Telephone subscriber in India crossed 1.074 billion at the end of September from 1.059 billion in the previous sequential quarter, registering a growth of 1.36 percent.

“The number of telephone subscribers in India increased from 1,059.86 million at the end of June 16 to 1,074.24 million at the end of September 16, registering a growth of 1.36 percent over the previous quarter.

“This reflects year-on-year growth of 5.05 percent over the same quarter of last year,” TRAI said in its latest report ‘Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicators for July-September, 2016’. (Press Report)

The VIII All India Conference of BSNL Employees Union held at Chennai from 31st December 2016 to 3rd January 2017 is a land mark in the history of BSNLEU. The discussions have been excellent and to the point. Important decisions for struggle against Tower Company, wage negotiation, strengthening the organisation, building unity etc. are taken.

My Hearty Congratulations and Best Wishes to the newly elected office bearers with Com. Balbir Singh (President), P.Abhimanyu(General Secretary), Swapan Chakraborty (Dy.General Secretary) and Gokul Bora (Treasurer).

The VIII All India Conference has started at Chennai, the cradle of  Indian trade unions, on 31st December, The last day of the last year 2016, inaugurated by Com.T.K.Rengarajan, veteran TU leader and Member of Parliament. About 2000 delegates are participating.The inaugural session was attended by more than 3000.

The Conference will continue for three more days in the New Year 2017.

Incidently many of the Federal Councils of NFPTE  and AIC of E.III Union were held similarly connecting the  past year and New year. 

Let us hope that this AIC will discuss and take important decisions about issues of workers, how to improve services and revive BSNL as also the future of the working class.

My Best Wishes and Warm Greetings to all our friends, Comrades and Well Wishers on the New Year Day 2017. 

Let the New Year be an opportunity for us to improve the condition of the toiling masses, the much exploited workers and those living in extremely hard conditions! 

Let this year be a period of intensive struggle against authoritarianism, intolerance, communal hatred and international capitalist exploitation!

Let this new year be a period of unity and struggle of the working class to bring in socialism where all are equal! A year of gender equality and an year where the aged and the children gets maximum consideration!

Let us remember that ‘time and tide does not wait’ for any body. We have to move forward with determination and commitment to reach our goal! March ahead with Unity on the struggle Path!

Best Wishes and Greetings on the occasion of X-Mas and New Year to all our Comrades, Friends and Visitors! Merry X-Mas, Happy New Year!

Com.P.Moidu, former Federal Councillor, NFPTE, Circle President T.III Union and a veteran leader of P&T TU movement passed away today, 21st December 2016 at Calicut. He was 90. He was victimised in the 1968 strike.

Along with Com.M.Vijay Kumar, AGS BSNLEU, I  paid homage to the senior leader, met family members and conveyed heartfelt condolence.

The Third Kerala Circle Conference of  BSNL Casual Contract Labour Union was held at Kannur on 18-19 December 2016. The CITU  Hall where the Conference was held was named in memory of Com.E.Balanandan, veteran Working class leader.

Com.K.N.Balagopal, Ex-M.P., President of CCLU presided.Com.Elamaram Karim, CITY Kerala General Secretary inaugurated. He congratulated BSNLEU for organising contract workers and fought for their rights.Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Animesh Mitra and other leaders addressed. The report presented by CCLU General Secretary Com.N.R.Somasekharan Nair was adopted. The delegate session was presided over by Com.K.Mohanan, Working President.

New Office- bearers were unanimously elected with Com.K.K.Ragesh M.P. as President, K.Mohanan as Workking President and N.R.S.Nair as General Secretary.

About 300 delegates participated. The Conference decided to strengthen the organisation and continue struggles on the important demands.

19th December is the  death anniversary of veteran Communist and trade union leader, Com.Suseela Gopalan. As a Member of Parliament, she was most helpful in taking up the issues of BSNL employees as also that of casual and contract workers.Suseela Gopalan was a fierce fighter for the emancipation of women and toiling masses. 

My Red Salute to Com.Suseela Gopalan!

The Constitution of BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation is put in the website  of the Federation bsnlccwf.com for information and necessary action by the concerned comrades.