Category Archives: BSNL

TRAI impose Rs. 3,050 crore on private telecom companies for not providing POIs to Reliance JIO

22 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL, General

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The influence of the Reliance owned telecom company JIO on government and even on TRAI is well known. The latest is the decision of the TRAI asking the Department of Telecom to impose fine on the three telcos viz. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular for not providing Points of Interconnection (PoI) to JIO, the company owned by Mukesh Ambani, the richest Indian. Bharti has to pay Rs. 1,050 crore, Vodafone Rs. 1,050 crore and Idea Rs.950 crore. The fine is calculated on the basis of Rs.50 crore for each circle denied of PoI. The importance of COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) seems to be lost after the entry of JIO.

 

Govt. should allot spectrum free to BSNL

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA met Shri J.S.Deepak, Secretary DOT and requested that spectrum be allotted free to BSNL. He pointed out that 700 Mhrz and 800 Mhrz has not been bid by the private telcos citing its high basic price. Com.Namboodiri stated that if 700/800 Mhrz spectrum is given free to BSNL, it can provide the 4G services and also compete with the private companies. It will  compel the private telcos to bid for the same spectrum resulting in good amount to the government. BSNL will become profitable and if necessary the price for spectrum can be paid in installments.  Secretary heard the same patiently.

 

Oppose the formation of Tower Company tooth and nail.

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL, Forum, TU News - Telecom specific

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It is reported that the government of India has approved formation of a tower company, bifurcating BSNL. This decision is to be condemned and opposed with all our might. The above decision of the government is to disintegrate BSNL by making it a loss making company and then sell strategically or otherwise.

The Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations has taken the correct decision to oppose the formation of tower company. The programme on 26th October 2016 should be made a massive action with participation of maximum workers.

BSNL Employees Union and the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations have the proud record of defeating government decisions on disinvestment of BSNL, VRS/CRS of one lakh workers as also unbundling of the valuable cables for the benefit of the private players. Till now, the government could not implement any of these decisions for which the workers and unions have to be congratulated for their rock like unity and firm determination which defeated the govt. decisions.

It is hoped that all the unions/associations will join together to defeat the attack on BSNL and its workers. We can not allow BSNL to be disintegrated. Fight to the last!

Allot Spectrum free to BSNL and MTNL

11 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL, Forum

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All the major telecom companies viz. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Jio, Idea Cellular, Tata Tele Services, Rcom and Aircel, have participated in the spectrum auction held recently and got sufficient spectrum for their service and upgradation to 4G.

But what about BSNL and MTNL? Neither they have got money nor they are permitted to participate in the auction. Last time also they were not allowed to participate, but BSNL was compelled to purchase spectrum at the highest rate in the auction. The government ensured that all the Rs.40,000 crore with BSNL was somehow snatched so that it will not be able to purchase equipment, spectrum etc.

This anti-PSU, pro-corporate role of the government has to be exposed among the public in a big way. It is also necessary that the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations, ITSA and other such organisations should raise their voice for getting free spectrum and sufficient funds for the expansion, modernisation and upgradation of technology and better service. It should be taken without any further delay.

Central Govt. to invest Rs. 15,000 crore in Panipat Refinery Ltd.- Why not in BSNL?

11 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL

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Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stated that the government will invest Rs. 15,000 crores In Panipat Refinery to expand the capacity and to increase job opportunities.

Government is also investing funds in the PSU Banks in lieu of the loss due to the bad loans taken by the big corporates and business people, instead of taking firm actions to recover the lakhs of crores of rupees from them.

Well Indeed! But why the same government is not even allotting Rs.10,000 crores for the expansion, modernisation and increase of job opportunities to BSNL which is also a PSU, where competition is very high. Why it is not giving spectrum free to BSNL and MTNL, which do not have funds to purchase them, like the private companies, which have got huge funds or can raise money from bank loans (without paying them back).

The logic of the government is very clear. It wants to hand over the telecom PSUs, BSNL and MTNL to strategic partners, as was done in the case of VSNL, to facilitate the MNCs and corporate houses to garner huge profits from telecom business, which is one of the most profitable sector now. The security of the nation and such pleas which it raised objecting BSNL from purchasing equipment from China at cheap rates, was only a ploy to stop BSNL strengthening as can be seen by the fact that all the private companies are purchasing equipment from the Chinese companies. Privatisation of BSNL and MTNL is the prime objective of the government and it will adopt any tactics to implement it.

But they are missing one point. The two  lakhs and odd  workers in BSNL are determined to defeat the ignominious move of the government. They will make BSNL a shining example of service and improvement. They will certainly do it and bring BSNL to its past glory.

An Open Appeal to all the Executive and Non-Executive Unions/Associations in BSNL

06 Thursday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL, Disinvestment, Forum, General

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Dear Comrades, Colleagues and Brothers,

As a former Convener of the Joint Action Committee, Joint Forum and Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, I wish to present the following appeal to all of you for a patient hearing and favourable consideration.

As all of us are fully aware, the formation of BSNL, corporatising the DOT services was the first step towards privatisation. Even before that, private telecom companies came in the scene. All the assistance, support etc. promised  by the government was an eye wash to make the employees get absorbed in the new corporation, BSNL.

Within a few years, all of us  experienced the move towards privatisation of BSNL by government through disinvestment and retrenchment. It was only through the united mighty struggles of the workers under the leadership of the JAC/Joint Forum/Forum that disinvestment and VRS/CRS could not be implemented in BSNL. It was a great achievement of the united struggle of the workers. It is to be noted here that almost all the PSUs stand disinvested and VRS/CRS implemented.

Privatisation not only means handing over this great government asset to the private for garnering huge profits, it also adversely affects the national security and results in loss of jobs to the employees.

The latest position of the government is to implement the recommendation of the NITI AYOG, to strategically sell BSNL and MTNL. When protests arose from the workers, NITI AYOG denied the report, but it is known to all that it is a ruse to confuse the workers from going on struggle. The present situation is very critical to the future of the PSU and the workers.

Through the initiative of the Forum and full co-operation from the Management, maximum efforts are made to improve the finance and better the services, which has borne fruit. This year, 2015-16, BSNL is in operational profit of about Rs. 3,000 crore. It is estimated that by 2017-18, BSNL will post profit.

It is, at this stage that the new danger of strategical sale is coming. At this crucial stage, we find the Forum, which has to take initiative, stands divided. BSNL Unions/Associations have always come together when there was any serious danger to the company and the workers.

This is the time for action. Any delay may result in untold hardship to the employees, sale of BSNL and retrenchment of tens of thousands of workers,  as was done in the case of ITDC Hotels, VSNL etc. Once there is no BSNL and MTNL, the charge for telecom services will rise many fold, as the experience of other countries have shown.

Action requires unity of all the workers/unions/associations. The JAC/Joint Forum/Forum has been the united force of the workers to defeat the anti-worker policy of the government. There have been differences between the unions/associations on demands or priority on demands etc. but all have stood together like a rock when any serious attack came on BSNL or the workers. This is the force that kept BSNL alive.

Therefore, my appeal to all the Unions/Associations is that at this crucial juncture let us join together under the leadership of the Forum as before and fight the menace of strategic sale and privatisation. The government move can be defeated only if we all are united and ready for struggle.

I hope that all unions/associations will ponder on these issues and will come together as before and unitedly fight for the survival of BSNL and the workers.

With Warm Regards,

Yours Comradely,

V.A.N.Namboodiri

Former Convener of JAC, Joint Forum and Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations

New Delhi, 06-102016

 

NFPE Federal Council demands scrapping of NPS for CG employees

05 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, CG Employees

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The 10th Federal Council Meeting held at Guwahati from 07th to 9th September 2016 has adopted a strong resolution demanding the scrapping of the NPS for those recruited from 01-01-2004 and demanded that all those employees recruited from 01-01-2004 also should be made eligible for the Defined Benefit  Pension Scheme. In the Strike Notice issued by the National JAC of Central Government employees also, the same demand has been raised.

This is fully justified. The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations should also demand that all the employees appointed from 01-10-2000 ( date of formation of BSNL) should be granted the Defined Statutory Pension as in the case of the DOT appointed and BSNL absorbed employees. The discrimination between the two set of employees should be removed and justice given to the BSNL appointed employees.

BSNL to provide 2726 additional towers in Naxalite area?

03 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL

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It is reported in Economic Times that   2726 solar powered  Towers are proposed to be erected in the Naxal arrears in addition to the 2199 towers already provided by BSNL. The new project is also reported to be entrusted to BSNL.

Hold National Council Meeting of BSNL without further delay

03 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU

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The VII Membership Verification of Non-executive unions in BSNL was conducted on 10th May 2016 and results announced with BSNLEU as the Main Recognised Union and NFTE as the second recognised union.

It is almost five long months, but the management is yet to notify the formation of the National Council. BSNLEU has already given its nominations. (4 seats are kept vacant for its allies). Despite the nominations, BSNL Management has not formed the Council. This is completely unacceptable. Meetings are to be held once in three months. Already the period for one meeting is over.

Management should form the National Council immediately and start discussion. The employees have got a lot of issues which require urgent attention.

Spectrum Auction to get at least Rs.5.6 lakh crore

01 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in BSNL, General

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The auction for spectrum proposed today is expected to get at least Rs. 5.6 lakh crore for the Government. It may be more also.

We demand that the government should allot at least Rs. 10,000 crore to BSNL and a similar amount to MTNL for modernisation and purchase of equipment.  The BSNL and MTNL Managements as also the unions and associations should take up the issue with the government. It is the duty of the government to assist these  two telecom PSUs to pass over the present financial crisis and restore its past glory. Simply issuing statements that Government will assist BSNL / MTNL is not sufficient. Action should follow assurances.