30 Tuesday Jun 2020
IDA WILL BE DECREASED BY 0.8% FROM 01-07-2020
According to Consumer Price Index released by Labour Bureau, IDA will be decreased by 0.8% from 01-07-2020 and the total IDA wil be 160.7%- 0.8%= 159.9%.
The order will be issued by DPE within a few days.
21 Thursday May 2020
Posted in BSNL, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -13
National Seminar of BSNL Employees – 7th September 2007
As decided by the Joint Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, a successful National Convention of BSNL employees was organized at Eastern Court premises, New Delhi on 7th September 2007. A large pandal was erected on the lawns of the Eastern Court premises, which accommodated the MTNL offices and a part of the BSNL offices. More than 500 delegates from all parts of the country attended.
A Presidium consisting of Comrades K.Vallinayagam (FNTO), J.N.Mishra (BSNLEU), R.N.Pande (NFTE), A.A.Khan (SNEA), K.Sathyanarayana (AIBSNLEA), S.S.Tomar (BSNLMS), S.P.Shrivastava (TEPU), M.C.Sharma (BSNLWRU), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL), D.P.Patwa (AIBCTES), R.S.Yadav (BSNL ATM) and Dhiraj Choudhary (SNATTA) conducted the proceedings.
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, GS, BSNLEU and Convener JF welcomed all, especially the delegation of Confederation of South Korean Trade Unions, which was visiting India and attended the convention. The leader of the delegation Com. Lee Sukhaeng greeted and congratulated the union for the strong fight against privatization. Convener spoke about the present situation of BSNL and the tasks ahead.
Com.M.K.Pandhe, President CITU, Sitaram Yechury, M.P., Gurudas Dasgupta M.P., Harish Rawat M.P. C.Kuppusamy M.P.and other trade union leaders addressed the convention and congratulated the BSNL workers for their struggle to save BSNL and conveyed their support and solidarity to the struggle.
Comrade M.B.Vichare (NFTE), M.R.Vasisht (FNTO), Swapan Chakraborty (BSNLEU), S.L.Reddy (SNEA), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Raj Kishore (BSNLWRU), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL) and A.D.Patil (AIBCTES) also addressed the convention.
The Declaration of the National Convention on the demands and agitational programmes to strengthen BSNL and provide a better service to the people was presented by the Convener JF and unanimously adopted by the house. The Convention called upon the workers to continue the struggle and to organize effective campaign and also to organize one day long dharna at circle level on 11th October 2007.
The Reception Committee headed by Coms. A.A.Khan and R.S.Chouhan made all arrangements in a very effective manner.
13 Wednesday May 2020
AIBDPA/BSNLMRS/2020 May 13, 2020
To
Shri P. K. Purwar,
CMD, BSNL
Bharat Sanchar Bhawan
Janpath, New Delhi-110 001.
Sir,
Sub: – Curtailment of outdoor medical benefits- modification sought- – reg.
Ref: – BSNL CO Office Order No.BSNL/Admn-1/15-12/18 dated 08-05-2020 on procedure for outdoor medical claim for BSNL Employees (Serving / Retired).
Medical benefits, outdoor, of BSNL employees and retirees are curtailed drastically vide office order referred to above.
Of course, you had given some hints during our discussion with you on 16-12-2019 that BSNL can’t afford the BSNL MRS in the present form. You had suggested switching over to CGHS and uniform monthly allowance.
We had responded with our reservations on CGHS as the dispensary/ wellness centers are available in limited cities only. However we assured you that maximum pensioners belonging to places where CGHS facilities are available, would be advised to switch over, provided that onetime payment for CGHS membership be reimbursed by BSNL timely. You were quick to reply that those joining CGHS, the amount being paid by the pensioner will be reimbursed next month itself. We are sorry to point out that this assurance is yet to be implemented.
Regarding monthly flat medical allowance, we had demanded Rs.2,000. But as per the above mentioned office order, the monthly allowance of Rs.1000 is quite insufficient to meet the requirements in the wake of higher consultation fee of the doctor and exorbitant prices of the medicines.
Regarding with voucher, the present calculation of 23 day’s pay at the time of retirement is drastically reduced to 15 and worse, the IDA of every corresponding April is changed to IDA at the time of retirement. This amounts to a double blow and gross injustice to the pensioners.
Therefore we seek your kind intervention for necessary modifications in the office order as follows;
Option.
2) With voucher it should be same as before. No change should be made.
3) Without voucher monthly medical allowance flat Rs.2,000.
Further, we are constrained to point out that any order would be meaningless, if not implemented in its true sense. We have brought to your notice in person and through a number of letters about the sufferings and distress of the Pensioners due to non payment of medical bills, both indoor and outdoor, quarterly medical allowance and amount paid for CGHS membership for the last two years. You had assured that fund could be allocated once the financial position improve during the post VRS scenario. But to our dismay, even after three months of VRS, no fund is allotted to mitigate the miseries of the Pensioners. A few of our fellow Pensioners have already lost their lives due to non consumption of life saving medicines. And we are afraid that more lives may be lost particularly during this period of Covid-19 unless relief is extended in the form allocation of sufficient funds to clear the pending medical claims.
Awaiting early positive response and action.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
K G Jayaraj
General Secretary
29 Wednesday Apr 2020
Posted in BSNL, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, History
Protest Demonstration on 01-03-2006 on ADC and Revenue Sharing
Despite assurance by the government, the ADC to be paid by the private operators was reduced as per the decision of the TRAI, which was always partial to the private operators. The ADC being paid by the private telecoms is to be paid to the PSUs to compensate for their loss in providing universal connectivity. As per the decision of the TRAI, the net result was that the due payment to be made by the private telcos to the tune of Rs. 5,300 crores was reduced to Rs. 2,000 crore. Amount from the revenue sharing was also reduced causing loss to the government.
As per the decision of the Joint Forum, Protest Demonstrations were organized in all SSAs which were addressed by the leaders of various unions who are part of Joint Forum.
Meeting with the Secretary DOT on 7th June 2006
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener JF, along with other members met Shri J.S Sharma, Secretary DOT and had detailed discussions on the major issues confronting BSNL. The following were the issues discussed:
1. Navaratna status to BSNL: The Secretary DOT assured that the Navaratna status will be conferred to BSNL next year after fulfillment of the obligatory provisions.
2. Unbundling of local loop: The apprehension of the workers on the formation of a sub-committee headed by the Secretary DOT on the issue was discussed and the JF strongly opposed the same. Secretary assured that the commitment given earlier continued and no unbundling will take place.
3. Merger of BSNL and MTNL: Secretary DOT assured that the talk of merger is only speculation of the media and there is no decision for the same.
The Joint Forum addressed a letter to Shri Dayanidhi Maran, Communications Minister, on 26th June 2006, strongly opposing the proposal for unbundling the last minute copper and sought for a meeting.
The JF in its meeting on 5th and 10th July 2006 decided to organize agitational programmes on the following issues:
1. No disinvestment of BSNL / MTNL.
2. No unbundling of local loop.
3. No sharing BSNL / MTNL infrastructure with private operators.
4. No increase in FDI
5. No reduction in Revenue Sharing and ADC
6. Immediate grant of Navaratna status to BSNL
7. Grant of autonomy to BSNL and MTNL
8. Expand mobile and broadband services
9. Early and amicable settlement of ITS absorption.
The following are the programmes:
1. Joint lunch hour demonstrations to be organized on 27 July 2006 at Circle/SSA levels and also send telegrams to the Prime Minister demanding “NO DISINVESTMENT, NO UNBUNDLING OF LOCAL LOOP OF BSNL MTNL”.
2. March to Parliament on 3rd August 2006.
3. Strike in September 2006, the date of which will be decided later. (to be continued)
22 Wednesday Apr 2020
It has been intimated that funds for one month wages for contract workers have been released by the corporate office. While speaking to Shri P.K.Puwar, CMD he had assured me that releasing of funds will be considered when funds are available. To day the same has been released. Thanks to CMD for immediate response.
The non-payment of wages was also taken by the Kerala Chief Minister as well as BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF CHQs.
The balance of wages also may be paid early.
19 Sunday Apr 2020
Sustained Struggles to save BSNL – An Introduction
BSNL was formed as part of the neo-liberalisation policy adopted by the government of India since the 1980s. It was a well-planned move. The P and T Budget was stopped, Department of Posts and Telegraphs was divided in to Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunications, private companies were given licence to provide telecom services which was the sole monopoly of the government, and New Telecom Policy was adopted all of which were intended with the same aim – hand over the telecom services to the corporates.
BSNL was formed on 1st October 2000. It was planned to be formed on 1st April 2001, in the new financial year, but the agreement, with certain safeguards, with the recognized Federations, made it possible for the government to start it earlier. The strong protest and struggles organized by some of the affiliated unions were not able to stop corporatization. BSNL became a reality.
The formation of new unions in BSNL changed the scenario. First two three years were full of united efforts and negotiations by the unions to finalise the conversion from CDA to IDA pay scale, absorption issue etc. etc.
In the first membership verification of the non-executive unions, NFTE won, but with small margin. The recognized union was not prepared to fight with the management on crucial issues, as can be seen from the fact that it agreed for VRS, when the management brought the agenda in the BSNL Joint Consultative Machinery. However, the tables turned in the next verification and BSNL Employees Union, with alliance, won with a thumbing majority and became the recognized union. It was in December 2004.
BSNLEU as the biggest and recognized union, without any delay, took the responsibility of co-coordinating all the unions of non-executives and associations of executives together for strengthening BSNL and defending the PSU from the government conspiracy to weaken it and privatize or close. Major issues of the workers, who numbered more than 3.5 lakhs, who were earlier central government employees, also had to be addressed.
Unity was most important to face the complicated situation with about more than 15 unions in the field with different ideologies and priorities. This was a Herculean task, but not impossible. As I was the Convener of the Joint Forum, Joint Action Committee, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations etc. (names changed to suit certain unity requirements from time to time) from 2004 to 2015, I can state with satisfaction that all the Unions and associations and their leaders have done marvelous work in defending the interests of the PSU, that of the workers and the people as a whole in this noble task.
From the next installment, I will write about the major developments, struggles, negotiations etc. which had taken place during the period mentioned above. It will be inspiring and interesting to the old generation which participated in these struggles and also to the new generation of workers who have been recruited later and fighting the present battle for survival and revival of BSNL and its workers, especially after the Voluntary Retirement of 78, 569 workers from the PSU.
I will be posting it in my blog vannamboodiri.com, since long articles in Face-book may not be appreciated.
V.A.N.Namboodiri.
17 Thursday Oct 2019
Posted in AUAB, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
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A meeting between the AUAB and the CMD BSNL was held at 03:00 pm today. The Director (HR) and Director (CM) were also present. The CMD BSNL assured that salary payment would be made by 23.10.2019. Further, he also informed that the Cabinet is likely to take a decision on BSNL’s revival package within a week. He appealed to the AUAB to defer the hunger strike scheduled to be held on 18.10.2019. After this meeting, the representatives of the AUAB, present in the meeting, decided to defer the hunger strike for the time being. It is also decided to hold the next meeting of the AUAB on 30.10.2019, for reviewing the situation and for taking appropriate decision regarding future course of action. (AUAB website)
22 Thursday Aug 2019
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLEU
The VIII Membership Verification for grant of recognition to the union of non-executives is going to take place on 16th September 2019. Out of the 7 verifications already conducted since formation of BSNL, BSNL Employees got first position and recognition in all the verifications, except in the first, and got continued recognition. From 2nd to 7th verifications, BSNLEU got more than 50% of the votes polled.
The situation has not changed. BSNLEU throughout the period as recognised union had made efforts and settled many of the major issues. Of course, there are many more issues to be settled including the wage revision w.e.f. 01-01-2017.
In this verification, there is no doubt that BSNLEU will as earlier. It is also necessary that the workers are approached to get increased support.
30 Sunday Jun 2019
One more attack on BSNL from the Government.
The DOT has issued orders on 21st June 2019 intimating its decision to take over Advanced Level Telecom Training Centre (ALTTC) campus,Ghaziabad, the prime institution for telecom advanced training and also an institution declared as “Centre of Excellence” by International Telecom Union (ITU). This is being done on the plea of establishing National Telecommunication Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT). The take over process is on the line.
The first point is that NTIPRIT is already working in the ALTTC campus and two floors in the Administrative building in the campus are allotted to it. Other critical installations like INMARSAT, ISRO GSAT Gateway, ERP Center etc. are also working in the campus. For the functioning of NTIPRIT, it is not at all necessary to take over the entire campus, which is the property of BSNL and which is utilised by ALTTC and other prime institutions. This is only a carefully devised plan to divest BSNL of this prime asset.
Let us understand what is ALTTC? It is one of the two advanced level telecom training centres of BSNL, the other being the BRABRAIT at Jabalpur. ALTTC gives various training to the top officers and Engineers of BSNL. It is also conducting special courses for various institutions regularly and earning money for BSNL. In the Financial year 2017-18, it organised 595 courses with a total number of 8078 trainees with a total number of 68538 dys. In 2018-19, the courses increased to 595, trainees to 11145 and the days to 96405. BSNL is earning good amount through these training courses.
Why the government is taking over this prime campus, which has been functioning extremely well all these years? It is mainly to capture the assets of BSNL. The entire campus is about 80 acres which will be worth about Rs. 4,856 crores @ moderate rate of Rs. 1,50,000 per sqm, in the heart of Ghaziabad-Delhi. The cost of the several buildings in the campus including the three hostels etc will come to about Rs. 190 crore. Cost of laboratories, movable assets etc. will come to many crores. It is these valuable assets that the government want to take over arbitrarily.
It is to be mentioned that most of the assets throughout the country have not been transferred to BSNL, despite decision for the same in 2000 at the time of formation of BSNL. Inspite of strong demand from the BSNL and the Unions in BSNL, this is not implemented. In the meanwhile, government is taking over many buildings, which are with BSNL. The heritage CTO building in Bengaluru is already taken by Govt. for accommodation of TRAI, Many such buildings have been confiscated by the govt. The latest is the ALTTC.
BSNL is struggling to survive and improve. The stiff competition and the favouritism to the private companies, pro-PSU policy are some of the reasons. Now BSNL has requested DOT to hand over all the assets due to it from the government for monetisation etc. for improving financial position. It is at this time, that even the existing assets are forcibly taken over by Govt.
We express our strong protest against this attack on the BSNL and demand that the decision to take over the ALTTC campus by govt should be withdrawn.
27 Friday Oct 2017
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
BSNLCCWF in its central Secretariat meeting held at Delhi on 24th October, 2017, presided over by President Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri has unanimously decided to fully participate in the Maha Dharna being organised on the call of the Central Trade Unions at Delhi on 9-11 November 2017. The eight point Charter of Demands adopted by the CTUs on the basis of which the Dharna is being organised include the demand of Minimum Wage of Rs. 18,000, Job to unemployed, halt price rise, Equal wage for Equal Work, Minimum Pension of Rs.3,000 etc.
BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation calls upon the BSNL workers to join in this historic struggle. It was discussed in the secretariat meeting of the Federation held on 24th October, 2017 that all the circle unions will mobilise at least 300 workers in the programme. Circle Secretaries are requested to mobilise a good number of members in this 3 days relay Dharna Programme in the capital of our country.
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 