NO TO PRIVATISATION OF BPCL…..
Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Federations calls for Observance of Countrywide Solidarity Actions with the Two-days United Strike Action by BPCL Unions Against Anti-national Move of Privatisation on 7th and 8th September 2020.
The meeting of the Joint Platform of Central Trade Unions and Federations held on 24th August 2020 at New Delhi welcomes the decision of the unions of employees of Bharat Petroleum Corporations Ltd (BPCL) to go in for united strike action in BPCL establishments throughout the country on 7th and 8th September 2020 against the anti- national move of the Government for outright privatization of BPCL through strategic sale and also against brazen attack on the rights of the workers.
The Joint Platform of CTUs and Federations again addressed a joint letter to the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas on 25th August 2020 to refrain from such a anti- national move which will deprive the Government of regular annual income of more than Rs.8000/- crores in dividend alone, besides taxes etc. As decided in the joint meeting, the Joint Platform of CTUs and Federations also calls upon all the unions and federations in the country and workers in general to hold massive solidarity action in respective workplaces and industrial centres on 7th and
8th September 2020 in support of the striking BPCL employees against privatization and attack on labour rights.
INTUC AITUC HMS CITU AIUTUC
TUCC SEWA AICCTU LPF UTUC

Red salute to Comrade Ho-Chi-Minh on his 51st Death Anniversary

51 years have passed after the death of Comrade Ho-Chi-Minh, the revolutionary leader who won freedom for the Vietnam and made it a Communist nation. It was not an easy task. The US, with all its war machine was compelled to accept defeat and withdraw from its attack on the country. The socialist system once again showed its superiority in facing the epidemic Covid-19, with very few causalities in Vietnam.

Red salute to Com. Ho-Chi-Minh!

As per the decision of the Forum of BSNL Unions & Associations, a Memorandum was prepared on the issues of BSNL and its workers and presented to the Prime Minister on 14th February 2014. The following were the main demands:

1. No Merger of BSNL and MTNL without settling the question of MTNL’s huge liability, disinvestment and the HR issues.
2. No formation of subsidiary Tower Company as proposed.
3. Revival of BSNL
4. Loss of rural services to be compensated to BSNL.
5. Provide soft loans to BSNL for procurement of equipment etc.

Forum also expressed its strong protest against the non-discussion of these items by the BSNL management as also by the DOT.

Lunch Hour Demonstrations on 28-02-2014

As per decision of the Forum Meeting held on 27-02-2014, lunch hour demonstrations were held on 28-02-2014 against merger of BSNL and MTNL and formation of companies bifurcating BSNL. Though there was only short notice, the programme was well responded by the workers.

Supernumerary Benefits to Directly Recruited employees.

The Forum leaders met the high Power Committee appointed by the management on 14-02-2014 and discussed about the superannuation benefits to the BSNL recruited employees. Forum leaders insisted that 30% benefits as per the guide lines of DPE be provided. The management was prepared to provide only 20%. A detailed letter on our demands was given to the management.

Merger of BSNL and MTNL

Forum wrote a strong letter to the BSNL management and DOT opposing the proposed merger of BSNL and MTNL and warned that if any arbitrary decision is taken, the workers will be compelled to go on agitational programmes including indefinite strike. It was assured by DOT that the concerns raised by the unions will be taken in to consideration and the unions will be consulted before any final decision is taken.

Pension Contribution.

Forum demanded the DOT that the pension contribution to be paid by BSNL to DOT should be on the actual basic salary and not on the maximum of the scale as is being calculated at present. No decision was taken in the matter.

Passive Infrastructure Agreement between BSNL and Reliance

When it came to the notice of the Forum that an agreement has been made between BSNL and reliance for passive infrastructure of BSNL towers, it held a meeting immediately on 18-07-2014 and discussed the issue. The Forum demanded the management to immediately provide it with all the details of the agreement after which the Forum will discuss again. ( to be continued).

News have been spread that the serving employees of BSNL will be getting another reimbursement of medical bills up to March, 2020 along with their salary of August, 2020. Earlier they were paid the medical bills upto September, 2019 along with the salary of May, 2020. AIBDPA had to launch countrywide Standing Dharna on 19-08-2020 against the apathy and discrimination to the BSNL retirees by the BSNL management which was a huge success. But the BSNL management is again indulging in their discriminatory action by repeatedly ignoring the more deserving BSNL pensioners in payment of medical bills and allowance, pending for more than 18 months.

In this backdrop, Com.V A N Namboodiri , Advisor had a detailed discussion with Shri.P K Purwar, CMD, BSNL on 31-08-2020 over telephone. Com. V A N brought to the notice of the CMD, the distress and difficulties being faced by the BSNL pensioners due to the non-payment of pending medical bills and allowance. He also pointed out that discriminatory action of BSNL management by making payment to the serving employees, ignoring the retirees,  has caused much resentment among the BSNL pensioners and urged the CMD to initiate urgent steps for early payment of pending medical bills and allowance to the BSNL pensioners. The CMD stated that BSNL is still in finacial difficulties and unable to make payment immediately and will consider the issue within two months, when the revenue income is expected to improve.

The response of the CMD, BSNL on this vital issue of BSNL pensioners is disappointing and condemnable. CHQ will definetly decide on future course of action without much delay. ( courtesy: AIBDPA website)

After the Forum leaders contacted them, many Members of Parliament of various parties, including S/Shri Basudeb Acharia (CPIM), Dr. Sanjeeva reddy (Congress), Khagan Das (CPIM), P.R.Natarajan (CPIM) Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) wrote to the Prime minister and Communications Minister demanding the revival of BSNL. Questions in the Parliament were also raised by some M.P.s.

Meeting with CMD BSNL on 30-11-2013

A meeting of the Forum with the CMD Shri R.K.Upadhyay was held on 30-11-2013, which was participated by all the general Secretaries. The demands of the workers as well as the proposals for the revival of BSNL were discussed in detail.

Closure of Telegraph Services by BSNL – Strong Protest.

The Government and BSNL management decided to close the centuries old Telegraph Services wef 15th July 2013, stating that there is no business and the service is in loss. The Forum strongly opposed this wrong move and demanded that at least in the major cities, it should continue. The Convener of Forum, Com. V.A.N.Namboodirivisited Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata Central Telegraph Offices, held meetings, collected the existing number of telegrams and other particulars and demanded the management and government not to close down the telegram services, stating that the people are using the same. Press statements were issued. BBC and other newspapers and media gave wide publicity. However, BSNL management closed the services on 15th July itself.

On the last day, people queued before the CTOs and send telegrams till 2400 hours. It was a nostalgia for them to send the telegram for the last time. Since there were still people in the queue, the CTOs functioned till all were allowed to book their telegrams.

On our demand, a Telegraph Museum was established in Kolkata.

Parliament March by CTUs on 12th December 2013.

As per the decision of the Forum, BSNL employees in large numbers participated in the Parliament march held on 12th December 2013 organised by the Central trade Unions on the 10 point demands.

Very  sad and shocking news. It has been informed by Shri Suresh Kumar, General secretary of BSNLMS  that Shri Mallikarjun, President of BTEF and a senior leader of the telecom trade union movement has passed away late night of 24th August at Hyderabad. He was not well for some time. Earlier he was General Secretary of BTEF and was headquartered at Delhi. Mallikarjun was a leader having thorough knowledge of the telecom issues and a very amicable person dealing with  all his comrades and friends.

It may be a coincidence that most of the times I went to Delhi during the last two three years, Mallikarjun was also at Delhi during that time and we spent some time along with Suresh Kumar enjoying tea and biscuits and discussing in general about the telecom developments. Discussion with him was very interesting and informative.

His death is a big loss to the Telecom TU movement and especially to the BTEF /BSNLMS. My heartfelt condolences to the bereave family, friends and colleagues.

June 2015 – CPSTU Convention in Hyderabad on 22nd June. Meeting of AIBDPA HD District on 23rd June. Started from Bengaluru by flight to Hyderabad along with wife Pankajam on 21st. Reached at 14.40 hours. went directly to BSNL IQ. Comrades J.Sampath Rao, CS BSNLEU, Ramachandrudu, CS AIBDPA and other comrades came and made all  arrangements. On 22nd and 23rd attended the progammes which were arranged efficiently. Hyderabad is famous for pearls of all varieties. Wife suggested why can’t we purchase pearl neck laces for our dear grand daughters? Agreed. Mentioned to Com. Sampath Rao. He arranged some lady comrades to come with us. They took us to a famous jewellery shop. Many items of pearl necklaces. We selected 3 light rose coloured twin neck laces. Hard bargaining by our lady comrades and settled for about Rs. 33,000/-  Small bags also gifted to take the same. We were very happy, thanked the lady comrades, rushed to the IQ, packed suitcases and taxi to Kacheguda railway station. We were in time, got in Bengaluru Express. Train started in time about 19.00 hours. Had good sleep. Train reached Bengaluru about 06.00 hours early next morning.

Heavy rush for getting down at the railway station. I was standing in the corridor near the door, but I was pushed away and suit cases fell. After others, we both  got down. Hired an auto riksha, reached daughter’s residence. Wife  opened the suitcase, searched for the pearl neck lace to present it to grand daughter. Lo, there was no neck lace, not even a hint that the necklace was there. Although I was very sure that I had packed the necklaces in the bag from the IQ, I called comrades at HD to find out whether I had missed it there. They checked and told it is not there.

I went to the Bengaluru railway station and gave a written complaint to the Railway Police Force. They asked the details and filed FIR. I had taken the suit case with me and  showed them that though the lock was not broken and suitcase not opened, the position of the lock on the  zip was on one side of the suitcase, instead of the centre as I have put it. The police officer   then told me that it is a clear case of theft and showed me how the thief might  have opened it by a knife or so, probably in the train in the night or while getting down at the station. He also told that they might have planned the theft very meticulously, probably from the time of the purchase itself in Hyderabad watching us coming from the shop.  He said that if any information, he will intimate.

Next day day at noon I got a call from another railway station asking me some more details. But nothing later. I enquired the RPF again, no information they told. I understood that it was lost forever.  My wife was very upset. We were shortly going to London to meet my son and family and two necklaces were for the grand daughters there.

Lost is lost. But it can not stop us presenting pearl neck laces to my grand daughters. I spoke to Com. Sampath Rao and asked him to purchase similar necklaces and send it to me. Fortunately there was a meeting of AIBDPA AIC Reception Committee to be held at Tirupati on 6th July and I was invited to attend. Com Sampath Rao and some other comrades were also  coming. They purchased similar pearl necklaces at the same reduced rate and gave me the same at Tirupati.  I paid the money.

After returning to Bengaluru,  one neck lace was given to the grand daughter. She was happy.

On 12th July me and wife went to London. The other two necklaces were given to the grand daughters there. They were also happy. And we were happy. Then forgot about the loss. Why worry about things lost, when there are so many things to attend?

Red Salute to Com.M.K.Pandhe, the leading light of the working class, on his 9th death anniversary.

The life of Comrade Madhukar Kashiram Pandhe was completely dedicated to the working class and toiling masses. His active public life started from the student days. He became the Secretary of the Sholapur Students Union as early as in 1943 when he was only 18 years old. He joined the undivided Communist Party in the same year and also was elected as the Secretary of the city Committee of Sholapur.

Com. Pandhe was very active in the trade union front from the start. He functioned as the Secretary of AITUC in the 1960s. In the formation of CITU, he took an active part. Com. Pandhe was the General Secretary of CITU from 1990 and became its President from 1999 which he continued till 2010. In uniting the Central Trade Unions to fight against the anti-working class policies of the government, he took a leading role and was one its architect.

Comrade Pandhe was respected by the trade union leaders world-wide. Even though CITU did not affiliate with WFTU until its Congress at Athens in 2010, Com. Pandhe was treated as one of the top trade union leaders globally. His speech was heard with rapt attention in all the Congresses of WFTU.
Comrade Pandhe was elected to the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) in the 16th Party Congress and continued as PBM till his death.

He was friend, guide and teacher to the trade unions of the Central, State Government employees and others. As the General Secretary of the All India Telecom Employees Union as also BSNL Employees Union later, I had the fortune to be in contact with Comrade Pandhe for a long period, who guided me and other comrades and taught how to strengthen the union and serve the workers to protect their interests. The BSNL Employees Union from its humble position became the biggest union in BSNL as also the only recognised and representative union within a short time. Comrade Pandhe had a big share in this growth.

Com. Pandhe was always available even to the ordinary workers. On each and every issue he could guide and advise comrades like us from his long trade union experience. His vast knowledge in the trade union and all matters was a special phenomena.

In forming the BSNL-DOT Pensioners Association as well as the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation, he gave very valuable advice to us.
Even 10 days back befor his death, he took a class for the BSNL workers despite his failing health. He spoke in detail about the tasks on the trade union front for about one hour which was inspiring and most educative. He always stressed the need for the democratic functioning of the union. Many times he discussed about the failing health of BSNL and the need of the Unions to take initiative to improve the services to the people and strengthen the company. He pointed out how certain other PSUs improved after a steep decline.

At this stage, when we are remembering Com.M.K.Pandhe, the situation in the country is grave with pandemic Covid 19 spreading all over the world. The people all over the world are fighting against this epidemic. In our country, attacks are going on against the working class by increasing the working hours, reducing the gains achieved through continuous struggles. The memory of Com.Pandhe will give us strength and inspiration to continue our struggle.

Red Salute to Comrade M.K.Pandhe!

It was during my stay at Trivandrum as Circle Secretary of E.III Union. I used to come to Calicut as many times as possible, since my wife and small children at Calicut only.

That day I started for Calicut by Trivandrum Mangalore Malabar Express by sleeper coach. Just before train started a young Muslim couple boarded. Side berths. Family friends outside the window to send off. Wedding dress, heavy shining golden jewelleries  – neck chains, bangles, ear-rings – all indicated, a newly wed couple. Probably just after marriage. Train started.

Passengers like me were worried, but could not say anything since they were strangers and enjoying their journey, viewing outside scenery. Just before reaching Quilon, the train stopped in a very small station. It was almost 20.00 hours, the platform was dimly lighted. It was not a regular stop for Malabar Express.

All of a sudden, the girl cried with pain. The young man was running to the door and got down in the platform shouting ‘thief, thief’. We all went to the door. The young man was running towards the back side of the train to catch the thief. Yes, a person from outside the window has broken one or more chains from her neck, and ran away with it.

The train started moving. But the young man has not returned. All of us were worried. The girl started crying. She lost her chain. But where was her husband? We pulled the train-chain. Train slowly stopped. The young man came running back and boarded. The station master came and the matter was reported to him.

The thief has gone with the neck chain/s. Could not be caught. Then somebody spoke in general. The thief might have boarded from Trivandrum it self  and watched for a chance to snatch the chain. Going after such persons in darkness will be dangerous, since they may be daredevils, will be armed and will attack in order to escape. Everybody understood the seriousness of the situation. We all were very sad,  for the couple. It was not only  loss of chain, but much more than that immediately after a happy marriage.

It was a  lesson not only for the young couple, but for all of us.