Category Archives: Forum

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL -7 Meeting with CMD BSNL on 22nd July 2006.

08 Friday May 2020

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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).

Development on creation of Tower Subsidiary of BSNL

22 Thursday Mar 2018

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‘It is reliably learnt that DoT is mounting pressure on BSNL and directed BSNL to hold BSNL Board meeting urgently within days to ratify the appointment of CMD, BSNL Tower Company and to make it operational from 01.04.2018. All Unions and Associations in BSNL will be meeting to decide further course of action.’ (coutesy: SNEA website)

Certainly, it is the time for united action.

Drop the proposal to conduct member Ship Verification through check off.

18 Sunday Mar 2018

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

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The proposal of the BSNL Management to conduct the Membership Verification for recognising union through check off system, instead of the present system of secret ballot, is mischievous and merit no consideration. 7 Membership verification through secret ballot have been undertaken and all appreciated the process, which is fool proof. From the many experiences in the various PSUs and also in the government, we have deliberately chosen the Secret Ballot as the best method. Check off system is not fool proof and can be trampled by unscrupulous officers and management. The management should drop the new proposal for conducting membership verification through check off system and continue the present arrangements.

BSNL employees on war path for wage revision.

16 Monday Oct 2017

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BSNL employees under the leadership of ‘All Unions and Associations’ in BSNL, has started a series of agitational programmes demanding wage revision from 01-01-2017 and also against formation of separate tower company. The second demand is for saving BSNL and the first is for doing justice to the hard working employees, who have flown the flag of BSNL high and strong.
THE FIRST PROGRAMME WAS ORGANISED TODAY, 16th OCTOBER BY HOLDING MASSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS IN FRONT OF BSNL OFFICES/EXCHANGES. Despite the anti – BSNL stand of the government and the cut-throat competition by the biggest corporate in the country, Reliance, BSNL continues to march ahead only with the whole hearted dedication of the workers and the management. The stand of the DOT and the Communications Minister denying wage revision is not acceptable. The justifications for the wage revision have been fully submitted to the DOT and government by the Unions and Associations.

The government should not forget that despite its decision to disinvest and sell shares of BSNL, it could not be implemented due to the strong opposition of the workers. It is the same with the VRS which the government wanted for one lakh workers. The latter completely rejected VRS. The government could not implement its decision to unbundle its copper cables before the strong protest of the workers. Though the management and the government tried to deny a decent wage revision to employees w.e.f. 01-01-2007, through continuous struggles, they could achieve the same. This is the glorious history of BSNL workers.

If the government/DOT/Management do not concede the demands, the entire BSNL workers will be on war path. Unity and further unity is required to win the big battle. If no wage revision takes place, the future of the existing employees, the present and future pensioners and the BSNL direct recruitees will be bleak. Hence not only the employees, but the pensioners also have to completely join the struggle being organised by the workers. Of course, the government need not wait for grant of pension revision to the BSNL pensioners on the basis of the III PRC, since the pension is fully paid by the government and not the BSNL.

STRUGGLE FOR UNITY, UNITY FOR STRUGGLE AND UNITY & STRUGGLE FOR ADVANCEMENT.

March to Raj Bhawan, Collectorate etc. by the BSNL employees

09 Thursday Mar 2017

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I had the opportunity to attend and inaugurate the March by the BSNL employees organised at Kozhikode on 9th March 2017, as per the call of the BSNL Unions and Associations. Hundreds of workers marched through the streets  of the city and held the rally in front of the Income Tax Office. All the leaders of the various organisations addressed. Com. Jayarajan, Convener All Unions and Associations of BSNL and DS BSNLEU welcomed all.The workers participated enthusiastically. The March was organised to protest against the anti-PSU policy of the government and especially against the NITI Ayog recommendation for closure of BSNL, MTNL etc, against formation of Tower Company, demanding free 4 G spectrum to BSNL etc.

BSNL All Unions Meeting decides for Strike opposing Tower Company

16 Wednesday Nov 2016

Posted by in BSNL, Forum, General

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The All Unions meeting of BSNL Unions/Associations have unanimously decided to organise One Day Strike on 15th December 2016 demanding rescinding the decision to form a Subsidiary Tower Company, taking away all the more than 65,000 towers from BSNL. It is reported that the Cabinet has already taken such a decision. The formation of a Tower Company will completely shatter the revival of BSNL.

In order to mobilise for the strike a massive dharna will be organised on 25th November 2016 in all centres.

The time is short. But BSNL Employees have always been united in front of challenges and have defeated the move of the government, or rather decisions, to disinvest, unbundle valuable copper cables, impose VRS/CRS on workers, arbitrary merger of BSNL and MTNL without considering the fully justifiable demands of the workers etc. The government had to retreat on all these occasions in front of the united might of the employees, both executives and non-executives.

The coming 4 weeks are very important. It is the time for the leaders of the unions/associations at all levels to meet each and every worker and fully convince him/her about the ‘do or die’ situation and prepare for the strike and further action, if necessary.

Towards the One Day Strike on 15th December 2016 by the entire BSNL workers!

All Unions (BSNL) Meeting on 16th November 2016

15 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in BSNLEU, Forum, General

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A meeting of all unions/associations in BSNL will be held at 15.00 hours on 16th November 2016 at BSNL MS Union Office to discuss about the strategy and struggle to be organised to defeat the decision of the government to form a Tower Company bifurcating from BSNL. The initiative has been taken by BSNLEU and NFTE, the two recognised unions. The formation of the new Tower Company will have serious adverse effect on BSNL and its employees. It is is only a step to privatise the lakhs of towers constructed and being maintained by BSNL.

United struggles by the the entire workers is the need of the hour to save BSNL and its employees. We hope that all executive and Non-Executive unions/associations will participate in the meeting and help in taking suitable decisions.

UNITY FOR STRUGGLE, STRUGGLE FOR UNITY, AND UNITY AND STRUGGLE FOR PROGRESS!

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

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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.

Allot Spectrum free and implement assurances given to BSNL – Letter to Minister Communications

08 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Forum

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Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor AIBDPA and Founder Convener of the JAC/Joint Forum/ Forum addressed the following letter to Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of state for Communications, requesting allotment of free spectrum to BSNL and also asking to implement the assurances given at the time of formation of BSNL.

AIBDPA/DOT-MIN/2016                                                                                                                                             October 07, 2016

To

Shri Manoj Sinha,                                            

Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications,                                                                                      

Sanchar Bhawan, 

20, Ashoka Road, New Delhi 110001

Respected Sir,

Sub: Assistance to BSNL – reg

You are fully aware that BSNL is struggling to improve it’s finances, provide a better service to the customers and restore it’s past glory.

After 4 years of loss, it has posted operational profit in 2014-15 as also in 2015-16 and is expected to be profitable by 2017-18. The programmes implemented and continued to be implemented like “Customer Delight Year”, “Service With A Smile” etc. as also the beneficial packages for the customers, BSNL will improve it’s position, financially as well as providing service.

The main issue for BSNL is the scarcity of funds. For the last six months or so, BSNL has been providing maximum number of mobile connection, say 20 lakh or more and still continues to be the leader. It sufficient funds are made available, there will be much more progress.

It was not that BSNL was not having funds. The Rs. 40,000 crore surplus fund was mostly taken for spectrum charges to the extent of Rs.18,500 crores, refund of an imaginary loan of Rs.7,500 crore at high interest rate etc.

BSNL was assured financial assistance at the time of it’s formation, like ADC, refund of licence fee and liberal assistances from USOF for providing loss making services in villages and remote areas for implementation of the universal connectivity policy of the government. All these, except USOF support, are arbitrarily discontinued putting BSNL in a fix.

Now that the spectrum auction is over and the government have received about Rs.66,000 crore from the same, it is our request that a portion of the same, say about Rs.10,000 crore be given to BSNL as assistance or as refundable loan without interest. This will help BSNL in a big way for recovery. As promised earlier, either the licence fee for BSNL be waived or refunded. It is also requested that the government honour it’s assurances and commitment made at the time of formation of BSNL, on which 3.5 lakh workers got absorbed themselves in the PSU.

As a representative of the DoT & BSNL Pensioners Organisation, I may submit that many of our issues are also connected with the future of BSNL.
Expecting favourable decision

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully

V.A.N. Namboodiri

Advisor, AIBDPA

(former Convener of Forum of

BSNL Unions and Associations