Category Archives: BSNL News

Meeting with DOT Officers on 78.2% IDA for Pensioners and other issues

05 Saturday Apr 2014

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Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU and Advisor AIBDPA met senior officers of the DoT on 4th April 2014 and discussed important issues:

Meeting with Ms. Annie Moraes, Member (Finance):

1. 78.2% IDA fixation for Pensioners – Com. Namboodiri expressed serious concern at the undue delay in taking decision and issue of orders. It is almost ten months after orders have been issued for regular employees. Member (Finance) stated that Dept. of Expenditure has sought clarifications on three issues viz. 1) whether Cabinet decision is required, 2) whether the pension will exceed 60% of the amount being paid by BSNL to DOT on taxes, licence fee etc. and 3) whether there is any precedent for making payment of pensionary benefits on notional pay and pension revision. The reply is being prepared and will be furnished to DoE early. Com. Namboodiri demanded speedy action by DOT.

2. Rs. 1,500 crore payment to BSNL in lieu of ADC: The Rs.1,500 crore  allotted for BSNL from USOF is still not paid. This is to be paid with out further delay. Member (Finance) stated that the matter is being pursued, but certain report from BSNL is required on the performance etc.

3. Upgradation of cities on the basis of the 2011 census: Though it is more than 2 years after the census report has been published, the upgradation of cities like Ahmedabad are still pending orders. Com. Namboodiri requested for early issue of orders. It was stated that the issue has to be decided by DPE on the basis of the final report of the Census.

Meeting with Ms. Rita Teotia, Addl Secretary DOT:

1. Merger of BSNL and MTNL: Com. VAN Namboodiri expressed serious concerns regarding the merger and demanded that these concerns of the employees as mentioned in the Forum Memorandum should be settled before any merger is decided. Addl. Secretary assured that so far no decision has been taken on Merger and that the concerns of the employees will be certainly considered.

2. VRS in BSNL: Addl. Secretary stated that the DOT is fully aware of the opposition of the workers. In fact, no decision has been taken and the viewpoint of the unions will be considered, if any decision will be taken.

Meeting with Shri S.C.Misra, Member (Services):

1. 78.2% IDA fixation for pensioners: Member (Services) stated the complications with regard to the queries raised by the DoE. He also stated that the same is being examined and reply will be given to  DOE early.

 

 

 

Meeting of National Council on 22nd April 2014.

03 Thursday Apr 2014

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The 30th Meeting of the National Council of BSNL is scheduled to meet at 1100 AM on 22nd April 2014. This is the second meeting after the VI Membership Verification for recognition of unions in which BSNLEU and NFTE have been recognised.
The sincerity and efficiency of the BSNL management in implementing the decisions of the National Council has been very low in the recent past. Decisions taken in the council are either not implemented or are being delayed indefinitely.
In the last meeting of the Council, the Staff Side has demanded that the next meeting should be in April. It is being implemented. It has to be seen whether the management will implement all the decisions taken earlier before the ensuing meeting. It should do that which will give credibility to the meeting and decisions.

IDA being reduced from 90.5% to 88.4% w.e.f. April 2014 ?

31 Monday Mar 2014

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It is understood that the IDA for PSU employees including BSNL employees will be reduced from 90.5 % from January 2014 to 88.4% from April 2014, a reduction of 2.1%. This is attributed to the decrease in the Consumer price Index (CPI) for the industrial workers.

We are at a loss to understand how the CPI has come down when the prices of all essential commodities have been going up continuously for the last so many months, without any reduction. There is clear indication that the UPA government in its last phase, before the general election has taken its revenge on the working class by manipulating the CPI. An enquiry is to be conducted on how the CPI has come down. The new government should go in to the matter to do justice to the workers

 

 

 

BSNLEU Convention at Malappuram, Kerala

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL News, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers

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A BSNLEU Convention was held at Malappuram, Kerala in co-ordination with the AIBDPA and CCLU on 26th March 2014. A large number of comrades from all parts of the SSA participated. Com.M. Prabhakaran, SSA President presided. Com. A.Balakrishnan, Dist. Secretary welcomed the participants. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, President BSNLEU, BSNLCCWF and Advisor AIBDPA, in his inaugural Speech explained he decisions of the Rajkot CES of BSNLEU, Bhubaneshwar CEC of BSNLCCWF and also the reports of AIBDPA and NCCPA. He also briefed the house about the deliberations of the International Conference of Pensioners and Retirees held at Barcelona in February 2014. He exhorted the workers to utilise their valuable votes to ensure that those who are elected are with the working class and will support their demands and will raise the same in the Parliament.
Coms. K.Mohanan, Circle Secretary, BSNLEU, V.Bhagyalakshmi, Convener, Mahila Committee, M.N.Madhavan, Circle Vice-President, BSNLEU, P.K.Muralidharan (NFPE), N.T.Aboobacker, DS, CCLU, P.T.Kunhipayi, DS AIBDPA and other leaders addressed.

what the BSNL Board is contemplating?

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

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The BSNL Management has invited the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations for a presentation of its decision to form a Tower Company out of BSNL. Good that the Unions / associations are called for briefing.

But one serious question come to the fore. Why the BSNL Management or BSNL Board discuss the issue with Forum/Unions/Associations which are important stake holders of the BSNL, before taking any decision?

When the Forum knew about the arbitrary decision of the Board, it has strongly protested against this anti-BSNL, anti-worker decision. The 2.5 lakh of workers are putting their best to improve the services and financial position of the company and is fully co-operating with the Management on the strengthening and efficiency. Employees are fully convinced that forming a separate tower company will be completely against the interest of BSNL and its workers and hence strong protest.

Dropping the decision of the Board to form the Tower Company will be best decision. That is our demand to the BSNL Management/Board.

Why Delay in Erection of Mobile Towers in naxalite areas?

16 Sunday Mar 2014

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Last year, immediately after the naxalite attack and brutal murder of 27 Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh in June 2013, the Central Government had announced that 2,199 towers (BTS) will be erected in the naxalite areas of 9 states viz. M.P., Chhattisgarh, A.P.,Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, W.Bengal, Odisha and U.P. It was also stated that BSNL will be entrusted with the task and the project will be completed within one year.
But so far only 363 towers have been erected by BSNL though one year is going to be completed by June 2014.
The matter was discussed by the Forum both with the Secretary, DOT and also with the CMD BSNL. The information received is that the amount approved by the DOT on the proposal submitted by BSNL is Rs.789 less and hence the delay. Now there is a chance for increasing the amount also due to increase in cost of materials.
Now again, there was a brutal attack by the naxalites in which 15 persons including Policemen have been killed.
The Government, DOT and BSNL should understand that the project is intended to save the lives of the people and requires most immediate attention. They should discuss immediately and find out a solution to this problem.
It is reported that the Telecom Commission will meet and discuss this issue by the month end. Why so much delay when the election is already announced and the candidates and parties will have to go interior places for campaign. The earlier the better.

Meeting with HLC on Superannuation to BSNL Recruitees

14 Friday Mar 2014

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The representatives of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations had a meeting with the High Level Committee appointed by BSNL to recommend on the Superannuation Benefits to be provided to the BSNL Recruitees. From the Forum, Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, P.Abhimanyu, GS BSNLEU, G.L.Jogi, President SNEA, K.Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, N.L.Sharma, AGS AIBSNLEA, A.Rajmouli, Secretary NFTE, Rajpal, CS NFTE and other leaders participated. The HCL was represented by Ms. Geeta Rau, ED(F), John Thomas PGM (Finance) and other committee members.
The Forum leaders strongly demanded that the superannuation benefits to the BSNL recruited employees should be granted 30% of the pay + DA, as directed by the DPE orders. They pointed out that these section of employees are denied the defined government pension which is available to the BSNL employees absorbed from DOT. The fact that the other PSUs have already implemented the same was also mentioned. The Forum leaders presented the case very effectively.
The Chairman of the Committee, ED(Finance) stated that all the points raised by the Forum will be considered by the Committee while finalising the recommendations.

14 April declared closed holiday as Ambedkar Jayanti

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

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The Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension (DOP and T) vide F.No. 12/4/2014-JCA-2 dated 12-03-2014 has issued orders declaring 14th April 2014 as closed holiday in view of Birthday of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar.
This is applicable for all central government establishments including industrial establishments and PSUs.

Cabinet decides to waive “Notional Loan” to BSNL

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

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It is informed that the Cabinet has decided to waive the “Notional Loan” of Rs. 7,500 crore as shown loan to the BSNL at the time of formation of BSNL. This is as per the recommendation of the EGoM on Revival of BSNL and MTNL. The Forum has demanded to the EGoM to waive not only the “Notional Loan” of Rs.7,500 crore, but also to refund the interest of about Rs.12,000 crore already paid by BSNL. But this has not been agreed to by the government. The Forum has to pursue this matter.

Meeting with CMD BSNL on 12th March

12 Wednesday Mar 2014

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

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener, Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations and Patron AIBDPA along with Com.K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA met Shri R.K.Upadhyay, CMD BSNL and discussed the issues of pensioners as well as the viability of BSNL etc.
The representatives pointed out the undue delay in issue of orders on 78.2% IDA for pensioners. They also stated that the Department of Expenditure has sought some clarifications from DOT and further delay may take place. They urged the CMD to take necessary steps to ensure that the pensioners’ 78.2% IDA issue is settled at the earliest.
The union leaders also demanded that the medical allowance with out voucher be restored to the pensioners who are put to much difficulties due to the withdrawal of the same. It was also demanded that DOT Pensioners also be given the concession on Broad band connections.
Com. Namboodiri suggested certain measures to reduce the expenditure on electricity, diesel, petrol etc. and as per the decision of the Forum meeting, proposed that a “Save Electricity / Fuel Month” be observed with clear instructions to reduce the consumption through effective methods. CMD agreed to consider the same and suggested that it can be a continued process.
CMD informed that cabinet has taken decision taken to waive the Notional Loan of Rs.7,500 crore of BSNL, which will benefit BSNL. The various efforts being made by the BSNL to improve its financial viability was also stated by CMD.
The union representatives expressed their strong protest against the proposed formation of new companies like tower, optical fibre cable, land assets etc. and demanded that these should be abandoned. CMD BSNL stated that it is only about the tower company that proposal has been made and that it is beneficial for BSNL. The staff side did not agree.
The unions also stated that the Welfare Committee and Sports Committee had not met for more than one year and that they should be convened early. CMD stated that this will be convened with out delay.