Category Archives: BSNL News

Unjustified outbursts of Shri Anantkumar Hegde, BJP M.P. from Karnataka against BSNL employees.

11 Tuesday Aug 2020

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The outbursts of Shri Anantkumar Hegde, BJP M.P. from Karnataka in a public function that ‘BSNL employees are traitors’,’BSNL employees are not willing to work’ and that ‘ all the 88,000 BSNL employees will be fired and the government will privatise BSNL’ are atrocious. The All Unions and Associations of BSNL(AUAB) has already strongly protested.

The statement of the M.P. is condemnable. There is no base for the venom-spitting. Since formation of BSNL, its employees have been continuously championing for a better and cheaper service to the people. Of course the workers have strongly protested and defeated the government move to disinvest, privatise and liquidate it. That may be the reason for his outburst. But no one expects such unjustified outbursts from a representative of the people.

BSNL and its workers have always been at the service of the nation. It is only BSNL which always came to the rescue of the people in time of natural calamities and such tragedies. Private companies are interested only in garnering profits. This has been proved several times.

If the statement was made by a lunatic, it can be understood; But not from an M.P. We strongly condemn the unjustified accusation against the workers and demands the Central government and the BJP leadership to take necessary action.

Unethical to delay Ex-gratia payment to the VRS retirees

23 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News, Pension

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About 80,000 BSNL employees had taken VRS, through compulsion and pressure from the BSNL management as also with the offer of immediate payment of ex-gratia etc. 5 months are almost over after retirement. Only a portion of the VRS Ex gratia is paid. It is unethical on the part of the DOT to delay the payment since the government is already committed to it.

AIBDPA writes to CMD BSNL against curtailment of outdoor medical benefits.

13 Wednesday May 2020

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

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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

High Level Group of Ministers formed for Revival of BSNL. What about the assurances?

30 Monday Dec 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News

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NEW DELHI: A seven-member Group of Ministers (GoM) has been constituted to fast-track and oversee the implementation of the Rs 69,000 crore revival plan for state-owned telecom corporations BSNL and MTNL, sources said.

The high-level group will expedite smooth implementation of recent decisions taken on revival of BSNL and MTNL that includes crucial elements like allocation of 4G spectrum and asset monetisation, official sources told .

The GoM includes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, IT and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, they added.

“There are crucial elements like business viability, workforce, issue of bonds, monetisation and 4G spectrum allotment in the revival package. The GoM will expedite and oversee the plans,” the sources said. (Press Report).

High level Committees / Group of Ministers are formed. But where is the 4 G Spectrum and Sovereign Guarantee and loans for expansion? Govt. and DOT should implement its assurances.

Govt delays BSNL Revival Plan – Complete united action of BSNL workers, Pensioners, Contract workers required.

08 Tuesday Oct 2019

Posted by in AUAB, BSNL, BSNL News

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Govt. is dilly-dallying with the Revival Plan of BSNL. Nobody exactly knows, what exactly is the plan. Various different and contradictory news are also appearing in print and social media. The Unions/Associations have demanded for allotment of 4G Spectrum, soft loan to manage the loan as also immediate development, payment of salaries and wages etc. But the government is delaying any revival plan.

The existence of BSNL it self is being questioned by the Finance ministry, if the press reports are correct. It is reported that the Finance Ministry has recommended closure of BSNL and MTNL. What authority, the mandarins of Finance Ministry have to recommend closure of these two PSUs which are serving lakhs and villages and cities in the country? It is only BSNL which services the villages, which is loss making. Whether any private company will enter these far off villages? Who will provide telecom services in the border areas, which is risky and loss making?

The suitable reply to these proposals are the untied actions of the entire BSNL employees, contract workers and pensioners with the solid support of the public. For this, all the unions and associations in BSNL, whether recognised or not, whether executive or non-executive should come together as in the past and give a befitting reply to BSNL management and the government. Any delay is suicidal. Unity and Struggle is our way to revive BSNL.

Former advisors of BSNL, Deloitte and KPMG are frauds- charges government.

11 Tuesday Jun 2019

Posted by in BSNL News, BSNLEU

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It is interesting to note that the government is moving the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to debar two companies which are engaged by the BSNL Management in the past, for the revival of BSNL. One is Deloitte and the other is BSR, which is an arm of the KPMG. Both, Deloitte and BSR, had earlier acted as auditors of the Infrastructure leasing and Finance Services (IL& FS). A massive corruption of Rs.95,000 crore has taken place in IL&FS, as a result of which that company has collapsed now. The Corporate Affairs Ministry has alleged that both the Deloitte and BSR (KPMG) have helped in the commitment of Rs. 95,000 crore. Based on the recommendations of Deloitte and KPMG, BSNL Management had taken many steps for the revival of BSNL. Now, all can understand what sort of advise/ recommendations could have been given by these two companies, for the revival of BSNL. (BSNLEU Website)

BSNL Market Share increased from 10.22% to 10.63%

07 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNL News

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Despite all adverse conditions and discrimination by government, BSNL has increased its market share from 10.22% to 10.63% during March 2018 to February 2019. This was announced by BSNL Director (CN) Sheetla Prasad. This is when all telcos are losing market share except Reliance Jio, the favourite of the Modi government.

BSNL in a statement also said that it has installed 54,000 towers during 2018-2019, which is higher than the combined figures of previous three years.

Yes, BSNL can not be defeated. It is moving forward, though slowly.

Sustained united struggle is the need of the hour to save BSNL and other PSUs.

19 Tuesday Mar 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNL News, BSNLEU

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BSNL officers, employees and casual contract workers are now facing an unprecedented attack on their jobs, wages and livelyhood. For the first time in its 18 years of existence the payment of salary for BSNL officers and employees were delayed by two weeks.Contract workers have not been paid wages for more than three months.
The workers under the leadership of All Unions Associations of BSNL (AUAB) as also BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation are on sustained struggle including strike to make the govt to settle their demands urgently. In the Charter of Demands, in addition to wage revision and pension revision, demands for the allotment of 4G spectrum, pensionary benefits of BSNL recruitees, DOT approval for taking loan, suggestions for improvement of BSNL services – all are there. Massive protest demonstrations, rallies, one Two Days Strike, another Three Days Strike – all have been successfully organised.

Some comrades feel that the leaders are responsible for the present complicated situation. But it is not a fact.These comrades are completely mistaken. Unfortunately many of them are not members of any union and have not participated in the struggle. Had they been union members and participants of these mighty struggles, they would have been fully convinced about the struggles undertaken and appreciated the leadership.

Who are then responsible for the present unenviable situation.It is neither the workforce nor their unions. It is the antiworker, anti- PSU policy of the ruling parties and governments headed by them. Public Sector Units were formed immediately after Independence to start infrastructure as also to develop industries in the various core sectors, which the Indian corporates were unable to do.The PSUs employed lakhs of workers, strengthened the finance of the country and gave valuable service to the people.

The situation completely changed by the end 1980s.The neo-liberal policy initiated in the 1900s were clearly intended to weaken the PSUs and allow corporates to take over.It was at this stage that telecommunication was opened up for private companies, BSNL and MTNL were denied mobile services etc.

BSNL was formed with the intention of closing or privatising it. The govt took many steps in this direction, but the united struggle under Forum, Joint Forum, AUAB etc defeated each of them. They could not implement one lakh VRS, disinvestment, unbundling of copper cables etc due to continued strugggle by workers. The govt is favouring private companies and grant them all cocessions. BSNL is continuously discriminated.

BSNL was having Rs.40,000 crore safely in PSU banks, Rs. 8000 to 12000 crore annual profit with good divident being paid to govt. Despite delay in getting mobile services it was reaching to first position, when the tender for 4 .5 crore mobile was cancelled by govt. One after another developments took place, the govt discriminating BSNL and favouring private companies. The latest open favouritism to Reliance Jio, going to the extend of Prime Minieter Modi’s photo used in Jio’s advertisement. Never the PM stood in sipport for BSNL.

All the telecom sector PSUs, ITI, Hindustan Cables, VSNL etc were either privatised, closed or made sick and the workers lost their jobs. 46% shares have been sold in MTNL. The workers in BSNL stood together, fought together and defeated the foul game of the govt .till now.

All the telecom companies are in huge loss dud to the predatory charges started by Reliance Jio, with the overt and covert support of Govt. The loss to the private companies like Idea,Vodafone, Airtel etc. are more than one lakh crore. The loss to Reliance Jio will be more than that, though it claim profit by manipulating accounts. BSNL in loss about Rs.13,000 crore which is less than others. Private companies are allowed to take huge loans from banks despite their loss, but BSNL is not allowed to take loan from banks for development as also for paying salary. Govt and DOT is creating such a situation to frighten the employees and compel them to take VRS and leave to trim the organisation for taking over by the private companies.

Wage revision and pension revision is not implemented on the plea that the company is in loss. Though govt was compelled to delink wage and pension revision, the pension revision as implemented in 2007 as per II PRC, is not implemented as per III PRC from 2017.( some confusion was created by some comrades demanding pension revision on CDA scales as per VII CPC which will have disastrous results). The NCCPA, AIBDPA, AUAB and most of the workers and pensioners organisations took the correct stand and organised strikes, Parliament March,Fast etc, the latest which was on 25th March participated by thoudands.

Elections are announced and it has been decided by these organisations to meet all the present MPs, MP candidates, Ministers, leaders of political parties etc demanding implementation of assurances given at the time of formation of BSNL by financially and otherwise supporting BSNL, implementing wage revision and pension revision without delay, pensionary benefits of new recruits, regularisation of casual labour, allotment of 4G Spectrum etc etc.The struggle will continue till success.

In the meantime some comrades, who are non-members and non-participants in the struggle started a whishpering campaign against the unions and their leaders, who have fought and won much for the workers and pensioners. We request these comrades to become members of unions and be participants in the long and hard battle to save BSNL, its workers, labours and pensioners.

Our struggle will continue. We are sure that we will succeed. No struggle has been in vain, though the result may not be there immediately. History has proved it.

STRUGGLE FOR UNITY, UNITY FOR STRUGGLE & UNITY AND STRUGGLE FOR PROGRESS!

BSNL Workers to go organise three days strike from 18th February 2019

26 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News, BSNLEU, TU News - India

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The AUAB meeting held today, the 25th January, 2019 has decided to organise a three day strike from 18.02.2019. The decisions of the AUAB meeting, and also the charter of demands are as below:

Decisions

Considering various ground realities, the meeting decided to call on all the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL to go on a three day strike from 18.02.2019.
Street corner meetings are to be organised throughout the country for 5 days from 11.02.2019, and mobilise the support of the general public for the strike demands.
Press meetings are to be organised at circle and district levels on 12 or 13 February.
To meet all political parties, for mobilising their support for the demands especially, the revival of BSNL.
Demands

Implementation of 3rd Pay Revision with 15% fitment.
Allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL, as per the proposals submitted by the BSNL Management.
Revision of pension to BSNL retirees w.e.f. 01.01.2017.
Payment of pension contribution by BSNL as per the government rule.
Settlement of the left out issues of the 2nd Pay Revision Committee.
a) Approval for BSNL’s Land Management Policy without any delay.
b) Expeditiously complete the mutation and the process of transferring of all assets to BSNL, as per the Cabinet decision taken on the eve of the formation of BSNL.

Extend financial support to BSNL, to ensure financial viability, as per the decision taken by the Group of Ministers, at the time of formation of BSNL. Issue letter of comfort for BSNL’s proposals for taking bank loans.
Scrap the proposal for outsourcing for the maintenance of BSNL’s mobile towers.
(BSNLEU Website)

AIBDPA FULLY SUPPORTS THE DECISION AND CALLS UPON ALL ITS UNITS PARTICIPATE IN THE CAMPAIGN BY THE AUAB UNITS AND TO ORGANIZE SOLIDARITY DHARNA/ DEMONSTRATION DURING THE STRIKE.

BSNL will be profitable by 2018-19 – CMD BSNL

19 Wednesday Jul 2017

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In an interview with Shri Anupam Shrivastava, CMD BSNL, he has stated that BSNL will become profitable by 2018-19. Giving the report below:

“Tapping into new areas of business, collaborative competition and offering 4G services will be the focus areas for state-run telecom major BSNL in the current fiscal. BSNL chairman and managing director Anupam Shrivastava, in an interview with Mansi Taneja, talks about having least debt in the telecom industry and posting growth even in a hyper-competitive market and registering profits by the financial year 2018-19.”