BSNL Workers strike has been deferred after discussions and agreement with DOT and BSNL Management by midnight of  2nd December 2010.

The complete participation of the workers under the united leadership of the Joint Action Committee paralysed the telecom services. In many circles even top officers could not enter the offices. In the corporate office there was a mass upsurge and even traffic was blocked in the main Janpath Road for almost an hour. The strike got complete support from all sister unions and Central Trade UNions, especially, CITU, Confederation of CG Employees, AISGEF, AIIEA, BEFI and others. Com. Basudevacharya, MP and leader of CPI(M) in Lok Sabha intervened to ensure effective dialogue.

The DOT and Management was compelled to assure that there is no proposal for Disinvestment or VRS in BSNL. Even the committee of the top officials in Telecom, IT, Planning Commission, Industry & Finance which met on 30th December to take decision on Disinvestment of BSNL and VRS could not take any decision due to the strike threat. It is a victory for the workers.

The management was compelled to assure that procurement of 5.5 million equipment will be immediately done and that another 15 million also will be procured. There will be no unbundling of last mile copper cables. DOT will resubmit the Cabinet Note after the required corrections immediately for cabinet for decision. The Cabinet Note for ITS absorption has already been circulalated to concerned departments and will be submitted to Cabinet after receipt of the feedback. On the committment of the government for financial viability of BSNL, our suggestions and proposals will be duly taken up with the Government.

This is a magnificent strike which has compelled the government at least to stop disinvestment & VRS at present. It is part of the sustained struggle against the neo-liberal policies of the Government. We have been able to maintain and strengthen the unity of the workers and the unions in the JAC, which itself is a great achievement.

Revolutionary Greetings to the workers.

The three days strike of BSNL employees has started from 1st December 2010 on the 11 point charter of demands which is intended to save BSNL and improve its financial viability. The strike is also against the proposed disinvestment of 30% shares and also against retrenchment of workers through VRS.

The reports from all circles indicate a highly successful strike. This has to be further strengthened.

Secretary, DOT has fixed a meeting with JAC at 1030 hours on 2nd December to discuss the issues of strike.

The Committee on Telecom with top officials from Communications, IT, Planning Commission, Finance, Industrial policy & Promotion and others which met on 30th November did not take any decisions on Sam Pitroda Committee recommendations with regard to 30% disinvestment or retrenching one lakh workers through VRS/Transfer.While the reasons are not known, the 3days strike call opposing disinvesment etc.must have compelled them to think twice. Sustained struggle of the workers have to continue to ensure that BSNL is not disinvested and privatised.

It is a brave decision taken by BSNL Management to bring STD rates with local call rates with effect from 1st December 2010. Now the STD charges will be 80 paise for three minutes for STD instead of for 2 minutes. This will help the subscribers and it is expected to benefit the company also due to increase in the calls.

Three lakh BSNL workers will go on strike for three days from 1st December to protect the BSNL and its workers. The Management and Government failed to resolve the issues by discussing with the Joint Action Committee.

The Public Sector Banks have written off more than Rs. 26,000 crore being the bad debts of the corporate houses for the last three years! The bank managements make all out efforts for collecting recoveries from the ordinary man, including harassment and court cases. But in the case of big business, corporate houses and top politicians etc. it is another matter. They are allowed to accumulate the loans and after some years it is treated as bad debt and written off. See how much debts have been written off in 2009-2010 by some banks:

State Bank of India     Rs. 1,990 crore      Punjab National Bank  Rs.853 Crore

Bank of India               Rs.     744 crore      Bank of Baroda              Rs.744 crore

Bank of Maharashtra Rs.     236 crore      United Bank of India    Rs. 174 crore

The rich and powerful has every right and concessions. The poor has nothing. The neo-liberal policies and the economic reforms are for the benefit of the haves and miseries for the have-nots.

Top officials of Communications Ministry, Planning Commission, Finance, IT, Dept. of Industrial Policy & Promotion & others are meeting today, 30th November 2010 to discuss and implement the Sam Pitroda Recommendations of restructure of BSNL, including 30% Disinvestment and VRS/Transfer of one lakh employees. The loss incurred by BSNL last financial year is being made to destabilise BSNL so as to help the private telcos. A big conspiracy is being hatched up at the highest level. Unless it is defeated now , the future of BSNL & its workers will be black and blank.

The entire workers should jointly defeat this conspiracy. Make the 3 days strike from 1st December a complete success and give a strong message to the government. Protect BSNL, Protect the country.

The Bank Employees Federation of India (BEFI), All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), All India State Govt. Employees Federation (AISGEF), Confederation of Central Govt. Employees, Co-ordination Committee of Public Sector Unions and many other organisations have extended support and solidarity to the 3 days strike of BSNL Employees. Many of them will be organising demonstrations on 1st December through out the country as  Anti-Disinvestment Day.

We thank all of these unions for their support and solidarity.

It is reported that the MOC Kapil Sibal will review the appointments to the posts of CMD both in BSNL and MTNL after several complaints and court cases against the same.It was reported in the media earlier that the names of R.K.Upadhyay and Kuldeep Singh were finalised for the posts of CMD in BSNL and MTNL respectively.

The Economic Times today ( 29-11-2010) has reported that the actual loss of BSNL for 2009-2010 is Rs.5995 crore and not Rs.1823 crore as reported earlier. If the income from non-related telecom activities is not taken into consideration, then the loss will be to the extent of Rs. 5995 crore!