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.

Oppose the move to disintegrate BSNL by bifurcation

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

The UPA government in its last stage, even when the general elections have been declared, is on the move to disintegrate BSNL by forming more companies by its bifurcation. Some of the best revenue earning and strong components of BSNL are its towers, numbering 61,622 and the optical fibre cables of 6 lakh route km, which is the largest any telecom company has.

The government and the BSNL Board is contemplating to form separate companies for the tower business and the cable assets,on the plea that by sharing of the towers and the cables, funds can be raised.

But the sharp fact is that these are making in to separate companies is to weaken the BSNL on the one hand and to help the private companies to get the maximum benefits out of the towers and cables owned by the BSNL, without the burden of constructing the same.

Even if the towers and cables are to be shared for raising funds, why separate companies are formed? This can be done by BSNL itself and get the funds for its development and expansion.

But the revival of BSNL is not in the minds of the authorities. They on the one hand wants to disintegrate the PSU and on the other hand wants to favour the private companies.

The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations strongly opposes the move of the government to bifurcate BSNL. The Forum is committed to organise sustained and mighty struggles against he same. Let us be prepared for the same.

Meeting with the High Level Committee on Superannuation Benefits to BSNL Recruitees

11 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

≈ Leave a comment

As per the demand of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, the High Level Committee on Superannuation benefits to BSNL Direct Recruitees, headed by ED (Finance) will meet the Forum representatives on 13th March afternoon for discussion on the issue.
The Forum has already submitted a detailed note to the HLC as discussed and decided by the last meeting of the Forum.

78.2% IDA for Penioners – Meeting with Dept. of Expenditure

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

≈ Leave a comment

COM.V.A.N.NAMBOODIRI, ADVISOR, K.G.JAYARAJ, GENERAL SECRETARY
AND COM.G.B.SALAKKI, TREASURER MET SHRI.VIJAY KUMAR SINGH,
DIRECTOR ((ADM), DEPARTMENT OF EXPENDITURE ON 10-03-2014. AND
DISCUSSED THE ISSUE OF 78.2% IDA MERGER TO BSNL PENSIONERS.
THE REPRESENTATIVES POINTED OUT THAT THERE HAS BEEN MUCH
DELAY IN THE EXPENDITURE DEPARTMENT AND WANTED EARLY APPROVAL.
THE DIRECTOR STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THE FILE WHICH WAS PUT
UP TO HIM.BUT THE CONCERNED OFFICE HAS MADE A NOTE IN THE
FILE REGARDING 60-40% PENSION CONTRIBUTION BY BSNL WHICH
MAY CREATE PROBLEM,IF SENT TO HIGHER OFFICERS. THEREFORE
HE HAS RETURNED THE FILE TO THE CONCERNED OFFICE WITH
INSTRUCTION TO DELETE THE NOTE AND RESUBMIT.
THE DIRECTOR WAS POSITIVE IN APPROACH AND AGREED TO DO
THE NEEDFUL WITHOUT DELAY.

FORUM MEETING DECISIONS – 10-03-2014

10 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS /ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, TELEGRAPH PLACE, GOLE MARKET, NEW DELHI

Meeting of Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations held on 10-03-2014
A meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations was held on 10th March 2014 at BSNLMS office. Com.C.Singh, President, Forum presided. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener welcomed all and briefed the meeting about the actions taken after the last meeting held on 3rd March 2014. He reported about the meeting with the CMD BSNL as also Secretary, DOT and the details of the discussions. The Forum has strongly opposed merger and stressed that the issues raised by it should be settled before any merger takes place. He also reported about the discussion with the ED(Finance) on the superannuation benefits issue of the BSNL Direct Recruitees. The Forum has demanded for a meeting with the High Level Committee appointed for recommending on the superannuation issue and it has been agreed to. The meeting is expected to be held shortly. The meeting with the Dept. of Expenditure officers on the isue of 78.2% for the pensioners/retirees and the present position of the case were also reported.
After discussion on all the agenda items, the following decisions were taken:
1. The Forum will strongly pursue with the DOT/Government the issues to be settled before any Merger of BSNL and MTNL. The Forum will also pursue with its strong opposition against the decision to form a tower company bifurcating BSNL.
2. The matter of pension contribution on the actual basic pay instead of the present contribution on the maximum of the paysacle should be pursued with DOT.
3. On the issue of superannuation of BSNL Direct Recruitees, Forum should strongly put our arguments for full 30% benefits.
4. The Forum will ask the BSNL Management to hold the delayed Welfare and Sports Committee meetings urgently.
5. A letter will be written to BSNL Management with suggestions to reduce the expenditure on electricity, diesel, petrol etc. which is the second biggest expenditure after payment of salary, by avoiding wastage and also by rationalising effectively. A proposal also will be given to observe a month, ” Save Electricity, Fuel Month” in April/May to focus and educate on the issue.
5. Next meeting of the Forum will be held on 13th March at 04.00 PM at BSNLMS Office.

V.A.N.Namboodiri New Delhi,
Convener, Forum. 10-03-2014

Govt. should assist BSNL for financial viability

07 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

BSNL is a fully owned government company serving the people by connecting India through the communication services. For the last four years it is on loss, mainly due to the anti-PSU policy of the Government. While giving lip-service, the government took away all the surplus of the company and restricted its growth by cancelling the tender for mobile equipment etc.
At least now, in the present crisis, it is the duty of the government to take actions to strengthen BSNL and improve its finances.
We put the following demands for the immediate improvement of the BSNL:
1. Release the Rs. 1,250 crore allotted by USOF to BSNL.
2. Pension contribution being collected from BSNL should be on the basis of the actual basis pay of the employee and not the maxim of the pay scale, which is completely unjustified.
3. Reimburse the charge of the Spectrum which has been returned by BSNL to government.
4. Waive the Notional Loan of Rs. 7,500 to BSNL (not paid at all), and refund fully all the Rs. 12,000crore or so paid by BSNL to DOT towards interest for the Notional loan.
The Government has to assist in many other ways, but the above issues can be decided quickly and the amounts paid to BSNL.
We demand the government to act quickly to save BSNL.

Forum Meets with ED (Finance)

07 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Forum representatives Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener and K.sebastin, GS, met Ms.Geeta Rau, ED (Finance) and discussed about the financial position of the BSNL, the assistance to be received from DOT/Government and the proposals of the Forum for increasing of revenue and reducing the expenditure.
With regard to the superannuation benefits to the Direct Recruited employees of BSNL, the Forum leaders wanted a discussion with the High Level Committee appointed by the BSNL for the purpose. The ED(F) stated that the meeting can be fixed for the next week.

Forum addresses ED(Finance) on Superannuation benefits to Direct Recruitees

05 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

≈ Leave a comment

Forum Writes to ED (Finance) on Superannuation Benefits to Direct Recruited Employees.
The Forum of BSNL Unions/ Associations has addressed the following letter on the Superannuation Benefits of the Directly Recruited Employees. It has also sought a meeting with the High Level Committee examining the issue

Meeting of Forum with CMD BSNL

05 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

Meeting with CMD BSNL
The Forum representatives Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener and Prahlad Rai, GS AIBSNLEA met Shri R.K.Upadhyay, CMD BSNL today, 4 March 2014 and discussed the issues of Merger of BSNL and DOT, Formation of Tower Company and other connected matters.
The Forum representatives expressed their strong protest against the proposal of Meger of BSNL and MTNL without settling the HR, Disinvestment and assets/liabilities (of MTNL) issues. The question of merger can take place only after solutions are found out for the above issues. They also opposed the formation of a tower company.
CMD stated that no decision has been taken so far and the unions will be taken in to confidence before any decision is taken. He stated that maximum effort is being taken to make BSNL financially viable. He also mentioned that the view point of the unions are known to the management.
A copy of the letter addressed to Secretary DOT stating that BSNL workers will go on Immediate Indefinite Strike if any arbitrary decisions are taken in the above matters was handed over to CMD BSNL.

Forum Meeting with Secretary, DOT

04 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

A delegation of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations met Shri M.F.Farooqui, Secretary, DOT and discussed about the BSNL-MTNL Merger and other issues connected with the viability of BSNL. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, Prahlad Rai, GS AIBSNLEA, G.L.Jogi, President, SNEA and K.Sebastin, GS SNEA were present.The meeting was held after a letter was submitted by the Forum opposing Merger of BSNL, without resolving the major issues connected with the same.

The Forum leaders expressed their great concern with regard to the proposed merger of BSNL and MTNL and formation of a tower company . There are serious issues to be resolved before the question of merger is to be considered. The difference in the payscales of BSNL and MTNL employees, MTNL disinvested about 465% while BSNL is a full govt. owned company, the huge liabilities etc. of MTNL are some of them. Bifurcation of BSNL and formation of a tower company will adversely affect BSNL.
The Secretary, DOT assured the leaders that before any merger decision is taken the unions will be taken in to confidence. A meeting with unions will be held by BSNL. The concerns of the unions will be taken in to consideration before any decision is taken. He also stated that immediate action may not be there.

The representatives wanted that the Rs.1,250 crores from USOF in lieu of ADC be released at the earliest which is pending with NIC. They also wanted that the pension contribution be only on the actual basic pay, instead of the maximum of the pay scale. Secretary DOT assured that these will be taken up with the concerned authorities.

The Secretary DOT stated that before taking any decision, the unions will be heard. The Secretary DOT expressed his concern about the BSNL services and wanted that it should improve much to the satisfaction of the subscribers. The union representatives shared the opinion and stated about the effort the Forum is making for a better service and efficiency.

The Secretary DOT patiently heard the unions and was very sympathetic with the issues raised by the unions.

Press Release on strike by Forum

03 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, BSNLEU

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, ,

FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, TELEGRAPH PLACE, GOLE MARKET, NEW DELHI – 110001
Press Release 03-03-2014
BSNL Employees to strike against Merger of BSNL and MTNL
Two lakh and fifty thousand workers of govt. telecom corporation, BSNL, will resort to Immediate Indefinite Strike if the government takes arbitrary decision on merger of BSNL and MTNL, and also on formation of a Tower company bifurcating BSNL. The Forum of BSNL Unions /Associations, which is the co-coordinating Committee of the Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives in BSNL, in its meeting held today, 3rd March 2014, has strongly opposed the move to merge BSNL and MTNL and formation of a Tower company, bifurcating BSNL, which will seriously and adversely affect the future of BSNL and its workforce.
It was only government that divided the DOT services in to three companies, MTNL, VSNL and MTNL, which the workers had opposed at that time. The bifurcation has seriously and adversely affected the growth of the PSUs. During these decades many changes have taken place on issues like disinvestment (MTNL is disinvested to the tune of 46.5%, while BSNL is 100% govt. company), Salary ( MTNL salary is one step higher than BSNL), Perks etc. The proposal of the government now for Merger of the two companies BSNL and MTNL (VSNL already privatised) and at the same time bifurcating BSNL by forming a Tower Company without solving the above issues will further complicate the situation and will seriously and adversely affect the future of BSNL and its workers. Despite the fact that the Forum has already expressed its strong protest at these arbitrary actions and asked to be heard, the government has not discussed the issues with the workers and their unions, who are most important stakeholders. The BSNL workers have already expressed their strong protest by organising massive demonstrations on 3rd March, despite at short notice.
It is reported that the government is proposing to take decision on these matters urgently and hastily before the declaration of the general elections, even without giving the unions/associations a chance to be heard. The workers are, naturally, very much restive and agitated about their future as well as the future of BSNL, if any arbitrary decision is taken on the above matters. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has taken a decision in its meeting on 03-03-2014, that if the government takes any decision for merger of BSNL and MTNL with out resolving the issues mentioned above, then the workers will resort to Immediate Indefinite Strike without further notice.
We demand the government not to precipitate the situation by taking any arbitrary decision on the merger of BSNL and MTNL as also in forming the Tower Company bifurcating BSNL.
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener Forum Mob: 9868231431