MNCs are having its effect on the UPA II government. The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has cleared relaxation for the transfer of government lands for Public – Private – Partnership (PPP) projects  in the infrastructure sector. This may naturally be extended to other sectors also. The earlier orders for getting the cabinet approval before such transfers have been now been removed.

What does this mean? Now the power for transfer is given to the concerned ministries and departments.  Even with the cabinet approval many cases of misuse and corruption has come to the fore. Now with the relaxation of the cabinet approval, it is going to be more misuse and corruption. In the name of PPP, large-scale government land transfers are going to take place to the private corporates to maximise their profits and loot against the interest of the nation.

It is evident that more such pro-private decisions are going to take place in an effort to implement the neo-liberal policies aggressively.

The reshuffle of Cabinet – Rewarding failure and those in dark cloud

02 Thursday Aug 2012

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The latest reshuffle of the Cabinet consequent to the elevation of  Shri Pranab Mukherjee to the highest post of President of India has almost shocked the country.

Promotions to the ‘power failed’ Minister  Shinde to the high-profile Home Minister and the ‘2G connected’ Home Minister Chidambaram to  Finance Minister is nothing but a mockery to the common sense of the people.

 

 

Inequality rising between rich and poor in India- NSSO

02 Thursday Aug 2012

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The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) report once agains confirms the well known fact that despite total growth, the inequality between the rich and the poor are increasing in high proportions.

According to the  68th Survey by this government organisation, the poorest 10% in rural India spend on an average Rs. 16.8 only per day to survive and half of the rural population in India spends less than Rs. 35 per day.

The urban rich are spendinguch more than the rural rich. The monthly expenditure of the urban rich are 221% of the rural rich. If that is so, the urban rich will be spending 1000% or more of the rural poor. What the “Occupy Wall Street” movement in US stated that the 1% Bankers and Corporates control 99% of wealth will become true in India also if the preent anti-people neo-liberal policies are continued.

It is against these anti-people policies and decisions that the Central Trade Unions organised the strike on 28th February 2012. The present 5 day dharna all over the country organised by the Left parties are also in the same direction. Let us be part of this great national movement!

BSNL has to work on fast track

02 Thursday Aug 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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.All will agree that after the formation of the BSNL, there is more delay in decision-making and implementation on all matters. Of course, it is true that, DOT being the owner of the company, in most of the cases, approval of DOT is necessary which causes delay. But is it the only delay? Presumably NO. The decision-making in BSNL itself takes undue delay, completely violative of the corporate decision-making process.

Take for example the supply of equipment like cable, GSM lines, Broadband Modem etc. which are urgently required at the field level to provide connections and also for maintenance of the services. At the time of the 15 December 2011 strike, it was assured that all these will be provided at the earliest. Workers are waiting and waiting. Corporate Management has informed months back that every material required have been made available. But the report we are getting from the field is otherwise. Barring some exceptions, none of these, GSM lines, Cables, phone Instruments, Modems etc. have been received at the field levels. The field level managements are telling that these have not been received.

In such a critical sector like Telecom, where there is die-hard competition, can the BSNL survive if such delay takes place hitting the development and expansion? The market share of BSNL is continuously reducing. There may be other reasons also, but delay in procurement is the number one reason for the reduction. Unless the management act fast, it will be very difficult to gain the earlier position.

This lethargy is also seen in the settlement of the staff problems. It takes unusually long time for the management even to settle simple issues. The last 12 years’ experience is sufficient example. The latest is the implementation of the assurance given by the management that the 78.2% IDA fitment will be implemented for the staff. The agreement was made on 12th June 2012. Almost two months are going to be over. But so far even the BSNL Management Committee has not discussed the same, leave alone adoption. Management cannot be unaware that the workers are expecting for a quick resolution of the issue. The Forum of BSNL Unions, which is party to the agreement, has met the management several times for getting the matter expedited, but so far there has been delay only. The workers are asking when it will be approved and implemented. There is no excuse for the delay in finalising and issuing the order, of course after a quick process.

My point is that BSNL Management has to move fast, take quicker decisions and faster implementation, both in the case of development and expansion as also in the settlement of the workers issues.  This is a must for the survival of BSNL.

Homage to Comrade Harkishan Surjeet

01 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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Red salute to Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet on this 1st August, his 4th death anniversary! He was one of the tallest leaders of the CPI(M). His life and struggles for the toiling masses of the country and against the British rule will inspire all the progressive section of the society.

I have my own memories of the great leader who supported the CGE  as also the BSNL movement. His support to the cause of the BSNL workers is well-known.

Red Salute again to Com. Surjeet!

 

RIGHT TO FOOD IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT

01 Wednesday Aug 2012

Posted by in General

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The above is the caption given to the editorial in the ‘Peoples democracy’, the official weekly of the CPI(M) in its issue dated 23-29 July 2012. The CPI(M) along with other Left parties like CPI, RSP and Forward Block has decided to organise dharna for 5 days from 30th July to 3rd August at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and many centres all over the country demanding supply of  35 kg of food grain at Rs.2 per kg every month. The Dharna has started and two days are over with massive participation. Top leaders of all the Left Parties along with many comrades are sitting on dharna daily. I used the opportunity to be part of this great struggle by participating in the dharna at Delhi.

It is more than 6 decades after India got Independence from British imperialism and declared itself as a Sovereign Republic. Many Five Year Plans have been implemented. Despite all these, about 80% of the people are still living from hands to mouth. Their daily expenditure is below Rs 3o – 20. This is as per the statistics of the government itself.

On the one side about 20% is in the upper strata that have all the benefits. On the other side is the 20% which do not have sufficient food even. These are the Two Indias which are before us.

According to the United Nation’s Global Hunger Index (GHI), India ranks 67 among 80 countries which suffer acute hunger of its people. 25% of hungry people of the world are in India. The condition of many so-called poverty countries in Africa etc. are above India in the GH Index. How shameful for this country! Not over, go through the shameful list given below:

One-third of the world’s children suffering from malnutrition are in India. 44% children in India are underweight. 72% are suffering from anaemia. 55% pregnant women are also suffering from anaemia. Every day thousands of children are dying due to various diseases and malnutrition. The list continues.

The main focus of the Government should be for supply of sufficient food grains. It is not that food grain is not available in the country. As on 1 June 2012, the government has a stock of 82.3 million tonnes, while the buffer stock required is only 50 million tonnes. In fact there is not even space to store them, resulting the food grains are put in the open and got damaged and destroyed.  Sometimes it is exported as fodder to animals. But even then the excess food grains are not supplied to the poor at a minimum price.

The newly elected President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, on his assumption of office declared that “there is no humiliation more abusive than hunger”. He also stated that the curse of poverty should be eliminated.

But the policy and practice by the Central Government only increases poverty and poor in the country. It is against this humiliation and denial of food to the poor that the left Parties are organising dharnas all over the country for 5 day from 30th July demanding that 35 kg food grain should be provided to every family at Rs. 2 per kg. to ensure food to the needy people.

The workers cannot sit idle. They should fully support this struggle in the interest of the people of this country.

Com. P.Asokababu, Dy. GS, retired from serivce

31 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in BSNLEU

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Every month about thousand workers are retiring from the BSNL on superannuation. Many of the senior comrades of the union are also among them.

On this day, 31st July 2012, I have the information  about two such senior leaders of the BSNLEU who have retired.

One is Com. P.Asokababu, Dy. General Secretary of BSNLEU and who was an office-bearer of the All India Telecom Employees Union, then AITEU (N) and BSNLEU during the period from 1994. He is a wholly committed comrade who have made big contributions to the union and have been fully at CHQ for the last two years and have contributed much to the wage revision, promotion policy etc. ( Please visit BSNLEU website for details). He retired from Vijayawada.

The second is Com. Chaniara, senior leader of BSNLEU in Gujarat. A very committed leader who was always in the forefront of the movement, his contribution is well appreciated by all. He had worked in many posts including Circle Vice-President.

I convey my Best Wishes to both of them for a continued service to the working class and toiling masses. I also wish them a fully active healthy life!

My Best Wishes to all those retired today from BSNL all over the country! I thank them all for the excellent work done for the BSNL and the union!

New building for Kolkata Telephones – Report from CS

31 Tuesday Jul 2012

Posted by in BSNLEU

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I am herewith reproducing a news received from the Circle Secretary Kolkata Telephones with regard to the inauguration of Union Building:

In accordance with the decision of the Circle Union new building inaugural ceremony held on 29th July 2012. In a very big gathering of more than five hundred workers All India President of BSNL Employees Union Com. VAN Namboodiri hoisted the union flag.  After garlanding the Martyrs column and  observing  silence to pay due homage to the Martyrs, Union office inauguration ceremony started. Com. Biswanath Chatterjee as proposed inaugurated the new union office. Circle Secretary delivered a welcome speech. Com. P Abhimanyu, General Secretary BSNLEU  could not attend the function due to some urgent union work at New Delhi. Circle Secretary, Saibal Sengupta  read out the greeting message sent by the GS.  Com. Sisir Bhattacharya, the senior most leader initiated the ceremony by his valuable speech. Com. Shib Sankar Roy, JT. Convenor 12th July Committee delivered his speech.   Com. VAN Namboodiri, All India President BSNL Employees Union, the Chief Speaker addressed the mass. He appreciated the organisers and workers for their disciplined act and adept performance which brought this success. He also expressed that the Calcutta Telephones Circle with its past glory of fight from Olympia House would be able to upkeep the tradition of undaunted struggle from this new union office.  Alok Nandi, Deputy GS FNTO. Dilip Saha, State Secretary SNEA,  Subhasis Mitra , Asst. Secretary AIBSNLEA, Amit Gupta, leader AIBSNLEA,  D K Sahoo, Circle Secretary, AIGETOA, Timir Bhattacharjee, Circle Secretary, AIBSNLOA, Shyamal Ghosh, cIrcle Secretary, NFTE BSNL. Assistant Circle Secretary from SNATTA addressed the house.  Alok Nandi announced that he will donate Rs. 5000/- Shyamal Ghosh said that he will donate Rs. 1000/- and Amit Gupta declared that he will donate a wall clock to our union. Howrah District Secretary, Com. Prabir Dutta handed over Rs. One lakh twenty four thousand plus to the Circle Treasurer Com. Tushar Mukherjee. Many a comrades donated to union building fund. Com Animesh Mitra, GS BSNL Co ordination Committee, Com. Pijush Roy, GS CG Co ordination Committe, Com. Manab Sensharma, GS CG Pensioners Co ordination Committee, Com. Tapash Ghosh, Secretary General BSNLCCWF, Originator Com. Supriya Mitra, Ice breaker Com. Biswanath Chatterjee, Com. Ananta Kr. Bhattacharjee, All India President, AIBDPA, Com. Adhir Kr. Sen, Vice President, BSNLEU CHQ  and Shri Tamonesh Chandra on behalf of the landlord made their deliberations. Decoration, Sub Committee comrades  Manisha Biswas, Asit Bose, Samar Sarkar, Reception Sub Committee Comrades Ash Md Khan, Subrata Majumder,Bhajan Sarkar, Transport Sub Committee comrades Jayanta Ghosh, Ashoke Sengupta worked effectively. A very good delicious dish was served under the Leadership of Comrades Paritosh Dutta, Swapan Biswas and Nipen Sikdar with  suitable support from Bidhan Nagar District Comrades who cooked food and made all arrangements for lunch.Com. Subhasish Roy, Convenor of all functionaries supervised every affairs.  Many a organiser and members including non regular and retired workers put their support for successful conduct of the inaugural function. The entire programme was presided over by our respected  Circle President Com. Aghor Sikdar.

Congratulations to Kolkata Telephones Circle union and its workers!