Category Archives: BSNL

About VRS in BSNL

18 Monday Nov 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, AUAB, BSNL, BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

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

Posted by in AUAB, BSNL, TU News - India

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

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

≈ 2 Comments

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.

Decision to reduce retirement age from 60 to 58 in BSNL is in violation of 2000 agreement.

22 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU

≈ 3 Comments

The reported decision of the central govt to reduce the retirement age of BSNL employees from 60 to 58 is against the assurance of the central government that the opted employees will not be at any disadvantage in BSNL. This was clearly stated at the time of the formation of BSNL. The retirement age for CG employees is 60 now, and it can not be reduced for the BSNL employees.

Further, the employees have planned so many arrangements like marriage of sons/daughters, construction of houses, refund of loans and other financial dealings taking in to consideration that they will be  getting salary till they complete 60 years. All these plans will be smashed, if the retirement age is reduced from 60 to 58.

Further, more than  20,000 employees will be retiring in the next two years even without reducing the retirement year. Then why this unusual haste.

The amount which will be required immediately for the pensionary benefits can be utilised for the development/expansion of BSNL.

The BSNL Unions/Associations have strongly protested against the move to reduce retirement age and organised massive protest demonstrations. Further programmes are on the anvil.

The govt should drop the decision.

Closure / Privatisation of PSUs will be a national disaster – SAVE PSU , SAVE NATION!

25 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by in BSNL, PSU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

 

Move to close or privatise the central PSUs, one after another, by the Modi government will, no doubt, lead the country to a national disaster. It is these 340 and more PSUs, which built up the infrastructure in various sectors and strengthened the economy. It is the nationalised banks which saved India from the financial crisis of 2007, which engulfed almost all the countries in the world. LIC, despite its moderate start, is one of the mighty PSUs, which gives financial assistance to the centre, whenever required and demanded. The dividend and taxes paid by the PSUs to the government come to  lakhs of crores of rupees.

It is only the machinations of the government and the corporates, that some of the major PSUs like BSNL, Air India, ITI, HMT have become loss making. Air India and Indian Airlines were profitable till they were arbitrarily merged and also till orders for 111 flights were ordered at the behest of the Minister when only one third of that number was required for the company. ITI was made loss making by not giving it orders for telecom equipment by BSNL and MTNL as also under-utilising the manufacturing  equipments. The case of HMT is not different. HAL is being weakened by not giving its due order for manufacture of planes, by diverting the same to the unskilled, newly formed company of Anil Ambani. Nationalised Banks are being weakened by merger, reducing the customer base as also weakening the entire sector. Profitable railway stations and trains are being handed over to private companies, leaving the loss making stations and trains with the Indian Railways. Privatising the Airports were done after all the modernisation has been done by the Airport Authority of India spending thousands of crores of rupees.

It is the ordinary people who are at the receiving end. Train and Air charges and mobile charges will be increased as in the case huge increase in petrol and diesel prices. Prices of essential commodities will be increased.

Unless this reckless and anti-people privatisation is stopped, the common people are going to suffer much more.

SAVE PSU – SAVE NATION!

 

 

Telecom Officers on trial in France after privatisation.

11 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Former top Executives of France Telecom, including the company’s CEO, Director (HR) and Deputy Executive Director are undergoing trial in France. The charge against them is that, they created a hostile work environment, as a result of which 35 telecom employees committed suicide between 2007 and 2010. France Telecom was privatised in 2003. In 2007, an aggressive plan was implemented to cut down the strength of the employees. Accordingly, 22,000 employees, out of the total 1,30,000 workforce, were retrenched. Consequent to this, the workload of the employees increased tremendously. Further, the employees were also subjected to humiliation, accuses Solidaires Unitaires Democratiques, a French trade union. For example, a 28 year old employee hanged himself in 2009, after being transferred. The day before he killed himself, the employee had worked a 12 hour shift, with a single 30 minute break. In 2013 France Telecom was re-branded as Orange. If found guilty, the top Executives will get jail term upto one year and a fine of 15,000 euros as fine.

Whatever happened in France Telecom appears to be repeating in BSNL. As a cost cutting measure, the government wants to retrench 40,000 employees through VRS and by rolling back the retirement age from 60 to 58. The young employees of BSNL are welcoming the government’s move to implement VRS and reduction of retirement age. But they do not know what will happen in BSNL thereafter. What exactly happened in France Telecom, between 2007 and 2010 is likely to repeat. The youngsters have to think about it. (BSNLEU Website)[Source: Business Insider – 10th July, 2019]

 

Decisions of the AUAB meeting held on 03.07.2019

04 Thursday Jul 2019

Posted by in BSNL

≈ Leave a comment

.
A meeting of the AUAB was held yesterday. Com.K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, presided over. General Secretaries / representatives of BSNLEU, SNEA, AIBSNLEA, BSNL MS and ATM attended the meeting. The meeting expressed it’s severe protest over the taking over of the ALTTC and other properties of BSNL, by the DoT. The meeting also discussed about the developments related to the monetisation of BSNL’s vacant lands, towers and fibre. After in-depth discussions, the following decisions are taken unanimously:-

1. To meet the new CMD BSNL and to discuss about revival of BSNL and certain other issues.
2. To call upon the Executives and Non-Executives of BSNL, to intensify the implementation of the “BSNL At Your Door Steps” movement, with the view to increase BSNL’s revenue collections.
3. To write letter to the DoT, opposing the taking away of BBNL’s maintenance works from BSNL.
4. To write reminders to the Hon’ble MoC & IT and to the Secretary, Telecom, for granting meeting to the AUAB.
(BSNLEU Website)

Corporate penetrate judiciary also.

10 Friday May 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU

≈ 2 Comments

Influential corporate houses had managed to penetrate the judiciary – says Justice Arun Mishra of the Supreme Court.
We know that the government policies are being influenced by the big corporates. One good example for this is the privatisation of the public sector companies. But, we are shocked to know that, the big corporates have penetrated into the Supreme Court also. This was revealed by none other than Justice Arun Mishra, of the Supreme Court. He has told that the influential corporate houses had managed to penetrate the judiciary. This statement is made by Justice Arun Mishra, because the judgement delivered by him in the open court, has been changed by the court staff, in the case of controversial builder, Amrapali.

(Courtesy: The Times of India dt. 09-05-2019 )(Courtesy: bsnleu.in)

BSNL Market Share increased from 10.22% to 10.63%

07 Tuesday May 2019

Posted by in BSNL, BSNL News

≈ 2 Comments

Despite all adverse conditions and discrimination by government, BSNL has increased its market share from 10.22% to 10.63% during March 2018 to February 2019. This was announced by BSNL Director (CN) Sheetla Prasad. This is when all telcos are losing market share except Reliance Jio, the favourite of the Modi government.

BSNL in a statement also said that it has installed 54,000 towers during 2018-2019, which is higher than the combined figures of previous three years.

Yes, BSNL can not be defeated. It is moving forward, though slowly.