Draft National Digital Communications Policy-2018

The Department of Telecom (DOT) has published the Draft of the “National Digital Communications Policy – 2018” a few days back. This is in continuation of its National Telecom Policy- 1994, National Telecom Policy – 1999 and NTP – 2012.

All the earlier NTPs have been approved with the intention of bringing private corporates in the telecom sector and weaken the government/public sector telecom. The new Policy, which is not NTP, but named “National Digital Communications Policy – 2018” is also in the same direction. There is no much assistance to the PSUs, BSNL or MTNL. There is no provision to give 4G / 5G to them. High words are used, but it all amounts to favouring the private corporates.

With BSNL and MTNL in the field, India is providing one of the cheapest service in the world. Destroy these PSUs, the people will have to pay at least ten times for the service being provide to them. The wolves and hyenas, the MNCs, are waiting their time for finishing the PSUs, with the tacit support of the government. It will be a catastrophe for the entire population of this great country. A serious struggle and movement by the workers with the support of the people alone is the remedy.

Kerala LDF Government Marches Ahead

At the time of completing two years of its rule, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government in Kerala, led by Chief Minister Com. Pinarayi Vijayan, marches ahead with path breaking achievements on many fronts, including health, development, construction of homes, public education etc. Some of these are being stated in brief below:

1. ARDRAM Mission – caring for the health of citizens:

Made much improvement made in the facilities in the government hospitals and and Public Health centres by free or at a reasonable cost. Cancer Care introduced in all Medical Colleges at low cost. 170 Primary Health Centres have been transformed to Family Health Centres. Community Health Centres and taluk hospitals strengthened. Palliative Care and dialysis centres provided.

2. Life Mission – Homes for all

Life Mission is intended to provide homes to all the citizens of the state. The government will provide assistance in completing the construction of unfinished houses, construction of houses for those who have land but no means for construction and also construction of flats for the landless. Already completed construction of 28,000 unfinished houses. Flats are being constructed for those who have neither land or house. For those in the coastal belt, special housing complexes are built.

3. Public Education

Kerala stands first in literacy in the country with almost 100% literacy. The LDF government is making the government / public schools to reach the international standard and Rs. 2000 crore provided for the same this year. Many schools have already been transformed in this direction. About one and lakh new students more have joined the government schools last year. School Children are provided nutritious free lunch and breakfast etc.

4. Haritha Kerala – Green Kerala

The mission intends to improve and increase agricultural production. Already paddy cultivation increased to 1.31 lakh hectares of land. Wells, Tanks, ponds, streams, rivers etc. rejuvenated in all the districts with well planned actions with the support of the people. Organised organic farming by the people in their house-hold with the assistance of the government. Clean and green state is the aim.

Congratulations to the Pinarayi Government! (to be continued)

:Meeting with Assistant Labour Commissioner (C), New Delhi held on 29-5-2018.

As scheduled, a meeting with the ALC (C)( on behalf of CLC), was held on 29-05-2018 at New Delhi. On behalf of the BSNLCCWF, Com. VAN Namboodiri, President, Com Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, Com. K. R. Yadav, VP, Com. Tapas Kumar Ghosh, WP, Com. Tapos Banerjee, Treasurer and on behalf of BSNL Management, five officers were present in the meeting. BSNL management submitted a written reply on issues which was raised by the ALC (C) ND in the last meeting. After getting the copy of the reply, Com Animesh Mitra, SG, raised the objection that as per the questions of the CLC (C), the reply has not been given by the Management. We raised the questions and discussion held regarding the important issues like:-

i) Gratuity for the (Contract Labourer) – BSNL management assured before the CLC that necessary order will be issued for the Contract Workers before the next meeting with the ALC.

ii) Gratuity for the left out Casual labourers – In this connection, BSNL Management has stated that it will decide in the next BSNL Board meeting if details of the left out casual labourers will be available. They have also informed that on the issue of gratuity of a particular Casual Labore in Coochbehar SSA has been approved after obtaining the legal opinion from the legal cell. In this regard, ALC (C) has requested to the leaders to lodge the complaint before the ALCs through out the country.

iii) Wages of left out Casual labouers – as written reply submitted by the BSNL wherein it is mentioned that casual labourers are being paid the wages based on minimum CDA Pay scale plus dearness allowance. It also mentioned that the revision of wages to the casual labours will be paid after 3rd PRC is implemented. We objected to the reply and after argument, CLC has stated that after discussion with CLC, he will deliver his verdict. It is also stated that he will try to arrange a meeting with the Chief Labour Commissioner. (Website : BSNLCCWF)

Successful Bank Workers Two Days Strike

Bank employees in the country were compelled to wage a two days strike on 30th and 31st May, 2019 as the Indian Bankers Association (IBA) offered a meagre 2% hike in their pay which is due from 1st November, 2017. The bank unions under the banner of UFBU which includes al the federations of bank employees, Bank Employees Federation of India, Confederation of Bank Employees, All India Bank Officers Confederation, All India Bank Employees Association and All India Bank Officers Association has slammed the IBA for their arrogant and negative stand on grant of a reasonable wage to the bank employees. The reported loss of the banks are only because of huge amount being transferred towards mounting bad loans or NPA and the bank workers are no way responsible for it.
The strike is a complete success through out the country and cental government should intervene in the matter for an amicable settlement.
My hearty congratulation to the bank workers and the unions for the successful united strike and extend its full support to their struggles for the genuine cause.

Central Govt. justifies petrol price increase – protests all over the country

Petrol and diesel prices across the country were raised for the eleventh consecutive day today with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) passing on the increase in international fuel prices to the consumers. This follows the 19-day price freeze initiated by OMCs before the Karnataka polls.
Price of non-branded petrol in Delhi soared to Rs 77.47 per litre today, the highest price recorded in Delhi’s history, and a 30 paise per litre hike over Wednesday’sprice. The previous high for petrol price in Delhi was Rs 76 per liter in September 2013 when crude oil prices were hovering around $108-115 per barrel. Similarly, diesel prices in the national capital soared to Rs 68.53 per litre today, the highest recorded ever.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday at a press briefing argued that fuel taxes were necessary for country’s development. “As far as fuel prices are concerned, including the excise duty or other taxes thereupon, they are very clearly used for country’s development, for constriction of more national highways, more roads, more digital infrastructure, taking energy to those villages which were without energy for last so many years,” he said.
The price of Petrol has peaked at record levels in other metro cities too, including Rs 85.29 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 80.42 in Chennai and Rs 80.12 per litre in Kolkata. Price of every litre of non-branded diesel has also peaked at Rs 72.96 in Mumbai, Rs 72.35 in Chennai and Rs 71.08 in Kolkata.
Prasad added, “In view of the uncertainty in the crude prices globally, a new sense of urgency has developed. The govt is keen that instead of having an ad-hoc measure, it is desirable to have a long-term view that addresses not only the volatility but also takes care of the unnecessary ambiguity arising out of frequent ups and downs.”

Meanwhile the price of crude oil in the international market is crashing and now as on 28th May, 2018, the price per barrel is only $ 66.83.

Strong protest demonstrations and rallies are being organised in many places by the opposition parties. (News Report)

Congratulations to Kerala LDF government for creating more than 70,000 jobs within 2 years.

It is a commendable record of the Kerala LDF government has give job to 70,000 youths through Public Service Commission. It has created 13,000 new jobs during these two years. This is when the Corporates and the Central government are retrenching workers / not filling up vacancies. The Kerala Road transport Corporation which was on huge loss is being restored to its past glory. Government has allotted sufficient funds for its restoration and also for payment of pension.

Kerala is the only state, in which there is no suicide by kisan. Lakhs of kisan have committed suicide all over India during this period.

Kerala is on the path of great development. The government is committed to the growth of the state.

Central Govt. justifies petrol price increase – protests all over the country

Petrol and diesel prices across the country were raised for the eleventh consecutive day today with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) passing on the increase in international fuel prices to the consumers. This follows the 19-day price freeze initiated by OMCs before the Karnataka polls.
Price of non-branded petrol in Delhi soared to Rs 77.47 per litre today, the highest price recorded in Delhi’s history, and a 30 paise per litre hike over Wednesday’sprice. The previous high for petrol price in Delhi was Rs 76 per liter in September 2013 when crude oil prices were hovering around $108-115 per barrel. Similarly, diesel prices in the national capital soared to Rs 68.53 per litre today, the highest recorded ever.
Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday at a press briefing argued that fuel taxes were necessary for country’s development. “As far as fuel prices are concerned, including the excise duty or other taxes thereupon, they are very clearly used for country’s development, for constriction of more national highways, more roads, more digital infrastructure, taking energy to those villages which were without energy for last so many years,” he said.
The price of Petrol has peaked at record levels in other metro cities too, including Rs 85.29 per litre in Mumbai, Rs 80.42 in Chennai and Rs 80.12 per litre in Kolkata. Price of every litre of non-branded diesel has also peaked at Rs 72.96 in Mumbai, Rs 72.35 in Chennai and Rs 71.08 in Kolkata.
Prasad added, “In view of the uncertainty in the crude prices globally, a new sense of urgency has developed. The govt is keen that instead of having an ad-hoc measure, it is desirable to have a long-term view that addresses not only the volatility but also takes care of the unnecessary ambiguity arising out of frequent ups and downs.”

Strong protest demonstrations and rallies are being organised in many places by the opposition parties. (News Report)

Two Years of LDF Government in Kerala – Unparalleled Progress and Development.

Pinarayi Vijayan led Kerala LDF government has completed two years in office. Within these two years many of the election promises have been fulfilled by the government. Secular traditions are kept intact. Whether it is the case of international standard education, health care and hospital facilities, Social justice, improvement in agriculture, home for the homeless, Development at all levels, women safety, pension to all senior citizens etc. etc., Kerala stands first in the country. More than 70,000 new jobs have been created and filled up. 12 of the loss making PSUs have been made profitable during these two years. Others are on the line. Awards have been received from the central government as also international institutions for the best law and order, least corruption, Best administration etc. Yes, the LDF government is marching ahead implementing its poll assurances, one after another.

Congratulation to the LDF government on completing two years of successful pro-people activities!

Now it is ‘Tower Subsidiary Company’ for MTNL. Also selling of MTNL.

NITI Ayog has now recommended selling of MTNL as also forming a separate ‘Subsidiary Tower Company’ by hiving of the towers of the MTNL. The recommendation as reported in the Times of India (26-05-2018) is reproduced below:

“The panel (NITI Aayog), headed by economist Rajiv Kumar has also recommended that government should begin selling assets in MTNL, once a top state-run company, which is now the third-biggest loss maker behind BSNL and Air India. The proposal is to hive off the telecom PSU’s towers into a separate company and sell off the entity. An outright stake sale has not been proposed, given the large real estate holdings.”

Demolishing the Planning Commission, which has been the instrument for planning the developments of the country, the Modi government had constituted NITI Ayog for the demolition of the PSUs. The latter is doing its work well by recommending the closure or privatisation of the PSUs one after another. BSNL, the biggest loss making PSU as per the above reference of NITI Ayog, is certainly in its list for closure / privatisation, but the united protest of the workers has made it to keep the secret within itself.

The danger of privatisation is hanging on the heads of the workers of the BSNL and MTNL. The entire workers of these two Telecom PSUs, the executives, the non-executives and the top management of ITS officers should join together to save the companies and themselves. The danger is real and imminent. The corporates and MNCs are pressing for the closure/privatisation of BSNL and MTNL which are the obstruction and block for their increasing the charges for telecom services, as the increase in the petrol/ diesel prices. A massive campaign through out the country is required, the support of the common people is important and mighty united struggle required to defeat the nefarious plan of the government.

Then E.III (N) Union and a few other unions put strong protest and went on strike several times against corporatisation of telecom services. It warned the workers that corporatisation is the first step towards privatisation. This is coming to be true. The only way is the united struggle of the entire workers including the ITS officers. Privatisation or closure will result in a bleak future for every body, including the new recruits.

‘Do or Die’ is the slogan. United struggle is our weapon. BSNL workers will fight and defeat the ill-motived pro-corporate decision of the Modi Government.

Kerala PSUs shows profit and improvement under LDF government.

During the earlier UDF Government almost all the PSUs in Kerala had become loss making and decline. Some were proposed to be closed. But during the two year period of the LDF government some of them have become profitable and all are on the way for better performance. As per he latest reports 14 out of the 42 PSUs have become profitable. The Pinarayi Government has offered to take over the Central PSUs in Kerala, which the central government want to hand over to the private corporates.

The Modi Government is the Destroyer of PSUs, while Pinarayi Government is the Protector of the PSUs!