Category Archives: BSNL

Richest 1% Indians hold 4 times more wealth than bottom 70%.

23 Thursday Jan 2020

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Richest 1% Indians hold 4 times more wealth than bottom 70%.
The Oxfam International has released it’s report on 20th January, 2020, in the sideline of the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos. This time the title of the report was “Time to Care”.

The report stated “Economic inequality is out of control. In 2019, the world’s billionaires, only 2,153 people, had more wealth than 4.6 billion people.”

It further mentioned that India’s richest 1% hold more than four times the wealth held by 953 million people who make up for the bottom 70% of the country’s population. Regarding India, Oxfam further said that the combined total wealth of 63 Indian billionaires i.e., Mukesh Ambani, Azim Premji, Sunil Mittal etc., is higher than the total Union Budget of India for the fiscal year 2018-19 which was at Rs.24,42,200 crore. (BSNLEU Website)

What is the working plan after 78569 officials will leave on VRS in BSNL? – Immediate action plan required.

11 Saturday Jan 2020

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By 31st January 78,569 officials, more than 50% of the total staff, will be retiring from BSNL. In addition, hundreds will be retiring on superannuation. With such a large reduction of work force, how is BSNL going to function? What is the working plan that is prepared by BSNL management?
Nothing has been made clear. Some orders and press statements are issued. But what is the present position? Only 20 days are left now for the large scale VRS retirement.

To avoid difficulties in serving the customers, immediate action plan is needed. It should be prepared in discussion with the staff side / unions and associations. There is hardly any time to finanlise.

Three Decades valiant Struggles against privatisation of Telecom /BSNL – 1

09 Thursday Jan 2020

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Three Decades valiant Struggles against privatisation of Telecom /BSNL – 1

(A note on the sustained struggles organised by the Unions in Department of Telecom and later in BSNL, against corporatisation, privatisation and closure of the govt. telecom services since 1991, when the New Economic Policy of Liberalisation, Privatisation, Globalisation (LPG) started being implemented in India. This will be serially published).

Telecom is one of the most important infrastructure and service which helps to speed up development and growth of any country. During the last century, technological advances have been fantastic and telecom sector was no exception. In fact, the changes in telecom sector were beyond comparison.
At the time of Independence in India in 1947, there were only about 80,000 or so. India was far behind the developed countries. By 1980s, India was catching up, due to introduction of new technologies and expansion programmes. Magneto, Central Battery, Automatic etc. systems changed for electronic exchanges. Underground cables were laid all over the country. Number of employees rose to about 4.5 lakhs. The telecom revolution was going to start.
The combined Postal and Telegraphs Department was bifurcated in to Departments of Posts and Telecom. Telecom Commission was formed subsequently with more powers. Telecom became a highly profitable sector, with introduction of newer and newer technologies. Vast expansion was expected.
The collapse of USSR and consequent weakening of Socialist system changed the entire world scenario. Capitalist countries, with USA at the head, started dictating terms and conditions for other countries to follow. The trimurtis – International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and World Trade Organisation (WTO)- worked as effective tools for the implementation of the new capitalist order.
Discarding its earlier motto of, ‘Socialist Pattern of Society’, the ruling Congress party had already shifted to the neo-liberalisation policy of Liberalisation, Privatisation and Globalisation (LPG). Massive Indian markets were opened for the MNCs to enter and garner huge profits. The greedy eyes of the MNCs have already focussed on Telecom, which was fully under the central government.
Athreya Committee Report -1991
The Athreya Committee, which was appointed to study the restructure of Department of Telecom, submitted its majority report in 1991, recommending corporatisation of telecom services as also privatisation. There was strong protest and outcry from the telecom workers and their unions. They very well understood that corporation / privatisation will be not only bad for the workers, but bad for the entire country. The entire telecom workers went on a successful One Day Token All India Strike on 31 December 1993 against the recommendations for corporatisation and privatisation. The government was compelled to shelve the proposal for corporatisation and privatisation for the time being. This was a big victory for the struggling workers.

(Will be continued).

Free/ Concessional telephones to BSNL/DOT retirees.

04 Saturday Jan 2020

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AIBDPA had taken up the issue with BSNL management  of providing free/concessional mobile connection to retired BSNL and DOT employees wherever residential land   line connection could not be provided due to technical non-feasibility, particularly after closure WLL exchanges. After continuous discussions and persuasion, now BSNL has issued the order;

VIEW THE ORDER >PROVISION OF GSM AT TNF

AIBDPA Action Plan for Pension Revision

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

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The Central Executive Committee of AIBDPA held at Guwahati on 24-25 November 2019 has charted the following Programme of Action for achieving the demand of Pension Revision for BSNL pensioners w.e.f. 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment recommended by III Pay Revision Committee:

1. Submission of Memorandum to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, signed by tens of thousands of pensioners.All pensioners, irrespective of union/association of BSNL/DOT to be approached and signature obtained. It is beneficial to all.
2. Meet all the Members of Parliament and request to take up the issue with the government. A copy of the Memorandum also to be given and matters explained.
3. Massive Hunger Strike on 12th February 2020 in front of the CCA Offices in the circles.
4. Massive March to Parliament on 12th March 2020 being participated by thousands of pensioners.

The injustice being meted out to the BSNL/DOT Pensioners should be explained and propagated to the entire pensioners and BSNL employees. 13 years have passed without ny pension revision. Press releases and Press conferences be organised to get wide publicity. The fact that the Central govt is going back on its promises should be exposed.

Participate and make all the programmes successful.

AIBDPA calls for continuous Mighty Struggles for Pension Revision.

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

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(Giving below is the Editorial of Tele Pensioner, the journal of AIBDPA)

Chalo Delhi
It is pertinent to point out that the government had given certain concrete assurances during the formation of BSNL. Foremost of these were that the government will keep BSNL viable and compensate for the losses for providing rural telephony as part of its social obligation. The absorbed employees were assured of better prospects and necessary amendment in Rule 37A of CCS(Pension)Rules,1972 was incorporated to ensure pension from the government to the BSNL absorbed employees. Unfortunately, most of the promises were violated and BSNL had to incur losses due to the anti-PSU policy of the government, at the later stage, the naked pro Reliance Jio stand which is instrumental for the distress of entire telecom industry. We, therefore do not find any justification in denying wage revision to BSNL employees in the name of affordability condition stipulated by 3rd PRC. The former CMD,BSNL, Shri.Anupam Shrivastava had rightly pointed out that 3rd PRC itself mentioned that the affordability conditions are not applicable to those PSUs implementing government projects and as such BSNL is the fittest case for exemption. So the government should think seriously, particularly in the post VRS scenario, to implement wage revision which is a must to motivate the remaining employees. But pension revision is no way related to loss or bad financial position of BSNL as the liability is of the central government alone.

The decision of the Central Executive Committee meeting held at Guwahati to launch a phased programme of agitation against the negative approach of central Government on the genuine issue of pension revision of BSNL absorbed retirees, has evoked great enthusiasm among the pensioners. The CEC after serious discussion and review of the latest developments, particularly, Hon’ble Communications Minister’s statement in the Parliament to the effect that pension revision is possible only after wage revision as pay scales are must for pension revision.

There is nothing to be disappointed or dejected on the statement of the Minister. It is true that 50% of the minimum of the revised pay scale has to be ensured for pension revision. Pay scales are also required for implementing Option 3 , implemented to the central government pensioners as an alternative to Option 1, recommended by the 7th Pay Commission for parity in pension to past pensioners. However, the fact remains that pay scales are very much available for pension revision. 3rd PRC has recommended the pay scales for the executives and for the non-executives BSNL management and the recognized unions through bilateral negotiations have agreed for the pay scales subject to approval of the DoT. The BSNL absorbed retirees have paid the pension contribution at the maximum of their pay scales and as per Rule 37A of CCS(Pension) Rules, 1972, amended from time to time, the entire liability of pension and pensionary benefits to the BSNL absorbed retirees ,lies with the government.

Therefore, AIBDPA rightly demands that Pension Revision of BSNL absorbed retirees be granted from 01-01-2017 with 15% fitment based on the revised pay scales, delinking wage revision. And the CEC felt that another phased programme of agitation is the need of the hour, rather than approaching the court and get the issue frozen. As directed by the CEC, General Secretary wrote to five important pensioners organizations to explore the possibility of a joint struggle. Three organizations responded with limitations and two, AIBSNLPWA and SNREWA did not even reply. So we had no other option than going ahead independently.

Accordingly, a massive signature campaign in the memorandum to be submitted to the Hon’ble Prime Minister will be undertaken at all levels to ensure maximum mobilization of pensioners. Meanwhile, District/Circle leaders will approach all the Members of Parliament to seek their support and help to take up the issue with the government. This important work has to be completed in the month of January, 2020. Next program is Mass Hunger Strike at all CCA offices on 12th February,2020 with large participation. And the culmination is the Parliament March on 12th March, 2020 in which thousands of BSNL and DoT pensioners will participate from all parts of the country.

Struggle is our path, unity and struggle our slogan and victory is our aim. Let us make the programme historic and stupendous. Yes, comrades, we shall march forward, overcome all the hurdles and come out victorious.

About VRS in BSNL

18 Monday Nov 2019

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About VRS itself:
1. No one needs to have any doubt about the intention of Voluntary Retirement Scheme in BSNL. It is not for the benefit of employees, but is a tool to reduce the number of workers in preparation for privatisatiion. The strikes and agitations in the privatised PSUs like VSNL, ITDC hotels, BALCO etc against retrenchment have taught a lesson, making tbe corporates to insist that the govt should reduce the workforce before privatisation.
2. VRS is a clear strategy of govt to reduce pension expenses in future. If an employee retires on superannuation, clear rules exist for Dearness Relief, Pension Revision, Family Pension etc. It is not clear for the pension on VRS. There are many grey areas. In this connection refer to the Supreme Court judgment in another case that VRS is a package by itself and revision of pension is not included.
3. Past experience of VRS in MTNL etc has shown that post VRS, services could not improve due to consequent shortage of staff and revenue decreased, resulting in loss.
4. By spending Rs.17,000 crore for VRS now, govt is expecting to reduce pension expences of the VRS retiress by lakhs of crores of rupees for the ensuing many decades.
5. If the VRS amount is for Revival of BSNL, why the govt all these years did not spend a single paise from the tax payers’ money for BSNL?
6.. Even when 60 or 65 years, employees are capable of doing their work efficiently, just like businessmen, politicians, self employed etc. While employed one gets more respect, more income, more energy and better health. Unless you are engaged in some way after retirement, situation is different.
7. Comparatively one may get more money at the time of retirement on VRS, than on superannuation. But one has to pay Incometax for the same, which will be a substantial amount.
8. Higher bank interest as eligible for senior citizens will not be eligible for VRS optees (till they are 60).
9. The govt, management, media, corporates through adverse propaganda has created a situation of insecurity in the minds of the employees. Non payment of wages for contract labour for about one year, delay in payment of salary to employees, statements of NITI Ayog and Finance Ministry about closure/ privatisation of BSNL, nonremittance to GPF, loans etc, etc has created fear about their future in BSNL, compelling them to think about option to VRS. Decision taken during mass hysteria need not always be the best.
10. Employees should ponder about all these as also calculate what they will get in comparison with what they will get on superannuation and later etc etc. The conditions of VRS have to be thoroughly studied.

No body should be victims of the pitfalls of VRS. One decade back when VRS package was offered in BSNL for one lakh workers ie. 50% of employees, not even 1% took it.
And they are very happy about their decision inview of higher pension, pension revision etc.

This note is not comprehensive, but only a few general points about the present VRS.
63Balu Melethil, Smitha Soman and 61 others

AIBDPA completes fruitful 10 years on 21st October 2019 – Celebrate the Foundation Day !

16 Wednesday Oct 2019

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All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) completes fruitful activities of 10 years on 21st October 2019.

Formation.
AIBDPA was formed on 21st October 2009 in an All India Convention of BSNL – DOT Pensioners held at Garhwal Auditorium in New Delhi. It was with the active co-ordination and assistance of BSNL Employees Union (BSNLEU), the recognised union of BSNL employees. Comrades A.K.Bhattacharjee, P.V.Chandrasekharan and J.N.Mishra, veteran leaders of the telecom movement, presided. Com. V.A.N.Nambodiri, General Secretary of BSNL Employees Union, who took initiative for holding the Convention welcomed all. Com. M.K.Pandhe, CITU President, inaugurated the Convention. In his address, he congratulated the BSNL DOT pensioners for holding the convention for forming an all India association for the BSNL DOT Pensioners. Com. S.K.Vyas, the undisputed leader of the the CG Employees and Secretary General of National Co-Ordination Committee of Pensioners Association (NCCPA), greeted the convention and expressed his happiness for forming the association. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri presented the draft back ground report on the formation of the association.

The hundreds of delegates attending the Convention from almost all the circles approved the formation of the AIBDPA with thunderous applause. The Constitution was adopted. The office-bearers with Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri (Advisor), P.V.Chandrasekharan (Patron), A.K.Bhattacharjee (President), K.G.Jayaraj (General Secretary) and M.L.Tiwari (Treasurer) were unanimously elected.
BSNLEU gave a donation of Rs. 50,000 for the initial expenses, which was much appreciated by the house. Thus the AIBDPA was born.

During the last ten years of its existence, AIBDPA has grown as the biggest organisation of the BSNL DOT Pensioners as also one of the biggest affiliate of the NCCPA. Advisor of AIBDPA V.A.N.Namboodiri is the Patron and K.G.Jayaraj, General Secretary, AIBDPA, the Asst. Secretary General of NCCPA. KGJ is also the Executive Committee Member of the Trade Union International (Pensioners and Retirees) which is affiliated to the World Federation of Trade Unions(WFTU).

Since its inception, AIBDPA has been continuously taking up the issues of the BSNL DOT pensioners with the authorities, including CMD BSNL, Secretary DOT etc. On important issues, it met the Communications Minister also and discussed which paved way for settlement. The issues of the BSNL DOT Pensioners were raised in the Parliament through MPs. In settling the Pension Revision due from 2007, 78.2 IDA fixation, removal of 60:40 ratio issue, restoration of Medical Allowance, increasing of medical allowance etc. AIBDPA was always in the forefront.

AIBDPA along with NCCPA were the first to be invited for discussion by the VII Pay Commission, before which the major issues of BSNL DOT pensioners were presented by V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor.

AIBDPA organised several agitational programmes, March to Parliament, Dharna etc. for settlement of various issues. All these were well participated. It supported and participated in the programmes organised by BSNLEU and AUAB on the issues of revival of BSNL and on other demands. AIBDPA office-bearers are actively participating in the Pension Adalat and other forums for settlement of grievances.

AIBDPA CHQ publishes one quarterly journal ‘Telepensioner’ for the benefit’of its members, which is widely circulated.

AIBDPA is a democratic and progressive organisation of DOT BSNL Pensioners. It will continue to serve the BSNL DOT pensioners and organise struggles to achieve them.

The tenth anniversary of BSNL is approaching when the BSNL is in severe crisis. The pro-corporate and privatisation policy as well as the anti-PSU policy have made the healthy and profitable BSNL to loss making and weak. Contract workers have not received wages for the last 10 months. Pension Revision for BSNL pensioners as per III PRC wef 01-01-2017 has not been granted so far. Salaries are delayed for executives and employees. 4G Spectrum is not allotted to BSNL. Govt is openly supporting Reliance Jio and other private companies. The All Unions and Associations of BSNL have given call for struggle on the issues. AIBDPA fully support the struggles.

AIBDPA has given call to observe and celebrate the 10th anniversary of AIBDPA in a befitting way. Organise conventions, GB Meetings, demonstrations etc. and explain the past achievements and the struggles for the present demands. Take this opportunity to enroll more members.

Warm greetings to all on the 10th anniversary of AIBDPA!

AUAB plans agitational programmes – Day Long Hunger Fast on 18-10-2019

11 Friday Oct 2019

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We are happy to know that AUAB of BSNL has met with increased number of unions and decided for agitational programmes to save BSNL and on demands of the workers.We have been requesting all the unions to meet and jointly plan programmes. We congratulate the unions/associations for the unity for action. The decisions of the meeting of AUAB held on 11-10-2019, as published in BSNLEU website is given below:

AUAB gives call for hunger strike on 18.10.2019 – make the programme a resounding success..

A meeting of the AUAB was held today. Com.Chandeswar Singh, Chairman, presided over. Com.P.Abhimanyu, Convenor, welcomed everyone and briefed about the agenda.The meeting expressed it’s serious resentment over the non-payment of the September salary. Non-payment of contract workers’ wages for the past 8 months, non-payment of electricity bills, the misleading reports appearing in the media that, BSNL would be closed down,etc., were seriously viewed by the meeting. After in-depth discussion, it was decided to organise a one day hunger strike on 18-10-2019, to be participated in by the General Secretaries, Circle Secretaries and District Secretaries, at the Corporate Office, Circle and SSA levels respectively. Together with this, lunch hour demonstrations are to be organised at all the places on same day, involving the entire Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL. It is also decided that the unions and associations which could not attend today’s meeting are to be contacted immediately and are to be requested to participate in the programme. The AUAB will again meet on 21-10-2019, to decide about the next course of action. The following are the demands:-

Demands:-

Immediate payment of the September salary. Timely payment of salary every month.
Payment of contract / casual labourers’ wages and payment electricity bills and rentals.
Revival of BSNL by immediate allocation of 4G spectrum, extension of financial assistance / soft loan and approval for BSNL’s Land Monetisation proposal.
Settlement of 3rd Pay Revision, Pension Revision and 30% Superannuation benefits.
. Immediate remittance of dues towards GPF, Bank loan EMI, Society, LIC premium,etc.

AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF have also given call to participate in the programme effectively.

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.