BSNLCCWF CEC at Raipur calls for struggle to achieve demands

Raipur CEC meeting announced trade union action to achieve genuine demands of Casual/Contractual Workers.

The CEC meeting of BSNLCCWF was held at Raipur, Chhattisgarh on 13th & 14th January’18, with great enthusiasm. The meeting was held at Vipra Bhavan, Samta Colony. The arena of the meeting was well decorated with union flags and festoons. Before commencement of the meeting the Red Flag of our union was hoisted by Com. V.A.N. Namboodiri, President, BSNLCCWF. Com. Dharmadas Mahapatra, State Secretary CITU, inaugurated the CEC meeting. Com.R.S. Bhatt, CS, BSNLEU, Com. S.C.Bhattacharjee, Veteran leader AIBDPA, Com. K. Mohanan, Asstt. General Secy., BSNLCCWF also spoke. Com. Animesh Mitra, Secy. Genera, placed report before the house for discussion.Com Tapas Banerjee, Treasurer, placed the accounts.

Apart from office bearers and CEC members, delegates from the following states attended the meeting- Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, CTD, West Bengal, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

The following items were focused and discussed in the meeting by the delegates – Retrenchment of casual/ contract workers, delay in payment of monthly wage, fund curtailment, Rs 18,000/- wage of the casual laborers, Gratuity etc. The meeting with CLC held at New Delhi was reported in the house by Secy. Genl., Com. Animesh Mitra.

After threadbare discussion on the above issues by the delegates and members, a 10 points Charter of Demands was prepared and 5 points Trade Union programmes were announced which were unanimously accepted by the house.

(1) Protest Day on 7th February, 2018, 2) March to CGMT Office on 8th March, 2018, 3) Signature Campaign, 4) Submission of Memorandum to the CMD and CLC, 5) Membership campaign programme, 6) Celebration of Ten Years completion of BSNLCCWF etc.

The CEC meeting has adopted three resolutions e.g. a) extension of full support to the programme of “March to Sanchar Bhawan” by the Unions and Associations of BSNL to be held on 23rd February, 2018 b) Massive campaign amongst the members against the dreadful “FRDI bill”, c) Protest against the decision of the Government to form a “Subsidiary Tower Company”.

The CEC meeting of BSNLCCWF at Raipur ended successfully.

Aadhaar or Niraadhaar

Aaadhaar is being made mandatory for almost all programmes of the government, Banks and other operations. As ‘Peoples Democracy’ has rightly pointed out “The Aadhaar has become another instrument of oppression in the hands of an authoritarian government and will facilitate state surveillance on citizens violating their privacy and fundamental rights.”

The recent exposure by ‘Tribune’ that aadhaar data of people can be accessed by others and misused has exposed the assurance of government and UIDAI that the information can not be accessed and is safe. Even earlier it was known that the American companies who were party to the preparation of the software had full access to the data. Now any crook and hacker can have access!

The best way for the government is to immediately stop making Aadhaar mandatory for all purposes. Accept the mistake and withdraw from the foolish venture.

Double talk of BJP on FDI

While in opposition BJP was vehemently opposing FDI in retail trade including in multi-brand retail. It organised agitational programmes and  opposed in  Parliament also.

In power at the centre, it has somersaulted. Now the central cabinet has decided for FDI in retail, both single and multi-brand to the extend of 100%.

The double-face and double talk of BJP has been once again exposed. As in the case of assurance of solving unemployment as also waiving of the loans of the farmers, here also the BJP and NDA have gone back.

People are not fools. After its lackluster performance in the Gujarat assembly elections,  BJP has been given  a  sharp rebuff in the Karnataka panchayat elections.

Telecom a services facilitator, not just revenue generator: Manoj Sinha- If so why should pay revision in BSNL is denied ?

Telecom a services facilitator, not just revenue generator: Manoj Sinha- If so why should pay revision in BSNL is denied ?
Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of Communications has stated that Telecom is a services provider and therefore cannot be revenue generator for the government; Economic Times has reported. The report further says that it is a change in the mindset of the government. Well and Good; then the government should immediately cause early action to implement the 3rd PRC to BSNL employees and the pension revision to the BSNL pensioners.

Ganashakti completes 51 years

“Ganashakti” the Bengali daily being published by CPI(M) has completed 51 years of fruitful service to the toiling masses of the country.

Best Wishes and Congratulations to the Ganashakti team!

Com. E.Balanandan remembered

19th January 2017, is the 9th death anniversary of Com. E.Balanandan, the veteran trader union leader, former President of CITU and PB Member of CPI(M).

His life has been full of struggles for the working class and he himself had to suffer victimisation. Three times Member of Parliament(both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), MLA as also the President of the militant trade union, CITU, he was active till his death.

He was affectionately called ‘Sami’ by his comrades and friends. He was the guide and adviser of BSNL employees trade union movement also. The more than four decades of contact with him has been always been an inspiration to me and many others.

My respectful homage to Com. E.Balanandan on his 9th death anniversary!.

Red Salute to Com. Balanandan!

The hunter hunted? Case of Pravin Thogadia

VHP leader Pravin Thogadia has been in the news for long time for his extreme right wing stand and provocative statements. Peaceful life has been threatened. But now he is under threat by those who are in power. He is on the run to escape the wrath of Prime Minister Modi, the paper reports say.

The hunter hunted?

Stop the unwanted modification of Passport

The government of India has proposed to issue to Orange color Passport to those who have not passed Matriculation. The address and other details in the last page also will not be there. Discrimination in issuing the passport is unwanted. The government should withdraw this unwanted and biased decision.

March to Sanchar Bhawan on 23rd February 2018

The March to Sanchar Bhawan, the head quarters of Department of Telecom, on 23rd February 2018 called by the All unions and Associations of BSNL is a timely decision. BSNL is fully owned by DOT and it has got full responsibility to ensure the rights of the workers as well as the improvement of BSNL. Instead, DOT and Government are moving to weaken the PSU and hand over the same to the private corporates. Formation of a separate Tower company with the 70,000 and odd BSNL towers is intended to disable BSNL from its effective functioning. There is no indication of the wage revision due to the workers from 0-01-2017, though one year has passed.

Sustained struggle is the correct path for the workers to achieve their demands. Make the programme a big success. AIBDPA and BSNLCCWF have extended solidarity and support and will participate in the programme. Saving BSNL and ensuring settlement of wage and pension revision is necessary for their advance.

Withdraw Discriminatory Order stopping Haj subsidy

Government of India is providing subsidy to he various pilgrimages like Haj, Kailas-Manasa sarovar, Kumbhamela etc. Some of the states are also providing similar help. But now the Government has issued orders stopping the Huj subsidy. This discriminatory order should be withdrawn.