Modi Government against the Pensioners

09 Tuesday Apr 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, CG Employees, NCCPA, Pension

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Modi government never cared for the central pensioners. It seems that the government is of the opinion that the pensioners are a burden on the nation and has to be denied even the basic requirement that a pensioner requires.

The VII Central Pay Commission recommended that ‘One Rank, One  Pension’ system, which was already implemented for the retired army personnel,  be implemented to other central pensioners also. The Modi Government, to deny any improvement in the recommendations, have stated that the CPC is an award and it can not be improved. But in the case of pensioners, why the recommended One Rank One Pension is not being implemented?

Pension Revision is to be implemented to the BSNL absorbed DOT pensioners w.e.f. 01-01-2017, after 10 years of the Pension Revision implemented in 2007. But it is refusing to implement the Pension Revision, causing much anguish and agony to the concerned pensioners.

The demand of the NCCPA  to introduce the statutory benefit pension scheme to those newly recruited since 2004 ( in the case of BSNL recruitees from 2000) instead of the NPS, has not been accepted by the government. (It is to be noted here that the Kerala LDF government has appointed a committee to look in to the conversion of NPS introduced for the kerala state employees by the UDF government in 2013 back to statutory benefit pension scheme. )

While the LDF Government in Kerala is paying Social Security Pension of Rs. 1,200 to all those who completed 60 years and has no other pension, the BJP ( as also the Congress ) led governments are paying a meagre amount of Rs. 200 – 400 only as such social security pension.

Please see that even the respected elder leaders in BJP have been ignored and insulted. That is BJP.

Yes, there is a big difference between the BJP/Congress governments and the Left Front government with their approach to the issues of the pensioners.

The Lok Sabha elections are going on. This is the time teach the Modi government a hard lesson that pensioners will not be silent against attack on them. Vote for the Left, wherever they are there. Vote for the other secular parties where Left candidates are not there.

The defeat of the BJP in this election is a must for the better existence of the pensioners and senior citizens in the country.

 

Massive Sanchar Bhawan March by BSNL Workers.

06 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in AUAB, BSNL

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As per the call of the AUAB, thousands of Executives and Non-Executives participated in the massive March to Sanchar Bhawan held today. The rally started from Eastern Court at 11:45 hrs. It was stopped at Jantar Mantar where a huge meeting was conducted. Com.Chandeshwar Singh, Chairman, AUAB, presided. It was addressed by Com.Tapan Sen, General Secretary, CITU, Com.Kango, Vice President, CITU. Com.P.Abhimanyu, GS, BSNLEU & Convenor, AUAB, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com.Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com. Suresh Kumar, GS, BSNL MS and Com.Rasheed Khan, AGS, TEPU. We heartily thank the thousands of comrades who enthusiastically participated in this rally from the nooks and corners of the country, to demand the implementation of the charter of demands of the AUAB. (courtesy: BSNLEU)

No Compromise on IDA Scales for Pension Revision

06 Saturday Apr 2019

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL

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It is understood that some DOT officers are thinking of converting the pension revision in to the CDA pattern as suggested by certain pension organisations to the Minister and the DOT. This is completely unacceptable. We had pointed out earlier that requests for pension revision on the basis of VII CPC will be utilised by the government and administration to trap the pensioners and compel them to accept the CDA scales  as recommended by the VII CPC. It is also reported that the benefit of IDA pension revision got as per II PRC also is in danger.

I am quoting from the post in the website of the Pensioners’ Association with regard to their meeting with DOT Officers:

“We made out a point that DOT Establishment section is not taking the required action. In DOT, if anyone feels that the hike given to us at the time of absorption and according to 2nd PRC isto be adjusted in future revisions , we will not allow it. We should continue to draw higher Pension for all the times to come.”

We had from the start mentioned that the demand for Pension revision on the basis of VII CPC will be cunningly utilised by the government to change the pension revision on CDA basis. The present report indicates  that the danger is real.

We strongly oppose this move of the DOT to revise the pension on the CDA pattern as recommended by the VII CPC. We also request the associations which requested for pension revision on the basis of VII CPC to refrain from pressing the demand, seeing the the trap in which they are being put by the DOT and the loss in pension if the proposal is accepted.

WFTU Presidential Council at Athens, Greece

04 Thursday Apr 2019

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Athens, Greece: The Presidential Council Meeting started its works today April 3rd, 2019
03 Apr 2019

EUROPE, GREECE, PRESIDENTIAL COUNCIL

The works of the first day of the WFTU Presidential Council Meeting started with great enthusiasm and participation on April 3rd, 2019 in Athens, Greece.

The WFTU President Mzwandile Michael Makwayiba declared the official commencement of the meeting and then the WFTU General Secretary George Mavrikos presented the introductory speech.

During the 2-days meeting, the presidential council members will discuss and determine the WFTU goals and priorities for 2019.

SAVE BSNL, SAVE THE NATION!

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in BSNL, PSU

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IN 2000, THE WORKERS LOST THE BATTLE AGAINST CORPORATISATION OF TELECOM SERVICES AND FORMATION OF BSNL, DESPITE SUSTAINED STRUGGLES, FOR REASONS WELL KNOWN. ASSURANCES ON SAFEGUARDING THE INTERESTS OF BSNL, ITS WORKERS AND PENSIONERS WERE NOTHING BUT EMPTY PROMISES, AS IS REALISED NOW.

WAGES, PAY, PENSION, JOB SECURITY – THE EXISTENCE OF BSNL ITSELF IS UNDER ATTACK BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE 100% OWNER. THE CORPORATE HYENAS ARE WAITING IMPATIENTLY TO DEVOUR THE PSUS.

INCESSANT STRUGGLE BY THE WORKERS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE IS THE ONLY WAY TO DEFEND THE PSUS, THE ASSETS OF THE NATION AND ITS WORKERS. SAVE PSUS – SAVE NATION!

STRUGGLE FOR UNITY, UNITY FOR STRUGGLE –  UNITY AND STRUGGLE FOR PROGRESS!

 

Save the Public Sector

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in privatisation, PSU, SAVE BSNL CAMPAIGN, Uncategorized

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Public Sector units, whether under the control of Central or State governments, are started with important aims and objectives like providing satisfactory essential services to the people at low cost, providing infrastructure in the various core sectors, catering to the national important sectors like defence, telecom, airways, railways et. etc.  as also providing jobs to the youth. About 270 PSUs were there in the central government and probably more under the  various state governments. These PSUs served the cause of the nation. They were the backbone of the government.

But unfortunately, after 1980s, and especially from 1990 onwards, the central government, based on the liberalisation, globalisation, privatisation policy (LPG), started discriminating the public sector for the private sector. Through various ways, the PSUs were made weak, loss making and then  started closing, selling  or privatising them. The government lost valuable PSUs and sold them at throw away prices. The corruption involved in these transactions are well known. Both the UPA and NDA governments continued with the same anti-PSU policy. The were selling the valuable assets of the country and the people to the corporates.

The main job of the NITI Ayog, the institution formed in place of the Planning Commission demolished by the Modi Government, is to select the PSUs for closure or privatisation. Already many PSUs like HMT, ITI, Air India, BSNL, MTNL, BEL are in the list for closure or privatisation citing loss. But many profitable PSUs are also in the list.

If the BJP led NDA comes in to power for the next term also, it is certain that most of the PSUs, whether Navaratna, Mini Ratna or otherwise will be sold or privatised. The undue favour being shown to the Ambanis, Adanis etc.  clearly shows this trend.

It is time that all the managements of the PSUs, the unions/associations of these PSUs should come together, discuss the future of the PSUs and how to defend the Public Sector. Already the Central trade Unions and the Central Public Sector Trade Unions (CPSTU) are on the job. But this work has to be accelerated, strengthened and a strong and sustained struggles organised, if the PSUs are to be saved.

In contrast to the policies of the central government, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government in Kerala led by Com. Pinarayi Vijayan as the Chief Minister, is making all out efforts to strengthen the Public Sector and provide more jobs to the jobless youth. Out of the 44 PSUs, all of which were loss making during the UDF government, 15 are already made to profit making, and maximum efforts are put to bring the other PSUs also profit making. New workers are recruited.

The CPI(M) in its election manifesto has focussed the necessity of strengthening the PSUs, which are the valuable assets of the nation and which can provide many jobs.

One is a policy against the interests of the common people and the workers, and the other is a people-worker oriented policy. The election gives a chance for each and every individual to cast his vote without fear or favour.

 

Allotment of 4 G Spectrum to BSNL – Why refer to TRAI – Allot Spectrum to BSNL immediately

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in BSNL, Spectrum

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It is reported that the question of allotment of 4G Spectrum has been referred to TRAI by the DOT and the same is pending with the TRAI for some time.

The allotment of 4G Spectrum to private telcos was never referred to TRAI. Then why refer it to the TRAI when it comes to  BSNL. This is completely discriminatory and against the interests of the subscribers and BSNL. Further the anti-BSNL stand of the TRAI is well known through its past decisions.

The government should put an end to this injustice to the BSNL. The 4 G Spectrum should be allotted BSNL with out delay.

Com.M.B.Rajesh, a close friend of CG employees, Postal and BSNL workers

26 Tuesday Mar 2019

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(Photo: Com.  M.B.Rajesh, M.P. releasing the book “The CG Employees’ Historic Strike of 19th September 1968” on 19-09-2018 authored by Coms. V.A.N.Namboodiri and P.V.Chandrasekharan)

Com. M.B. Rajesh, the present  is Parliament Member from Palakkad is again  contesting for Parliament in the same constituency. He is one of the young and vibrant M.P.s in the Parliament. His intervention in the Parliament, the number of important questions he raised etc. are records by themselves.

He had taken up many issues of the CG employees, Postal and BSNL workers, Pensioners, contract workers  etc. in the Parliament and also helped to meet the respective ministers on very important issues. I had met him several times and he was always most helpful. He is simple, well educated and a good speaker. Palakkad, in fact Kerala,  is fortunate that he is contesting again.

We wish him a bigger success than last time with huge majority!

Modi’s and Gujarat CM’s photo in Air India Boarding Pass – withdrawn after out rage.

26 Tuesday Mar 2019

Posted by in General

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There is no limit to what the government will do to give publicity to the Prime minister and BJP officially. The latest is the Air India Boarding Pass featuring Prime Minister Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
There was much outrage as the pictures violate the Model Code of Conduct.

Air India now has decided to withdraw the boarding passes featuring the pictures of PM and Gujarat CM, following the outrage. Similarly, Railways also had to withdraw its tickets recently, featuring the PM after TMC complained to the Election Commission.

Com.P.R.Natarajan, a close friend of the Telecom workers and casual labours.

26 Tuesday Mar 2019

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Com.P.R.Natarajan, former M.P., who is now contesting for Parliament in the Coimbatore constituency is a close friend, comrade and adviser of the BSNL workers, Pensioners and casual  contract labour.

During his earlier stint as M.P. , it was he who took up the issue of the casual and contract workers in the Parliament Standing Committee. Several meetings were held during the last few years and the pressure of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the DOT and BSNL Management was such that they were compelled to implement many of the labour laws, including EPF, ESI, Gratuity (casual labour) etc. for the casual contract workers. I had the opportunity to participate in all these meetings as the President of the BSNLCCWF and argued the cause. In addition to Com. P.R.Natarajan, M.P., Parliament members Coms. K.Chandran Pillai, C.S.Sujatha, P.Sambath, K.N.Venugopal, M.B.Rajesh and many other M.P.s also supported our cause.

Com. P.R.Natarajan, M.P. was always most helpful in taking up the issues of the BSNL employees. His office regularly contacted me to find out the latest position of the issues raised. He is a real close friend of the BSNL workers, pensioners and casual contract workers. In fact he considered himself as one of us. Many times, I was surprised by his simplicity, straight forwardness and affection for the downtrodden.

I am sure that the entire BSNL and other working class comrades will fully support his candidature and work for his success.

I wish him every success in the election!