22 Wednesday Apr 2020
It has been intimated that funds for one month wages for contract workers have been released by the corporate office. While speaking to Shri P.K.Puwar, CMD he had assured me that releasing of funds will be considered when funds are available. To day the same has been released. Thanks to CMD for immediate response.
The non-payment of wages was also taken by the Kerala Chief Minister as well as BSNLEU and BSNLCCWF CHQs.
The balance of wages also may be paid early.
21 Tuesday Apr 2020
Kerala Government has announced relief to the BSNL contract workers in Kerala during the period of corona virus. The sad plight of the contract workers without getting wages for about one year and the difficulty to manage the family during the Covid period was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister Com. Pinarayi Vijayan and the Labour Minister Com. T.P.Ramakrishnan, who himself is a leader of the CITU by Com. V.A.N.Namboodiri, All India President BSNLCCWF and Com. Santhosh Kumar, Circle Secretary BSNLEU.
The Chief Minister has assured that the matter of payment of wages and arrears to the contract workers will be brought to the notice of the government of India for favour of necessary action.
We thank the honorable Chief Minister for his support to the BSNL Contract workers! (Courtsey: AIBDPA website)
21 Tuesday Apr 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners
Reports have been published in todays’ papers that 8003 aged persons have died in old age homes in U.S. due to Covid 19 and that necessary treatment is not being provided. This is very sad. Aged persons are more prone to corona attack due to their weak body and weak immune system and require special assistance. ( AIBDPA Website)
21 Tuesday Apr 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLEU
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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)
21 Tuesday Apr 2020
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.
20 Monday Apr 2020
Posted in General
Govt of India has issued instructions on 19-04-2020 about preventive measures while attending work in offices.
20 Monday Apr 2020
Posted in Uncategorized
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!
20 Monday Apr 2020
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 –
19 Sunday Apr 2020
Posted in Uncategorized
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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19 Sunday Apr 2020
Posted in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, Pension
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!
VAN Namboodiri's Blog 