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.

Complete the process of sale of scraps in all SSAs

20 Friday Dec 2013

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According to the financial statements of BSNL it is seen that the income from miscellaneous receipts which may include the selling of scraps is about Rs.70 crores. This is far less than what should be, if all the SSAs have done the job fully with regard to selling of scraps.
As per the reports received by us, there are many SSAs where the scraps are heaped in the store or compounds for years together and has not been disposed off. There are much scraps in the various telecom factories/telecom stores also. By selling the scraps, there are two benefits. One, the company will get some revenue and secondly, the space where the scraps are dumbed will be free for other use. In the factories, the zinc ash etc. keeping will adversely affect the health of the workers also.
The BSNL management should take speedy action for selling of the scraps and getting revenue out of it. BSNL Unions at the SSA level should also take up the issue with the GMs and ensure that selling of scraps is done at the earliest.

Revival of BSNL – Management initiates action on Forum suggestions

20 Friday Dec 2013

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The BSNL Management has initiated taking some action on the suggestions put forward by the Forum of Unions/Associations on Revival of BSNL, in the meeting on 30th November 2013, called by CMD BSNL to present “Awareness Programme”. In two circulars dated 16th and 18th December, CGMs have been asked to do the needful in the matters raised by the Forum. Copies of the letters are published in the websites of the Unions/associations including BSNLEU.
We hope that on other issues also, the Management will initiate necessary action.

BSNL pays Rs. 320 crores Rent – to whom and for what ?

16 Monday Dec 2013

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According to the unaudited accounts of BSNL for the year 2012-13 an amount of Rs.323 crore is shown as rent. In 2011-12 this was Rs. 321 crore.
The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has been continuously demanding that all the rented offices should be vacated and the offices to be shifted to BSNL buildings. Of course there may be some places where BSNL may not be having buildings. But that alone can not come to such a big amount.
The BSNL Management should take immediate action in the matter so that the amount of rent being paid can be reduced to the minimum.

Kerala, Odisha and J and K – Only Profitable Territorial Circles

16 Monday Dec 2013

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As per the Circle wise Income and Expenditure released by BSNL, only three territorial circles are in profit during 2012-13. They are Kerala, Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir. Last year, 2011-12, only the first two circles were having profit.
Kerala is the only circle which improved its profits in 2013. It improved from Rs. 157 crores to Rs.257 crores an increase of 64%. Odisha, though posted profit, it is reduced from Rs. 35 to Rs.30 crores. J and K which was in loss of Rs.26 crores last years made a profit of Rs. 2 crores this year.
The following circles have increased revenue from the year 2011-12 to 2012-13: Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, A.P., T.N. and Maharashtra, although they could not post profit.
10 circles have increased their losses in this year. 13 circles have reduced their losses.
BSNL in total has reduced its loss marginally from Rs.8,851 crore in 2012 to Rs. 7,884 crore in 2012-13.
The efforts by Management as well as the big campaign organised by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations have shown some results, though very marginal. This is not sufficient.
More dedication, Commitment, determination are required on the part of the Management and Workers. Along with that, joint efforts are required to get maximum financial support from the Government.
BSNL has to be revived for Better Service to the Nation and for the benefit of the workers also.

CPSE Grading by Government – BSNL is ‘Excellent’

05 Thursday Dec 2013

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As usual, the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises vide zNo. 18(8)/2005-GM dated 27-11-2013 has issued orders grading the Central PSEs on the basis of their compliance with Guidelines on Corporate Governance for the year 2012-13.260 CPSEs are included in the list.
BSNL , Mini Ratna PSE, is given the grading ” Excellent”. Excellent is the highest grading.
“Excellent ” grading is also granted to MTNL, TCL and Millennium Telecom Ltd. BBNL is graded “Poor” since its report has not been received so far.

This a good information. We should also ensure that the service is excellent as also finance.

Why the private telcos oppose Wi-Fi Project?

03 Tuesday Dec 2013

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It is reported that the private telecom companies are opposing the government’s plan to set up Wi-Fi services at the level of Gram Panchayats. The government has decided for providing Wi-Fi services in about 2.5 lakh Village Panchayats as part of universal connection with a budget of about Rs. 40,00 crore. This project will naturally be entrusted to the BSNL.
The plea raised by the private corporates against the plan is untenable. The Government should continue with the project.

Issues for presentation by Forum in Awareness meeting.

30 Saturday Nov 2013

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Issues for Presentation by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations in the meeting with the CMD BSNL on 30th November 2013

(1) Procurement of equipment like Broadband Modem, Cables, Mobile lines etc.
While BSNL C.O. intimates that equipment like Modem, Cables, Mobile lines, Jointing kits, drop wires etc. are purchased and available, the heads of SSAs are stating that the same are not available with them. This contradictory position is untenable. Adequate equipment should reach field level to provide connections and maintain them effectively.

(2) Providing new landline connections.
The reports from field level indicate that although people apply for new landline and Broad band connections, they are discouraged by field level management stating that it is not feasible to provide the same due to lack of cable lines in that area. In some SSAs, the registration for new connection is made, but one or two months afterwards, the waiting list is wiped out stating that there is no feasibility.

This position is completely unacceptable. The responsibility of BSNL is to register and provide new connections and maintain them effectively. Whatever has to be done in this matter has got to be done.

(3) Providing new connections in new colonies/flats
In all the towns/cities, new colonies are coming with hundreds of houses/flats. They require telephone connections, landline/mobiles. The private telecom companies are maximum utilizing this opportunity by laying cables to these colonies/flats and immediately providing connections. BSNL is far behind in this respect.

BSNL should aggressively take up this issue, which will help in increasing connections and revenue in a big way.

(4) Fresh Recruitment of Staff.
While more than one lakh thirty thousand non-executives had retired since formation of BSNL, the recruitment, except in the cadre of TTA, has been almost nil. This has adversely affected the maintenance of the telephones and efficiency. Fresh blood is required in any organization to grow. The average age of the non-executives has already reached more than 50 years and one can not expect maximum efficiency, though they are well experienced.

Fresh recruitment in the non-executive cadres has to be taken on a fast-track basis.

(5) Discontinue Telephone Advisory Committees (TAC)
In the present circumstances when the telecom services are not monopoly of the government and many competitors are in the field, there is no necessity for the Telephone Advisory Committees, unnecessarily spending a lot of money. BSNL Management should take up the matter with government to get the TACs discontinued.

(6) Maintenance of Batteries etc.
It is reported from many SSAs that the batteries which are very important for the maintenance of the exchanges and BTSs, are in bad condition resulting in break-downs. This need to be attended on a fast track basis.

(7) Circulation/ Propagation of BSNL Plans for Subscribers.
Except in very few circles and SSAs, the new plans and projects of the BSNL are not given publicity and the people are unaware of the same. Even in front of the Customer Service Centres in many places, such information are missing. This has got to be done in an aggressive way.

(8) Meeting the subscribers at his/her premises.
There is urgent need of majority of the officers /employees to be in the field, instead of sitting inside the offices. BSNL should not wait the people to come to it, but instead should reach to the people. Meeting the subscribers at his/her premises and getting feed back from them will go a long way in better customer relations and for solving the problems their problems satisfactorily.

(9) One Window System for dealing with customers.
Now the subscribers/customers are feeling difficulty in conveying their grievances and issues and in many places, they are asked to meet several officials/counters for the same. The subscriber feels harassed. In all the customer service centres and offices, One Window System should be arranged for the customers’ issues.

(10) Roll –out Plans for LTE / 4G.
At present, the 2G services are completely unsatisfactory as per reports received from the field. There is a lot to be improved. In addition, the LTE/3G/4G have to be rolled out in a big way.

(11) BBNL and Role of BSNL.
As per the reports in the media, BBNL is going to become a full fledged telecom company. It is not clear what will be the role of BSNL in BBNL in the new situation and what will be the impact on BSNL. BSNL should get the priority status in BBNL, instead of being a silent partner.

(12) Works Committee at SSA level.
BSNL Corporate Office has already directed regular holding of Works Committees at SSA level as demanded by the unions. Despite reminders from C.O. , many SSAs have not yet started the process.

The Works Committee meeting is intended to discuss about the developmental programme, increasing efficiency etc. The field level staff with their experience will be able to give good suggestions on the above issues. The management can explain the actual requirement from the staff. Such discussion followed by concrete action will be effective both on expansion, maintenance and better customer relations.

The Works Committee has to be extended to circle level also, where a higher form of discussion, considering the entire circle, can take place.

******
New Delhi V.A.N. Namboodiri
30.11.2013 Convener, Forum

BSNL Management calls Awareness Session

30 Saturday Nov 2013

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The BSNL Management conducted a Presentation and Awareness Session to the Unions/Associations in BSNL, today, 30th November 2013, to explain the action taken by the management on the expansion and development as also introduction new technologies etc. The meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the Bharat sanchar Bhawan, the BSNL Corporate Office, and continued from 1015 to 1500 hours.
The CMD Shri R.K.Upadhyay, Directors S/Shri A.N.Rai (Enterprises and HR), KCGK Pillai(Finance), N.K.Gupta (CFA) were present along with many senior officers of the Corporate office from the Management side. Shri Pillai, who is retiring from service today was given an affectionate farewell by the house. All the Unions /Associations of Non-Executives and Executives were invited to participate and attended.CMD presided over the function. On behalf of BSNL Employees Union Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President and P.Abhimanyu, General Secretary attended.

Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations at the time of the start of the meeting itself circulated the management and all participants the note on the points on which actions have to be taken by the BSNL Management for Revival of BSNL and for providing a Better Service to the customers. A copy of the Declaration on “Revival of BSNL” adopted at the National Convention of BSNL Workers held on 3rd August 2013 at New Delhi was also circulated. This was appreciated by the management as well as the unions/associations.
The Management has intended the meeting as a one sided Presentation on the various issues. The CMD, Directors, certain CGMs and GM (SR) and others spoke detailing the developmental and other matters and sought the support of the
unions and associations in the matter. The Power presentation was well appreciated by the participants.
On behalf of the unions/associations, Com. Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, at the close of the meeting wanted one or two similar meetings in December / January to present the views of the unions/ associations on the proposals of the management as also other points. This was agreed to.

The meeting was a good step in the right direction.The details of the issues presented in the meeting will be published later.

Hold the Circle Conventions on ‘Revival of BSNL’

28 Thursday Nov 2013

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The National Convention on ‘Revival of BSNL’ was held on 3rd August 2013 at Mavalankar Hall, New Delhi with massive participation of workers and addressed by Central Trade Union leaders as also the General Secretaries of the BSNL Unions/Associations. The National Convention adopted a Declaration with suggestions for improving the BSNL and its services to the customers. It was decided that similar conventions should be held at Circle levels also to give maximum publicity and propaganda on the issue of BSNL and the need to strengthen it.
So far, reports have been received about holding of successful conventions in Trichur (Kerala)and Lucknow (UP East). The Forum of BSNL Unions/Association meeting held on 27th November has decided that all the circle conventions should be held at the earliest.
I am sure that convener of the Circle Forum and all circle secretaries will take initiative for holding the Convention early in contact with the Convener Forum and the General Secretaries.

Is the Telephone Advisory Committees necessary?

28 Thursday Nov 2013

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The Telephone Advisory Committees at SSA, Circle and All India levels were formed when the DOT was the only telecom service provider. There used to be long waiting lists for telephones in each and every divisions/SSAs and decisions had to be taken considering certain special considerations. The Telephone Advisory Committees were formed with MPs.MLAs and other prominent citizens to help and advise the Department in such matters.
Once the DOT telecom services were corporatised and MTNL and BSNL were formed as also private companies were licenced to provide connections, the requirement of TAC was over. But it still continued as a political requirement to satisfy some influential people.
When Shri Ram Vilas Paswan was the Communications Minister, the union met him and suggested that the TAC should be abolished. He accepted the demand and issued orders for dissolution of all the TACs. We were happy.

But later it took a curious turn. After about six months, the same Communications Minister restored the TACs and members were nominated and they started functioning. Probably it was a political requirement for him.
But our stand continues the same. There is no requirement of the TACs. It is huge unnecessary expenditure for the ailing BSNL.
We demand the Government to discontinue the Telecom Advisory Committees without further delay. BSNL Management has to take up the matter with DOT for a favourable decision.