08 Thursday Jan 2015
Com. V.Ramesh, General Secretary of All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA) has directed its units to extend all support and solidarity to the SAVE BSNL Campaign. In Delhi, Com. A.K.Bhatnagar, General Secretary, North Zone, contacted and offered his full support to the campaign programme.
Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations thanks AIIEA and its leaders for the kind gesture of solidarity and support.
07 Wednesday Jan 2015
Posted in BSNL News, Forum, TU News - India
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The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations in its meeting held on 7th January has called upon the BSNL workers to organise demonstrations in all SSAs/Circles and Corporate Office on 8th January in support of the striking coal workers protesting against the Coal Ordinance which aims for disinvest/privatisation of coal sector.
A strong message should go to the government from all workers in the country that they will not allow the precious coal sector to be privatised /disinvested.
Organise the demonstration with mass participation.
06 Tuesday Jan 2015
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum
FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.
Press Release 06th January, 2015
Massive three days dharna by BSNL employees
Thousands of BSNL employees sat on dharna to day, 6th January, in front of the offices/exchanges of BSNL demanding immediate action to provide mobile equipments, broadband modem, cables etc. as also installation of BTS/Towers to enable the employees to provide a better service to the customers. The call for organising three day dharna from 6th to 8th January was given by the Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations which is the umbrella organisation of the unions and associations in BSNL.
This is part of the agitational programmes planned by the Forum for improvement of services as also to pressurize the management and the government to take necessary steps to revive BSNL. The entire cash balance of BSNL of more than Rs.40,000 crore has been taken over by the government in the name of a notional loan, high charges for spectrum compared to the charges taken from private companies, dividend etc. leaving BSNL without any funds for purchase of equipments. Even after surrendering the spectrum two years back, the refund of more than Rs. 6,000 crore to BSNL is yet to be paid. An amount Rs. 1,250 crore allotted from USO Fund for 2012-13 for the loss incurred by BSNL for providing connections in rural area, according to the policy of the government to provide universal connectivity, is yet to be paid. The government which continues to assure that it will not allow BSNL to die, is in fact planning everything to destroy its own company, in order to favour the private companies, who have donated large funds to the election of the ruling and the main opposition party. It is also reported that some of the ministers in the UPA and NDA governments have been the advocates of the private telecom companies, before joining the Cabinet and have received hefty sums from them.
BSNL is not having a regular CMD for almost an year. Two important posts of Directors are also vacant. The Forum demands that these posts be filled up immediately so that there will some governance at least. Fresh recruitment is necessary since more than 1,30,000 employees have retired without any substitute. The BSNL Management with ITS officers, who are on permanent deputation from government, at its helm, has no commitment or interest to take the company to better heights. Their commitment to the BSNL can be measured by the fact that a few hundreds of them have joined the rival private telecom companies immediately after their retirement from service, without even waiting for the cooling period to end. Though decision was taken to recruit Management Trainees, the process is yet to be completed.
It is in this context that the Forum of BSNL unions/associations has decided to organise action programmes, including 3 days dharna from 6th to 8th January 2015, a Parliament March on 25th February, Memorandum to Prime Minister and Indefinite Strike from 17th March 2015, if the demands are not settled. Despite notice issued to Secretary, DOT and CMD BSNL, with copy to the Communications Minister, none of them have even called the unions/associations for a discussion in the matter. It is under these circumstances that the Forum has been compelled to continue with its action programmes.
The dharna with massive participation have been organised in all the SSAs and CGM Offices, with a total participation of more than 20,000 workers. In New Delhi, the dharna was organised in front of the BSNL Corporate office, with the participation of more than 300 employees. It was inaugurated by V.A.N.Namboodiri, Convener of the Forum and was addressed by P.Abhimanyu (BSNLEU), Islam Ahmed (NFTE), K.Sebastin (SNEA), Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), Jayaprakash (FNTO) and other leaders. The dharna will continue for two more days.
V.A.N.Namboodiri
Convener Mob: 09868231431
29 Monday Dec 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum, Telecom
The pressure put by the private telecom companies and MNCs that more spectrum should be available for auction is having results. The DoT has prepared a Cabinet Note on the auction of spectrum, which will be first sent to the Defence and Finance Ministries for approval before submitting to the Cabinet. The reports indicate that there will be 5MHz in the 2100 MHz band across 17 out of 22 telecom circles for auction.
It is understood that some more spectrum will be released by the Defence for allocation for auction as required by the private telcos. There was a demand from the Cellular Operations Association of India (COAI) that some spectrum should be released from BSNL, which the BSNL management has not so far agreed. But pressure will be mounting.
The requirements of the private companies have become more important for the government, than that of its own!
24 Wednesday Dec 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum
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We are giving below the letter written to other unions by Forum for solidarity and support in the SAVE BSNL Campaign:
FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.
Forum/GL 24.12.2014
Sub: SAVE BSNL Campaign – Support requested.
Dear Comrade,
BSNL, the telecom PSU, fully owned by the government, is facing serious difficulties both financially as well as in providing a satisfactory service to the customers.
BSNL, though being the market leader both in landlines and Broadband, is far below major private telecom operators, with only less than 10% of market share. The Company is in loss for the last 4 years, with an accumulated loss of about Rs.28,000 crores, though in the first seven years, it had earned more than Rs.48,000 crores as profit.
The loss of market share and also poor service have been mainly due to the non-procurement of essential mobile equipment, broadband modem, cables, dropwire, telephone instrument, towers etc. BSNL, though granted licence for mobile connections only in 2002, after 7 years of the same granted to private companies, forged ahead with positive growth and became the second biggest mobile connection provider and was almost going to became number one. But the Central Govt. denied its permission to purchase mobile and other equipments and ensured that no development and expansion takes place in order to allow the private players to move ahead.
The govt. went back from all its promises to financially assist BSNL for its loss making connections in rural areas, which was socially necessary for universal service. Further the government took away the more than Rs.40,000 crores of surplus cash balance with BSNL on one plea or another putting BSNL unable to purchase equipment to expand and develop.
The inefficiency of BSNL top Management, who do not belong to BSNL and are mainly ITS (Indian Telecom Service) officers on deputation from govt., has worsened the situation. Many of them are influenced by the private telecom companies, resulting in a precarious situation.
The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations have been taking up all these issues both with the Government and BSNL Management. The BSNL workers went on a one day successful strike on 11th July, 2007, only on the demand of procuring mobile connections and developmental issues, which resulted in some temporary results. Both the earlier UPA and the present NDA government are continuously taking pro-private and anti-BSNL decisions making BSNL financially unviable and crippling its services.
The Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations of Non-Executives and Executives had organised several agitational programmes to pressurise government and Management to take suitable decisions for the Revival of BSNL. Since there is no response, the Forum has decided further programme of agitation as follows:
1. 3 days Dharna at all SSA offices (District) Circle offices (State) capitals and at BSNL Corporate Office, New Delhi from 6th to 8th January, 2015.
2. A Parliament March by thousands of BSNL Workers on 25th February, 2015.
3. Indefinite Strike from 17th March, 2015.
It is also decided to submit a Memorandum signed by more than one crore people and employees to the Prime Minister on the day of the Parliament March with demands for taking necessary measures for Revival of BSNL. A massive SAVE BSNL Campaign is also being organised. Copy of the Memorandum to be signed by the public is enclosed herewith for your information and necessary action.
We seek your full support and solidarity in the SAVE BSNL Campaign and the programmes of action. You are also requested to direct your units to give support to the SAVE BSNL Campaign being organised by BSNL Unions / Associations.
With Warm greetings,
Yours Fraternally,
VAN Namboodiri
Convener, Forum.
Mob: 9868231431
To
Com.
General Secretary,
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23 Tuesday Dec 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum
In order to discuss about the implementation of the three days dharna from 6th to 8th January 2015 on the SAVE BSNL Campaign, and also organising the Parliament March on 25th February, a meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations will be held at 03.00 PM at BSNL MS office on 30th December 2014. All unions are requested to participate in time.
19 Friday Dec 2014
Posted in BSNL - Better Service to the Nation, Forum
The Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations of Non-Executives and Executives, in its meeting has decided to invite all the unions/associations in BSNL, who have not become part of the Forum so far, to join the massive SAVE BSNL campaign and the action programme decided by the Forum. The Convener of the Forum, Com. VAN Namboodiri has been authorised to contact all these unions and invite them accordingly.
Therefore, it is requested that all these unions/associations may kindly be part of the SAVE BSNL Campaign. All these general secretaries are being contacted by the Convener.
07 Sunday Dec 2014
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The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations has finalised the Memorandum to be submitted to the Prime Minister on the Revival of BSNL. The agitational programmes including Indefinite Strike from 17th March 2015 have also been finalised by Forum. Both the Memorandum as well as Forum Circular are given below: The Memorandum is to be got signed by maximum people as also the BSNL employees.
FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole Market, New Delhi – 110 001.
Forum/GL 05.12.2014
Indefinite Strike from 17th March, 2015.
The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations, the umbrella organisation of Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives in BSNL has called upon the BSNL workers to go on an indefinite strike from 17th March, 2015 demanding the Central Government and BSNL Management to take immediate steps for the revival of BSNL, which is on loss for the last four consecutive years. The market share of BSNL has come down to about 10%, mainly due to non-procurement of required equipment like mobile connections, cable, broadband modem, drop wire, towers etc. resulting in deterioration of services as well as a blockade for development and expansion. Several pleas to the government and BSNL Management have fallen on deaf ears.
The neo-liberal policy being aggressively adopted by both the UPA and NDA governments is the main reason for the downfall of BSNL with its implementation of the motto “Business is not the business of government” and favouring the MNCs and private telecom companies.
Under these circumstances, the Forum has decided in its meeting on 5th December, 2014 to organise the following agitational programme, culminating on Indefinite Strike from 17th March, 2015.
The meeting finalized the Memorandum to the Prime Minister and the Circular to be issued.
The strike notice with the demands have already been served to the CMD BSNL, Secretary DoT and Chief Labour Commissioner on 19.11.2014 signed by the General Secretaries of Unions / Associations.
Charter of Demands:
Filling up the posts of CMD/BSNL and Director(Finance) and DIR(HR) of BSNL Board, which are vacant for months.
Stop formation of subsidiary companies of BSNL.
Compensation for loss on landlines for rural / remote area service.
Procurement of equipment for development, expansion and better service, more focus on laying OF cable to strengthen the transmission network.
Transfer of Assets to BSNL
Drop proposal for Merger of BSNL and MTNL.
Spectrum Liberalisation and Trading.
Pension Contribution on actual basic pay instead of maximum of the pay scale for the employees absorbed from DoT to BSNL.
Reject the recommendation of TRAI to force BSNL to surrender 1.2 MHz spectrum in premium 900 MHz band.
Reject M/s Deloittee Consultant recommendations
Free allotment of spectrum to BSNL
Provide financial assistance to BSNL to expand network.
BBNL should be merged with BSNL
BSNL should start 4G Services.
Refund of BWA spectrum charges to BSNL by the Government for the spectrum surrendered by BSNL.
78.2% IDA merger fixation for pre-2007 and post-2007 Pensioners.
Pension Revision of BSNL Pensioners
Fresh Recruitment of Staff.
BSNL service to be mandatory to Central Government, State Government and PSUs.
Condition of mandatory purchase of equipments from ITI to be scrapped.
Implement cabinet decision on 30% superannuation benefits to BSNL direct recruited employees.
Dear Comrades,
BSNL is the asset of the Nation. It is the bread and butter of the employees. People want BSNL services and also improvement. This is a ‘Do or Die’ situation for the workers.
It is, therefore, requested that all the BSNL workers be mobilized in all the programmes in a massive way compelling the government and BSNL Management to accept our demands and save BSNL.
SAVE BSNL – SAVE NATION
V.A.N. Namboodiri
Convener
To,
The General Secretaries of Executive / Non-Executive Unions / Associations in BSNL.
FORUM OF BSNL UNIONS / ASSOCIATIONS
D-7, Telegraph Place, Gole
05.12.2014
SAVE BSNL – SAVE NATION
Memorandum to the Prime Minister
Respected Sir,
As you are well aware, the telecom PSU, BSNL, is in serious financial crisis with posting of loss for the last consecutive four years. It’s market share has reached a low 10% and expansion and development slowed due to lack of mobile and other equipment urgently required.
It was assured at the time of formation of BSNL that the govt. will provide financial assistance to the new entity through Access Deficit Charge (ADC) collected from private companies, reimbursement of licence fee paid by BSNL to government and liberal subsidy from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). But, unfortunately, all these are either fully stopped or reduced. At the same time, all the cash balance of BSNL coming to about Rs.40,000 crore has been taken by the government through spectrum charges (Rs.18,500 crore) notional loan (Rs.7500 crore and interest at 14.5%), licence fee etc. etc. As such BSNL, which had an accumulated profit of about Rs.45,000 crores for the first five years and was paying good dividends to government is now in an accumulated loss of around Rs.28,000 crore for the last four years. As a result, Bonus and many social security benefits like Medical Allowance, LTC are either stopped or curtailed.
The employees and their unions in BSNL together have been making all out efforts to improve the services to the people. But due to the shortage of equipment and anti-PSU and pro-private policies of the consecutive governments, revival is facing serious hurdles.
In order to save BSNL from the present financial crisis and also to provide a better service to the people, we submit the following for your kind consideration and necessary action.
Charter of Demands:
Filling up the posts of CMD/BSNL and Director(Finance) and DIR(HR) of BSNL Board, which are vacant for months.
Stop formation of subsidiary companies of BSNL.
Compensation for loss on landlines for rural / remote area service.
Procurement of equipment for development, expansion and better service, more focus on laying OF cable to strengthen the transmission network.
Transfer of Assets to BSNL
Drop proposal for Merger of BSNL and MTNL.
Spectrum Liberalisation and Trading.
Pension Contribution on actual basic pay instead of maximum of the pay scale for the employees absorbed from DoT to BSNL.
Reject the recommendation of TRAI to force BSNL to surrender 1.2 MHz spectrum in premium 900 MHz band.
Reject M/s Deloittee Consultant recommendations
Free allotment of spectrum to BSNL
Provide financial assistance to BSNL to expand network.
BBNL should be merged with BSNL
BSNL should start 4G Services.
Refund of BWA spectrum charges to BSNL by the Government for the spectrum surrendered by BSNL.
78.2% IDA merger fixation for pre-2007 and post-2007 Pensioners.
Pension Revision of BSNL Pensioners
Fresh Recruitment of Staff.
BSNL service to be mandatory to Central Government, State Government and PSUs.
Condition of mandatory purchase of equipments from ITI to be scrapped.
Implement cabinet decision on 30% superannuation benefits to BSNL direct recruited employees.
Yours faithfully,
| No. | Name | Designation | Signature |
07 Sunday Dec 2014
Posted in Forum
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Lakhs of workers and common people participated in the Kolkata Rally organised by the 19 Left Parties on 6th December 2014, the 22 anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Mazjid day, protesting against Communalism and for Communal Harmony. The rally showed that all the Left parties have come together to protest against the communalist forces and have been able to mobilise large number of people for Communal Harmony.
This should continue and further strengthen.
05 Friday Dec 2014
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Decisions of the Forum Meeting held on 5th December 2015
The meeting of the Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations of Non-Executives and Executives held on 5th December 2014 has taken the following decisions after detailed discussion with regard to the proposed Indefinite Strike, Parliament March, Campaign etc. on the agitation for Revival of BSNL:
V.A.N.Namboodiri 05-12-2014
Convener, Forum
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 