The reports received from all over India along with the photos indicate massive participation in the lunch hour demonstration called for   today ( 10 December ) by the JAC demanding immediate refund of the BWA Spectrum charges for the circles for which the spectrum has already been vacated by BSNL and action to be taken against the private telecom companies viz. Airtel, Vodafone, reliance etc. which have provided 3G services illegally in those circles where they don’t have 3G allocation. This has resulted in about Rs. 20,000 crore to the Government. Without succumbing to the pressure of the private companies, the government should take strict action against these companies.

In corporate office also a good demonstration took place. All India leaders of the JAC unions including the convener addressed.

The newly recruited JTOs and JAOs have been granted 5 additional increments to compensate for the loss in emoluments after the wage revision w.e.f. 01-01-2007. The newly  recruited TTAs  had  similar loss in emoluments. They should also be granted five increments. BSNLEU has already taken the case with the BSNL management. There should not be any delay in ending this discrimination. Justice should be meted out to the newly recruited TTAs.

I met Shri R,K,Upadhyay, CMD, BSNL today and discussed about the progress in procuring equipments for the expansion and development,  providing new connections etc. I proposed that a very serious effort should be made by both the management and the workers for further improving the services. CMD completely agreed and intimated that already the advance purchasing order for telephone instruments and cables have  been issued and it is now for the CGMs to place the actual Purchase orders so that the cables, instruments are purchased and utilised for development and expansion. Regarding Broadband Modem, the tender is being finalised. In the case of mobile equipments the technical aspect is almost over and the financial tender will be taken up by next month.

On the one side the pressure on the management at alllevels should be intensified and on the otherside the workers have to aggressively work for better service. We have to change the present critical situation to a winning position.

I also spoke about the non-implementation of the statutory rules, oeders on wages, social security measures etc. to the casual/contract workers. He said that he will do the needful in the matter.

Today I had a meeting with Shri N.K.Chokker, the President of the ITSA. We discussed about the issue of absorption of ITS Officers in BSNL. He explained to me ceratin points why ITS are not opting for BSNL and the disadvantages for them in the absorption. JAC view points are well known to him. Hence I did not explain the same.
But I took the opportunity to discuss another issue – the exploitation of Casual and Contract workers by the corrupt officers/employees and the contractors. Except in about 10% places, the situation is very bad. All the statutory rules are violated. Minimum wage is not paid. EPF and ESI contributions are not collected and remitted. Even where it is collected it is not remitted. There is no record of the contract workers. Though the Corporate office has issued clear orders on all these, it is more violated than implemented.
I told Mr. Chokker that this exploitation can be put an end to only with the co-operation the management, the officers and the executives and non-executives. I also suggested that all the unions/associations including ITSA should give clear directions to their members to see that the casual and contract workers are treated as human beings and their rights ensured and the exploitation ended. He did not have any differenct opinion and agreed with me to ensure justice for these exploited workers.