Category Archives: BSNL News

Kashmir struggling to recover

21 Sunday Sep 2014

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After a long period I got a call from Com.Nisar Ahmad, Circle Secretary BSNLEU, J and K today. I have been trying to contact him for many days. He narrated in brief what has happened and what is happening in Srinagar and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir. It is total devastation. It is the Army and the youth who have been in the forefront of saving the people from the floods.
Almost everybody in Srinagar has been affected. The houses of Coms. Nisar Ahmed, Bashir Khan and all of our BSNL employees have been affected as all the people have been affected. The government offices were all under water as also hospitals.
After the water has started receding, the rehabilitation work has started. But it will take a long time for recovery. Help from all quarters is required.
The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations had called upon the BSNL employees to donate one day basic salary to the J and K Fund and requested the BSNL Management to deduct it from the salary of September, payable in October 2014. Forum has also demanded the management to immediately arrange advance of one month salary to the affected J and K BSNL Employees.
Let us all do our maximum to assist the J and K people in their time of disaster and difficulties.

Massive Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 12th August.

13 Wednesday Aug 2014

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BSNL workers have responded to the call of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations in a magnificent way. Reports have been received from many centres about the massive participation protesting against the retrograde and anti-BSNL recommendations of the m/s Deloittee committee. Tens of thousands of employees have participated all over India. The photos are published in the BSNLEU website and also website of other unions.
We are happy to note that the workers have understood the bitter attack that is going on against the BSNL and its employees. The recommendations of the committee should be thrown to the dustbin.Our hearty congratulations to the workers.

Next programme is the Lunch Hour demonstration in front of BSNL Corporate office on 21st August when the meeting of the Circle Heads is going to take place. We request all the unions to mobilise the maximum numbers in the demonstration.

Meeting with the CMD BSNL

11 Monday Aug 2014

Posted by in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNL News, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU, Uncategorized

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Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum, President BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF and Animesh Mitra Dy.GS BSNLEU and Vice-President, BSNLCCWF met Shri A.N.Rai, CMD BSNL on 11th August and discussed with him about the serious concern of the employees on the M/s Deloittee Committee recommendations on retrenchment of about 70,000 employees, engaging of executives on contract basis, centralising the SSA activities to circle, reducing 330 SSAs to a mere 167, discontinuing Sr.TOA cadre etc. A letter by Forum demanding a detailed discussion on the full report as also intimating the Forum decision to organise Lunch Hour Demonstration on 12th and 21st August was handed over to CMD. Another letter demanding immediate collection of Rs. 41 crore due from the private telecom companies for sharing of BSNL towers.
The issue of non-implementation of labour laws like minimum wage, EPF, ESI etc. to the contract labour engaged in various SSAs was also raised with the CMD.
CMD assured to look in to all the matters and take necessary action.

Meeting with GM (Admn) BSNL on Casual and Contract Workers issues

11 Monday Aug 2014

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Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President, BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF, Animesh Mitra, Dy.GS BSNLEU and Vice-President BSNLCCWF and Lalan Sah met Shri A.K.Sanghal, GM (Admn) and discussed about the non-implementation of labour rules with regard to minimum wages, EPF, ESI etc. in many SSAs. Several letters were also given to the GM(Admn), indicating the violation of the orders in various SSAs. GM(Admn) assured to take action in the matter.
The question of office for BSNLEU in Corporate office, holding of the Circle Council in C.O.,selection of coach, Manager etc. for the sports, holding of the Welfare and Sports Committee etc. were also discussed. GM(Admn) assured early action in all these matters.

Recover the Rs.41 crore arrears from private telecom companies

11 Monday Aug 2014

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Press note issued by V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations

Recover the Rs.41 crore arrears from private telecom companies

While BSNL is in loss, there are huge arrears on rent to be recovered
from the private telecom companies for sharing of the BSNL Towers. The total
amount as on May 2014 is Rs.41.04 crore. Airtel have to pay Rs.10.68 crore
followed by Idea (Rs.6.01 crore), Vodafone (5.48 crore) RIL (5.33 crore) Aircel
(4.95 crore) TTSL (3.90 crore) etc.
The arrears have been increasing months after months. Altogether about
3000 towers have been provided for sharing.
The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations demands BSNL and the govt.
to ensure that the due arrears are collected without any further delay.

Protest Demonstrations on 12th and 21st August 2014

10 Sunday Aug 2014

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
ORGANISE PROTEST DEMONSTRATION ON 12TH / 21ST AUGUST
The meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations held on 4th August 2012 has called upon the BSNL employees to organise massive lunch hour demonstrations at Circle and SSA levels on 12th August 2014 to express their mighty protest against the recommendations of M/s Deloittee Consultants, which includes retrenchment of about 70,000 non-executives, recruitment of executives on contract basis, reducing the 330 SSAs to 167 without any scientific basis, concentrating the powers on services, maintenance etc. at Circle from the SSAs etc. which are neither in the interests of the BSNL, its employees nor the customers.
It is to be noted that neither the BSNL Management who appointed the Consultant, nor the consultant itself, has taken the employees and their organisations, who are also important stake-holders, in to confidence before finalising the report. The Forum, the Unions and Associations, who are making all out efforts to improve the services and co-operating with the BSNL Management for improving the financial viability of the PSU have been completely sidelined, unlike in the past. Despite seeking for a copy of the report of the consultant and also a meeting with the CMD to discuss the matter, no response has been received from the management. Sorry to state, this is unbecoming of a management which wants the co-operation of the employees in running the company successfully.
Under the circumstances, the Forum has called upon the employees to organise protest demonstration on 12th August in SSAs and also Circles. The Protest Demonstration at BSNL C.O. will be held on 21st August, on which date the meeting of the Circle Heads will be held at Corporate Office to take decisions on the recommendations of the Consultant.
In the past, the united actions of the unions/associations had compelled the Government and the BSNL Management to scrap their proposals for disinvestment and also retrenchment through VRS, thus saving from deterioration as happened in some other PSUs. If the recommendations of the present consultant are accepted and implemented, BSNL and its employees will be in peril. Hence it is necessary that all the employees and their organisations should stand and protest as one, making the government and BSNL Management to understand that the employees are not to prepared to accept any anti-BSNL decisions.
• Organise Massive Demonstration on 12th August at Circle / SSA with massive participation.
• Organise Massive Demonstration at Corporate Office on 21st August.
• Let each and every employee participate in the Protest demonstrations to ensure success.
To General Secretaries of unions / Associations of BSNL. They are requested to direct their Circle/District Secretaries to jointly organise the programme successfully.
V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum.

Deloitte Committee Report – Protest Demonstration at Corporate Office on 21st August 2014

09 Saturday Aug 2014

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While the Lunch hour protest Demonstration called by the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations against the retrograde and anti-worker recommendation of the Deloitte Committee will be held at SSA and Circle Levels on 12th August itself, the Demonstration at BSNL Corporate Office at Delhi will be organised on 21st August, on the day of the meeting of the Circle Heads, instead of on 12th August as decided earlier. This has been necessitated since the meeting of the Circle Heads scheduled for 12-13 August has been postponed to 21-22 August 2014.

Government got Rs. 35,792 crores from Telecom Companies

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

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Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stated in the Parliament on 4th August 2014 that the Government got a total of Rs. 35,792 crores from the telecom companies during the last three years. The income for the three years are as below: Rs. 11,396.2 crore (2011-12), Rs. 11,439.27 crore ( 2012-13) Rs. 12,957 crore (2013-14).

This includes the amount paid by the BSNL and MTNL also.

Press Release by Forum on report of consultant.

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

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FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.

Press Release 05th August, 2014

BSNL Employees to organise Protest Demonstrations
on 12th August, 2014

The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations has called upon the Employees to organize massive demonstrations on 12th August against the M/s Deloittee Committee report recommending retrenchment of more than 70,000 employees, engagement of executives on contract basis, reduction of SSAs from 334 to 167 and concentration of power at Circle (State) level, resulting in deterioration of services. The social obligation of the government to provide universal service is given a go-bye and restructure is suggested on the basis of revenue only, that too erroneously.

The retrenchment of thousands of workers and induction of executives on contract basis is recommended based on the wrong propaganda that the increased wages of employees are the main reason for the loss of BSNL. But the fact is that for the last four years, there has not been any increase in the total wage bill. On the other hand, it has been reduced due to the retirement of 10,000 – 15,000 employees every year. Even with one lakh more workers, BSNL was reaping huge profits up to 2009 – 2010.

The loss to BSNL has been due to the reduction in revenue from the earlier Rs.40,000 crore to Rs.26,000 crores within these years, which happened mainly due to non-procurement of equipment like mobile lines, cables, Broadband modem, drop wire, telephone instruments etc. It is also to be noted that BSNL Management is canceling requests for landline telephones stating that there is no feasibility to provide them.

The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations have been crusading for the last many years to provide a better service to the customers, but which has been stone walled by the Govt. and Management by not procuring necessary equipment. The top level Management, mostly ITS officers on deputation from govt., and not absorbed in BSNL, are casual and least interested on the growth of the company.

The report of the Deloittee consultant is prepared in tune with the neo-liberal policy being implemented by the govt. to weaken and privatise the telecom PSUs. One of these, Videsh Sanchar NIgam Ltd. (VSNL), has been handed over to Tata years back. It is in this context that the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations have given call to organize massive demonstrations against the anti-BSNL, anti-worker report on 12th August, at Corporate Office, Circle & SSA levels.

Forum demands the Govt. and BSNL Management to outrightly reject the report and start discussion with the Unions / Associations to improve BSNL and it’s services.

Sd/-

V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener
Mob: 09868231431

Forum writes to Communications Minister on Consultant’s report on BSNL

05 Tuesday Aug 2014

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As decided in the meeting of the Forum held on 4th August, the Forum has finalised the letter to Communications Minister seeking him to reject the report of the Consultant M/s Deloitte since it is neither beneficial to BSNL nor to the workers. The letter will be signed by the unions/associations and sent to the Minister. The letter is given below:

FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.
Forum/GL 05.08.2014

To

Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad,
Hon’ble Minister for Communications & IT,
Government of India
20, Ashoka Road, Sanchar Bhawan,
New Delhi – 110 001

Respected Sir,

Sub: – Recommendations of M/s Deloittee consultants on restructuring, financial viability and revival of BSNL – reg.

On behalf of the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations representing the BSNL employees, we would like to bring to your kind notice about the report of the M/s Deloittee consultants, which if implemented, will seriously and adversely affect BSNL services and it’s employees.

The consultant M/s Deloittee was appointed by BSNL Management to improve the financial viability and revival of BSNL. Neither the Unions / Associations of employees, who are important stake holders of the Company, have been informed about the appointment of consultant, nor were called to give their opinions or suggestions. This is completely different from the past, when the opinion / suggestions were sought from the Unions / Associations and issues presented. It is not understood why the Unions / Associations are bye-passed.

A perusal of the report makes it clear, that the intention is to retrench more than 70,000 Non-Executive workers, introduce contract engagement of executives, deny career progression to Non-Executives and so on. The basis on which the consultants have proposed the report is that the loss for BSNL is due to the large wage bill. The assumption is completely baseless.

It can be seen from the annual reports that the wages of employees have not increased for the last few years, but has reduced marginally. The point that wage bill has increased to 50% of the revenue is solely due to the fact that the Revenue has come down from about Rs.40,000 a year to Rs.26,000 or so due to non-procurement of equipment like mobile lines, cables, telephone instruments, broadband modem, drop wire etc. as also inefficient management. Had the revenue increased to Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 or so, the % of wage bill would have reduced to 25% or less.

Instead of procuring equipment and streamlining the organisation, the consultant has suggested to reduce the present 330 + SSAs to a mere 167, concentrating powers at circle level, closure of telecom factories etc. which are completely counter productive. The govt.’s social obligation to provide connection in rural and remote areas seems to be completely forgotten.

In these circumstances, the Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations strongly oppose the M/s Deloittee report. We request the Communications Minister to ensure that the anti-BSNL, anti-worker report is rejected and that fruitful discussions are held with the Unions / Associations to improve financial viability and a better service to the people.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,