23 Tuesday Jun 2020
It is reported that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is going to set up a six-member committee to decide on the tender specifications for 4G Spectrum upgrade for BSNL and MTNL. The same is stated to be in view of the conflict in the LAC with China, with the intention to avoid Chinese equipment.
Some times Committees are appointed to delay matters. It seems that the intention here is the same utilising the border strife.
22 Monday Jun 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL
The Revival package for BSNL was announced about 9 months back. One of the items, Voluntary Retirement, rather Compulsory retirement of about 80,000 employees was fully implemented by 31st January 2010. But no other item of the package ie. Allotment of 4G Spectrum, Loan from Banks, Monetisation of BSNL assets etc. have not been implemented. Are 9 months insufficient for a government to implement its own assurances, widely publicised?
In fact, the government and Communications Minister Shri Ravi Shanakr Prasad, who declared that he is firm on the revival of BSNL, is silent now. The government is cheating the workers and the public.
GOVERNMENT SHOULD HONOUR ITS COMMITMENT TO THE WORKERS AND THE PEOPLE!
09 Tuesday Jun 2020
Posted in BSNL, Sustained struggles
50% Merger of IDA with pay- 3 Days dharna from 28-05-2008
The Central government issued orders for merger of 50% DA with pay to its employees from 01-04-2004. The merger of 50% IDA with pay for CPSUs was decided by the government wef 01-01-2007. Despite this decision, BSNL management did not issue orders merging IDA with pay for its own employees. A lunch hour demonstration was held on 13-05-2008 as per the call of the joint Forum demanding immediate orders. The management wanted the unions to agree for 10% disinvestment, VRS, delay in wage negotiation, Promotion policy etc. for issue of IDA merger orders, which is completely unjust and unfair. The meeting of the JF with CMD BSNL on 27-05-2008 could not settle the issue. Hence JF called for 3 days protest dharna from 28-05-2008 in Corporate Office, all circles and divisions.
The dharnas were well participated though called with short notice, which gave a strong message to the management that the workers will not surrender their rights or cow down before threats. In Delhi, in front of the Corporate Office, more than 500 comrades participated in the dharna. Com. Basudeb Acharya, M.P. and senior leader of the CPI(M), inaugurated. It was addressed by all leaders of the JF.
Meeting with Minister on29-05-2008
As a result of the massive dharnas, the Communications Minister Shri A.Raja called the Joint Forum for discussion. After discussion, he directed the CMD BSNL to issue the orders on IDA merger on that day itself. Accordingly, BSNL issued the orders on the same day. It was a great achievement.
The joint struggle of the workers has won victory on the spot. The dharna was called off accordingly.
A meeting was held with the Secretary DOT on the issue of VRS, Disinvestment proposal, granting of Navaratna status, 5 Promotions, allotment of 3 G Spectrum, fresh tender of 45.5 million and 93 million mobile lines etc. No satisfactory result could come out. Hence as per the decision of the JF, demonstrations were organized on 02-06-2008 along with wearing of badges while on duty with the demands printed on them.
Against merger of ITI with BSNL
In between, the government was proposing merger of ITI with BSNL. As per decision of JF, massive demonstrations were organized on 29-07-2008 at all levels against the proposed merger, since ITI was a manufacturing PSU, while BSNL was a service provider. Convener, JF met the ITI unions’ leaders and convinced them about the stand taken by the Joint Forum. JF sent a detailed strong letter to the Communications Minister on 16-07-2008 against the merger. The proposal was deferred after the protest.
Joint Forum strongly opposed the purchase of hundreds of vehicles for the ITS officers, when the company was facing financial crunch. It exposed the unnecessary expenditure and gave wide publicity, which put the management in bad light.
Since the ITS absorption was being delayed, the Joint Forum demanded repatriation of BSNL executives and non-executives back to DOT. The letter dated 17-09-2008 put it strongly that there cannot be any discrimination to the executives and non-executives.
The JF also demanded the DOT that the 93 million tender for mobile lines should be finalized and the equipment purchased without delay. (To be continued)
06 Saturday Jun 2020
Posted in BSNL, P&T TU Movement
Com. B.N.Ghosh, who was respectfully called Dada Ghosh by the P and T Fraternity and the First Secretary General of National federation of P and T Employees (NFPTE) left us 59 years back on 7th June 1961.
Dada Ghosh was the Circle Secretary of the Postal and RMS Union, Bengal and Assam Circle during the II World War period and toured the conflict areas of Assam during the bombing by the Japanese and gave courage to the Postal workers to stick to their posts and continue duties. He lost his wife and son, while he was on the tour.
As the first Secretary General of NFPTE, which was formed on 24th November 1954, he took initiative in forming the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers which along with AIRF and AIDEF organised the historic 5 days strike in 1960 on the demand of Need Based Minimum Wage and DA according to cost of living index.
(He has written the history of the P and T Trade Union movement for the period 1939 to 1954 in a detailed manner, which I am posting in installments in this blog.).
Red salute to Com. Dada Ghosh on his death anniversary!
05 Friday Jun 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, Pension
PRESS NEWS
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
UNION MINISTER DR. JITENDRA SINGH LAUNCHES E-BOOKLET ON ONE YEAR ACHIEVEMENTS OF DOPPW UNDER MODI GOVERNMENT 2.0
PENSION REFORMS HUGELY BENEFITTED THE LIVES OF THE PENSIONERS: DR JITENDRA SINGH
Posted On: 04 JUN 2020 7:18PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today launched an e-Booklet on one year achievements of the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW)” through Video Conferencing (VC).
Dr. Jitendra Singh, while addressing all the officers of the Department congratulated the team for carrying out a series of reforms which not only high-lighted the sensitivity of the Modi Government but also the dedication of the team during the trying times of the Pandemic. He stated that the department went outside its call of duty to organize a webinar on Covid by bringing in leading doctors to address the anxiety and fears of the Pensioners. He stated that the Department is blessed with the unique opportunity of being able to serve the elderly and retired which no other department has
Among a series of reforms in Pension policy, the most notable was the Amendment of Rule 54 of CCS Pension Rules, 1972 to provide enhanced Family Pension in the event of unfortunate death of Government servant even before completion of 7 years of service.
Earlier only those families were eligible for enhanced family Pension (@50% of last pay drawn) wherein the deceased government servant had completed 7 years of service.
Another landmark OM in the recent year was extending the Old Pension scheme to those employees who joined on or after 01.01.2004 but whose result for recruitment had been declared before 01.01.2004. This was a long standing demand of employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS) and was the cause of several court cases and anxiety among such employees.
Soon after the formation of the new government a series of welfare measures for the Pensioners were also carried out such as opening of an “Integrated Grievance Cell & Call Centre with Toll free number 1800-11-1960 ” to facilitate elderly pensioners in registering their grievances and get information of pending grievances, holding of “All India Pension Adalat” wherein more than 50 locations were connected through live interactive video conferencing which resulted in resolution of more than 4000 grievances by a single event.
The other welfare activities carried out in the last one year include facilitating doorstep service for submission of life certificate with the help of Pension Disbursing Banks, DLC from home campaign by involving Pensioners’ Associations in 24 cities, organizing the First Regional Adalat at Jammu, and issuance of consolidated instructions to banks in order to ensure ease of living for pensioners.
The Department also organized a tele-consultation for pensioners on Covid 19 with renowned Pulmonologist & Director AIIMS, Dr Randeep Guleria & Dr Prasun Chatterjee, Associate Professor AIIMS.
Dr Kshatrapati Shivaji, Secretary (P&PW), thanked the Union Minister for consistently guiding DoPPW to make Pension reforms which hugely affected the lives of the Pensioners. He stated that this is one of the few Departments which even prior to Covid pandemic was 100% on e-office and therefore the transition to work from home at the height of the pandemic was easy to implement. All officials have been provided with a VPN which enables them to work from wherever they are and therefore the working of this Department remained unaffected during the pandemic.
Joint Secretary, Shri Sanjiv Narain Mathur conducted the proceedings which were completely online with all senior officers of the Department present through VC. Shri Ruchir Mittal, DS gave the vote of thanks. (Press Release)
23 Saturday May 2020
There are a lot of expectations among Indians about the launching of the 5G service in India. However, as per media reports, 5 spectrum auctioning will not be held in 2020. It is understood that auctioning of 4G spectrum will be held this year and 5G spectrum auctioning is being deferred to 2021. The reasons behind this delay in the auctioning of 5G spectrum are as follows:-
The biggest reason for the delay is said to be the uncertainty, whether Huawei and ZTE will be allowed to deploy 5G networks in India.
Telecom Companies feel that the base price of Rs.492 crore per unit of 5G spectrum is very high.
There is uncertainty over the quantum 5G spectrum available for telecom companies, since Department of Space and Ministry of Defence are pressing for the allotment of more 5G spectrum to them.
Media reports also say that, Vodafone Idea and Airtel want 5G spectrum auctioning to be delayed, since both these companies are in financial trouble. (Courtesy: BSNLEU website)
21 Thursday May 2020
Posted in BSNL, BSNL - Better Service to the Nation
Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -13
National Seminar of BSNL Employees – 7th September 2007
As decided by the Joint Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, a successful National Convention of BSNL employees was organized at Eastern Court premises, New Delhi on 7th September 2007. A large pandal was erected on the lawns of the Eastern Court premises, which accommodated the MTNL offices and a part of the BSNL offices. More than 500 delegates from all parts of the country attended.
A Presidium consisting of Comrades K.Vallinayagam (FNTO), J.N.Mishra (BSNLEU), R.N.Pande (NFTE), A.A.Khan (SNEA), K.Sathyanarayana (AIBSNLEA), S.S.Tomar (BSNLMS), S.P.Shrivastava (TEPU), M.C.Sharma (BSNLWRU), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL), D.P.Patwa (AIBCTES), R.S.Yadav (BSNL ATM) and Dhiraj Choudhary (SNATTA) conducted the proceedings.
Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, GS, BSNLEU and Convener JF welcomed all, especially the delegation of Confederation of South Korean Trade Unions, which was visiting India and attended the convention. The leader of the delegation Com. Lee Sukhaeng greeted and congratulated the union for the strong fight against privatization. Convener spoke about the present situation of BSNL and the tasks ahead.
Com.M.K.Pandhe, President CITU, Sitaram Yechury, M.P., Gurudas Dasgupta M.P., Harish Rawat M.P. C.Kuppusamy M.P.and other trade union leaders addressed the convention and congratulated the BSNL workers for their struggle to save BSNL and conveyed their support and solidarity to the struggle.
Comrade M.B.Vichare (NFTE), M.R.Vasisht (FNTO), Swapan Chakraborty (BSNLEU), S.L.Reddy (SNEA), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), Suresh Kumar (BSNLMS), V.Subburaman (TEPU), Raj Kishore (BSNLWRU), Hari Singh (BTU BSNL) and A.D.Patil (AIBCTES) also addressed the convention.
The Declaration of the National Convention on the demands and agitational programmes to strengthen BSNL and provide a better service to the people was presented by the Convener JF and unanimously adopted by the house. The Convention called upon the workers to continue the struggle and to organize effective campaign and also to organize one day long dharna at circle level on 11th October 2007.
The Reception Committee headed by Coms. A.A.Khan and R.S.Chouhan made all arrangements in a very effective manner.
11 Monday May 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLEU
Despite the assurance of the DOT and BSNL Management that the payment of salary etc. will be normalised once VRS is implemented, the payment of salary to employees is still a question mark. The April salary has not been paid, though it is 11th May today. The society dues deducted from the ex-gratia and leave encashment from the VRS pensioners are yet to be paid to the co-operative societies causing much financial difficulties to the societies as well as the pensioners.
BSNL should take immediate action to settle the above issues.
09 Saturday May 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNLEU
Despite many assurance about the Revival of BSNL, the government is trying to scuttle the efforts of BSNL to purchase 4 G equipment and start services. Objections raised by the private companies are being considered and tender being frozen. AUAB has strongly opposed and wide publicity is given in the press also.
If the government is sincere about the Revival of BSNL, then immediate action is to be taken to purchase equipment on the basis of the tenders floated and start 4 G services.
The Prime minister should intervene and set right the matter.
08 Friday May 2020
Meeting with CMD BSNL on22nd July 2006.
In the backdrop of the decisions taken by the Joint Forum and the serious preparations for the agitational programmes including strike, a meeting was arranged by the CMD BSNL Shri A.K.Sinha on 22nd July 2006. BSNL senior officers were also present.
Detailed discussions took place in the meeting, the gist of which is given below:
1. No Disinvestment of BSNL – The Joint Forum strongly opposed to the proposal of IPO worth 10% of the paid up capital over and above the existing shares, which will be only moving to privatization. CMD stated that there is no requirement of additional funds now and that there need not be any apprehension about IPO.
2. No unbundling of local loop – Though a committee under the chairmanship of Secretary DOT has been formed, no decision has been taken so far in the matter. The committee will look in to all options. He also mentioned that the earlier assurance of the Minister in this matter still holds good.
3. No sharing of BSNL infrastructure – The JF strongly opposed the move to share BSNL infrastructure. The move to erect towers of private companies in BSNL premises was also pointed out. CMD stated there is no proposal at present.
The JF also demanded that there should be no reduction in revenue sharing by the private companies. The delay in grant of Navaratna status to BSNL was pointed out with the demand that it should be granted early. The immediate need for grant of autonomy for BSNL, Expansion of Mobile and Broadband services and amicable settlement of ITS absorption issue were also discussed.
Demonstrations on 27th July and sending of Telegrams to the Prime minister were successfully organized. (To be continued).
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