Kerala LDF has got more allies.

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

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Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 26 : Seeking to widen its political base ahead of the coming Lok Sabha polls, the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front Wednesday inducted four more parties into its fold.

A crucial front meeting held here decided to include the Loktantrik Janata Dal led in the state by media baron and Rajya Sabha MP, M P Veerendra Kumar, the K Balakrishna Pillai-led Kerala Congress(B), the Indian National League (INL) and Democratic Kerala Congress (DKC) as new allies.

The other LDF constituents are CPI(M), CPI, Janata Dal (S), NCP, Kerala Congress (Scaria Thomas) and Congress (Secular).

Announcing the decision, LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan said though several parties have been cooperating with the LDF for some time, the final decision was taken about the four parties only.

“As the Congress and the BJP are taking positions which would destroy Kerala’s social achievements and destabilise the state by dividing it on communal lines, the LDF is joining hands with similar minds who have taken a stand against this,” he told reporters here.

Among the new allies, only the Kerala Congress (B), which has been cooperating with LDF since the last Assembly polls, has a legislator in the House- K B Ganesh Kumar.

Though KC(B) was an ally in the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front when it was in power last time, it had snapped ties with it in 2015 and has been supporting the LDF from outside.

INL, formed by leaders who had parted ways with the Indian Union Muslim League years ago, has been supporting the left front for quite some time.

As far as Veerendra Kumar was concerned, joining LDF was a homecoming. While heading the Janata Dal (Secular), Kumar had parted ways with the LDF over seat sharing before the 2009 Lok Sabaha polls.

He later formed the Socialist Janata (Democratic) party, a UDF partner.

Veerendra Kumar said he was happy to be back in the LDF, a system with which he and his party could go along ideologically.

M V Shreyams Kumar, son of Veerendra Kumar, is the LJD’s state president.

The LDF inducted more parties into its fold with an aim to win maximum seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, front sources said. (Courtesy: PTI)

Warm Greetings to the newly elected office-bearers of BSNLEU.

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

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The IX All India Conference of BSNLEU held at Mysuru from 17th to 20th December 2018, has unanimously elected the following office-bearers:

President : Com. Animesh Mitra, West Bengal
Vice-presidents : (1) Com. Balbir Singh, Ludhiana, Punjab
(2) Com. Nagesh Kumar Nalawade, Maharashtra
(3) Com. R.S.Chouhan, NTR, New Delhi
(4) Smt. K. Ramadevi, Andhra Pradesh
(5) Com. M.K. Dave, Gujarat.
(6) Com. K.S. Soun, Uttarakhand.
General Secretary : Com. P. Abhimanyu, Puducherry.
Dy. General Secretary : Com. Swapan Chakraborty, NE-I
Asst. General Secretaries : (1) Com. Sampath Rao, Telangana
(2) Com. S. Chellappa, Tamil Nadu
(3) Com. John Verghese, Maharashtra
(4) Com. Prakash Sharma, Madhya Pradesh
(5) Com. R.K. Mishra, UP (East)
(6) Com. Vijayakumar, Kerala
Treasurer : Com. Gakul Borah, Assam
Organising Secretaries : (1) Com. Ramesh Chand Sharma, Haryana
(2) Com. Sisir Kr. Roy, CTD, Kolkata
(3) Com. P.K. Jain, Rajasthan.
(4) Com. Amarjith Singh, Himachal Pradesh.
(5) Com. Naresh Pal, UP (West).
(6) Com. M.C. Balakrishna, Karnataka.
(7) Com. Irfan Pasha, Karnataka.
(8) Com. S.D. Chowdhary, TF-Mumbai
(9) Com. P.R. Parameswaran, Kerala.

Hearty Congratulations to all the office-bearers!

AUAB writes to DOT on reducing pension contribution on actual pay

26 Wednesday Dec 2018

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The letter writteny the AUAB to the Secretary DOT on the above subject is reproduced below.

ALL UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS OF BSNL (AUAB)
No: UA/2018/56 26.12.2018

To,
Ms. Aruna Sundararajan,
Secretary, Telecom,
Sanchar Bhawan,
20, Asoka Road, New Delhi, 110001

Respected Madam,
Sub: – Pension Contribution on actual basic pay instead of maximum of the pay scale – early reply to the
clarification sought by Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance on the methodology – reg.
The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) extremely grateful to your goodself and DoT for making a
very positive recommendation to Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance for making Pension
Contribution on actual basic pay instead of maximum of the pay scale for the BSNL employees absorbed
from DoT, as assured by the Hon Minister. DoT made the recommendations based on the DoP&T Order No.
2/34/2008-Estt. (Pay II) dated 19.11.2009 issued in super session of OM dated 15.05.2000 as per the
recommendations of 6th CPC. Government revised order relating to pension contribution payable w.e.f
01.01.2006, the date of implementation of 6th CPC. The pension to the employees absorbed in BSNL is paid
by the Government vide provisions under Rule-37 A and the pension contribution is paid under the
provisions of FR 116.
It is understood that last week, Department of Expenditure sought some clarifications in this regard on the
methodology of payment of pension contribution by BSNL and the effective date. Since the revision of pay
scales has taken place w.e.f. 01.01.2007 in BSNL, naturally the date of effect of the above OM will be from
01.01.2007. Considering the financial condition of BSNL, the excess payment of about Rs.2,200 Crores paid
by BSNL since 2007 as Pension Contribution may be refunded to BSNL.
A suitable reply in this regard may be sent to Department of Expenditure immediately, facilitating DoE to
take a positive decision in this regard at the earliest as assured by the Hon Minister.
Thanking you

Com.Nirupam Sen passed away.

24 Monday Dec 2018

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Kolkata, December 24: The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses deep grief at the passing away of Comrade Nirupam Sen, former member of the Polit Bureau and an outstanding leader of the Party. He died on December 24 after a prolonged illness at the age of 72.

Nirupam Sen began his political life as a student activist and became a prominent leader of the Bengal Provincial Student Federation and later the Students Federation of India. He joined the Party in 1964 and played an active role in various struggles of the peasantry and the working class in Burdwan district. In the early seventies, he had to go underground after false cases were foisted on him.

Sen became a wholetimer of the Party in 1968. He played a key role in expanding the Party in Burdwan district where he served as the secretary of the district committee from 1989 to 1995.

Nirupam Sen was elected to the West Bengal state committee in 1985 and he became a member of the state secretariat in 1995. He was elected to the Central Committee at the 16th Congress in 1998. He became a member of the Polit Bureau in 2008. After his ill health, he became a Special Invitee to the Central Committee between 2015 and 2018.

Comrade Sen was elected to the West Bengal State Assembly thrice. In 2001 he became the Industry and Commerce Minister in the Left Front government for two terms. As a Minister, he played a leading role in mapping out the industrial development of West Bengal and in formulating policies concerning human resources development, rural education, primary health infrastructure and Self Help Groups.

Nirupam Sen was an articulate exponent of Marxism and wrote extensively for Party papers. He was a popular speaker who could effectively put forth the Party’s views on various subjects. In 2013, he suffered a brain hemorrhage and was partially paralysed. Despite this disability, he continue to attend meetings and keep contact with comrades.

Nirupam Sen was a dedicated Marxist who endeared himself to all with his gentle and modest behavior.

In his death, the Party and the Left movement have lost a valuable leader. The Polit Bureau pays respectful tribute to the memory of Nirupam Sen and conveys its heartfelt condolences to his wife Chandrabali, his daughter, son and other members of the family. (Courtesy: Ganashakti)

Notice for General Strike on 8 th and 9th January by BSNL Employees.

24 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in BSNL, BSNLEU

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BSNL Employees Union
National Federation of Telecom Employees
BSNL Mazdoor Sangh
Telecom Employees Progressive Union
______________________________________________________________________________________________
24.12.2018
To
The Chairman & Managing Director,
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.,
Bharat Sanchar Bhawan,
Janpath, New Delhi – 110001.
Sir,
Sub: – Notice for General Strike on 8th and 9th January, 2019 – reg.

In accordance with the provisions of sub para (1) of section 22 of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, it is hereby notified
that the BSNL employees will join the General Strike, being organised on 8th and 9th January, 2019, on the following
charter of demands.

Demands:
1) Urgent measures for containing price-rise through universalisation of public distribution system and
banning speculative trade in commodity market.
2) Containing unemployment through concrete measures for employment generation.
3) Strict enforcement of all basic labour laws without any exception or exemption and stringent punitive
measures for violation of labour laws.
4) Universal social security cover for all workers.
5) Minimum wages of not less than Rs 18,000/- per month with provisions of indexation.
6) Assured enhanced pension not less than Rs.3,000/- p.m. for the entire working population.
7) Stoppage of disinvestment in Central/State PSUs and strategic sale.
8) Stoppage of contractorisation in permanent perennial work and payment of same wage and benefits for
contract workers as regular workers for same and similar work.
9) Removal of all ceilings on payment and eligibility of bonus, provident fund; increase the quantum of
gratuity.
10) Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days from the date of submitting application;
and immediate ratification of ILO Conventions C 87 and C 98
11) Against Labour Law Amendments
12) Against FDI in Railways, Insurance and Defence

Thanking you,
General Secretaries

Abuse through social media

23 Sunday Dec 2018

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In the social media, it is seen more and more that abuse and personal vilification are made when one is not able to defend his/her argument effectively and to the point. I feel it is part of defeated mentality. Either it can be ignored with disdain and contempt it deserves or tit-for-tat can be given or convince the person once again that his argument is weak and is to be changed. My preference is for the first option, since I do not want to hurt or humiliate the concerned person. I consider it as his weakness which is to be excused. I do not want to go down to his/her position.

Resolution adopted in the 9th All India Conference of BSNLEU, on Pension Revision for BSNL Retirees.

23 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in AIBDPA - BSNL DOT Pensioners, BSNL, BSNLEU, Pension

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Resolution adopted in the 9th All India Conference of BSNLEU,
on Pension Revision for BSNL Retirees.

This 9th All India Conference of BSNL Employees Union held at Mysuru from 17th to 20th 2018 welcomes
the assurance given by the Honorable Minister for Communications, Sri Manoj Sinha, on 3.12.2018 in
the meeting held by him with AUAB (All Unions and Associations of BSNL), for delinking pension
revision for the BSNL pensioners from pay revision of serving employees . This Conference demands for
immediate approval for this delinking.
This Conference further demands that the pension revision be done for the BSNL Pensioners from
1.1.2017 as well as those retired after 1.1.2017, on the basis of 15% increase on basic pension plus
119.8% DA , on par with the IDA Pay Revision ordered by DPE on the basis of 3rd PRC
recommendation.
This Conference demands the DoT and Government of India for automatic revision of pension on the
basis the highest fitment benefit granted in IDA pay revision for executives in future also.

A unique decision on recognition of BSNL Unions – BSNLEU shows the way.

23 Sunday Dec 2018

Posted by in BSNLEU, General

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,

“Mysuru All India Conference takes historic decision to strengthen working class unity!
The Mysuru All India Conference has taken a historic decision to strengthen working class unity. This is the time when greater unity has to be built to settle the wage revision, pension revision and to safeguard BSNL from the attacks of the government. Revival of BSNL is our historic task. Without unity, we cannot achieve all these. This is not the time to quarrel among us on petty issues. This is not the time to test who is bigger and who is smaller. Particularly, the unity of the two recognised unions- BSNLEU and NFTE- is the need of the hour. The Mysuru All India Conference deeply deliberated this. Finally, the Conference decided to get the Recognition Rule modified, to strengthen unity. As per the Non- Executives’ Recognition Rules, if the first union gets 50% votes or more, than the second union will not get recognition. The Mysuru All India Conference has unanimously passed a resolution, demanding that this clause should be removed. We are hopeful that this will pave the way for closer coordination and understanding between the BSNLEU and NFTE- the two major trade unions of BSNL.” (courtesy: bsnleu.in)

It is also to be remembered that BSNLEU, the lone recognised union in BSNL in the last membership verification, demanded the government to recognise the second largest union in BSNL and thus the second union, NFTE got recognition. The present decision takes one more step in this direction. Congratulations to BSNLEU!

At this stage when further unity is being brought, let us not forget the past also. In the first membership verification in 2002, NFTE got about 1,05,000 votes and got recognition while BSNLEU got about 90,000 and became the second union. BSNLEU demanded that the BSNL management should recognise two unions in BSNL as was done in DOT ie. NFTE and FNTO. The BSNL Management was prepared for the same, but Com.O.P.Gupta, SG NFTE, threatened the the management with approaching court as also agitational programmes. Hence, the the management did not grant recognition to BSNLEU. In the next verification, BSNLEU became the sole recognised union, and continued as such till the last membership verification when BSNLEU itself demanded for the recognition of the II Union which made NFTE eligible for recognition. Now going one further step BSNLEU has demanded that even if the first union gets more than 50%, the second union should be recognised. This is an unparalleled decision and certainly will reduce the bitterness in the membership campaign and also go a long way in united struggle for BSNL and its workers.