Sustained Struggles to Save BSNL – 3 Meeting with the Prime Minister on 2nd March 2005.

21 Tuesday Apr 2020

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Meeting with the Prime Minister on 2nd March 2005.

Either the government was not taking any decision on many of the urgent issues or it was unduly delaying matters as in the case of USO Fund, ADC, Pension from government etc. In this connection, a meeting was arranged with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at the instance of Com. Basudeb Acharya, senior Member of Parliament on 2nd March 2005 in the Parliament building. Members of the Joint Forum viz. Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (Convener and GS BSNLEU), O.P.Gupta GS NFTE, S.Basu GS AIBSNLEA, G.L.Jogi GS SNEA, K.Vallinayagam GS FNTO, V.Narayana GS BSNLMS, V.K.Tomar GS MTNLEA, S.D.Sharma GS BSNLWRU, Vrijesh Upadhyaya GS MTNLMS, V.Subburaman GS TEPU, K.M.Pillai GS MTNLSW, Umesh Thyagi GS MTNLKVS, Sathish Kumar GSMTNLWU and Devender Singh GS MTNLOA were present along with Members of Parliament Coms. Basudeb Acharya and Neelotpal Basu.
The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for the decision to pay government pension and also pension contribution by BSNL as per FR and SR. Prime Minister stated that cabinet decision is already taken in both these cases and will be implemented without delay.
On the issue of increasing the FDI from 49% to 74% in telecom sector, the Prime Minister addressed the concern of the workers on the risk to security of the Nation as well as take over by the MNCs, stating that the government has taken sufficient steps to ensure the security. He also stated that BSNL and MTNL were capable of competing with MNCs and the government will provide help to the PSUs.
The PM’s attention was drawn by the Forum to the unwarranted decision of the TRAI to reduce the ADC, which was a compensation for BSNL and MTNL for providing landline services below cost. Forum wanted to continue ADC as before. The Forum also brought to the notice of the Prime Minister that though funds were available with the USOF due amount is yet to be paid to BSNL and MTNL. While the loss to BSNL for providing rural connections in 2003-04 was Rs. 9528 crore, the refund was only Rs. 2522.77 crore through reimbursement licence fee and allotment from USO Fund. It was also pointed out that unnecessary outsourcing of work was being resorted to by management of both PSUs, draining their funds. Prime Minister assured to look in to these matters.
It is worth mentioning that despite Parliament was in session, Prime Minister was kind enough to spend about half an hour of his valuable time to hear the points raised by the representatives. The M.P.s present also put in certain valuable suggestions during the discussion.
The government started a move to merge BSNL and MTNL. The Forum expressed its strong view that the merger can be considered only after the MTNL shares sold are bought back. The protest had its effect. The move was stopped for the time being. ( to be continued)

Payment of wages to BSNL Contract Workers – CMD BSNL contacted.

21 Tuesday Apr 2020

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNLCCWF - Casual and Contract workers, BSNLEU

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Today, I spoke to Sri P.K.Purwar, CMD BSNL, in continuation of the email sent to him a few days back requesting for early payment of the wages and arrears of wages to the contract workers engaged in BSNL. He stated that the BSNL is still in much shortage of funds. He also mentioned that there are about 70,000 contract workers, which is far in number in relation to the existing landline telephones etc. However, he stated that it will be considered when funds are available.

Red Salute to Com.T.K.Ramakrishnan on his 14th death anniversary!

20 Monday Apr 2020

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Com.T.K.Ramakrishnan, former Kerala Minister and senior CPI(M) leader left us forever on 21st April 2006. He was seven times MLA in the Kerala assembly and was opposition leader once. He was active in politics from early life and was connected with the trade union movement.

During my stint at Thiruvananthapuram as Circle Secretary of NFPTE Union, I had the chance to meet him several times. He was simple and kind to all.

Red Salute to to Com.T.K.Ramakrishnan on his 14th death anniversary!

Sustained Struggles to Save BSNL – 2 Formation of Joint Forum of BSNL – MTNL Associations

20 Monday Apr 2020

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Sustained Struggles to Save BSNL – 2

Formation of Joint Forum of BSNL – MTNL Associations

BSNL Employees Union got recognition in December 2004. The immediate danger hanging upon the workers was the acceptance of the earlier recognized union to the Voluntary Retirement Scheme proposed by the management in the National Council meeting of JCM held on 17th June 2004. BSNLEU in the first meeting of NC after second verification on 25th January 2005 demanded that the decision for VRS should be dropped which was agreed.
In order to safeguard the interests of the workers of both the telecom PSU and their workforce as also for a better service to the people, it was necessary that a united forum is unavoidable. As General Secretary of the recognized union, I took the initiative to form a coordinating committee representing all the unions of non-executives as well as associations of executives. Discussions were held and the ‘Joint Forum of BSNL/MTNL Unions/Associations was formed. ITS Association was also approached, but they were not interested since they were not absorbed in BSNL/MTNL. Initially all the unions/associations were not part of JF. Probably because I took the initiative, the mantle of Convener of Joint Forum fell upon me.
The first issue to be tackled was the recommendation of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to reduce the Access Deficit Charge (ADC) to be collected from the private operators and to be paid to BSNL and MTNL. The move was clearly to favour the private telcos and against the telecom PSUs.
March to Communications Minister’s office on 21st December 2004.
A massive March to the office of the Communications Minister was organized participated by more than 2,500 workers. From the Corporate office alone about 250 participated. As usual, the March was blocked near the Parliament Police Station, where a huge rally was held which was addressed by the Joint Forum leaders, Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri (BSNLEU), G.L.Jogi (SNEA), V.K.Tomar (MTNLEA), K.M.Pillai (MTNLSWU) and others. A Memorandum was presented to the Prime Minister demanding not to reduce the ADC and transfer of TRAI Chairman Shri Pradeep Bajpai, who was openly supporting the private telecom companies. The Joint Forum also met CMD BSNL Sri A.K.Sinha and other Directors and urged to take up the matter with the government, which they agreed.
Agitation against increase of FDI in telecom
Government in the meanwhile decided to increase the FDI in telecom from 49% to 74%. This was against the interest of the nation, telecom PSUs as well as the workers. Hence the Joint Forum organized strong protest demonstrations at the divisional level all over the country. (to be continued)
– V.A.N.Namboodiri –

INDIA POST DELIVERS MEDICINES URGENTLY TO CHILD SUFFERING FROM CANCER IN UNA

19 Sunday Apr 2020

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Ministry of Communications
Posted On: 19 APR 2020 6:16PM by PIB Delhi
India Post delivered medicines to an 8 year old girl from Una in Himachal Pradesh who was suffering from Cancer. Many of her regular medicines are difficult to purchase in Una and she gets these medicines from Delhi by courier. Shalini’s family contacted one of their friends in Delhi and requested him for help in getting the medicines from Delhi to Una. Given the constraints of logistics due to lockdown, their family friend requested the Union Minister for Communications, Law & Justice and Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad for help.
Recently due to sudden lockdown to prevent spread of COVID19, Shalini’s stock of medicine was running out and she had medicines that would be suffice only till 19th April 2020.
Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, promptly directed India Post to provide all possible logistical assistance for ensuring that the medicines are delivered to Shalini in Una before 19th April. Delhi, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh Circles of India Post made a very well-coordinated effort to ensure that the medicines reach on time. Due to constraints of lockdown, the Punjab Circle of India Post made special arrangement for a postal motor van, which left Una and directly reached Shalini’s house in the morning of 19th April.
A post man of India Post reached Shalini’s house before 12 noon on 19th April to deliver the medicines. Shalini’s mother received these medicines at her house and profusely thanked India Post for coming to the rescue of her daughter.
Upon learning that medicines have been delivered on time, Communications Minister tweeted expressing his delight that India Post is living upto the expectations of its people when the need it the most. He also wished the little girl Shalini the best of health and happiness.
It is noteworthy that Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has given directions to Department of Posts to ensure timely delivery of medicines, COVID19 related goods and other essential services.
CONGRATULATIONS INDIA POST!
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Congratulations to Kerala AIBDPA Comrades! Rs. 15 lakhs to Chief Ministers Relief Fund.

19 Sunday Apr 2020

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As per report from Com.N.Guruprasad, Circle, Secretary, AIBDPA members from Kerala donated Rs. 15,00,000 (Rs. Fifteen Lakh only) to the Chief Ministers Distress Relief Fund as the first installment. Some comrades donated one month pension. The donation is made as per the call of Com.K.Jayaraj, General Secretary AIBDPA!. Congratulations to Kerala Comrades!

No Proposal for reduction of Pension – Govt clarification.

19 Sunday Apr 2020

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Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has issued a press statement stating that there is no proposal for reduction of pension. The full statement is given below:

19 APR 2020 12:38PM by PIB Delhi
It has come to the notice of the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare of the Union
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension that in the wake of the current pandemic,
Covid-19 and the ensuing economic scenario, many rumours are afloat that the Government is
contemplating a reduction/stoppage of Pension which has become a source of worry for the
Pensioners.
As clarified earlier, it is being reiterated that there is no such proposal for reduction of pension
and no action is contemplated by the Government in this respect. Instead, the Government is
committed for the welfare and well being of the pensioners.

Sustained Struggles to save BSNL – An Introduction

19 Sunday Apr 2020

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Sustained Struggles to save BSNL – An Introduction

BSNL was formed as part of the neo-liberalisation policy adopted by the government of India since the 1980s. It was a well-planned move. The P and T Budget was stopped, Department of Posts and Telegraphs was divided in to Department of Posts and Department of Telecommunications, private companies were given licence to provide telecom services which was the sole monopoly of the government, and New Telecom Policy was adopted all of which were intended with the same aim – hand over the telecom services to the corporates.
BSNL was formed on 1st October 2000. It was planned to be formed on 1st April 2001, in the new financial year, but the agreement, with certain safeguards, with the recognized Federations, made it possible for the government to start it earlier. The strong protest and struggles organized by some of the affiliated unions were not able to stop corporatization. BSNL became a reality.

The formation of new unions in BSNL changed the scenario. First two three years were full of united efforts and negotiations by the unions to finalise the conversion from CDA to IDA pay scale, absorption issue etc. etc.

In the first membership verification of the non-executive unions, NFTE won, but with small margin. The recognized union was not prepared to fight with the management on crucial issues, as can be seen from the fact that it agreed for VRS, when the management brought the agenda in the BSNL Joint Consultative Machinery. However, the tables turned in the next verification and BSNL Employees Union, with alliance, won with a thumbing majority and became the recognized union. It was in December 2004.
BSNLEU as the biggest and recognized union, without any delay, took the responsibility of co-coordinating all the unions of non-executives and associations of executives together for strengthening BSNL and defending the PSU from the government conspiracy to weaken it and privatize or close. Major issues of the workers, who numbered more than 3.5 lakhs, who were earlier central government employees, also had to be addressed.

Unity was most important to face the complicated situation with about more than 15 unions in the field with different ideologies and priorities. This was a Herculean task, but not impossible. As I was the Convener of the Joint Forum, Joint Action Committee, Forum of BSNL Unions and Associations etc. (names changed to suit certain unity requirements from time to time) from 2004 to 2015, I can state with satisfaction that all the Unions and associations and their leaders have done marvelous work in defending the interests of the PSU, that of the workers and the people as a whole in this noble task.

From the next installment, I will write about the major developments, struggles, negotiations etc. which had taken place during the period mentioned above. It will be inspiring and interesting to the old generation which participated in these struggles and also to the new generation of workers who have been recruited later and fighting the present battle for survival and revival of BSNL and its workers, especially after the Voluntary Retirement of 78, 569 workers from the PSU.

I will be posting it in my blog vannamboodiri.com, since long articles in Face-book may not be appreciated.

V.A.N.Namboodiri.

Kerala was declared as a fully literate state 29 years back.

18 Saturday Apr 2020

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Time fly fast. This is the 30th year of the declaration of Kerala as a fully literary state, that too first in India. The declaration was made on 18th April 1991.

For more than two years, the government was implementing aggressive programmes to find out the illiterate people and educate them.The books were supplied free by state government. Teachers, students, employees and all those who could teach, took up the challenge and put their best efforts. Thousands of illiterate people, mainly old aged, were very happy that they can read books, count with out difficulty etc. The programme was fully successful. Afterwards Tripura also became a fully literate state. Com. E.K.Nayanar was the Chief Minister of Kerala at that time. Both states achieved the distinction under Left rule.

When, along with Com. Basudeb Acharya, senior M.P. and Com. R.S.Yadav, BSNLEU leader, I had the opportunity to meet Shri Akhilesh Yadav, then Chief Minister of U.P., a few years back on another issue, he enquired how Kerala achieved full literacy. In a few words, I explained the matter. He was impressed and stated that U.P. will also make efforts towards achieving the same.