Category Archives: BSNL – Better Service to the Nation

The BSNL Employees under the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations are making all out efforts to ensure a better service to the customers. It has given a detailed Memorandum to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Communications Minister, Secretary DOT, CMD BSNL etc. with proposals for improvement and strengthening the company. The issues coming in this category are connected with the same.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 8 )

11 Thursday Jun 2015

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Meeting with CMD BSNL on 22nd July 2006

In the backdrop of the notice given by the Joint Forum for agitational programme, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Shri A.K.Sinha, CMD BSNL on 22-07-2006. The gist of the official minutes released is given below:

No Disinvestment of BSNL/MTNL: The JF strongly opposed to the proposal of IPO worth 10% of paid up capital over and above the existing shares, which is only leading to privatization. CMD stated that there is no requirement of funds at present and that there is no substance in the apprehension.

No Unbundling of local loop: Though a committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary DOT has been formed, no decision has been taken. The committee will look in to all options. Minister’s assurance also is there.

No sharing of infrastructure: The Unions strongly opposed the move to share infrastructure of the BSNL with private companies.

No Increase in FDI:  Unions strongly opposed any increase in FDI. The CMD stated that the issue is dealt with at the highest level.

No reduction in revenue sharing, immediate grant of Navaratna Status to BSNL, Grant of Autonomy to BSNL, Expansion of mobile and broadband services and amicable settlement of ITS absorption issues were also discussed.

Demonstrations on 27-07-2006

The Demonstrations on 27th July 2006 was successfully organized and telegrams sent to the Prime Minister as decided.

Historic Parliament March on 3rd August 2006.

The March to Parliament on 3rd August 2006 was participated by more than twelve thousand workers of BSNL and MTNL.  The mobilization was mainly from MTNL Delhi and BSNL from nearby circles. The workers led by the JF leaders started from the CTO (Eastern Court) premises and marched via Jantar Mantar . The march was stopped by the police at the Parliament Street, where a massive rally was held. Coms. Sitaram Yechuri, M.P., Basudev Acharya, M.P., Tapan Sen, M.P. and Roop Chand Pal, M.P. addressed the rally and gave all support to the demands raised by the Joint Forum. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, GS BSNLEU & Convener JF and General Secretaries of the unions/associations addressed the March.

This was the biggest participation of the telecom workers opposing the neo-labour policies of the government after the formation of BSNL and MTNL.

Pension issue – Meeting with Secretary DOT on 06-09-2006

The leaders of the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Associations met Shri D.S.Mathur, Secretary, DOT and chairman, Telecom Commission, on 6th September 2006 and discussed following:

1.Pension issue: The unions brought to the notice of the Secretary, DOT about the latest orders of DOT directing BSNL to pay the pension of BSNL employees , if it exceeds more than 60% of the payments by the BSNL & MTNL to DOT including dividend, licence fee, corporate tax etc. which is in utter violation of Rule 37-A and earlier orders of DOT that the pension will be paid by the Government. Secretary DOT assured that the matter will be re-examined.

  1. CGEGIS Refund: Secretary DOT assured that the files are already with the Finance Ministry and he will speak to Secretary Finance for speeding up the payment.
  2. DOT Secretary also assured that the meeting of the BSNL and DOT officers will be held shortly to discuss about the issues referred by BSNL to DOT which were raised by the unions in their meeting with DOT on 7th August 2006.

The Joint Forum met the CMD BSNL Shri A.K.Sinha on 06-09-2006 and strongly opposed the proposal for sharing of BSNL infrastructure with private operators.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 7 )

10 Wednesday Jun 2015

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JF Protests Sharing of BSNL Towers with private operators 

Meanwhile, the Communications Minister announced that the BSNL towers would be shared with the private operators for the benefit of the latter. This was strongly opposed by the Joint Forum and a press statement was issued on 17-03-2006.

Press Statement against the proposal of the government for the unbundling of copper cables of BSNL was issued on 31-05-2006 by the Joint Forum.

Meeting with the Secretary DOT on 7th June 2006

A meeting was held with Dr.J.S.Sharma, Secretary DOT, on 7th June 2006. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, JF, Com. Nafe Singh and Com. Swapan Chakraborty also participated. The following issues were discussed:

Navaratna Status to BSNL: The Secretary DOT assured that the Navaratna Status will be conferred to BSNL next year after the fulfillment of obligatory provisions.

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 Joint Forum strongly opposed the same. Secretary DOT assured that the commitment given earlier continued and no unbundling will take place.

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 of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations on 24th June 2006 addressed a letter to the Communications Minister Shri Dayanidhi Maran strongly opposing the proposal of unbundling the last mile copper and seeking a meeting to discuss the same.

The Joint Forum gave a call for Lunch hour Demonstrations at Circles and SSA levels on 27th July 2006 and telegrams to be sent to Prime Minister demanding “ No Disinvestment, No unbundling of local loop of BSNL & MTNL”. It was also decided to have a massive March to Parliament on 3rd August 2006.

Meeting with the Minister of Communications on 12th July 2006.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener Joint Forum along with Com. Basudev Acharya, M.P. & Leader of the CPI(M) in Lok Sabha, met the Communications Minister Dayanidhi Maran on 12-07-2006 and expressed strong protest of the workers on the proposals for unbundling. The Minister, while sharing the concerns of the unions expressed that there is no need to unbundle loops of BSNL & MTNL. He said that in USA also, there is no unbundling. He commented that both the PSUs will be finished if unbundled. Coms. Mihir Dasgupta AGS BSNLEU and Animesh Mitra, CS BSNLEU, W.B.Circle also participated in the discussions. Minister assured positively and later told the press that there was no need for unbundling.

Protest against increasing of FDI from 49% to 74 % in Telecom sector – Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions decides for agitational programmes.

Despite the discussions with the Communications Minister and assurances by DOT and CMD, the government was steadily moving to implement increased FDI in telecom, unbundling of last mile copper etc. as part of its neo-liberal policies. Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) was privatized and the shares of MTNL were being disinvested. The government and the TRAI were taking anti-BSNL/MTNL decisions one after another favouring the private telecom companies. Earlier, the USOF was only for the BSNL/MTNL but it was being extended to the private operators also. A committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Secretary, DOT, with 9 members out of which 4 members were from various private telecom companies and one each from PMO and Planning Commission. The main issue was to unbundle the last mile copper of the telecom PSUs to benefit the private companies.

As such, the meeting of the Joint Forum held on 5th and 10th July 2006 after detailed discussion decided to organize agitational programmes on the following demands:

  1. No Disinvestment of BSNL/MTNL
  2. No unbundling of local loop
  3. No sharing of 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 autonomy to BSNL & MTNL
  8. Expand mobile and broadband services
  9. Early and amicable settlement of ITS absorption issue.

The following programmes  were also finalized:

  1. Joint Demonstrations to be organized at Circle/SSA headquarters on 27th July 2006. On the day, telegrams to be sent to the Prime Minister, New Delhi as follows:

“No Disinvestment, Unbundling of Local Loop of BSNL and MTNL”

  1. March to Parliament on 3rd August 2006.
  2. Strike in September 2006, the date which will be decided later.

Accordingly notice was issued to the Secretary, DOT and CMDs of BSNL and MTNL. It was signed by V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU) & Convener JF, O.P.Gupta (NFTE), K.Vallinayagam (FNTO), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), V.Subburaman (TEPU), S.P.Sharma (BSNLWRU), T.Muthukrishnan (AISC/STTEWA), A.D.Patil (AIBCTES), V.K.Tomar (MTNLEA), Vrijesh Upadhyay  (MTNLMS) and A.K.Koushik (TEAM). A detailed letter was sent to the Sub Group on ‘Unbundling of local loop’ strongly opposing and demanding that no unbundling be decided.

BSNL adds 0.43 million connections in April 2015

09 Tuesday Jun 2015

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It is good news. BSNL has added 0.43 million connections in April 2015. This is a trend change from losing connection to adding connections.

Now BSNL has got 16.18 million landline connections and 77.50 mobile connections, including wireless connection, thus a total of 93.67 million. In the landlines it is first and in the mobiles it is in the 5th position after Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Essar, Idea and Reliance Telecom.

The Teledensity by the end of April 2015 stands at 80% with about 1 Billion (100 crore) connections.

BSNL has to go miles and miles. BSNL was number two up-to 2006. Can’t it come up again? Make  all out efforts.

Refund of BWA Spectrum Charges, Assistance from USOF to BSNL

09 Tuesday Jun 2015

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Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, former Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations and Patron BSNLEU met Smt. Aruna Sunderarajan, Administrator, USOF today, 9th June 2015 and requested that the Rs. 1,250 crore allotted for BSNL for 2012-13 be paid at the earliest. Administrator told that USOF had cleared the same and it is for the DOT to pay. Com. Namboodiri met Smt. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance) and Shri V.Umashanker, Joint Secretary(T) and pointed out the urgency of payment of both the above, since BSNL is having no funds to purchase equipments, when a large number of applications for landlines are being generated due to the new schemes announced by the BSNL like free roaming, free night calls etc.

Joint Secretary (T) stated that the DOT is fully aware of the requirement. After the meeting of the Secretary, DOT with the Forum on 1st May 2015, process for the same has started. He expressed the hope that a decision in the matter will be taken soon.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 6 )

09 Tuesday Jun 2015

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2006

Negotiations with Secretary DOT on 4th January 2006.

At the last moment, when the Joint Forum was meeting at about 07.30 PM on 4th January 2005 , just four hours before the start of the strike in the night of 4/5th January 2006, the Secretary DOT called the unions for a meeting. The Joint Forum, which was in session authorized Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNLEU & Convener, JF, to conduct the negotiation, since it was felt that the last minute discussions were only meant to confuse and delay matters. The Communications Minister was abroad and the State Minister out of Delhi. After protracted discussion, the Secretary DOT gave written assurances as below:

Yashwant Bhave, Additional Secretary, Department of Telecommunications dated 04-01-2006

Dear Shri Sinha,

Mr. V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary of the BSNL Employees Union met Secretary (Telecom) today on behalf of the Joint Forum and expressed the following concern to him in connection with the notice of the strike given by the union.

  1. Disinvestment in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
  2. Unbundling of the local loop.
  3. Grant of Navaratna status to BSNL
  4. Views of the Union in connection with the proposed Telecom Policy

The Secretary has assured Mr. Namboodiri as under:

  1. That there is no proposal regarding disinvestment in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
  2. That unbundling of the local loop is not under consideration
  3. That all efforts will be made towards obtaining the Navaratna Status toBSNL.
  4. That the views of the Union will be duly considered as and when the draft Telecom Policy is formulated.

Yours

(sd)

Yashwant Bhave

To

Shri A.K.Sinha,

CMD BSNL,

Statesman House,

Connaught Circus,

New Delhi- 110001

Copy to

Shri V.A.N.Namboodiri, General Secretary, BSNL Employees Union

Strike Deferred on assurance from Secretary, DOT

The written assurances given by the Secretary, DOT were discussed by the Joint Forum which was in session and which unanimously decided to defer strike on the basis of the assurances.

Unity Strengthened, Gun Powder Kept Dry

The assurances given were very important, since for the first time, it was made clear that there is no proposal for disinvestment. The Navaratna status was assured. It was also assured that there is no proposal to unbundle the last mile copper cables of BSNL. The unions will be consulted on National Telecom Policy -2005. These written assurances were a big victory for the BSNL workers. The workers all over the country were jubilant that the Joint Forum has been able to get such vital assurances. The Joint Forum congratulated the workers whose determination and preparation for the strike compelled the government to come to the negotiating table and give assurances.

Protest Demonstration on 1st March 2006 against reduction in ADC and changing of connectivity charges to Revenue Sharing Scheme for Private Telecom Operators.

The TRAI, the telecom regulator, once again showed its partiality to the private telecom operators by drastically reducing the Access Deficit Charges (ADC) to be paid by them to BSNL for providing loss making connections in rural areas, which are financially unviable, but socially essential to fulfill the commitment of the government for universal service.

Instead of calculating the ADC on the basis of the period of talk (per minute) for STD and local calls as earlier, the procedure for payment of ADC is calculated as only 1.55% of the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) which will reduce the ADC from Rs. 5300 crore to about Rs. 2,000 crore, adversely affecting the development plans of the BSNL. The ADC for the ILD (International calls) continued, but it was reduced for incoming calls from Rs. 3.20 to Rs. 1.60 and for outgoing calls from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 0.80 per minute. These were all done to favour the private telecom companies.

Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 01-03-2006

The Joint Forum strongly opposed the same and issued a press statement. The meeting of JF also decided to agitate against the order. Lunch our demonstrations were organized on 01-03-2006 throughout the country and in front of corporate office with massive participation.

BSNL Management states adequate equipment are supplied

08 Monday Jun 2015

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BSNL Management has issued a circular noting the equipment, like cable, drop wire, modem etc. supplied to the circles, which shows at least some equipment are available. But the report from the workers in many centres is that sufficient equipment are not available. This seems to be contradictory.

It is the immediate task of the leaders of the unions/associations and also Forum to find out the veracity of the statement by BSNL Management that equipment are available in all the circles. Circle Secretaries can immediately meet the CGM and find out in which SSAs these have been allotted and supplied.

Today, 8th June 2015, the one month programme to Save BSNL has been started by the BSNL employees as per the call of the Forum. It is necessary that the workers should be able to show much improvement in this period. The co-ordination between the Management and the employees will increase the effectiveness of the programme.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 5 )

08 Monday Jun 2015

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Meeting with the Communications Minister on 25-11-2005

In the meanwhile, Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum and other leaders met the Secretary, DOT Shri J.S.Sharma and also Communications Minister Shri Dayanidhi Maran on 25th November 2005. The seriousness of the present situation was brought to the notice of the Minister, but no relief was granted.

The Joint Forum met for 5 continuous days from 21st November 2005 and discussed the whole issue. It was felt that industrial action is the only way to stop the attack against BSNL. Hence the Joint Forum decided to go on agitational programmes.

Decision for One Day Strike

As mentioned above the marathon meetings of the Joint Forum for five days from 20th November 2005, decided to organize the following agitational programmes, including strike:

  1. Lunch hour Demonstration and meetings on 8th December 2005.
  2. Dharna on 21st December 2005
  3. One day strike on 5th January 2006.

The demands included:

  1. No Disinvestment of BSNL
  2. No increase in FDI
  3. No opening up of last mile copper
  4. No reduction in Revenue Sharing and ADC
  5. Grant of Navaratna Status to BSNL
  6. Expand Mobile and Broad Band services
  7. Grant Autonomy to BSNL
  8. Absorb Group A/ ITS Officers

Strike Notice was issued by the Unions/Associations separately. BSNLEU, NFTE, FNTO, AIBSNLEA, SNEA, BSNLMS, TEPU, BSNLWRU, and BSNLOA served the strike notices. Massive propaganda was unleashed. This was the first time that all the unions of non-executives and executives have jointly decided for a strike, that too, only on the issues of the company and not on their own financial benefits.

Press Statement was issued by the Forum informing the decision of 3.5 lakh workers going on strike on the BSNL issues, which was widely carried in the papers.

Joint Dharna on 21st December 2005

The Joint dharna called for by the Joint Forum was organized in a very big way all over the country. Workers enthusiastically participated, because they understood that BSNL will be weakened and privatized if  the attack is not countered at the initial stage itself.  The programme was well covered in the press also.

The management did not hold any discussion with the Joint Forum on the plea that all the demands were related to the policies of the Government. However, on the direction of the Regional Labour Commissioner, who conducted  conciliation proceedings, a meeting of the senior officers of the DOT and BSNL with the Joint Forum was held , but without any agreement. The Forum decided to go on with the strike, since there was no favourable response from the management or the government.

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 4 )

07 Sunday Jun 2015

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Memorandum to CMD BSNL and CMD MTNL

A meeting of the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations was held on 14-03-2005 at the office of the Staff Side, National Council, BSNL. The participants reviewed the meeting with the Prime Minister. It was decided to submit a Memorandum to the CMD BSNL and CMD MTNL after organizing demonstrations/rallies at All India/Circle/SSA. The same memorandum will be submitted at Circle/SSA levels also. The memorandum should include the issues of FDI, ADC, USOF, Outsourcing, BSNL/MTNL Merger, Absorption of ITS /Group A Officers, ILD, Cellular, Unbundling and Broad band.

The Memorandum was submitted by the Joint Forum leaders both to the CMD of BSNL and MTNL on 19-04-2005 demanding immediate steps for development and expansion of services as also on certain demands of the workers like pension. It was signed by Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener & GS,BSNLEU, O.P.Gupta, GS, NFTE, S.Basu, GS AIBSNLEA, G.L.Jogi, GS SNEA, K.Vallinyagam, GS FNTO, V.Naryana, GS BSNLMS, V.K.Tomar, GSMTNLEA, V.Subburaman, GS TEPU, Raj Kishore, GS BSNLWRU, Devender Singh, GS, MTNLOA, Vrijesh Upadhyaya, GS MTNLMS, K.M.Pillai, GS MTNLSWU and Umesh Tyagi MTNLKVS. The Unions/Associations in MTNL met the CMD MTNL and Unions/Associations of BSNL met the CMD BSNL and discussed the issues of the concerned PSUs. A meeting was also held with the Secretary DOT Shri Nripendra Mishra,  on 11-02-2005 and discussed the BSNL and connected issues.

Joint Rallies by the Joint Forum of Unions/Associations

On the common issues of BSNL and MTNL, two large rallies were held during this period by the executive and non-executive unions/associations.

Government Pension for BSNL retirees  – DOT Letter dated 15-03-2005

Shri Nripendra Misra, then Secretary, DOT, issued a D.O.letter to Shri A.K.Sinha, CMD BSNL vide D.O.No 1-45/2003-B dated 15 March 2005 on the status of the pension contribution to be paid by BSNL to the government. This letter assured that in respect of employees who were on deemed deputation to BSNL, as also those absorbed in BSNL, the pension liability will be met by the Government of India. BSNL on their part will pay pension contribution in respect of absorbed employees till their retirement and also those of on deemed deputation. The Finance and Accounts Wing would work out the modality for payment by BSNL towards pension. BSNL will be liable to pay pension contribution in accordance with FR 116 for the period they have worked in BSNL and contribution will be on the basis of the above decision. Thus the assurance on pension by Government to BSNL absorbed was reiterated.

Memorandum to the CMD BSNL on 19-04-2005

As per the decision of the Joint Forum, a Memorandum was submitted to the CMD BSNL on the various issues with regard to the development and expansion of BSNL. The memorandum was received by Shri S.K.Jain Director (HRD) since Shri A.K.Sinha,CMD BSNL was away from Delhi. Demonstrations were held in circles/SSAs and memorandum submitted to the CGMs / SSA Heads.

In the meantime, a detailed reply from Dr. J.S.Sharma, Secretary, DOT, dated 28th September 2005, was received with regard to the discussion   with the Prime Minister.  The main decision was that the PM assured that the recommendations of the TRAI for unbundling of the BSNL’s copper wire is not accepted. Other assurances were also given.

At the same time, the government and the management was moving for implementation of the various decisions they have taken against BSNL to check its advancement so that the private sector can get much benefit. It was reported in the press that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs have approved disinvestment of six profit making Non-Navaratna PSUs, including BSNL. It was also reported that the government has decided for sharing of infrastructure of BSNL with private telecom operators in rural areas. It was clear that these are pre-meditated attacks for privatization of BSNL. Despite a waiting list of 13 lakhs for mobile connection, BSNL failed to provide the same. The Non-absorption of ITS officers in BSNL was another reason for the non-development and expansion. Though eligible, BSNL was not granted Navaratna status. The status would have resulted in more autonomy for the company for purchase of equipment etc.

‘One Day, One Employee, One Subscriber’ – Action Programme

07 Sunday Jun 2015

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I had suggested that an action programme to connect with all the subscribers in BSNL can be orgnaised to win the support and instill confidence in both the employees and also the subscribers.

There are about 1.5 crore land line connections with BSNL. The company has got about 2,20,000 workforce including ITS, Executives and Non-Executives. For convenience, let us take 2,00,000 workers for a calculation. Let us also take that there are about 20 working days in a month. In such a situation, if the action programme ‘One Day. One Employee, One Subscriber’ is implemented, within 3 months, the employees can approach each and every landline subscriber in the country. I know this is not easy as to say or write. But, it is not impossible to work out. Much greater work could be done, if there is determination and mindset to organise the same. Teams with 3 or 4 members can visit 3 or 4 subscribers in a day as a practical method.

The ‘09.00 PM- 07.00 AM Free  Call’ Scheme by BSNL and the ‘Free Roaming’ scheme are a chance to meet the subscribers and convince them to retain their landline phones and also to take new connections by others. BSNL Management also is doing its bit in providing equipment and other material. The Communications Minister is issuing statements almost daily that he wants to improve BSNL and MTNL and make them profitable. There never was such a situation earlier.

This is a golden opportunity to revive BSNL. For that subscriber support and confidence are required. Meeting the subscribers and convincing them about the benefit of BSNL services is a must. If the BSNL Management and the employees make an action programme for the same, I have no doubt that we will win. Not only new connections can be added, but the many subscribers who surrendered their phones will come back.

Are we prepared to make a start?

Struggles by Workers to Defend and Save BSNL : 2004 – 2015 – ( 3 )

06 Saturday Jun 2015

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2005

Agitation against FDI in Telecom – Protest Demonstrations on 08-02-2005

In the meanwhile, government decided to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in telecom from 49% to 74%. The increase in FDI meant that foreign companies will take over the Indian companies. Further, inducting huge money in the private telecom companies will adversely affect the prospects of BSNL and MTNL. Hence, this was opposed by the Joint Forum which  organised strong protest demonstrations on 8th February 2005.

Proposal for Merger of BSNL and MTNL

The government started a move to merge BSNL and MTNL. For synergizing the merger, a consortium including ICICI Securities, ABM Amro, N.M.Rothchild, A.F.Fergusan, Desai & Dewanji was appointed. The Forum expressed its strong view that the merger can be considered only after the MTNL shares sold are bought back by the government/MTNL.

USO Fund allotment insufficient to meet the losses incurred by BSNL

Though it was the commitment of the government that the losses incurred by BSNL for providing rural connections will be compensated by allotment from USO Fund, the implementation was faulty and only a part of the loss was made up. The following statistics from a reply given in Parliament will make it clear:

Loss of BSNL for rural connections    Reimbursement of licence fee etc.    From USO Fund   Total

2000-2001    Rs. 2587.72 crore          Nil                                                                      Nil

2001-2002    Rs. 6913.16 crore             Rs. 3020 crore                                       Nil                          Rs. 3020 crore

2002-2003   Rs. 7960.80 crore         Rs. 2300 crore                                  Rs. 297.23 crore     Rs. 2597.23 crore

2003-2004   Rs. 9528.88  crore        Rs. 2300 crore                  Rs.  222.77 crore    Rs. 2522.77 crore

It is to be noted that the USOF was having more than Rs. 10,000 crore balance at this time. BSNL was cheated out of its due from the USOF without any justification. The latest reports have also shown that the USOF was utilized for other purposes.

Protest Demonstration against FDI hike in telecom – 08-02-2005

As per the call of the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions, protest demonstrations were held all over the country on 8th February 2005 against the increase in the FDI from 49% to 74%. The call was signed by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), O.P.Gupta (NFTE), S.Basu (BSNLEA), G.L.Jogi (SNEA(I), V.K.Tomar(MTNLEA), K.Vallinayagam(FNTO), V.Narayana (BSNLMS), S.D.Sharma(BSNLWRU) and V.Subburaman(TEPU). At Delhi, the demonstration was held at Eastern Court, the offices of NTR,  after starting the march from the Statesman House, where BSNL Corporate office, was functioning at that time.

Meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on 02-03-2005

Since the government was implementing anti-PSU decisions one after another, which was seriously and adversely affecting BSNL and MTNL, the Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions /Associations sought for a meeting with the Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh. At the initiative of Com.Basudeb Acharya, MP  & Leader of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha, the meeting took place on 2nd March 2005. A Memorandum signed by the leaders of the Unions/Associations was submitted to the Prime Minister. The Memorandum was signed by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri Convener & GS BSNLEU, O.P.Gupta, GS, NFTE, S.Basu, GS, AIBSNLEA, G.L.Jogi, SNEA(I), K.Vallinayagam GS, FNTO, V.Narayana, GS, BMS, V.K.Tomar, GS, MTNLEA, S.D.Sharma, BSNLWRU, V.Subburaaman, GS, TEPU, Vrijesh Upadhyaya, GS MTNLMS, K.M.Pillai, GS MTNLSW, Umesh Thyagi, GS MTNL KVS, Sathish Kumar, GS MTNL WU and Devender Singh, GS MTNLOA. Almost all the unions in BSNL/MTNL were represented in the delegation. Com.Neelotpal Basu, M.P., a telecom expert who was also present, helped in presenting our case.

At the outset, the delegation thanked the Prime Minister for the decision of the Cabinet which reiterated its earlier decision to pay government pension to BSNL employees and also pension contribution by BSNL as per FR and SR. The delegation was informed about the cabinet decision to this effect that was taken three weeks back and was being implemented.

The delegation conveyed to the Prime Minister that the decision of the government to hike FDI from 49% to 74% in telecom would be detrimental to the security of the nation as well as to the interests of BSNL & MTNL.  Prime Minister replied that the government had taken sufficient steps to safeguard the security issue. As regards BSNL & MTNL, he stated that they were capable of competing with MNCs and assured that the government would provide all help to the PSUs in this regard.

The PM’s attention was drawn to the decision of the TRAI to reduce the ADC, which was a compensation for BSNL and MTNL, for providing land line services below cost. JF wanted that it should continue. The Prime Minister was also told that an amount of Rs. 5,000 crore, due to BSNL from the USO Fund, had not yet been transferred to it. It was also pointed out how the funds of BSNL and MTNL were being drained out by way of outsourcing works.

It is worth mentioning that for the first time, the representatives of the unions/associations in BSNL/MTNL together have met the Prime Minister. The PM, even while the Parliament session was going on, was kind enough to spare some time to meet the JF delegation and to have a patient hearing. ( to be continued)