Category Archives: General

vannamboodiri.com completes 6,000 blog posts

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

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During the past few years since 2010,  when this blog vannamboodiri.com started, I have been trying to post blogs which are of interest to the BSNL workers, PSUs, to the employees and workers at large and also on general subjects. This includes strong criticism of the anti-people neo-liberal policy being implemented by the government. Sometimes, educational material were also put. A series of articles on the BSNL and P and T Trade Union Movement also have been posted. One series is being published now also.

I am happy that I have been getting full support and encouragement from many comrades, friends and well wishers in this respect. I had tried to reply to the comments made by our readers to the extent possible.

While putting this 6000 post, once again I convey my Best Wishes and Greetings to you all and request continued support in my effort!

8th September – International Literacy Day

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in General, WORLD NEWS

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Today, 8th September 2015, is the International Literacy Day. The theme for this International Literacy Day is “Literacy and Sustainable Societies” as per UNESCO.

India has got the maximum number of illiterates in the world. Despite almost 7 decades after India got independence, the literacy has not improved much. While declarations and assurances from the central government is galore in this matter, not much effort is not made. Even the allotment for elementary education in the budget is coming down. The governments are not interested in increasing literacy due to their own vested interests. Maximum literacy is in Tripura and Kerala, which have reached the position during the Left Party Rule.

A great movement for full literacy in the country should come up with the support of the government, the institutions and the people.

Contract workers should not be more than 50% of regular employees – new proposal?

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, General

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The great success of the 2nd September 2015 National One Day Strike participated by more than 15 crore workers on their 12 point demands, has made the government to think. The withdrawal of the BMS on dictate from the RSS, did not had much impact on the strike. Many BMS units have gone on strike, despite the decision of the leaders.

Now, it is reported that the government is thinking about reducing  the  engagement of contract workers. At present, in many PSUs as well as in private sector, contract workers are engaged much more than the regular employees, that too at far below the wages of the regular employees. This has created much tension and anger.

The government,it is stated, is thinking of limiting the contract workers at 50% of the regular workforce and pay them minimum wage. But the demand of the trade unions are that the contract workers should be regularised and till that time, they should be given equal wages – Equal wage for equal work. The proposal of the government will not solve the problem. Neither will it end the exploitation of the contract workers.

Six Left Parties jointly will contest Bihar Elections

07 Monday Sep 2015

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Patna, Sept 7 : Six major Left parties today joined hands to contest the forthcoming Bihar Assembly elections and vowed to fight the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U)-RJD-Congress grand alliance.

Asserting that they were starting an “agitation” for the state, which would “defeat feudal, communal and corporate forces”, the Left parties said they have come together to provide an option to the public to provide “people’s rule” in the true sense.

The six Left parties which joined hands today include the Communist Party of India (CPI), CPI(M), CPI(ML), Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI)(Communist), All India Forward Bloc and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) and were currently in the process of finalising the seat-sharing for the 243-member Assembly. (PTI)

 

EPFO raises insurance cover from Rs. 3.6 lakhs to Rs. 5.5 Lakhs

07 Monday Sep 2015

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The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is proposing  to increase the maximum amount assured for its Employees’ Linked Insurance Scheme from Rs. 3.6 lakhs to Rs. 5.5 lakhs. This is a much needed change since the earlier amount was fixed years back.

Call Drops – Mainly due to lack of infrastructure like towers.

07 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in BSNL News, General, Telecom

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The TRAI has criticised the telecom companies for the continued call drops since it is mainly due to the lack of infrastructure like towers. The telecom companies are providing connections much more than their capacity to serve. While there has been increase of 12% in GSM calls  and 106% in data usage, the number of base stations have gone up  only by 8%. The telecom operators have been asked to provide the details of the infrastructure, number of towers etc. by the TRAI.

WFTU Support to TUs in Ukraine

06 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by in General, TU News - International, WFTU

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A WFTU Mission headed by Paola Palmieri, leader of USB Italy will visit Lugansk, Ukraine on 22-25 September to express the solidarity of the 92 million workers represented by the WFTU in 126 countries to the people and the working class in Ukraine against the imperialist aggressiveness.

The WFTU Mission will meet with the Trade Union Federation of Lugansk People’s Republic, express the internationalist solidarity and support of the international class-oriented trade unions in their struggle and welcome them officially in the WFTU family as a newly affiliated Organization according to the resolution of the WFTU Presidential Council held in Geneva, Switzerland on June 2015.

With public statements, appeals, protest letters and international activities, the WFTU has expressed “its indignation on the crimes and barbarities of neo-fascists in Ukraine” and has clearly stated that: “a big part of responsibility of the crimes in Ukraine is bear by USA, NATO and the European Union who support and assist the Government of Neo-fascist forces in Ukraine.”

The WFTU denounces the reactionary Government of Ukraine which with the support of powerful business interests has brought great suffering to the Ukrainian people. The WFTU denounces the violation of democratic and political freedoms such as the persecution of the Communist Party and its activity. The WFTU demands now the peaceful solution of the military conflict.

THE SECRETARIAT

 

 

 

Govt. releases Rs. 2,000 crore to Employees Pension Scheme(EPS)

03 Thursday Sep 2015

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The government has paid Rs. 2,000 crore to the Employees Pension Scheme (EPS), to enable it to pay a minimum Pension of Rs. 1,000 to all those covered by the Scheme. About 50% of the existing pensioners under EPS were getting below Rs. 500 only as monthly pension.After the continuous demand of the Central Trade Unions, it was assured last year that at least a minimum pension of Rs.1,000 will be paid to all covered under the EPS. It is towards this that the amount has been released by the government.

BSNL – Positive and Negative growth in Circles

03 Thursday Sep 2015

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CMD BSNL has issued letters to all CGMs intimating the positive/negative growth in the circles and asking immediate attention for improvement.

The circles which has shown good growth are  Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala, Odisha and Lakshadweep.

The negative growth are in 10 circles: Chennai, T.Nadu, W.Bengal, J and K, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, M.P., NE-II, and UP(West).

We hope that all Circles will make maximum efforts for further growth.

 

Govt.to invest Rs. 8.5 Lakhs Crore for Indian Railways – MoS Finance

03 Thursday Sep 2015

Posted by in Disinvestment, General, Neo-liberal policy

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According to the Minister of State for Finance, Jayant Sinha, the government will invest Rs. 8.5 lakh crore for the Railway Sector. The amount is being invested to change the face of the sector, the MoS stated.

The reality is something different. The government has already decided for private participation in the Railways. These Rs. 8.5 lakhs will be utilised to ‘make it easy’ for the corporates to run the railways. It is to be remembered here that the government (Airport Authority) spent thousands of crore of rupees for the modernisation  of Chennai and Kolkata Airports. Immediately afterwards, the government decided for private participation of these two profitable airports with about Rs.200 – 300 crore of investment from corporates. It was only due to the strong opposition from the Airport employees as also the public that the government was compelled to defer it.

In Railways also, the investment will be from the Government and the profit will go to the private. Why the government could not think about the investment before any private participation was thought of. It is clear. PPP means, funds from the Public and the Profit for the corporates! Of course, Modi Government has to repay the huge election funds got from the corporates and big business.