Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

2G scam – All the former Secretaries, DOT to appear before JAC

09 Thursday Jun 2011

Posted by in 2G Scam Corruption

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THe Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) headed by Congress MP P.C.Chacko, enquiring in to the 2G scam, has decided to call all the former Secretaries of DOT as witnesses. These include S/Shri P.J.Thomas,Sidharth Behura, D.S.Mathur, J.S.Sarma, Nripendra Misra, Vinod Vaish, Shyamal Ghosh, Anil Kumar and A.V.Gokak. Shri Sidharth Behura is already in CBI custody.

In the same way, it is understood that the former Communications Ministers since 1998 are also being called as witnesses by the JPC including Shri A.Raja, who is in CBI custody.

ILO Calls for Social Justice and social protection for workers

09 Thursday Jun 2011

Posted by in Uncategorized

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A report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) named ‘A New Era of Social Justice’, has called upon the governments to ensure social justice and Social protection of workers. It cautioned the governments against persuing policies that give precedence to economic goals over social environments as it could aggravate unrest, as has been seen in the Arab countries recently.
The report also called upon the governments to invest in social protection of the millions of workers which will not cost them much. It cautioned the increasing joblessness and low quality job traps which will result in unrest and further problems.
Will the Government of India act on the ILO report? Or will it simply ignore the same as in the case of implementing the other ILO Resolutions on right to organise etc?
(Inputs from a report in Business Line)

JAC Meets CMD BSNL on BSNL issues

08 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by in TU News - Telecom specific

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The leaders of the Joint Action Committee met shri R.K.Upadhyay, CMD BSNL today, 8th June and discussed the various issues in connection with the development, expansion and efficiency of the services. The urgency of procurement was also raised. Another meeting will held on 9th June. The details of the discussion will be published in the websites of the unions.
The JAC is making all out efforts to ensure that BSNL survives and improves.

A House for Rs. 170.18 Crore!

08 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by in News

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The Indian Rich want to show their huge wealth and also to enjoy the same.
Look in to the report in the Economic Times ( 8th June) on the front page. Sandeep Jajodia, owner of the Monnet Ispat and Energy has purchased a bungalow in South Delhi for Rs. 170.18 crore! It comes to Rs.80,000 per square foot. The stamp duty comes to Rs. 20.21 crore!
The number of super rich in India is increasing every day. But on the other side, there are crores of people who barely earn Rs. 20/ per day. This inequality is increasing by leaps and bounds.
The neo-liberal policy adopted by the Central Government has given every chance for the rich to become super-rich. But no benefits to the down trodden and toiling masses!
There is no other way but to fight against this inhuman discrimination and injustice.

Post Office SB interest rate to be increased to 4%

08 Wednesday Jun 2011

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The interest on the Savings Bank Accounts in the Post Offices may be increased to 4% from the present 3.5% if the report of the government committee headed by the RBI Deputy Governor Smt. Shyamal Gopinath is accepted. The committee has recommended to increase the rate to 4%. In fact, the interest in PO SB, which are mostly used by the employees and the common people has been very low comapared to the loan rate which has been going high and higher.The recommendations will give some relief to the SB Account holders.
Another recommendation is that the annual investment limit in the Public Provident Fund (PPF) has been increased from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. one lakh.

Central Trade Unions plan protest actions

08 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by in TU News - India

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The Central Trade Unions, viz.AITUC, CITU, INTUC, HMS, AIUTUC, AICCTU, UTUC, TUCC and SEWA has decided to continue sustained struggles on the five point demands it had raised and on which Rasta Roko, one day strike and a massive Parliament March on 23rd February 2011 were organised. The Unions noted with serious concern that despite several round of all-in united protests by the entire trade union movement of the country, the govenment has remained totally unresponsive to the major concerns of the working people.
The Meeting of the Central TUs held on 29th May 2011 has called for observation of Protest Day through demonstrations, rallies and dharna at all the workplaces, state capitals and headquarters on 23rd June 2011 against the hike in petrol prices and the contemplated move of the government to incraese the prices of diesel, kerosene and LPG which will further fuel a rise in the prices of all commodities.
The Central Trade Unions also conveyed its support and solidarity to the strike of bank employees proposed to start on 5th July and the united struggle of the coal workers which will be decided by the 28th June Convention.
The Central Trade Unions urge upon the working people and the trade unions, irrespective of affiliations, to make the above programmes a success. All of us have to ensure that the programmes are effectively organised and observed.

Another Corruption? Chidambaram, Raja involved in Posco clearance?

08 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by in Corruption

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The people in Orissa are agitating against the Environment clearance given for POSCO project which will not only take away the forest lands and lands of the poor people but also is an environmental hazard. Jayram Ramesh, Environment Minister, who opposed it earlier has now cleared it, probably under pressure.
But more news are coming. It is alleged that former Minister A.Rja, who was Environment Minister before he came to Telecom, is also involved as well as Minister P.Chidambaram.
In a statement issued by many save environmental organisations, they have exposed the role played by Raja and Chidambaram in giving clearance to Posco earlier and pressurising the concerned authorities.
In these circumstances, it is very much necessary that these allegations are enquired in to by the CBI.

Evidences against Minister Dayanidhi Maran piles up

08 Wednesday Jun 2011

Posted by in Corruption

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More and more evidences are piling up against former communications and present textiles minister Dayanidhi Maran in the 2G scam.
Now the CAG has given evidence before the JPC that it was Maran who compelled the government to give full powers regarding the spectrum pricing to the Telecom Ministry cutting the rights of the other ministries like Finance. The statement of Sivasankaran, former Aircel owner, that Maran arm-twisted him to hand over Aircel shares to Maxis. It is understood that through this deal the Sun TV, owned by the Marans, got crores as kickbacks. Justice Shivraj Patil Committee has also pointed out its fingers against Dayanidhi Maran on irregularities. It specifically mentioned the former minister ignoring the Group of Ministers while taking decisions on spectrum etc.
One more minister of the UPA II may be charged by CBI and taken in to custody. But till the last moment, the Prime Minister is trying to save his corrupt ministers. What a tragedy!

Former Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran in real trouble

07 Tuesday Jun 2011

Posted by in Corruption

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After Mr. Sivasankaran, former Aircel owner has stated to the CBI charging the former Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran with adopting armtwisting methods for selling his stakes in Aircel to Maxis, the latter is in real trouble. In addition, certain issues pertaining to the textile ministry are also coming up.
How many ministers in th e UPA government are already on corruption charges? How many more are coming? It is time that the Prime Minister has to take stock of the situation which is already alarming and take immediate action. But unfortunately he also seems to be supporting the corrupt till the last moment.Vey unfortunate!

Whether C-DOT can catch up with latest R and D?

07 Tuesday Jun 2011

Posted by in BSNL News

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The C-DOT considered earlier as the most advanced in telecom R and D has not been heard for a long time after its spectacular success in the E-10-B equipment etc.The foreign manufacturers like Nokia,Ericsson have entirely captured the manufacturing markets. The C-DOT could not do much or even nothing with regard to the 2G and 3G.
But it seems that the C-DOT is coming back with its proposals to start with for the 4G for which it can do a lot according the reported statement of Shri V.V.R.Sastry, Executive Director,C-DOT.
He is reported to have stated as follows:
“Todays telecom networks are swamped by imported products and services, based on foreign technology. From a national security perspective, it is very important to have home grown India IPR and technologies in the telecommunication and information technologies.
” To avoid foreign outflow of stupendous magnitude due to telecom gear imports in the near future and revive the national telecom equipment manufacturing base which in turn will create employment opportunities for semi-skilled and skilled workforce of this country, it is very important to go the C-DOT way ie. to create India IPR, develop products and services which can revive the Indian Telecom Manufacturing bse in this country.”
Well stated Shri Sastry! But will the government allot funds,infrastructure and manpower for the same? Is the government really interested in R and D? But of course, I fully support the proposals of C-DOT. The government should be pressurised to act upon it.