Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

Concern on Chinese equipments – a phobia with Government

24 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in General

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It seems that certain sections in the UPA government have a Chinese phobia, especially with the telecom sector. China has developed much in the telecom sector and its equipments are cheap. Even many American companies have manufacturing factories in China. The indian private telecom companies have been using chinese equipments for a long time, but there was no objection. But when the BSNL started to purchase equipments from Chines companies, it was opposed by the government on the plea of security concerns and stopped it. But when it was pointed out that private companies are already using it, the restrictions were removed. But again, the Government has raised concerns on security through DOT.

In fact, the Chinese companies are complying with all the requirements by the Government of India including encryption conditions. The US and European countries are only yet to comply. The security concern is more with Blackberry, Nokia etc.

But the Chinese phobia still persists. Just like some media, the Government also wants to raise the Chinese phobia for its vested interests. US pressure will be there for sure.

LIC No.1 Brand in Financial Sector – Trust Research Advisory

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in PSU

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Trust Research Advisory’s brand trust report has ranked Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) as the country’s most trusted brand in the banking and financial institution (BFSI) space, for the second consecutive time. State Bank of India was ranked second.

ICICI Bank ranked the third most trusted brand in the BFSI sector, followed by Housing Finance Development Corporation and HSBC.

Overall, LIC was ranked 8th among 17,000 brands studied while SBI was ranked 19th.

Trust Research Advisory’s chief executive N Chandramouli said: “Both LIC and SBI have ranked first and second in the BFSI sector for two years consecutively.”” This marked a preference for state-owned brands in BFSI category ( Courtsey: ET)

20th Party Congress at Calicut

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in General, Uncategorized

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While at Calicut, I went to the Reception Committee office of the 20th Party Congress of the CPI(M) to be held in the first week of April  4th to 9th, 2012. Even though there are still two full months for the Congress, the preparations have already started. The Reception Committee Office is accommodated in a building newly being constructed in the main Bank Road easily accessible. Sub-committees are formed and have already started functioning. A large number of seminars are being held participated by political leaders as also experts on the various subjects.

There is no doubt that the Congress will be a memorable event of Calicut.

Today is Birthday of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes

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On January 23rd 1897, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born. He was the President of the Indian National Congress elected in 1938 and 1939. He took active leadership in the Independence struggle and formed Azad Hind Fauz to fight against the British. He formed the All India Forward Block. He died under mysterious circumstances (probably) on 18th August 1945. He was the youth and Socialist face of Congress along with Jawaharlal Nehru and Jayaprakash Narayan. My Revolutionary Greetings to Comrade Subhas Chandra Bose on his birth anniversary.

Private companies file caveat on 3G case

22 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in 2G Scam Corruption, Uncategorized

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Apprehending that the government may appeal against the TDSAT order which dismissed its plea that the telecom tribunal has no jurisdiction over the intra-circle 3G roaming pacts, private operators have filed caveat in both the Supreme Court as well as the High Court.

By filing the caveat, the operators have ensured that the courts would pass no orders on the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plea without hearing their counsel, or get an ex-parte relief.
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National Council Standing Committee on 24th January 2012

22 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

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The Standing Committee of the National Council is going to be held on 24th January 2012 after a long time. It should have been held very much earlier. Only after continued insistence, it is being held. The management should understand that unnecessary delay on their part in settling  the issues will result in avoidable agitations by the workers. It is also necessary that the management side should come prepared to settle the genuine issues of the workers. It is the responsibility of the management not to antagonise the workers.

We have jurisdiction to decide over DOT’s direction on 3G – TDSAT

21 Saturday Jan 2012

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 Telecom tribunal TDSAT dismissed on Friday the government’s plea challenging its jurisdiction to decide on 3G roaming dispute, but directed operators to submit copies of their agreements to the Department of Telecom (DoT). Dismissing the application, a two-member bench headed by justice S B Sinha held that the tribunal has power to decide over DoT’s direction on intra-circle 3G roaming agreements among operators. “We are of the opinion that this tribunal (TDSAT) has jurisdiction to decide on this matter (3G roaming dispute). Thus, the applications are dismissed,” the bench said. The tribunal directed five operators – Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Aircel and Tata Tele – to hand over copies of their 3G roaming agreements to the DoT. (Courtsey: TOI)

Court reserves order on Swamy’s plea to prosecute Chidambaram

21 Saturday Jan 2012

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A special court hearing the 2G spectrum case today (21st January)  reserved  its order to 4th February on the Janata Party President, Dr Guamaniam Swamy’s plea against the Home Minister, Mr P Chidambaram about his involvement in the 2G Scam along with former Communications Minister A.Raja.

The New Year Calender by Calicut District BSNLEU

21 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in BSNLEU

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I am at Calicut since yesterday. I will return to Delhi on 23rd January. Today, the District Secretary, BSNLEU, Com. Jayaraj came to my residence and handed over to me about 10 calenders of 2012 published by the District Union. It is beautifully printed with multi-colours in an attractive manner. It is to be taken to CHQ for office and other comrades.

The Calicut District BSNLEU has been publishing the calendar for many years, which will be supplied to each and every member. You can see the calendar in homes of all our comrades. In addition to the usual information, the important dates connected with trade unions and especially of telecom are  noted in it.

I feel that this is a good system and also a propaganda for the union and can be emulated by others.

Vodafone need not pay Rs.11,000 crore Income Tax -Supreme Court.

21 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in General

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Supreme Court has bailed out Vodafone from paying Rs. 11,000 crore Income Tax, stating that the Government has no right to levy income tax on foreign companies for their international deals. The court also ordered that the Rs.2500 crore already paid by the company be returned with 4% interest within 2 months. The Supreme court issued this order on an appeal filed by Vodafone against the order of Bombay High Court asking the company to pay the Rs.11,000 crore income tax.