The people of Egypt has strengthened their struggle against the autocratic rule of President Hosni Mubarak. They continued the peaceful demonstrations in the Tahir Square in Cairo demanding the ouster of Mubarak. More than two million people participated in the demonstration yesterday, 1st February. The army, which was called to quell the uprising of the people by Mubarak has refused to fire against them and allowed the people to gather peacefully. The uprising in Egypy will have its repurcussions in the the entire states nearby.

At last India has, to a certain extend, supported the uprising. The progressive sections in the India has already supported this struggle for democracy in Egypt. The world is eagerly looking what is going to happen in Egypt.

Former Communications Minister A.Raja, R.K.Chandolia, former Private Secretary to MOC and Sidhartha Behura, former Secretary, DOT have been arrested to-day, 2nd February by CBI in connection with the 2G Spectrum Scam. They will be brought to the CBI court in Delhi tomorrow.

A.Raja had earlier stated that all action taken by him in connection with the 2G Spectrum allotment has been done in consultation with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Where the investigation will lead. The demand of the opposition parties for a JPC probe is fully justified in this context.

It is being reported in the press that the TRAI may recommend a one time fee for the extra 2G spectrum beyond 6.4 MHz being held by the telecom companies. The fee may be from Rs.50.98 crore to Rs. 707.28 crore.

It will be a big amount for the BSNL to pay this amount when it is in difficulty financially. Considering its financial condition, the one time fee is to be waived. But will the government do it?

The Membership Verification is over! After more than one month’s hectic campaign and propaganda, the crucial date arrived and the verification has taken place. It was peaceful and disciplined as per reports received. I congratulate the management, the workers and unions for the peaceful election.

As per reports received, about 95% have voted. It is almost similar to the 2009 verification. And the result is not going to be different. BSNLEU / United Forum is poised to win with good margin, more than last time.

In the meantime, FNTO has approached Ernakulam High Court to stay the verification. The case came for hearing on 31st January. The court did not give any stay. According to our Advocate nothing is stopped including announcement of results or declaration of recognised union as per verification. The next hearing is expected after one month.

I take this opportunity to congratulate the leaders and workers of BSNLEU and the United Forum for their sustained and hard work to ensure the victory of BSNLEU / United Forum. There was excellent co-ordination at All India level, and I feel more or less it might have been the experience at lower levels also.

Once the election and declaration is over, it will be our responsibility to start work immediately to settle the pending issues, There should not be any delay.

Once again I thank all and convey Hearty Congratulations!

Many Indian Students in USA studying in California-based Tri-Valley University has been tagged with radio anklets to  radio-track their activities, tour etc. This is inhuman as stated by the External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna.

But  the immediate issue is what the Indian Government is going to act against this inhuman act. Simple protest will not do. But to expect that the Government of India will do some thing more is a wishful thinking. Whether it was the screen checking of Ministers and Diplomats at US Airports or any other such ignomities, India Government has only simply protested and left it at that. If that is the case even when Ministers are involved, what the government is going to do in the case of poor students?

These are all the evils that is tagged with the subjugation of India’s neutrality and the ‘ junior partner’ status of US.  The Government of India should not only protest, but also has to act strongly against this inhuman act.

I have toured almost al the circles and have discussions with the circle leaders about the ground situation with regard to the membership verification. There is a very positive support for the BSNLEU / United Forum with the very good settlement of the wage revision and the Promotion Policy implemented. The hundreds of other settlements and achievements during the last six years of recognition of BSNLEU have also enthusiased the workers.

On the basis of the reports an assessment has been mad by me. According to this, BSNLEU / United Forum will get more than 1,30,000 votes while NFTE may reach 60,000 and FNTO 15,000. Other unions may get some votes and there will be about 5% who may not be casting their votes. This shows that even though 18,000 voters have been reduced, still BSNLEU will get more than last time.

A very good position for the United Forum.! BSNLEU will be elected with good majority once again!

According to Kapil Sibal, Communications Minister, “In the future, the spectrum will not be bundled with licence, but made available only through market-driven process.” He also stated that the government will ” need to seriously consider the adoption of an auction process for allocation and pricing of spectrum beyond 6.2 megahertz while ensuring that there is adequate competition in the auction process.”

These observations are important in as much as the New Telecom Policy is going to be introduced. These are the indications on which way the Government is thinking. As stake-holders in the telecom sector, the unions have the responsibility to ensure that the correct policy is adopted.

Two lakhs and thirty thousand BSNL Non-Executives will go to polling booths tomorrow, 1st February 2011, to cast their votes to elect the Representative Union in BSNL.

This is the fifth membership verification being conducted in BSNL. In the first verification, NFTE won with 35% while BSNLEU got 30%. NFTE was recognised. In all the next three verifications, BSNLEU won with 50% or more support of the polled votes. Now BSNLEU is facing the verification with more strength and is expected to get 50 to 60% votes.

The good wage settlement, Promotion Policy and large number of other settlements benefitting the workers have increased the support base of BSNLEU. More and more workers are supporting BSNLEU /United Forum in this verification.

I hope that BSNLEU will win with good majority.

As per the TRAI Press Release dated 25th January 2011, BSNL has provided 29,90163 connections in the wire less sector while it has lost 2,65,242 landline (wire line) connections in the same month. Hence the total growth in October stands at 27,24,921 connections. During the same period Airtel  added 31,10986 connections, Reliance 30,16,654 and Vodafone 31,24,948 connections. The total connections and market share of the first five telcos are as follows:

1. Airtel                15,26,36,406          19.96%                                                                      

2. Reliance           12,35,79,526           16.16%

3. Vodafone          12,11,63,116           15.84%

4. BSNL                 10,95,09,779         14.32%

5. TATA                  8,38,55,304         10.96%

The Teledensity has increased to 64.34%      Broadband Connections 10.71 million

CPI(M), W.Bengal State Committee is planning to establish a centre for Social Studies and Reasearch in memory of Com.Jyoti Basu, the legendary leader for the working class and democratic movement. It is proposed to be established in Jyoti Basu Nagar (New Town Rajarhat) near Kolkatta. It will undertake research on the communist and mass movements. Besides, it will create an archive of documents related to the life and work of Comrade Jyoti Basu. It will have an auditorium, a seminar hall, a library and a guest house of limited capacity.

In order to build and establish the Centre, funds are required. The  W.Bengal CPI(M) Party Committee has called for donations. We expect and request comrades and friends to donate liberally to this good project.