Category Archives: BSNL

Rs. 45,000 crore telecom scam – spat between Congress and BJP

08 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in BSNL, Telecom

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Instead of recovering the Rs. 15,000 crore (exactly Rs. 12,488.93) from the private telecom firms which the CAG has found out as the amount of tax due from them for the fraud committed by showing under-valued revenue, the Congress and the BJP are shouting at each other accusing the other for the fraud.

By under valuing the revenues, the six telecom private companies viz. Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Communications, Idea Cellular Tata Teleservices and Aircel India had cheated the government of its taxes, as part of the revenue sharing. The CAG had submitted its report to the government that theses companies had shown their revenue less by about Rs. 45,000 crores, resulting in a loss of Rs. 15,000 crore to the government.

The fraud has taken place during the period of Congress, but even after coming in to power, the BJP has not taken any action.

In the meantime, the DOT has stated that the process for the recovery is being initiated.

Whether UPA or NDA, both take a soft stand when it comes to the corporate, MNCs  and big business. Of course, they are the governments of the corporates!

Start Wage Negotiations in BSNL

07 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU, CG Employees

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The government is in the final stage of finalising decisions on the recommendations of the VII CPC for the CG employees after the latter has decided for a strike, which has been deferred for the present after certain assurances from the Finance and Home Minister.

The III Pay Revision Committee has been formed for the pay revision of executives in all PSUs, including BSNL, with effect from 01-01-2017 and it has started functioning.

What about the non-executives in BSNL? Their wage revision from 2017 is to be done through wage negotiation between the management and the recognised unions. Last time, it took about three years, hard bargaining, two strikes and many struggles to achieve a very good agreement, which largely benefit-ted the workers.

It is high time that the management starts the negotiations with out delay. The recognised unions should take the initiative.

Prepare for serious struggle against closure / strategic sale of BSNL

03 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by in BSNL, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, BSNLEU, Disinvestment, Forum, General

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It is reported in Hindu that BSNL, Air India etc. are recommended to be closed / strategically sold by NITI Ayog (former Planning Commission) along with many other loss making PSUs. It is also reported that the government may not accept the recommendation in the case of BSNL immediately, since the government fear stiff opposition from its 2.5 lakh employees. ITI is already in the list. It is also reported that the government will start with ‘low hanging fruit’ and later proceed with the big catch.

The intention of the government is very clear. It wants to handover the most profitable telecom sector completely to the private, including BSNL. VSNL is already sold. BSNL seems to be the next target, since Delhi based MTNL, may be the last target because of its being in the capital of the country with all government offices, including that of President, Prime Minister, Defence establishments etc.

Its inability to impose VRS and disinvesment in BSNL earlier, due to strong protest and agitation from the workforce, only is keeping the government from privatising/closing BSNL. Any weakening of the Forum / united movement of the workers will be utilised by the government to implement its dark agenda. The workers can not be caught unawares.

Strengthen Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations to fight against privatisation/closure of BSNL!

AP Telecom Circle bifurcated in to A.P. and Telangana Circles

30 Thursday Jun 2016

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BSNL has issued orders bifurcating AP Circle in to AP and Telangana Circles on the basis of AP and Telangana states. The CGM office staff has been asked to give options.

The biggest circle in BSNL has now been divided in to two. The union also will have to be divided.

Contract Workers, the most exploited workforce in BSNL

28 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

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BSNL is a well known central PSU. Its 2,20,00 workforce is well disciplined, dedicated and determined to improve the services to the customers. They are an inseparable part of the working class of India fighting against injustice and for the rights of the workers.

But unfortunately there is a ‘Black Spot’ in the face of BSNL, its management and the workers. It is the exploitation of its contract workers of around one lakh.

There are clear rules and orders for payment of minimum wages to the contract workers. If there is difference in Central government’s and State government’s minimum wages, the higher rates should be given. But neither the higher rates nor the lower rates are paid in most of the circles.It is far less than the minimum wage which is being paid. These lowest paid workers are being exploited continuously for years together.

Law of the land ensures social security measures like EPF and ESI to the contract workers. It is a safeguard for them in their old age and at the time of sickness. But most of the contract workers are denied these benefits by not implementing them by the contractors and BSNL management.

Though the Central minimum wage is the same, workers in various circles and in the districts in the same circle are paid differently according to the whims of the contractor. Field management is not intervening to ensure payment of full wages. This is a shame for BSNL.

Not only that. When reports are called by the Parliament Standing Committee, Chief Labour Commissioner, Central EPF Commissioner or Central ESI Commissioner, incorrect information is supplied to them by the BSNL Management, which of course, is furnished by the field units.

Can BSNL and its workforce be saved from this shame! If all the unions and associations take a strong stand in support of these unfortunate brothers, I am hopeful that this brutal exploitation could be ended.

Let us together make efforts to get long awaited justice for these unfortunate workers!

The Phoenix rises again – BSNL is on the revival path

26 Sunday Jun 2016

Posted by in BSNL, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, General

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For the past few months BSNL has given more mobile connections than any private company. The new plans like ‘night free calls’ ‘free roaming’ etc. has attracted new customers. The service is also being improved by installing additional towers and new generation equipment. The move is now towards 4G.

The attitude of the workers have changed for the better. At the same time, it can be further improved. ‘Service With A Smile’ is not to be treated as a slogan only, but should be the way of life with BSNL employees.

The Phoenix is rising once again. BSNL Marches ahead!

Com.M.P.Kunhanandan laid to rest

15 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in BSNL, Obituary, Tributes

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Com.M.P.Kunhanandan, veteran leader of the P and T employees and former all India  treasurer of AIBDPA who expired on 14th June 2016 was cremated today at the electric crematorium Mavoor Road , Kozhikde. A large number of comrades, friends, co-workers and others have been present to pay homage. Comrades from other districts of Kerala also attended.

A Condolence Meeting was held afterwards at the Sports Council Auditorium organised under the various political parties and organisations and attended by a large number of people from different sections of society. V.A.N.Namboodiri presided.  K.T.Kunhikannan, K.G.Jayaraj, N.Chandran, A.V.Viswanathan, Saleem, V.Sahadevan, M.Vijayakumar, K.Bhaskaran, T.V.Balan, Guruprasad, K.G.Mathai, I.K.Biju, T.V.Nirmalan,T.C.Biju Raj, K.Krishnan,O.Sadasivan and others spoke and expressed their deep condolences and sorrow. They also mentioned about the great contributions made by Com. Kunhanandan in the various fields he worked. A condolence resolution was adopted and the house stood in silence for one minute.

The people of Calicut will ever remember the great contributions of Com. M.P.Kunhanandan.

Veteran leader Com.M.P.Kunhanandan passed away

14 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, Obituary, Tributes

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MP Kunhanandan

With great shock and  sorrow it is informed that Com.M.P.Kunhanandan, senior leader of BSNLEU, former All India Treasurer, AIBDPA and a well known social worker, passed away today at 10.20 A.M. at a Calicut Hospital, where he was admitted two days back. He was 67.
Com.Kunhanandan was a dedicated leader of the telecom workers and has functioned in the capacity of E.III Union Divisional Secretary, Asst. Circle Secretary and many other posts in the union. His capacity to take any responsibility efficiently and effectively is well known. After retirement from service, he was functioning as the Director of a co-operative Bank in addition to his union responsibility. Com.Kunhananadan vacated his treasurer post at Tirupati AIC of AIBDPA last year on health grounds.

From the time his entry in the P&T Department, he was active in the P&T Trade Union movement. He participated in all the strikes and agitations and was victimised several times. He was issued with charge sheet and transferred in connection with the 19-01-1982 strike against victimisation. (This was mentioned in the “Panorama of P&T Trade Union Movement” written by Com.N.J.Iyer, President, NFTE)).

The grand Exhibition on “P & T Trade union Movement” displayed at the time of the last Circle Conference of BSNL Employees Union, Kerala Circle held at Calicut in 2015 at the initiative Com. MPK was a testimony of his great capacity in any field.

He was simple and sincere to the core. He was also committed to to great traditions of the P&T TU movement.

Coms.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Patron BSNLEU, P.V.Chandrasekharan, Patron AIBDPA along with Com. K.G.Sanjeevan Dist. Secretary, AIBDPA Calicut went to the hospital where Com.Kunhannadan was admitted  yesterday, met his son and relatives and enquired about his health condition. He was feeling better. But today morning all of a sudden, his condition became worse and passed away.

A large number of comrades, friends and acquaintances including Pradeep Kumar, MLA, P.Mohanan Master District Secretary CPI(M),M.K.Raghavan, M.P., Thottathi Ravindran, Mayor of Calicut, Smt. Meera Darshak, Dy.Mayor, Corporation Councillors, V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA, Vijaya Kumar, AGS, BSNL Employees Union and leaders of all political parties visited his house and conveyed condolences.

He leaves behind his wife Smt. P.K.Vineetha and two sons Suhas and Sandesh.

The cremation will take place tomorrow (15th June 2016) at Mavoor Road Crematorium, Calicut. A condolence meeting will be held at 11.00 AM at the District Sports Council Office, Mananchira, Calicut.

Our Heartfelt Condolences to the bereaved family, friends and comrades! His death is a great loss to the P&T Fraternity and working class.

Red Salute to Com.M.P.Kunhanandan!

Recruitment of employees a priority requirement in BSNL

14 Tuesday Jun 2016

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While more than 1,60,000 employees have retired in BSNL since its inception in 2000, only around 40,000 have been recruited keeping a vacuum of about 1,20,000 vacancies. Of course, there may be justification of reduction of staff due to highly sophisticated equipments. Despite that there is acute shortage, resulting delay in providing a good service. Especially in the cadres of Telecom Technician, Assistant Technician etc. who are mainly attending to the day to day service and maintenance, there has been no recruitment at all, causing much difficulty.

To make the SWAS programme (Service With A Smile), adequate staff is required and new recruitment is the route. The unions / associations in BSNL can not sit idle in the matter.

Membership Verification of BSNL Executive Associations on 27-09-2016

13 Monday Jun 2016

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The BSNL Management has issued orders fixing 27th September 2016 for the Membership Verification of the Executive Associations in BSNL for grant of recognition. Only one association which gets the maximum number of votes will be recognised. The verification will be through secret ballot.