BSNL Employees under the leadership of unions/ associations of executives and non-executives are continuously and dedicatedly working for a better service and revival of the company.

For complete success, one more important task is to be undertaken. Root out corruption! Though comparatively reduced, this cancer still exists, which has to be mercilessly operated and weeded out. Of course, this requires extra ordinary determination, commitment and cooperation. Are we not capable of the same? OF COURSE, WE ARE!

It is reported in the press that more than 40 people have died in standing in queue or through suicide due to desperation as a result of the demonitisation. Huge queues continue before banks, ATMs and Post Offices for change of notes or remitting of old notes to the banks. Yesterday when going through New Delhi, I could see the queues with hundreds, two hundreds people patiently waiting for their chance to get a few notes for their daily needs. Prime Minister Modi said to wait for 50 days. Could not this difficulties been avoided by well planning?

The M.P.s are fully justified in taking the government to task in the Parliament. The situation is not that ‘strong tea’ is supplied. It is something beyond that just like poison. Prime Minister, please remember that more than 40 people have died by drinking this ‘strong tea’, which means it is poisonous also.

The Prime Minister should take immediate action to reduce the sufferings of the people. He should also ensure that the big sharks do not get away despite demonetisation.

Com.Dipen Ghosh has passed away today, 13th November 2016. He was a tall leader of CG Employees and a close friend of BSNL Employees Union. During the period after Bhopal AIC in 1991 and election of a new leadership with Comrades Moni Bose and myself as GS and President respectively, the government and the defeated revisionist leadership created all hurdles for the functioning of the union. Along with Com.E.Balanandan M.P., Com.Dipen Ghosh M.P. gave valuable guidance and help in facing the attacks and advance forward. His M.P.quarters at Delhi was a regular meeting place. The same help and guidance at the time of formation of BSNLEU and afterwards.
Whenever I used to go to Calcutta to attend union meetings I used to meet him.
His death is a great loss to all of us.
The Central Secretatiat meeting of BSNLEU being held at Chennai today expressed deep grief and observed one minute silence in condolence.

With deep sorrow it is intimated that veteran trade union and CG Employees leader, former M.P. and leader of CPI (M), Com. Dipen Ghosh passed away at about 09.00 AM today at Calcutta. He was 85. He was ailing for some time.It is a great loss to the entire TU movement. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, comrades and friends!

The Central Government has announced that it has decided to increase the minimum wage to Rs.10,000 in a month, though the demand of the Central Trade Unions was for Rs.18,000. The Chief Labour Commissioner has accordingly issued notification in Gazette for increasing minimum wage to Rs.350 per day instead of Rs.650 as demanded. Two months were given to employers and workers to express their unions. BSNLCCWF has personally submitted its opinion that the daily minimum wages need to be increased to Rs.650.
However the orders are yet to be issued. We demand immediate issue of notification, since 2 months are already over.

The Central Secretariat meeting 0f BSNL Employees Union at Chennai has started today, 12th November 2016, with hoisting of National Flag by Com.Balbir Singh President and red flag of the union by Com.P.Abhimanyu General Secretary. Com.S.Chellappa, Convener, Reception Committee welcomed all. President in his address focussed the main issues. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS presented his report in detail. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri Patron, Com.Swapan Chakraborty, Dteputy GS, Com. Saibal Sengupta, Treasurer and other comrades addressed. The Central Secretariat is continuing.

The meeting of the Central Secretariat of BSNLEU, the main recognised union of Non-Executives in BSNL, is scheduled to take place on 12-13 November 2016 at Chennai. The main discussion will be on the conduct of the All India Conference to be held at Chennai on 31st December 2016 to 3rd January 2017. Another important or most important matter is about resisting the anti-BSNL move of the government like formation of Tower Company bifurcating BSNL and the Revival and strengthening of BSNL.

BSNLEU since its formation and especially after getting the recognised status have been continuously putting all efforts as also pressuring the government and BSNL Management for taking immediate action for the revival of BSNL. The JAC/Joint Forum/Forum has been initiating moves one after another in this respect and going on struggle, whenever required. The latest attack on BSNL through formation of Tower Company is a serious threat to the existence of BSNL.

Another issue is the fast reduction in the number of workers. During the last 16 years since formation of BSNL in 2000, the workforce have been reduced to about 2.05 lakhs from the earlier 3.5 lakhs. About 1.85 lakhs workers have retired during this period with only about 40,000 new recruitment. The next few years will be critical with about 10,000 to 15,000 retirements each year. Recruitment has become an important part of the revival plan.

There is no doubt that these  and other important issues will be discussed with due seriousness and strategy finalised to face the present challenging situation.

A meeting of the active workers of AIBDPA was held at BSNLEU office at CTO, Bengaluru, with short notice to discuss about the various issues facing the DOT/BSNL Pensioners.Com. B.T.M.Giri, Dist. President, BGTD presided. Coms.H.C.Prakash DS welcomed. Com.C.K.Gundanna, CS BSNLEU, Com.Manjunath, Advocate, Com.Munilingappa, Com. V.Girish Chandra, Dt. Treasurer, Com.V.Doraiswamy, Asst. Circle Secretary and others addressed. Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, Advisor, AIBDPA spoke in detail about the issues of the DOT/BSNL Pensioners, the recommendations of the VII CPC, the proposed struggles by the CG Employees and Pensioners etc. He pointed out the various struggles organised by BSNLEU, Forum and AIBDPA for the settlement of 60:40 issue, 78.2% etc. The issue of Pension Revision of BSNL absorbed pensioners has already been taken with the new Minister, Secretary DOT and others concerned. The need to organise the entire pensioners against the neo-liberal policy of the government and to get the PFRDA scrapped etc.was stressed. The participants pointed out certain issues to the notice of the leaders which have to be settled.

In the afternoon, Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri along with Com. H.C.Prakash and other comrades met Shri R.Satheesh, Jt.CCA (CCA was away in connection with BRICS meeting) and discussed certain issues of the pensioners including delay in pension orders. The Jt. CCA assured to settle the cases early.

Rejecting all  earlier predictions of a Ms. Hillary victory, the people of US has elected Donald Trump with convincing majority. We have to understand how the mind of the US people works to evaluate the results. Probably, Trump might have been able to rouse the Americans about their future and also the issue of unemployment.

The coming days will show, whether the election of Donald trump is going to make any major change.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced today, 8th November 2016, in his ‘Man Ki Bath’ that the currency notes of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 will be scrapped forthwith,from midnight of 8th -9th November in the fight against corruption, black-money and terrorism. These notes can be surrendered to the Banks. He says there is a black money running to Rs. 1,25,000 crores.

In the place of the old notes. new Rs.2,000 and Rs.500 notes will be issued. 9th November 2016 will be holiday for Banks and the ATMs will not function, probably to make the changes.

WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS?  HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE FIGHT AGAINST BLACK MONEY AND CORRUPTION?  THE COMING DAYS WILL SHOW.