CPI(M) condemns Pragya Singh’s statement on Nathuram Godse

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the outrageous statement of BJP candidate from Bhopal Parliamentary Constituency, Pragya Singh Thakur, describing the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi Nathuram Godse: “was a patriot, is a patriot and will remain a patriot….”. Pragya Thakur is a terror accused out on bail on medical grounds.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described her as “a symbol of India’s civilizational heritage”. By fielding her, the RSS-BJP were seeking to whip up communal polarization and consolidate the ‘Hindutva communal vote bank’. This reflects the RSS-BJP attitude towards terrorism, a terror accused and the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. The apology she has made, at the behest of the BJP, is an eyewash confirming that she adheres to her position.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) refrains from approaching the Election Commission of India, on this score, given its recent track record. The Polit Bureau calls upon the Indian people to defeat and reject the BJP in order to safeguard and strengthen the Indian Constitutional Republic.

No payment of ex-gratia for the employees who go on VRS – surplus employees in BSNL can be taken back by the DoT – says the DoP&PW.

The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare (DoP&PW) has rejected the proposal for making ex-gratia payment for the BSNL employees who opt for VRS. The DoP&PW has stated that the BSNL employees are eligible for payment of government pension after retirement. As such, payment of ex-gratia for those who go on VRS is not permissible, said the DoP&PW. It has also stated that payment of ex-gratia under VRS is eligible only for the Public Sector employees who are not eligible for government pension. An important observation of the DoP&PW is that, surplus employees in BSNL if any, can be taken back by the DoT. (BSNLEU website)

BSNL increase market share to 12.58%

The total telephone connections in India has reached 120.54 crores as  on 28-02-2019. BSNL connections are 12.75 crore and market share 10.58%. Vodafone Idea combine stands first with 40.96 crore connections and 33.99% market share. Though small increase,BSNL is moving upward, despite all obstructions created by the government.

BSNL should ensure payment of wages to contract workers

It is 4 months all over India and 10 months in some circles that the contract workers have been paid their wages. All of them continue to work, but the management is not allocating funds stating that there are no funds with them. How can the workers maintain their families, if the wages are not paid for months together.

The day to day functioning of BSNL largely depends upon the contract workers. They are working but no wages.

Agitations are going in many centres. BSNLCCWF is expected to meet its working committee shortly after the announcement of the elections to the Lok Sabha and plan the future course, including strong  agitational programmes.

Narendra Modi – ‘India’s Divider-in-Chief’ says Time Magazine.

The American magazine, Time in it’s May 20, 2019 international editions – the Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia and South Pacific – feature the Modi cover story with the main headline “India’s Divider in Chief”. A detailed article on the cover story is also published.

The article indicates that the international media is also aware of the latest developments, including the general elections.

Corporate penetrate judiciary also.

Influential corporate houses had managed to penetrate the judiciary – says Justice Arun Mishra of the Supreme Court.
We know that the government policies are being influenced by the big corporates. One good example for this is the privatisation of the public sector companies. But, we are shocked to know that, the big corporates have penetrated into the Supreme Court also. This was revealed by none other than Justice Arun Mishra, of the Supreme Court. He has told that the influential corporate houses had managed to penetrate the judiciary. This statement is made by Justice Arun Mishra, because the judgement delivered by him in the open court, has been changed by the court staff, in the case of controversial builder, Amrapali.

(Courtesy: The Times of India dt. 09-05-2019 )(Courtesy: bsnleu.in)

Russia celebrates 74th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.

May 9, 2019 is the 74th anniversary of the victory of USSR over Hitler and the Nazi Germany. It was on 9th May in 1945, that the Soviet Red Army reached Berlin and raised the Red Flag there ending the dictatorship of Hitler and putting the last nail on his dream of subjugating the entire world.

After capturing France and other countries of the Europe, Hitler turned to USSR with his unstoppable mega army machine with the latest tanks, war planes etc. with lakhs of well trained army. They could invade deep in to the newly formed USSR. USSR requested Britain, France etc. to open a second line in Europe, so that the fierce attack on USSR could be weakened. But nothing was done. The imperialist countries were thinking that after USSR is defeated, then the attack on Hitler can be started.

USSR was determined to defend their Republic. At each and every step, the Nazi army had to face the defence of not only the army, but the common people. It was in Leningrad, that inch by inch fighting took place and the so called unbreakable Nazi Army was defeated. Nazi army was compelled to retreat. The USSR army not only liberated their country, but went after the Nazi army and reached Berlin, the capital of Germany, and raised the Red Flag there on Reichstag (Parliament) on 9th May 1945. It was almost the end of the II World War. Hitler committed suicide. The world escaped from a Nazist and Fascist dictatorship.
Although USSR is no more, Russian people still celebrates the victory over Fascism. This year also the anniversary was celebrated with military parade etc.

(Russian Yars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile systems roll through Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in downtown Moscow on May 9, 2019. Russia celebrates the 74th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany.)

BSNL Market Share increased from 10.22% to 10.63%

Despite all adverse conditions and discrimination by government, BSNL has increased its market share from 10.22% to 10.63% during March 2018 to February 2019. This was announced by BSNL Director (CN) Sheetla Prasad. This is when all telcos are losing market share except Reliance Jio, the favourite of the Modi government.

BSNL in a statement also said that it has installed 54,000 towers during 2018-2019, which is higher than the combined figures of previous three years.

Yes, BSNL can not be defeated. It is moving forward, though slowly.

Prime Minister has to answer to the people.

BSNL is a 100% Government company and dictated by the policies of the government. Whether required or not, the government is interfering in all matters to ensure that BSNL does not expand and is finished so that the private telcos, especially Reliance Jio can capture the entire market. BSNL is a thorn for the Reliance Jio and hence it has to be finished. And it is towards this idea, that central government is acting against BSNL.

But it has gone too far. The one lakh or so contract workers who are working continuously to keep the service maintained in good condition, are not paid their meagre wages for the last 4 months. This is totally unacceptable.

Mr. Prime Minister,  while thousands of crores of rupees are being arranged through loans etc. to the big corporates like Ambani, Adani etc. by you and your government, you are not even allowing BSNL to take loan from the banks to pay the wages to the contract employees.

In your own constituency, Varanasi, the contract workers are only paid about Rs. 1,500 /2000 monthly ( whereas the wages to be paid are Rs.10,500), and that also is not paid for ten months. Cruelty and inhuman action has a limit!

In similar situation in the KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation), when due to loss the company could not pay the wages and pension, the LDF government took up the responsibility and paid the wages and pension, despite the fact the government was in financial difficulty due to floods etc.

Mr. Prime minister, at least show human consideration to the starving families of the contract workers in BSNL. They dont require 50,000 or 60,000 crores of rupees like Adanis and Ambanis, not even 1% of that. You  spend thousands of crores of rupees for your costly dresses, but what about the hungry families, including children?

We request you to act immediately to ensure that the wages with arrears are paid to the BSNL contract workers.

 

 

BSNL stands with Odisha people.

The Fani storm has ravaged Odisha, with about 10 people died, hundreds of houses collapsed and more than 12 lakh people in the relief camps. The situation is very grave and the support and solidarity from all are required.

As in any time of natural calamities like floods, storms etc. BSNL is always there providing service to the affected people, while the private telcos are mostly absent. This is the same with the Fani storm in Odisha. Though initially, there was some problem, BSNL has quickly come back providing service and all help to the people.

BSNL always stand with the people!