The government has got Rs. 56,792 crores from the spectrum auction on the second day and more may be received in the coming days.

The government should at least allot Rs. 10,000 crore for BSNL from the above for modernisation and expansion. Since BSNL could not participate in the auction due to lack of funds and non-sanction from the government, the latter should allot spectrum free for providing 4G by BSNL to its customers.

The Forum of BSNL Unions/Associations should demand the above so that BSNL is able to improve its financial position and provide better service.

BSNL is a PSU converted from the Department of Telecommunications. It has been assured of all assistance at the time of formation.
But what happened later is that all the assurances and assistance were stopped; BSNL reserve funds were confiscated by government on one plea or another; private companies were favoured in all respects – it is a case of giving priority to the private companies.

This attitude of government should change. We demand that the government should financially assist BSNL by at least by Rs. 10,000 crore from the proceeds of spectrum auction It should also allot spectrum free to BSNL .to enable it to provide 4G services to its customers. As a special case, it should waive the licence fee of BSNL.
The Forum of BSNL Unions / Associations  should raise these demands with the government.

Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri President BSNLCCWF met Shri Anupam Shrivastava CMD BSNL  on 3rd October 2016 and discussed the following issues:
1. Bonus to Casual and Contract workers – Com.Namboodiri demanded that on the basis of the government orders both the casual and contract workers are eligible for Bonus in 2014-15. BSNL  has approved bonus for regular employees. Bonus should be paid at the earliest. A letter was also handed over in this respect.
2. It was demanded that wages as per VII CPC govt. decisions ie. Rs.18,000 be paid to the casual Labour.
3. The decision on gratuity to Casual Labour though approved by Management is pending decision by BSNL Board. It may be expedited. Gratuity for contract Labour also be given.
CMD assured that all the above issues will be favourably considered and decisions taken.

The decision of EPFO to invest 10% of EPF  deposit in market instead of the present 5% is condemnable. The central trade unions had strongly 0pposed this wrong move. The hard earned money of the workers are being put to risk.
The government should cancel the ill motivated decision.

Yesterday myself along with Pankajam visited Sunderayya Vigyan Kendra, the memorial to the great Communist and legendary leader of the historic Telengana Armed Struggle. His dresses, cycle used to go to Parliament when he was M.P., utensils used, the radio, about 50,000 of books – all are kept in the museum and library. How simple a life the great leader lived! The first General Secretary of CPI (M) formed in 1964, he was the organiser of Communist Party in South India.

The Central Cabinet has decided to grant 78 days bonus for 2015-16 to the Railway workers  numbering about 12 lakh. This is the 5th consecutive year they are getting the same amount. The bonus will be paid before Puja holidays.

One more PSU has passed in to History. Today Central Cabinet has decided to close the Hindustan Cables Limited. Modi Government is on the spree to finish the PSUs one after another.

Oppose and defeat this murder of PSUs.

Manoj Sinha, Communications Minister yesterday told the BSNL Management and employees to perform well. He also spoke about ‘performance related pay’ and VRS for ‘inefficient employees’. Well advice!
Shall we remind the Minister that it was not because of non-performance of the employees that BSNL came down; It is the same employees who had made BSNL grow year after year, increasing profit to Rs.10,000 to Rs. 12,000 crore with a revenue of Rs.40,000 crore.
It was the Communications Minister and government who cut the procurement of equipment, taken the funds of BSNL on one pretext or other and made the PSU loss making. We appreciate the new Minister for making payment of the 2014-15 USO Fund of Rs.1250 crore to BSNL, but much more is to be done. Refund the charges for spectrum returned, waive licence fee and taxes of BSNL, recruit sufficient staff, procure adequate equipment, give sufficient training to staff etc. will make a great change. Is the government ready for the same?
Due to the sustained efforts of management and workers the market share has gone up to more than 10%, thousands of additional towers are erected, BSNL has become the maximum new mobile provider – yes BSNL is advancing. The Minister should help the BSNL to restore its past glory.

The massive dharnas yesterday (27th September) all over India by BSNL Casual and Contract workers should open the eyes of the management to the genuine problems of the workers and settle the same. The brutal exploitation of the low paid employees should be put an end to.
The BSNL Management should remember that it’s credibility and honour are at the lowest level as a result of this exploitation and corrupt practices by denying the due wages and social security measures to the casual contract workers engaged for BSNL.