Author Archives: VAN NAMBOODIRI

AIBDPA writes to CMD BSNL on submission of option for outdoor medical facilities by the retirees – extending the last date for submission.

04 Thursday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

≈ Leave a comment

Letter written by Com. K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA to CMD BSNL with regard to option to medical facilities by retirees is given below:

AIBDPA/ BSNL MRS/2020 4th June, 2020

To,

Shri P.K. Purwar

CMD, BSNL

Bharat Sanchar Bhawan,

Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

Sir,

Sub: – Submission of option for outdoor medical facilities by the retirees – extending the last date for submission – reg.

Ref: (1) BSNL CO No.BSNL /Admn-1/15-12/18 dated 08-05-2020.

(2) This Association letter No.AIBDPA/BSNL MRS/2020 dated 13-05-2020.

(3) This Association letter No. AIBDPA/BSNL MRS/ 2020 dated 19-05-2020.

(4) Telephonic discussion had with you by Shri V.A.N. Namboodiri, our Advisor on 29-05-2020.

It is reported that in the discussion you had with our advisor, Shri V.A.N. Namboodiri, you have taken a strong stand against review of the above referred order. The unilateral and arbitrary order was issued curtailing the limited outdoor medical facilities.

All the serving unions and pensioners associations have opposed the new order and demanded reversal/ modifications. It is pertinent to point out that neglecting the all-out opposition is not desirable in a democratic country.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, has repeatedly stated that senior citizens need special care and facilities as they are the most vulnerable section to the pandemic. And as such curtailing the existing facilities tantamount to breaching the promise of the Prime Minister.

While we appreciate your efforts to reduce the unwarranted and unnecessary expenditure of BSNL, we may be permitted to point out that there are other areas of largesse which are to be dealt with strongly.

In view of the foregoing, it is once again requested that a judicial and reasonable review be made in the matter so that justice is extended to the elders.

In the case of submission of Option for outdoor medical facilities by the retirees. We are thankful to you for agreeing to extend the last date to 30-06-2020 during the discussion with Shri V.A.N. Namboodiri. However, no order is so far issued by the Corporate Office in this regard.

But you may be aware of the fact that though the central government has relaxed lockdown as on 31-05-2020, five state governments have extended the lockdown to 30-06-200 and two state governments to 15-06-2020. And there is every chance of further extension considering the alarming spread of Covid-19 in many places in the country. To add fuel to fury, West Bengal, Odisha and Maharashtra are facing unimaginable miseries after the devastation of cyclone. Communication and road traffic are the worst affected and it may take months, particularly in West Bengal, to restore normalcy.

It is absolutely impossible for the retirees to travel from far off and remote villages to the concerned BSNL office and submit the option in the absence of transportation. It will be also difficult for them to submit the option by email or WhatsApp, as internet is not available in many places.

Therefore we request you to kindly consider our suggestion to exempt from submission of Option to those who do not want change from the option submitted last year. In the case of others who want change from the earlier option may be given extension flexibility as per the local conditions.

Also in the case of medical cards revalidation may be limited only in cases where change of beneficiaries. Thus, we feel that unnecessary expenditure could be avoided.

VRS retirees who are yet to receive the PPO are not being issued the BSNL MRS cards. In such cases MRS cards may please be issued quoting the HR number.

Finally, the most burning issue of BSNL pensioners, non payment of medical bills both with voucher and without voucher, for the last two years and onetime payment made to CGHS, continue to be neglected by BSNL management. We have repeatedly explained the sufferings of the hapless pensioners in our discussions and through several letters, but of no avail. Sir, kindly do something to mitigate the miseries of the seniors without further delay.

Awaiting your positive response and favourable action.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

K G Jayaraj

General Secretary.

Copy to: (1) Shri Arvind Vadnerkar, Director (HR), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

(2) Shri S.K. Gupta, Director (Finance), BSNL, Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi – 110001

(3) Shri A.M. Gupta, GM (SR), BSNL CO., Bharat Sanchar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi – 110 001

Online classes for students in Kerala.

03 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in General

≈ Leave a comment

During the covid period, it is difficult to conduct regular school classes. But delaying classes will be a problem for the education of the school going children. Hence Kerala Government has started online classes for the children from 1st standard. It started on experimental basis from 1st June and is a big hit. The Chief Minister has clearly stated that it is not in lieu of regular classes, which will start as soon as possible. We congratulate the Kerala LDF Government for the initiative.

Defence Employees towards strike against proposal to corporatise Ordnance factories. Press release by AIDEF, INDWF, BPMS.

03 Wednesday Jun 2020

Posted by in CG Employees, General, privatisation

≈ Leave a comment

Defence Federation conducts Strike Ballot and 82,000 Defence Civilian Employees of 41 Ordnance Factories Will Go For an Indefinite Strike against the Decision of the Government to Convert 219 years old Indian Ordnance Factories into a Corporation / PSU

ALL INDIA DEFENCE EMPLOYEES FEDERATION
INDIAN NATIONAL DEFENCE WORKERS FEDERATION
BHARTIYA PRATIRAKSHA MAZDOOR SANGH
(RECOGNIZED FEDERATIONS OF DEFENCE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES)

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FOR FAVOUR OF PUBLICATION

82,000 Defence Civilian Employees of 41 Ordnance Factories Will Go For an Indefinite Strike against the Decision of the Government to Convert 219 years old Indian Ordnance Factories into a Corporation / PSU

The Federations oppose the decision of the government to convert Army base workshops in to GOCO model and abolition of vacancies in MES and Army Units !

Strike Ballot to be taken all over the country between 08.06.2020 to 17.06.2020

The 3 Recognised Federations (AIDEF, INDWF & BPMS) of the Trade Unions of the 82,000 Defence Civilian Employees working in the 41 Indian Ordnance Factories have taken a decision to go ahead with the preparations for an indefinite strike against the arbitrary, illegal and unjustified decision taken by the Government to corporatise the most strategic Ordnance Factories. This decision of the Government announced by the Finance Minister during the 4th Tranche of the Rs.20 lakh crore financial relief to meet the COVID-19 economic crisis under “Atmanirbhar Bharat Abiyan” is against the agreement between the recognised Federations and the Ministry of Defence in the past. Former Defence Minister late. George Fernandez, Shri. Pranab Mukherjee, Shri. A.K.Antony and late Manohar Parrikar have given written commitments that the Ordnance Factories would not be corporatised. The present decision of the Government is against all these assurances and agreements.

Apart from the above when the present Government included the subject of Corporatization of Ordnance Factories in its 100 days agenda, the Federations opposed the move of the Government and called for a one month strike which commenced on 20-8-2019. During the 5th day of the strike based on the direction given by the Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) a settlement was reached with the then Secretary (DP) and present Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar wherein he has assured that no final decision has been taken by the Government with regard to Corporatization of OFB. Based on his assurance that a High Level Official Committee (HLOC) will be constituted to study the possibility of the OFB achieving Rs. 30,000 crores production target in the present setup, the Strike was deferred.

Since, there was a dispute between the Federations and the Government with regard to the terms of reference the Federations represented to the Honourable Defence Minister during October 2019 to intervene and change the terms of reference of the HLOC. However without considering the pending representation of the Federations, taking advantage of the COVID-19 lock down the Government have arbitrarily made the announcement that OFB will be Corporatised and will be listed in the Share Market

Government Decision to convert Ordnance Factories into Corporation hurts 82000 Employees
The above decision of the Government has hurt the 82,000 employees, since all these employees were engaged in manufacturing of all types of PPE’s required for the Doctors, Nurses and Para medical staff for fighting against the COVID-19 spread. They have taken risk of their life and were working throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. The Government instead of recognising their service to the Country have taken a major decision to convert this War industry as a PSU and thereafter to privatise the same.

This decision of the Government is against the Defence preparedness and National security of our country. Moreover it will overnight change the service conditions of the 82,000 employees and their status as Central Government employees which will be snatched away. In spite of our repeated representation to the Defence Minister and the Defence Production Secretary there is no positive response and hence the Federations are left with no other option than to go for an Indefinite Strike demanding the Government to withdraw its decision to Corporatize the Ordnance Factories. The date of the Commencement of the Indefinite Strike will be decided after the completion of the Strike Ballot which is scheduled between 8-6-2020 to 17-6-2020 throughout the country.

The Federations also are opposing the decision taken by the Government against other Defence Industries like MES, and EME. While 9304 vacancies in MES the Army Base Workshops under EME are being handed over to Private Sector in the name of GOCO Model. The Federations have already opposed the move and we will be separately deciding for serious Trade Union Action programme in these Defence Units also. The Federations also oppose the decision of the Government for allowing 74% FD] in Defence production.

Option for BSNL MRS – Date of option up to 30th June 2020.

29 Friday May 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners

≈ 1 Comment

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA today contacted Shri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL and requested him to reconsider the issue of restoring BSNLMRS to the earlier position without reducing the same. CMD stated that there is no other way but to implement the present order due to the difficult financial position of the company.

Com.VAN placed the difficulties in giving option in a short time due to covid situation as also the different dates stipulated by different circle administrations and requested that the last date of option be fixed as 30th June 2020 uniformly so that all pensioners get the time and convenience to submit the option. CMD agreed to the same. (from AIBDPA website)

Com.M.P.Veerendrakumar M.P., former Central and State Minister and writer no more.

29 Friday May 2020

Posted by in Obituary, Tributes, Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

സ: എം പി വീരേന്ദ്ര കുമാർ എം പി(84) ഓർമയായി. ഇന്നലെ രാത്രി 11.30ന്ന് കോഴിക്കോട് വെച്ചായിരുന്നു മരണം .
6 ദശാബ്ദങ്ങളിലേറെ പൊതു പ്രവർത്തന രംഗത്ത് വ്യക്തിമുദ്ര പതിപ്പിച്ച വീരേന്ദ്രകുമാർ കേന്ദ്ര മന്ത്രി ആയും എം പി ആയും സംസ്ഥാന മന്ത്രി ആയും പ്രവർത്തിച്ചു. ഉറച്ച സോഷ്യലിസ്റ്റ് നേതാവ്. മാതൃഭൂമിയുടെ എല്ലാമെല്ലാം. മഹാനായ എഴുത്തുകാരൻ , സഞ്ചാരി. ഉജ്ജ്വലനായ പ്രഭാഷകൻ. അതിലും ഉപരി ഒരു നല്ല സുഹൃത്ത്.
1960 കൾ മുതലുള്ള പരിചയം എനിക്കുണ്ട്. ജോർജ് ഫെർനാൻഡസ് കോഴിക്കോട് വന്നപ്പോൾ നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗവും സഖാവിന്റെ പരിഭാഷയും ആവേശം കൊണ്ടും ആത്മാർത്ഥതയും കൊണ്ടും ഒന്നിനൊന്നു മേലെയായിരിന്നു. അടിയന്തരാവസ്ഥയിൽ ഒളിവിൽ, പിന്നെ ജയിലിൽ.
കമ്പിത്തപാൽ ജീവനക്കാരുടെ പല സമ്മേളനങ്ങളിലും സഖാവ് പങ്കെടുത്തു സംസാരിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. 1988 ൽ കോഴിക്കോട് വെച്ച് നടന്ന എൻ എഫ് പി ടി ഇ സംസ്ഥാന സമ്മേളനത്തിന്റെ രക്ഷാധികാരയായിരുന്നു.
1991ൽ വീരേന്ദ്ര കുമാർ പാർലമെന്റിലേക്ക് മത്സരിച്ചപ്പോൾ തിരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് കമ്മിറ്റി (അണിയറ) സെക്രട്ടറിയായി പ്രവർത്തിക്കുകയുണ്ടായി. ( കേന്ദ്ര സർക്കാർ ജീവനക്കാരന് രാഷ്ട്രിയ പ്രവർത്തന സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യമില്ലല്ലോ). എല്ലാ ദിവസവും അതിരാവിലെയും യോഗങ്ങളിലും മറ്റും പങ്കെടുത്തു രാത്രി വൈകിയും ഓഫീസിൽ എത്തി കാര്യങ്ങൾ ചർച്ച ചെയ്യും.
അടുത്ത തവണ എം പി യായും തുടർന്നു കേന്ദ്ര ഡെപ്യൂട്ടി ധനകാര്യ മന്ത്രിയുമായപ്പോൾ ഞാൻ ഡൽഹിയിൽ യൂണിയൻ ജനറൽ സെക്രട്ടറിയായി ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. സ്ഥാനമേറ്റ ദിവസം തന്നെ കാണാൻ പോയി. റിസപ്ഷനിൽ കാത്തു നിൽക്കുമ്പോൾ സഖാവ് തന്നെ വന്നു മുറിയിലേക്ക് കൂട്ടികൊണ്ടുപോയി. രാഷ്ട്രിയ നേതാക്കളും വൻകിട വ്യവസായ പ്രമുഖരും അവിടെ കാത്തു നിൽക്കുന്നു. അഭിനന്ദനം പറഞ്ഞതിന്റ കൂടെ ഡി എ പ്രഖ്യാപിക്കാതെയുള്ള വിവരവും പറഞ്ഞു. രണ്ടു ദിവസത്തിനകത്തു ഡി എ കല്പന ഇറങ്ങുകയും ചെയ്തു.
ഇടക്കാലത്തു ന്യൂസ്‌പേപ്പർ ഫെഡറേഷൻ കാര്യത്തിനും മറ്റുമായി ഡൽഹിയിൽ വരുമ്പോൾ കാണാൻ പോകും.
1996 ജൂണിൽ ഞാൻ സർവീസിൽനിന്നും നിന്നും വിരമിച്ചപ്പോൾ ടൌൺ ഹാളിൽ നൽകിയ പൊതു സ്വീകരണത്തിൽ കോട്ടക്കൽ ആയുർവേദ ആസ്പത്രിയിൽ ചികിത്സയിലായിരുന്നുവെങ്കിലും വീരേന്ദ്ര കുമാർ അവിടെയെത്തി സംസാരിച്ചു വീണ്ടും ആസ്പത്രിയിലേക്ക് പോയത് ഞാൻ ഇന്നും ഓർക്കുന്നു.
ഒരു സുഹൃത്ത് എന്ന നിലക്കാണ് എന്നും സംസാരിക്കാറുള്ളത്. സ: എ കെ ജി യുമായുള്ള ആത്മ ബന്ധത്തെ കുറിച്ച് പലപ്പോഴും സൂചിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. പല രാഷ്ട്രിയ കാര്യങ്ങളും പറയും. ഞാൻ കേൾക്കും.
അവസാനം കണ്ടു സംസാരിച്ചത് ഈ വർഷം ജനുവരി അഞ്ചിന് ചാലപ്പുറത്തെ വീട്ടിൽ വെച്ച്. ബി എസ് എൻ എൽ പെൻഷൻകാരുടെ പെൻഷൻ റിവിഷൻ കാര്യത്തിൽ കേന്ദ്ര സർക്കാരുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെടുന്നതിനായി കാണാൻ. പുന്നശ്ശേരി ബാലൻ, കെ ജി സഞ്ജീവ്, എം ചന്ദ്രൻ, പി വി സി ll, എം കെ പ്രഭാകരൻ,എം രാജഗോപാലൻ നായർ എന്നിവരും കൂടെ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു.സുഖമില്ലാതെ കിടക്കുകയാണെന്നും ആരെയും കാണുന്നില്ലെന്നും ഞങ്ങളെ അറിയിച്ചെങ്കിലും പേര് പറഞ്ഞപ്പോൾ അകത്തേക്ക് കടത്തി. സഖാവ് കിടക്കുക തന്നെയായിരുന്നു. വളരെ അവശതയിൽ. ഒരു വിധം എഴുന്നേറ്റിരുന്നു സംസാരിച്ചു. ഞങ്ങൾ കാര്യം അവതരിപ്പിച്ചു നന്ദി പറഞ്ഞു വേഗം മടങ്ങി. ഇത് അവസാന കാഴ്ച്ച ആയിരിക്കും എന്ന് കരുതിയില്ല.
ഇന്ന് സീനിയർ സിറ്റിസൺസ് ഫ്രണ്ട്‌സ് വെൽഫേർ അസോസിയേഷൻ ജില്ല സെക്രട്ടറി സ: മേലടി നാരായണൻ ഒപ്പം ചാലപ്പുറത്തെ വീട്ടിലെത്തി അസോസിയേഷന്റെയും സ്വന്തം പേരിലും ആദരാഞ്ജലികൾ അർപ്പിക്കുമ്പോൾ അടുത്ത ഒരു സുഹൃത്തിനെ നഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടതിന്റെ ദുഃഖം.
സ: വീരേന്ദ്ര കുമാറിന്റെ വേർപാട് സമൂഹത്തിന്ന് വലിയൊരു നഷ്ടമാണ്.
അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ഭാര്യ, മക്കൾ മറ്റു കുടുംബാംഗങ്ങൾ എന്നിവരെ അനുശോചനം അറിയിക്കുന്നു.

P and T Trade Union Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – 4 GRIM DAYS

29 Friday May 2020

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

P and T Trade Union Movement in India during II World War and thereafter (1939 – 1954) ( by B.N.Ghosh ) CHAPTER – 4

GRIM DAYS

The general condition in Bengal and Assam was one of restlessness and dismay. We were having occasional siren warning of possibility of bombing and for months together complete block out going on in Calcutta City and other towns and the cost of living was daily going up.
It is worth noticing that inspite of all these difficulties and uncertain political situation in the country and acute anti-British feelings, a progressive force of working class and middle class intelligentsia was rapidly growing against fascist war which indirectly helped the war efforts of the Government of India.

Inspite of the vow taken by me, I was not spared and had to be at the helm of Postal and RMS Union of Bengal and Assam. On the 24th day of my arrival at Calcutta, I had to address in Minerva Hall a largely attended union meeting where in the presence of Mr. Krishna Prasad, PMG Bengal and Assam I called him a “Coward Krishna Prasad” who had not the courage of visiting Assam though he was Post Master General of Assam and had asked the audience to give farewell to the P and T Welfare Officer of Bengal and Assam who was present at the meeting and who too had not gone to Assam to look after the welfare of P and T workers there, who were working in an area exposed to danger.

The city of Calcutta was heavily bombed during X’mas of 1942, and thereafter the transfer of non-essential P and T Offices from Calcutta was ordered. The Dead Latter Office which was catering to the needs of Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Assam, was, as a result, shifted to Patna. Attached as I was then to D.L.O., Calcutta I left for Patna on 9-2-43 and ceased to be the General Secretary of All India Postal and RMS Union Bengal and Assam Provincial Branch. Both Mr. Schoobert and Mr. Krishna Prasad had requested me not to leave Calcutta at that critical time. I agreed, but circumstances, which are too nasty to be disclosed here, compelled me to change my opinion and I proceeded to Patna where I had to be up to 3rd September, 1943.
The year 1943 was a distressful one for India. There was scarcity of food stuff in whole of East India, and general prices of cereals and grain had gone up beyond limit. The pecuniary hardships of the fixed paid wage earners were ever on the increase. By the middle of 1943 the average cost of living index of the working class on all India basis had gone up to 280 taking 1939 index as 100. The maximum hardships were experienced in Assam, Bengal and Bihar. During the second week of February, rice was selling at Rs.8/- per maund at (Chitkora hat) Patna, but by the middle of March prices shot upto Rs. 30/- per maund.

The following table will show the rice position in India in September, 1943:-
Prices per maund
Assam Rs. 60/- (if available)
Calcutta Rs. 50/-
Purnea Rs. 32/-
Patna Rs. 30/-
Banaras Rs. 16/-
Nagpur Rs. 10/-
Karachi Rs. 8/-
Larkana (Sindh) Rs. 6/-

The cost of living index of the working class was as follows (Taking 1939 figure as 100).
Assam Incalculable
Calcutta 545
Jamalpur 415
Jamshedpur 380
Madras 196
Bombay 233
Ahmedabad 277

From the beginning of 1943 the Government had ordered purchase of entire foodstuff in Bengal and Assam and later on in Bihar. This shortage was for feeding those who were in the army and others in war services. At the end of 1945 one crore of men were found employed in war service. The army-men under South East Asia Command were located in different parts of Calcutta and others stationed in Bengal and Assam. An American soldier was found in Calcutta paying Rs. /- for polishing a pair of shoes.

In addition to this, Great Britain had been purchasing war materials in India on credit for which Government of India was paying through currency notes against which there was no gold reserve and the circulation of notes was rapidly increasing and that is why India Government had, at the end of 1945, one thousand five hundred crores worth notes circulation as against 228 crores at the beginning of war. All these factors created higher inflation of the market causing untold miseries and hardships to the people in general and P and T workers in particular.
According to the report of Woodhead Committee, thirty five lakh of people died of starvation in Bengal due to the Government of India made famine. The middle class people and the working-class who could survive were half clad and half-starved and through constant struggle against poverty, lost their longevity and became permanently diseased. There is no denying the fact that the P and T workers in those days with their family members could hardly manage to have two square meals a day. As the intensity of the war was increasing, hardships of the P and T workers were also on the increase. The historic struggle of the P and T workers in India and in Bengal, Assam and Bihar in particular, was nothing but a last attempt on the part of the drowning man to survive. (To be continued).

Homage to Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime minister of Independent India on his 56th death anniversary.

27 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in General, Obituary, Tributes

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the most acclaimed leader of the Independence struggle next to Mahatma Gandhi only. He was the undisputed claimant as the first Prime Minister of independent India. His entire family from his father Motilal Nehru, sister Vijayalaxmi Pandit and daughter Indira Gandhi was connected with the Independence movement in one way or other. was attracted to the USSRand socialism. His ‘Socialist Pattern of society’ slogan was accepted by the Avadi Congress, but it was only partly implemented and later was completely forsaken. Non-alignment was a powerful movement, but that also did not last much after him. The creation of Public Sector and its growth in the first two decades is clearly his contribution. His speech on 15th August 1947 on the ramparts of Red Fort is a memorable, which echoed throughout the country.

I had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister  Pandit Nehru during 1957/ 58. He had come to Tellicherry and was to address a public meeting there which was massively participated. I was working as a school teacher and had come to hear him. I wanted to get his autograph. I had a small box camera with me and along with the press photographers I went near to him and took a photo. I utilised the opportunity by requesting for an autograph. He readily agreed and signed in my small autograph book.

As a P and T worker, later I read that Jawaharlal Nehru supported the 1946 Posts and Telegraph Strike and was also partly  instrumental in its settlement with almost all the demands accepted by the British Government. But as the Prime Minister of India, he called the Central government Employees’ historical strike of July 1960 as ‘Civil Rebellion’ and suppressed it  by using all the brute force at the hands of the government including the ‘Essential Service Maintenance Ordinance’ promulgated.

There is no doubt that he was a man of destiny and had the opportunity to lead free India for more than 17 years.

Homage to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 56th death anniversary!

 

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -16 Indefinite Strike from 26th February 2008 deferred after discussion with DOT

27 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Sustained struggles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Indefinite Strike from 26th February 2008 deferred after discussion with DOT

Consequent to the serving of notice for indefinite strike wef 26th February, a meeting was called by DOT Secretary Shri Sidharth Behura on 19-02-2008, in which CMD BSNL Shri Kuldeep Goyal was also present. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JF and other leaders explained the demands of the strike and asked to settle the same.

The outcome of the discussion, as given in writing,  is narrated below:

  1. Disinvestment of BSNL: There is no immediate proposal for IPO/Disinvestment. Minister has also issued a press release on this.
  2. VRS Proposal: If the BSNL employees do not want VRS, no such scheme will be introduced.
  3. Withdrawal of DOT’s arbitrary orders on pension ( 60% – 40% ): The matter will be taken with the Cabinet.
  4. Uninterrupted supply of 2G, 3G Spectrum: This will be given preference. BSNL will be allotted 3G Spectrum.
  5. Ensure BSNL’s Financial viability: DOT Secretary stated that cabinet Note is under circulation and assured discussion with Minister and appropriate action will be taken for the same.
  6. Navaratna Status to BSNL: DPE shall forward the case for grant of Navaratna status to BSNL for consideration by apex body.
  7. Immediate absorption of Group A Officers: Matter is under active consideration of DOT. Draft Cabinet Note is under preparation and the final note will be prepared with 15-20 days.

To a question in the Parliament, the Minister of State for Communications and IT Shri Shakeel Ahmed stated that the government is not considering disinvestment of BSNL.

Strike postponed.

After the discussion with the Secretary DOT and CMD BSNL who assured immediate action on all the above matters, the joint Forum met and decided to defer the strike. ( ( To be continued )

50th Foundation of CITU on 30th May 2020 – Human Chain in One lakh places will be organised

26 Tuesday May 2020

Posted by in CITU, CTU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

30th May 2020 is the 50th foundation anniversary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions, the most militant trade union in the country. CITU was formed in the Kolkata Conference held on 28-30 May 1970. Com.B.T.Ranadive was elected as President and Com. P.Ramamurthy as General Secretary. Com. E.Balanandan was Vice-President and Com.M.K.Pandhe, Secretary.  More than 10 lakh workers participated in the rally held Brigade Ground Kolkata  in connection with the foundation Conference. This conference took the decision that it was completely difficult to continue in the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) since it has failed to follow the militant and correct path of trade union and has gone to the revisionist line as also all democratic traditions were broken to destroy any reasonable criticism.

AITUC was the first Central Trade Union in the country formed on 31st October 1920. It continued as the sole CTU in the country till INTUC was formed by the Congress just before India got Independence. Now there are mainly 12 CTUs in the country. Out of this, except BMS, all the other CTUs are in coordination to fight against the anti-worker policy of the central government. Since 1991 the trade unions have been organising sustained struggles  against the neo-liberal policies started by the Narasimha Rao Government. Independent Federations of Central – state government employees, PSUs etc. also have been joining the strikes. The first united country wide strike against neo-liberalisation policy was organised on 29th November 1991. Since then many strikes have taken place against the anti-worker policy of the central government, more and more unions joining the same.

CITU has become one of the most militant and worker oriented trade union in the country. It is affiliated to the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU). WFTU has now intervened in the anti-worker decisions of the central and some state governments in increasing the working hours misutilising the Covid period.

It is in this context that the 50th Foundation Day of CITU is approaching. The CITU HQ has called upon its units all over the country to organise Human Chain on the day, of course by keeping social distance as per the Covid 19 existing instructions.

UNITY AND STRUGGLE FOR PROGRESS!

 

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -15 All India Protest day on 21st January 2008

24 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Sustained struggles

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

All India Protest day on 21st January 2008

As per the call of the joint Forum, BSNL workers organized All India Protest Day on 21-01-2008 by wearing black badges and demonstrating in front of telephone exchanges and offices. Thousands of workers participated in these demonstrations giving a stern warning to the BSNL management of strike, if the demands raised by the JF are not settled.

Meeting with CMD on 23-01-2008

On the basis of the letter dated 23-01-2008 from the JF, the CMD BSNL Shri Kuldip Goyal called a meeting with the unions and discussed the following issues:
Immediate purchase of equipments, restoration of ADC to BSNL which was discontinued from 2008-09, early payment from USO Fund to BSNL, modernization and increasing of productivity of Telecom Factories, regular functioning of the Works Committees at SSAs, providing broadband connections without delay, increasing of market functions, eliminating wastage, strict action against corruption etc. The CMD agreed to take up the issues seriously. But no concrete decision was given.

Joint Forum calls for Indefinite Strike from 26-02-2008 against proposed disinvestment.
As per the decision of the JF, notice for indefinite strike w.e.f. 26th February 2008 was served on the BSNL Management and Secretary DOT on the following demands:

1. Drop disinvestment / IPO proposal of the government
2. Withdraw proposal for VRS in BSNL
3. Withdraw BSNL’s arbitrary order dated 15-06-2006 on pension contribution
4. Ensure uninterrupted supply of 2G and 3G equipments, additional 2G Spectrum as well as 3G Spectrum as agreed earlier
5. Ensure BSNL’s financial viability by continuing ADC, Reimbursement of Licence Fee and funds from USOF
6. Immediate grant of Navaratna status to BSNL
7. Immediate absorption of ITS Officers in BSNL.

The Strike Notice was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), M.B.Vichare (NFTE BSNL), K.Vallinayagm (FNTO), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), K.Sathyanarayanan (AIBSNLEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), V.R.Venugopal (BTEU), A.D.Patil (AIBCTES), R.S.Yadav (ATM), Hari Singh (BTU) and Subhash Gaur (BSNLOA). Wide publicity was given to the demands and strike call through issue of pamphlets, wall posters, press statements etc. Full preparations were being made for the indefinite strike. (To be continued)