The pious statement of the Central Government about unearthing black money and its slackness in doing anything concrete in the matter is being exposed daily. The case of Hassan Ali, who is reported to have put in thousands of crores of rupees in foreign banks is one instance. Even after months, except half-hearted enquiry by the CBI, no other action has been taken.

There are information with the Government about certain individuals who have stashed huge amounts in foreign banks. The Government is not disclosing the names on the plea that it will be against the agreements with the foreign governments who supplied the information to it. This is nothing but an excuse to save the culprits.

The latest in the matter is the exposure by Julian Assange, WikiLeaks publisher, that there are many names of Indians who have stashed much money in the Swiss Banks, and he may publish them. This has exposed the Indian Government once again.

The UPA government should immediately announce the names of these lawbreakers and proceed against them. But will it take action?

The entire people of Kerala has raised their strong protest against the Central Government’s decision not to ban the use of pesticide Endosulphan which has resulted in all kinds of health problems to the people. Children are born with deformities, chronic illnesses, mental problems and so on. The Government of Kerala and all the political parties have been demanding the Central Government to ban the use of this pesticide.

But the Central Government who is on the side of the MNCs and Endosulphan lobby has stated that when all the states demand for ban, then only it will consider favourably the question of banning Endosulphan.

It is against this anti-human attitude that the Chief Minister of Kerala VS Achuthanandan and other ministers along with thousands of people have organised mass fast throughout Kerala. Though the UDF led by Congress has not supported the fast, many of its constituents have participated in the fast.

It is time that the Central Govt. opened its eyes and issue ban orders immediately on Endosulphan.

The decision of the JAC to organise May 2011 as ‘Customer Delight Month’ has been highly appreciated by all the workers. Each and every worker wants to improve the services and save BSNL. But how one can do it effectively and successfully. This is the most important aspect.

It is very much necessary that all the Branch/SSA/Circle unions have to meet in their secretariat/executive meetings and plan the implementation of the programme. In case of any doubt, the higher body can be consulted.

If all unite together and plan, the programme can be successfully implemented. Let us try for that.

Reports have reached that Knimozhi M.P., daughter of Karunanidhi, Chief Minister of T.Nadu has been chargesheeted in the 2G scam. Whether this will create a rift between DMK and Congress. It may not. because both the parties are in a crucial election fight jointly in T.Nadu

The WikiLeaks exposure published in Hindu stating that US should ‘cultivate’ Mamata Banerjee is a clear signal of the intention of the US to support Mamata and bring her to the Chief Minister’s chair. This is direct intervention of a foreign power in the democratic elections in India. This is not the first time that this has happened. In 1959, CIA gave money to the Congress leaders at All India and state levels to organise Vimochana Samara to oust state ministry headed by Com. EMS Namboodiripad. But they failed to unseat the Government. It was only through the unjustified invoking of Article 356 of the Constitution, that the Ministry could be dismissed.

Now the Congress government with the help of the US and Trinamul is trying to defeat the popular Left Government in W.Bengal. The entire country should protest against the interference of the US in Indian elections.

The Joint Action Committee of the BSNL Assocoations/Unions had given the call to observe 18th to 24th of April as ‘Employees Awareness Week’ to give wide publicity amongst the workers for the urgent necessity of improving the services and also to ensure better growth to the BSNL. Only two working days are left for completion of the week.

Except reports from a few centres, much is not heard about what is being done in this connection. The observation of the Employees Awareness Week is not a publicity stunt or a routine affair. It should be done with great preparation, committment and also should reach each and every worker irrespective of the cadre, post or area of work. It is a new approach to the work culture which is greatly required in the present circumstances to save BSNL and its workers.

I hope that our leaders and activists are fully aware of the situation and will do everything possible to give a better service to the people, who are our masters, and save BSNL.

The Special Court Judge O.P.Saini has sent five more corporate bigwigs to the Tihar Jail in connection with the 2G scam. They are Sanjay Chandra (MD Unitech), Vinod Goenka ( MD DB Realty), Goutam Doshi (MD Reliance ADA), Surendra Pipara ( Group President Reliance) and Hari Nair (Senior Vice-President, Reliance). Former Communications Minister A.Raja and other five bureaucrats and business heads are already in Tihar jail.
Their application for bail was rejected by the Special Court since it did not find justification for the same.

For months together, reports have been published that the new CMD for BSNL will be appointed immediately. But till now there is no information who is the new CMD. Is the government sleeping or is it intentionally delaying the matters so that BSNL will suffer and become loss making. It will help the govt. propaganda for privatisation.

The workers demand that a new CMD should be posted immediately.

I am in Calicut (Kozhikode) for the last three days. Today, 19th May 2011, I had a new happy experience. I was invited for lunch in the Nalanda Hotel by a few officials in the BSNL who are going to retire by the end of this month. I have seen co-workers giving send off parties to the retiring employees; this was different – the retiring employees were giving lunch to those from whom they are departing.

It was a huge gathering. Almost all the employees came to participate in the lunch, batch after batch. I could meet a lot of retired as well as working employees with whom I had worked earlier. Everyone was in a hurry. After taking lunch and exchanging pleasantries they returned to their work quickly.

Of course the retiring employees will be getting a few lakhs of rupees on retirement due to the sustained struggles of the unions and they may like to share the joy with their co-workers. Anyhow, it is a very good gesture and an excellent opportunity to thank their co-workers for the camaraderie.

DPE vide No. 2(70)/2008-DPE(WC)GLVII/2011 dated 13-04-2011 has issued orders increasing IDA by 4.2% w.e.f. 01-04-2011 making total IDA to 47.2%. Pension is also increased.

BSNL orders are expected early.