The March to Parliament by the BSNL workers on 23rd February 2018 as per the call of the BSNL Unions and Associations was a huge success with massive participation of the workers from all parts of the country. Comrades from the length and breadth of the country came to the capital to show their anger and distress at the negative attitude of the government on the most important demands like wage revision, pension revision, pensionary benefits to the BSNL recruitees, cancellation of the formation of a separate tower company bifurcating the towers of BSNL, reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58 etc. Thousands and thousands thronged the capital to participate in the March. More than one thousand comrades from All India BSNL DOT Pensioners Association (AIBDPA) also participated. They always participated in the programmes of All Unions and Associations, because they know that today’s workers are tomorrow’s pensioners and that it will be only through the valiant struggles of the workers that the issues of pensioners also will be settled.

The gathering point for start of the March was the large space in front of the Eastern Court, occupying the offices of BSNL and MTNL. From 0900 hours onward comrades started coming with the flags and banners of their unions/associations. By about 10.00 hours the square was filled and many comrades had to stand on the pavement of the road. The March was inaugurated by Com. Tapan Sen, M.P. and General Secretary of CITU, the mighty organisation of the Indian working class. In his powerful speech, he congratulated the workers, supported the demands and warned the government that BSNL workers not only knew how to improve the services, but also to go on mighty struggles, which will hamper the entire service. He stated that the entire central trade unions are supporting the united struggle of the BSNL workers. Comrades from other central trade unions, Com. Vidya Sagar Giri (AITUC) and Shri Zile Singh (INTUC) also address the gathering.

After the inauguration and the speeches, the Parliament March started with the banner of the ALL Unions and Associations in front with the General Secretaries leading. Slogans focussing the demands and protesting against the negative attitude of the government on the justified demands were raised, which echoed again and again in the streets of the capital. There were more than thousands and thousands of workers with a good number of pensioners also, whose future also depended upon the settlement of the demands. The procession marched through the streets of Delhi towards Parliament, where it was stopped in front of the Parliament Police Station by three lines of blockades and by a big police force. There was clashes between the workers who wanted to march ahead and the police who wanted to stop them. At last it was decided to hold the rally there itself with the advance vehicle converted in to a temporary stage. The entire street as also both the sides were filled up by the workers. Com. P.Abhimanyu, General secretary BSNLEU welcomed all and spoke about the demands and the need to continue the struggle, till the demands are met. Com. Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com. K. Jayprakash, GS, FNTO, Com. N.D. Ram, GS, SEWA BSNL, Com. Ravi Shil Verma, GS, AIGETOA, Com. Mallikarjuna, President, BSNL MS, Com. S.D. Sharma, GS, BSNL ATM and Com. G.L. Jogi spoke. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri in his speech supported the struggle, congratulated the workers and assured that the entire pensioners and casual- contract workers will be with the BSNL workers in their fully justified struggle.

Later a meeting was held at Sanchar Bhawan between the Secretary, DOT, Smt. Aruna Sundera Rajan and the general secretaries of the unions and associations, where almost all the members of the Telecom Board were present. Detailed discussions took place and the demands were strongly put before the DOT. The meeting with the Communications Minister will be held next day, 24th February 2018.

The massive parliament March has been a wake-up call to the DOT as well as the government. The government, now can not continue its slumber on the demands of the workers. They will have to act and act decisively. It is a question of ‘Do or Die’ for the workers. As in the past, the BSNL workers workers will continue their struggles till the demands are met.

Unity for Struggle, Struggle for Unity and Unity and Struggle for Progress!

A meeting is held at the Sanchar Bhawan today the 24.02.2018, between Shri Manoj Sinha, Hon’ble Minister of State for Communications and the All Unions and Associations of BSNL. Together with the Minister, Secretary, DoT, Special Secretary, DoT, Joint Secretary (Admn.), DoT, OSD to the Hon’ble Minister, DDG (Estt.), DoT, CMD BSNL and Director (HR) BSNL were present. From the All Unions and Associations of BSNL, Com. P. Abhimanyu, GS, Com. Chandeswar Singh, GS, NFTE, Com. K. Sebastin, GS, SNEA, Com. Prahlad Rai, GS, AIBSNLEA, Com. K. Jayaprakash, GS, FNTO, Com. N.D. Ram, GS, SEWA BSNL, Com. Ravi Shil Verma, GS, AIGETOA, Com. Mallikarjuna, President, BSNL MS and Com. S.D. Sharma, GS, BSNL ATM, participated in the discussions. The representatives of the AUAB heartily thanked the Hon’ble Minister for taking out time to meet them. Detailed discussions took place on the memorandum submitted to the Hon’ble Minister, the details of which are as follows:-

Note on the discussion.
(1) 3rd Pay Revision.
So far, the DoT has been maintaining that BSNL employees are not eligible for 3rd Pay Revision. In
today’s meeting the Hon’ble Minister agreed that the issue of 3rd Pay Revision of BSNL employees
would be processed and would be taken for the approval of the DPE and the Cabinet. This is a great
achievement. We have broken the stalemate that prevailed in the Pay Revision issue. At the same time
we have to be vigilant, till the final approval is given by the Cabinet.
(2) Formation of Subsidiary Tower Company.
The AUAB representatives expressed their apprehension that in the name of formation of the Tower
Company, the 66,000 mobile towers of BSNL are being snatched away from BSNL. They also pointed
out that the decision of the Cabinet that, the Subsidiary Tower Company would remain under the control
of BSNL Management, has been violated, through the appointment of an IAS officer as the CMD of
Subsidiary Tower Company. They further pointed out that even BSNL Management was not taken in to
confidence in the appointment of an IAS officer as the CMD of the Subsidiary Tower Company, which
clearly shows that the Subsidiary Tower Company would not be under the control of BSNL
Management. The reply given by the Hon’ble Minister in this regard is non-committal and not
satisfactory. The AUAB has to find ways and means to ensure the rolling back of the Subsidiary Tower
Company.
(3) Pension Revision.
The representatives of AUAB strongly argued that pension revision should be done to the BSNL
pensioners. It was pointed out that the BSNL pensioners and the Central Government pensioners are
covered by the same rules. They argued that when pension revision is settled for the Central
Government pensioners, the same should not be denied to the BSNL pensioners. The Hon’ble Minister
assured that needful action would be taken to settle this issue, and directed the Secretary to take
necessary action.
(4) Calculation of Pension Contribution.
It was strongly argued that pension contribution in respect of BSNL employees cannot be calculated on
the basis of maximum of the pay scale, when the same is calculated on the basis of actual basic pay, in
the case of Central Government employees on deputation. It was pointed out that as per the DoP&T
order issued in 2006, pension contribution of the Central Government employees is being deducted on
the basis of actual pay only w.e.f. 01.01.2017. The Hon’ble Minister directed the Secretary, DoT, that
this issue should be settled as per Government orders.
(5) Allotment of 4G spectrum to BSNL.
The AUAB representatives pointed out that it will be extremely difficult for BSNL to compete with the
private operators, without providing 4G service. They strongly argued that the proposal of the BSNL
Management, for the allotment of 4G spectrum by the Government, should be accepted. The Hon’ble
Minister replied in the positive and assured that needful action would be taken and spectrum will be
allotted to BSNL.
(6) Reduction of retirement age from 60 to 58.
The AUAB representatives strongly argued that the retirement age of the BSNL employees should not
be reduced from 60 to 58, as a measure for the revival of BSNL. The Hon’ble Minister told that the
government is not having any proposal to reduce the retirement age from 60 to 58.
(7) Left out issues of the 2nd PRC.
The AUAB representatives pointed out that this issue is lingering on very long time and needs to be
settled. The Hon’ble Minister stated that this issue would be looked into by the Secretary, DoT.
At the end of the meeting, the Hon’ble Minister stated that the representatives of AUAB could meet him again,
as well as the Secretary, DoT, in continuation of today’s meeting. The representatives of AUAB heartily
thanked the Minister for his positive response to most of the issues.
After the meeting with the Hon’ble Minister, a meeting of the AUAB was held in the FNTO’s office. All the
General Secretaries expressed their satisfaction with regards to the progress in the issues. They also expressed
the view that all these have happened only because of the united struggles and massive mobilisations by the
entire Non-Executives and Executives, for which they deserve appreciation.
(Courtesy: BSNLEU Website)

Nirav Modi, who looted Punjab National Bank and other PSU banks thousands of crores of rupees and left the country now says that he will not pay the dues to the workers, because the authorities have raided his companies! This is the real face of the corporates. Nirav Modi has looted and kept his loots in foreign banks and real estate there and says no money to pay wages for the workers who toiled for his companies. The vulgar face of crony capitalism!

The Central cabinet has decided to denationalise coal mining. Coal mining was the monopoly of PSU Coal India Limited, although private companies were allowed to mine for their own limited use.

According to the present decision the monopoly of CIL is taken away and private companies can mine for commercial use.

One more decision against the public sector and in favour of corporates.

Privatisation programmes go on aggressively. The loss is to the nation and the common people.

It is reported that Air India is in operational profit for the last two years. Congratulations!

Indian Labour Conference Postponed After RSS-Affiliated BMS Threatens To Boycott Prime Minister Narendra Modi

“BMS decided to boycott ILC due to the centre’s anti-labour policies,” RSS trade union President said.

The Centre has indefinitely postponed the Indian Labour Conference to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after RSS trade union BMS threatened to boycott it over the Union budget that was “unsympathetic to labour and workers”.

At the 47th ILC scheduled to be held on February 26 and 27, trade unions and employers were to discuss key issues over employment and security of workers.

The Union Labour and Employment Ministry, the host of the conference, has not explicitly explained the reasons for calling it off. “The ILC has been postponed. Inconvenience is regretted,” the ministry sent the message to trade unions, BMS president Saji Narayanan told Outlook.

Trade unions, including the RSS-affiliate Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, had earlier threatened to boycott the event, alleging their demands were not met in the Union Budget. To avoid embarrassment perhaps, the ILC now stands cancelled.

“BMS had decided in its national executive meeting in Ambaji in Gujarat, held from February 6 to 8, to boycott ILC due to the centre’s anti-labour policies. Two words were totally missing from this year’s budget- labour and worker,” Narayanan told Outlook.

THE BMS, however, demand the ILC to be convened soon, and the government should “do their homework.”

“ILC should not be a ritualistic or ceremonious event. The government has not done sufficient homework. We demand that ILC should be convened at the earliest with sufficient home work by the government,” the RSS trade union president said.

In an exclusive article for Outlookindia, Narayanan had said the BJP government at the Centre is nothing more than UPA III.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the nucleus of Sangh Parivar cosmos, had made it evident that it is upset with the Modi government’s economic policy decisions and, like a ventriloquist, has been lashing out through its affiliates like BMS and Swadeshi Jagran Manch.

Other central trade unions invited to the Conference had other reasons to boycott it. Upset with the government’s decision to not invite Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), the second biggest central trade union in the country, as many as 10 central trade unions described the move as “discriminatory” and “undermining the spirit of tripartism.”

The unions had also expressed displeasure over not taking action on the unanimous recommendations of the 43rd, 44th and 45th ILCs especially on formulation of minimum wages, same wages and benefit for same work as regular workers for contract labour. (Courtesy: Ms Vimala Vidya)

Lalit Modi, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Vikram Kothari – the list is unending. They are  robbing the poor people’s money deposited in the banks, with the full connivance of the bank management and their political masters. It is not small amount. The three-four barons mentioned alone have captured more than Rs. one lakh crore of rupees from the PSU Banks and left the country, with the full knowledge of the government. In fact, it might have been some of the political leaders who might have arranged the escapade , because it is also their own necessity having close connection with these cheats.

During the UPA and  NDA governments, India has become one of the countries, where corruption, bribery, cheating, black market, money laundering and all after effects of implementation  of crony capitalism have flourished unchecked. The present Modi Government has topped in the game.

When crores of young people with out jobs, poor people with out food are somehow dragging their every day life, these barons treat themselves in posh hotels, build/purchase palatial building in India and abroad, spend their times with world celebrity models, and is show cased in all big functions, including that are participated by the Prime Minister and other ministers. These vulgar exhibitions of wealth and plunder are glorified by the print and other medias, of course which are owned by the same corporate class.

The general elections are going to take place next year. These ruling classes which supports the rich to rob the poor should be thrown out. This crony capitalism which has engulfed the country in to worst misery can not be allowed to continue.

Political freedom we got in 1947. The struggle for economic freedom has to continue.